What exactly unfolded on Tau Ceti IV, and what happened to the legendary Marathon ship that kicked everything off? After several decades of silence following the original Marathon trilogy, the innovative team at Bungie is gearing up to revisit the enigmatic world of Tau Ceti IV. This time, they’re venturing back through a brand-new team-based extraction shooter, aptly named Marathon, set to launch on September 24 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
We’re diving into some of the standout moments from the Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase today. There’s a lot more to uncover, and you might want to catch the full livestream for all the details.
In Marathon, you’re thrown into a lethal arena where you, alongside two comrades, explore the remnants of Tau Ceti IV’s ghost colony. The goal is to unearth powerful weapons and gear amid dormant AI security, mysterious threats beyond this world, and competing Runner teams hungry for the same treasure. Surviving is no guarantee in this ruthless environment, but every escape and successful expedition ensure you keep your spoils, paving the way for increased power and a stuffed vault match after match. Always stay primed for that one grand heist that could turn everything around. If you’re eager to see the action unfold, don’t miss the Gameplay Reveal Trailer from today’s livestream.
At the core of Marathon are the Runners—cybernetic mercenaries who trade their flesh and blood for biosynthetic shells in exchange for enduring consciousness transfer upon demise. Within Marathon, you’ll choose from various Runners, each with distinct abilities and styles. These characters are more than just avatars; they’re starting points for you to refine your playstyle. Collect implants and items during your runs to tailor your Runner to your preferred strategy. For example, Kevin Yanes, the Senior Design Lead, describes Glitch as being all about speed and agility. Gear and upgrades that mitigate heat build-up can enhance these traits further. Plus, rare items like Prestige Cores can supercharge abilities, such as granting Glitch the ability to push a double jump into a triple, offering unmatched aerial agility.
When combined with Bungie’s hallmark gunplay and an extensive array of weapons, the versatility in how you can kit out your Runner is impressive. You can learn more about the Runners and the various gameplay mechanics in the newly released Gameplay Overview Trailer.
The original Marathon series, dating back to the 1990s, laid the groundwork for immersive storytelling—a signature of Bungie’s creations. “The intertwining of narratives, events, and characters in the original adventures offered a landscape of intrigue, wonder, and unexpected twists,” explains Jonathan Goff, the Narrative Leader. Players could choose to passively absorb the storyline or delve deep into the labyrinth of secrets through computer logs and environmental storytelling. “We’re excited to develop this narrative and explore familiar yet fresh terrains through the eyes of the Runners, who are setting foot on Tau Ceti IV and the Marathon itself in hopes of uncovering mysteries left in the original trilogy’s wake,” adds Goff. While the overlap between new and old Marathon stories will be revealed gradually, the quest to unravel the truths—or deceptions—of Tau Ceti will be placed directly into the hands of the players.
Goff encapsulates the series’ purpose, saying, “Ultimately, Marathon isn’t about us telling a story, but crafting worlds where untold stories are waiting to be uncovered.” Alberto Mielgo, the acclaimed director behind “The Witness” and “Jibaro” in Love, Death & Robots, unveiled an exciting cinematic short during the showcase, offering a glimpse into this evolving world.
Bungie has involved players and creators early on in the development of Marathon—earlier than in any previous project. Even before full production began, players were already test-driving early builds, providing critical feedback. Game Director Joe Ziegler explains, “Initially, our maps behaved like persistent worlds, allowing players to come and go as they pleased. However, feedback showed this setup sparked concerns over fairness and unpredictability. Changes were made to ensure each match starts fresh, encouraging teams to strategize from a level playing field.”
As Marathon continues its journey toward launch, Bungie is keen to further integrate extensive player feedback, opening the doors to more widespread playtesting. “We’re thrilled to broaden our testing pool and hear more from players,” Ziegler says. “This is just the beginning of an exciting journey.”
For a chance to dive into this new dimension, sign up for the Closed Alpha Test by joining the community Discord. Get ready—Marathon hits PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S on September 24.
