Following this weekend’s highly anticipated Marathon showcase—complete with the first gameplay reveal, a short film directed by Alberto Mielgo, and a confirmed release window for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC—Bungie has finally addressed one lingering question: pricing.

Contrary to speculation, Marathon will not be free-to-play, but Bungie promises it also won’t carry a traditional AAA price tag of $70/€80. Instead, the game will be released as a “premium product” at a more accessible price point, though the exact amount remains under wraps for now.

No Free-to-Play Model, But Also Not $70

After the event, details began to surface from GameSpot and other outlets that had gone hands-on with the game. According to GameSpot, one of the barriers for entry discussed during previews was its “full price” model, which caught some fans by surprise given the game’s live-service structure.

However, Bungie quickly clarified via social media:

“Yes, Marathon is a premium game—not free-to-play—but it won’t be priced like most big-budget releases. More details coming this summer.“

Recent rumors suggest a €40/$40 price point, aligning Marathon with Sony’s other online-first titles like Helldivers 2 and Concord, both of which opted for a budget-tier launch strategy. While that model has had mixed results, Bungie appears confident that Marathon’s gameplay loop and lore-rich world will offer strong value for players.

https://x.com/MarathonTheGame/status/1911129962943549877

Closed Alpha Coming Soon (But Limited)

Bungie also announced a closed alpha test for Marathon, which will run from April 23 to May 4. To participate, players must join the game’s official Discord, though this initial test will be limited to North American users and will remain relatively small in scope.

“We know many of you can’t sign up (yet). Please be patient—your turn will come soon,” Bungie said in its announcement.

A Premium Shooter That Aims to Stand Out

Set in a sci-fi universe rich with mystery, Marathon is an extraction shooter that blends competitive PvP with atmospheric storytelling and a distinctive art style. With no campaign and a full focus on multiplayer narrative progression, Bungie’s challenge will be proving that Marathon can stand apart from both free-to-play competitors and full-priced blockbusters.

Expect more pricing and release info this summer, along with new reveals from Bungie as the game inches closer to launch.