Julio Junior
Summary
- Bungie's Marathon won't be free-to-play but won't cost the full $69.99 either.
- Director Joe Ziegler emphasizes a pay-once model with seasonal updates, avoiding surprise fees.
Ever since Bungie unveiled Marathon’s gameplay last weekend, the chatter hasn’t exactly been about the action on-screen. Instead, fans have zeroed in on how much the game will cost, why there won’t be proximity chat, and who exactly Bungie is building this PvP extraction shooter for.
First off, Bungie made it clear Marathon is a “Premium Title”—it won’t be free-to-play, but it also won’t carry that full‑price $69.99 tag. Then came the explanation for skipping proximity chat (yes, even though it’s a staple in other shooters of this style). And most recently, the studio dug into why they’re sticking to a buy‑to‑play model rather than going free.
On the Friends Per Second Podcast, director Joe Ziegler laid it out plainly: “We’re hoping what we’re showing is exciting enough that someone is going to take the leap with us. But we’re also committed to rolling out seasons that grow the game without hiking up that box price.” In other words, pay once, play now, and get new content down the line without surprise fees.
There’s still plenty we haven’t seen of Marathon—and with the Closed Alpha kicking off on April 23, players will finally get hands-on time before the full release on September 23. If Bungie’s confidence is anything to go by, that sneak peek should have you itching to jump in when launch day rolls around.
” Everyone’s got their own definition of what is the right price. “
Historically, multiplayer shooters have landed at all sorts of price points: Helldivers 2 launched for a modest $39.99, while Battlefield 2042 debuted at $59.99. Rumor has it Marathon might sit closer to the $40 mark, but we’ll have to wait and see if that sticks.
Ultimately, Bungie’s message is simple: they believe Marathon is strong enough at launch to justify a purchase—and that future seasons will keep it fresh without shaking down your wallet again. If you’re on the fence, April’s alpha might be the moment that convinces you it’s worth the ticket.
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Unreal 5
It’s exciting to see Bungie taking a confident approach with Marathon, offering a pay-once model that promises ongoing content without additional costs. The upcoming Closed Alpha should provide a great opportunity for players to get a taste of what’s to come. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!