Bungie Delays Marathon to Perfect Gameplay Experience

Bungie has just dropped a bombshell: the highly anticipated shooter Marathon has been delayed. The studio needs more time to polish and test the game to meet player expectations.

In a heartfelt statement, the Destiny developers noted that they “need[s] more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion.” The extra development time will empower the team to deliver the intense, high-stakes experience that this title demands.

This decision comes on the heels of mixed feedback from recent alpha tests and a significant controversy regarding stolen artwork discovered in those test builds. Marathon was originally slated for release on September 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, and while it was touted as a “premium product,” the studio has yet to confirm its pricing.

“Throughout every comment and conversation on social media and Discord, your voice has been strong and clear,” Bungie’s statement emphasizes. “After much discussion within our Dev team, we’ve made the decision to delay the September 23rd release.”

According to Bungie, the alpha test served as a valuable opportunity to refine the game’s focus—emphasizing survival under pressure, compelling lore, and raid-like endgame challenges, all wrapped in Bungie’s signature FPS combat.

The studio plans to use this additional time to deepen the relationship with players. They aim to enhance gameplay by integrating better AI, creating more rewarding runs, and introducing strategic combat elements.

Bungie is also committed to enhancing the Marathon universe itself. Improvements in visuals, richer narrative storytelling, and a darker tone are on the agenda, along with better social experiences that cater to solo players, duos, and introduce proximity chat.

“You’ll hear from us again later this Fall when we can share the progress we’ve made, alongside the game’s new release date,” Bungie assured. “Thank you again for your patience and—much more importantly—your passion. Your continued feedback will help us make Marathon the incredible gaming experience we all know it can be.”

This delay marks yet another hurdle for PlayStation’s live service ambitions. Recently, the platform faced backlash after the fast-tracked cancellation of the online shooter Concord. Earlier this year, Sony also scrapped plans for several other live service titles in development at Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, including a live service version of God of War. Adding to the uncertainty, the CEO of Fairgames studio Haven has unexpectedly left the company.