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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Marathon is Bungie’s science-fiction first-person shooter series. It began on Macintosh in 1994 as a campaign-driven FPS, expanded into a trilogy by 1996, and returned on March 5, 2026, as an online multiplayer extraction shooter. The new game shares the originals’ universe, but Bungie says it is neither a remake nor a direct sequel.
What are the original Marathon games?
The original Marathon story is a trilogy of Macintosh FPS games released between 1994 and 1996. Their campaigns used terminals to deliver much of the story, a distinctive approach that encouraged players to piece together events and debate the series’ mysteries.
| Game | Release | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | December 21, 1994 | The first game introduced the series’ science-fiction setting and terminal-driven storytelling. |
| Marathon 2: Durandal | November 1995 | A substantial expansion of the first game, adding widescreen graphics, ambient sound, new weapons and creatures, outdoor areas, and underwater exploration. |
| Marathon Infinity | October 15, 1996 | A solo scenario released alongside multiplayer maps, editing tools, and strategy-guide material. |
Bungie’s historical scrapbook and timeline document the trilogy’s development and releases.
How did Marathon begin?
Bungie began developing Marathon in late 1993 as a follow-up to Pathways Into Darkness. The team wanted to address complaints that the earlier game was slow and difficult. An early version, called Marathon Zero, appeared at San Francisco Macworld in January 1994. After deciding that it looked too much like Pathways, Jason Jones and Ryan Martell rewrote the rendering engine, helping push the project in a more distinctive direction.
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The sequel followed in 1995, answering some questions from the first game while deepening the story’s mysteries. Players also had a place to discuss those mysteries: The Marathon’s Story Page became part of the community around the games. Bungie’s series history and scrapbook describe the games and their development.
Why do Marathon’s editing tools matter?
Marathon Infinity grew from Bungie’s interest in releasing the editors used to make the games. The result bundled a solo scenario with multiplayer maps and tools, giving players a way to create levels and scenarios of their own rather than only play Bungie’s campaigns. The tools helped shape the series’ afterlife as a community-driven game, not just a set of story campaigns.
Players looking to run the classic games today can explore Aleph One, a community open-source option. Check its current setup instructions and data requirements before installing.
Is the new Marathon a sequel to the original?
No. Bungie describes the 2026 game as part of the same fictional world, but not a remake or direct sequel. In the studio’s May 24, 2023 announcement Q&A, creative lead Christopher Barrett put it this way: “It’s not a direct sequel to the originals, but something that certainly belongs in the same universe and that feels like a Bungie game.”
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Bungie also said newcomers would not need to know the trilogy to play the announced game. The new entry draws on the setting and themes, but it is not presented as a continuation that requires finishing the classic campaigns first. See Bungie’s 2023 announcement and Marathon FAQ for that distinction.
How is the 2026 Marathon different?
The classic games are campaign-focused FPS titles; the 2026 entry launched as an online multiplayer extraction shooter. It launched on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with cross-play and cross-save, according to Bungie’s release announcement.
Rank #4
| Original trilogy | 2026 game | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Campaign-focused classic FPS | Online multiplayer extraction shooter at launch |
| Story connection | Introduces the original story and universe | Shares the universe; not a remake or direct sequel |
| Where to play | Classic-game play is available through community avenues such as Aleph One; check current setup and data requirements | Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S at launch |
Bungie also listed Standard and Deluxe editions at launch. Its physical Collector’s Edition included a 1/6-scale Thief Runner Shell statue, a miniature WEAVEworm, an embroidered patch, postcards, and digital rewards. The release announcement describes those contents; it does not establish current availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What has Bungie said about Marathon’s direction?
In a September 17, 2026 studio update, Bungie said the game had received strong critical reception but had not reached as many players as the studio hoped. Bungie also described an intended shift beyond the launch model’s winner-takes-all PvEvP structure, toward deeper survival with cooperative PvE, competitive PvP, and PvPvE options.
A separate roadmap update describes lower-pressure play and further story and world content on Tau Ceti IV as planned work. These are announced directions, not a guarantee that each feature is live as of October 8, 2026; roadmap timing can change. For the studio’s status and intentions, see its September 2026 update.
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