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Marathon launched worldwide on March 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. It is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save. The launch date is in the past; as of October 4, Bungie had announced an October 6 refresh and a larger December 8 update.
When did Marathon release, and what platforms is it on?
Bungie launched Marathon worldwide at 10 a.m. PT on March 5, 2026. The extraction game is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Bungie says it supports cross-play and cross-save; console players need an active online subscription, according to the launch FAQ.
Bungie’s March 4 launch FAQ and its Server Slam briefing are the sources for the launch details.
What kind of game is Marathon?
Marathon is an online PvPvE extraction game set on Tau Ceti IV. Players enter runs as Runners: bio-cybernetic mercenaries whose consciousness can be uploaded into another shell after death. They contend with other players and the dangers of the colony while pursuing contracts, discoveries, and progression.
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Faction contracts and discoveries recorded in the Codex reveal the history of the lost colony and the derelict UESC Marathon. Bungie’s September 24, 2026 overview describes survival, exploration, and faction rivalries as central to the experience.
Which maps and zones are in Marathon?
Bungie’s launch and Season 1 materials name four zones. They differ in setting and progression role; some had staged unlocks at launch. Availability can change with updates, so these launch details should not be taken as a guarantee that every zone is available at all times now.
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- see all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & More! Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, player... Contest! Lobster-man J Darwin, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth nishibori, school uniform fan zenbei "xen bae" And the completely normal snuguru Maestro
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- tons of surprises! - you never know what will happen next in Nippon marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun Maybe a news anchor will Jet Pack in to Interview you on the racetrack Heck, anything is possible...
- drop-in/drop-out play! - random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play Not a problem. Whatever the cause, Hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
| Zone | Setting and role | Launch access or later change |
|---|---|---|
| Perimeter | An expansion site on the colony’s outskirts. | Bungie announced a refreshed version for the December 8, 2026 Symbiosis update; that was a future plan as of October 4. |
| Dire Marsh | An agricultural research hub. | Season 2 added Night Marsh, a nighttime version. Bungie said on May 27, 2026 that Dire Marsh and Night Marsh would rotate availability every 90 minutes after Season 2’s first week. |
| Outpost | A zone in the middle of a UESC military installation. | Bungie’s March 4 launch FAQ said it would unlock the day after launch at Runner Level 12. |
| Cryo Archive | An end-game zone aboard the derelict UESC Marathon ship. | Bungie’s March 4 launch FAQ said it would become available in the second half of March, after players opened the route into orbit. |
These are the four zones named in the launch and Season 1 overview, not a guarantee that the set will remain complete. On September 24, Bungie said it was developing another zone but had not named it. See the launch FAQ, Server Slam briefing, and September development overview.
Who are the characters in Marathon?
The word “characters” can mean several things in Marathon. The playable choices are Runner shells, while faction agents and the voice cast are separate parts of the setting. Bungie’s launch materials describe six Runner shells, but the available official information here does not provide a verified shell-by-shell list of names, abilities, or current stats. It also does not provide a complete roster of named story characters.
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A shell is the playable body or archetype a Runner inhabits. It is not the same as a named story character. In its September 24 development overview, Bungie said it intends to give players more agency over shell progression and capabilities; that direction is not a substitute for a current shell-by-shell guide.
Factions and agents
Bungie names six factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi Genetics. Faction contracts connect players to their rivalries and the setting. The January release announcement introduces Gantry as a MIDA faction agent, but does not present Gantry as one of the playable shells.
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- Four-player madness! - You can't spell Nippon Marathon without 'P', 'A', 'R', 'T' and *checks letters* 'I', we suppose… Solo play is supported, but grab up to four pads and enjoy the supreme silliness of gaming's greatest marathon.
- See all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & more!
- Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, er… contest! Lobster-man J DARWIN, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth Nishibori, school uniform fan Zenbei "Xen Bae" and the completely normal Snuguru Maestro Epic pratfalls! - Swinging poles! Giant face-slapping fish! Cyclists! Shiba Inu! Panes of glass! Traffic! False doors! Barrels! Rolling beams! Wobbly planks! Flying fruit! More Shiba Inu! EARTHQUAKES!!!!!
- Tons of surprises! - You never know what will happen next in Nippon Marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun? Maybe a news anchor will jetpack in to interview you on the racetrack? Heck, anything is possible…
- Drop-in/drop-out play! - Random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play? Not a problem. Whatever the cause, hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
English-language voice cast
Bungie announced the following launch English-language voice cast: Krizia Bajos, Samantha Béart, Beau Bridgland, Ry Chase, Roger Clark, Darin De Paul, Jennifer English, Dave Fennoy, Nika Futterman, Morla Gorrondona, Reina Guthrie, Donnla Hughes, Keston John, Sohm Kapila, Rich Keeble, Elliot Knight, Erica Lindbeck, Piotr Michael, Brent Mukai, Neil Newbon, Ariana Nicole George, Emily O’Brien, Lee Shorten, Jason Spisak, Ben Starr, JB Tadena, Fred Tatasciore, Craig Lee Thomas, Elias Toufexis, Oliver Vaquer, Scott Whyte, Tracy Wiles, and Erin Yvette.
The announcement does not map each performer to a named character, so this cast list should not be mistaken for a complete character roster. See Bungie’s January release announcement and launch FAQ.
What is Bungie planning next?
As of October 4, 2026, the dates and features below were announced plans, not completed releases. Bungie said it was moving away from a strict seasonal schedule, so older seasonal expectations may not describe the future cadence.
- October 6 refresh: A smaller update was planned to reset progression and the in-game economy, refresh rewards, and improve the live game.
- December 8 Symbiosis update: Planned content included the first permanent PvE experience, a refreshed Perimeter, a new Runner shell, a social space with a firing range, experimental PvP Team Deathmatch, and onboarding improvements.
- Longer-term development: Bungie has described goals to make Tau Ceti IV feel more alien and hostile, strengthen connections to the original Marathon trilogy, add combatants, and develop an unnamed zone. These are development goals, not confirmation that the features are already live.
The schedule and scope come from Bungie’s September 14 development update and September 24 overview. Check those official posts for changes after October 4.
What does Marathon reveal about its setting?
Bungie’s February 12 Server Slam briefing describes a story premise involving 30,000 colonists aboard the UESC Marathon. Its March 3 Seasons overview lists 28 weapons. These are figures in Bungie’s published game materials, not independent player-count or market statistics.
The story unfolds through exploration, faction relationships, contracts, and Codex discoveries rather than through a single complete cast list in the launch materials. For background, see the Server Slam briefing and Seasons overview.
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