Bungie may set Marathon price at 40$: sources say
The upcoming PvP extraction shooter Marathon may not be free to play. Sources close to the game revealed that Bungie is considering a 40$ Marathon price.
Table of Contents
Bungie is reportedly planning to launch Marathon at a $40 price point, opting for a premium, pay-to-play model rather than the free-to-play approach common in many modern shooters. According to sources familiar with the project, the decision to set this price came after discussions with Sony, following the disappointing release of Sony’s live-service game Concord. Concord launched at the same $40 price but was shut down just two weeks later. Helldivers 2 also launched with a 40$ price which may be a new standard for Sony.
Marathon is shifting direction
Earlier this year, Marathon underwent some changes under its new director, Joe Ziegler. IGN reported that the game shifted from allowing custom player characters to offering a fixed set of selectable heroes.
Bungie has big ambitions for “Marathon,” aiming to make it the ultimate live service game. For replayability, the game’s maps will be packed with secrets for players to discover, and it’s likely that new mysteries will be added as the game evolves through its seasons. As of now, two maps are in a playable state: one set in an abandoned colony on a planet and the other aboard the iconic Marathon ship. It’s still unknown whether these will be the only maps available at launch or if more will be added.
The core gameplay of Marathon is said to resemble games like Escape from Tarkov but with a distinct “Bungie twist,” according to one insider. The game consists of choosing your mission, selecting your loadout of perks, abilities, and gear, and then dropping into a server. Once you’re in, you can hunt for loot, complete objectives, or explore hidden areas. Afterward, you’ll extract, spend earned XP on upgrades, and then start another mission.
Marathon playtests
Over the past few months, Bungie has been running regular playtests, inviting internal teams, streamers, and content creators to provide feedback. So far, the response has been mostly positive. With one of the testers calling the game “worth” the $40 price tag.
Despite the encouraging feedback from playtests, the future of Marathon seems uncertain. The game development is still affected by the recent major Bungie layoffs. The staff is not very happy with the leadership decisions. Marathon has to reach the high expectations that are set both by the company and by the player base, and it is hard to predict whether the game meets the mark or not.
What do you think about this price tag? Would you pay for the game, or is it a red flag for you? Share your opinion in the comments below.
Comments