The long-awaited price speculation for Bungie's new extraction shooter Marathon has finally come to an end. The development team has officially confirmed that the game will be released with a price tag of $40.
Marathon, which met with players for the first time recently and received generally positive feedback, had aroused great curiosity, especially regarding its price. While some players were hoping that the game would come with a free-to-play model, others were expecting a more affordable premium model. However, the information previously expressed by Forbes writer Paul Tassi was also confirmed by Bungie, and it was confirmed that Marathon would be sold for $40.
A Price That Was Well-Received Despite The $70 Standards
Considering that many AAA games are now released with a price tag of $70, Marathon's price of $40 was welcomed by many players as a positive development. However, some groups continue to argue that the game should be free due to the nature of the extraction shooter genre. Despite this criticism, Bungie will not back down from its decision and will offer the game for a fee. Moreover, it was stated that the game will include microtransactions in addition to this price tag.
“It is Technically Not Possible to Do It for Free” Statement
The fact that the game is not offered with a free model shows that Bungie wants to position Marathon as a more traditional premium game. The development team emphasized in their statements that this decision is now at a point of no return. Sources said, "It is technically not possible to make the game free at this stage," and that the development process has been built on this paid model since the beginning.
Alpha Testing NDA Removed, Transparency Increased
Bungie recently lifted the NDA restrictions on its closed alpha test. This decision was made in an effort to provide more transparency about the game and increase player confidence in the project. While initial reactions from the alpha test have been generally positive, it remains to be seen what the full game will be like.
Release Date Remains Uncertain
Although Marathon has not yet announced a definitive release date, Bungie is expected to release this new game towards the end of 2025. Despite receiving mixed reviews for its $40 price tag and live service model, Marathon has already attracted the attention of players. It will become clear over time how Bungie will succeed in this new area.
