Bungie’s take on the extraction shooter genre and the revival of their original IP, Marathon, has never been closer. Following multiple announcements, we now have a solid understanding of the game’s pricing and microtransaction model.
Considering how many modern multiplayer releases are free-to-play with battle passes and microtransactions, it’s fair to ask if Marathon follows a similar pricing model. At the same time, the extraction shooter space has barely ever been free-to-play, with multiple titles locking themselves behind a premium price.
Here’s everything you need to know about Marathon‘s price and post-launch support.
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Will Marathon be free-to-play? Everything you need to know
Bungie has confirmed that Marathon is targeting a $39.99/€39.99/£34.99 price tag, putting it on the same level as ARC Raiders and games like Helldivers 2. Both of these games proved that as long as a game offers a unique hook and polish at launch, players are willing to pay the entry fee.
Purchasing Marathon grants full access to the game, including a roadmap of free gameplay updates as the year progresses. This includes new maps, Runner shells, events, and more, starting with the exploration of UESC Marathon’s Cryo Archive in season one.
It’s unclear if there will be larger paid annual DLCs, similar to Bungie’s other title, Destiny 2. More information regarding the seasonal content, a roadmap, and more will be revealed closer to the game’s release.
Will Marathon have a battle pass?
Bungie has also confirmed that Marathon will feature a rewards pass at launch. However, to prevent the fear of missing out, Marathon‘s rewards passes will not expire, and you’ll be able to buy and progress through prior ones at any point. This is also very similar to how Decks and Warbonds work in ARC Raiders and Helldivers 2, respectively.
Most importantly, the developer also highlighted that it believes in preserving competitive integrity, so no competitive advantage will come from paid purchases.
