Marathon, Bungie’s upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, has officially been hit with an indefinite release delay. The game, initially slated for a September 23, 2025 launch, has faced a series of setbacks — including a plagiarism scandal and lukewarm feedback from its alpha test — ultimately leading to its delay.
A Rough Start for Bungie’s New IP
Unlike Bungie’s highly successful franchises like Halo and Destiny, Marathon has not received a universally warm welcome. The game’s reveal initially generated intrigue due to its unique art style and competitive PvP direction. However, public perception quickly shifted following a series of controversies and lackluster previews.
Most notably, it was recently discovered that some artwork used in Marathon had been plagiarized, allegedly added by a developer who is no longer with the company. Bungie quickly removed the content and acknowledged the issue, but the damage to the game’s reputation had already taken its toll.
The Alpha Test Disappointment
Adding to the growing concerns was Marathon’s alpha test, which reportedly failed to excite playtesters or deliver a compelling gameplay experience. While details from the alpha remain limited, sources suggest the game lacked the innovation and polish fans have come to expect from Bungie titles.
Its absence from the latest PlayStation State of Play event only fueled speculation that trouble was brewing — and now, the delay confirms it.
Bungie Responds: No New Release Date Yet
Bungie has now confirmed that Marathon‘s launch is being pushed back indefinitely, with no new release window announced. While the game is not canceled, the studio is not ready to commit to a release year, leaving fans wondering whether it will still arrive in 2025 — or be delayed further into 2026.
“We’ll have more to share about Marathon, including its release date, this fall,” Bungie stated in an official update.
This means fans may need to wait another 4 to 5 months before learning more about the game’s revised timeline.
What This Means for Bungie
The indefinite delay comes during a transitional period for Bungie. Following its acquisition by Sony and restructuring efforts in 2023, the company is under pressure to deliver a hit. With Destiny 2: The Final Shape marking the end of an era, Marathon was meant to be the studio’s next big step forward — but now, its future seems uncertain.
While delays can be disappointing, they often reflect a developer’s intent to get things right rather than rush a product to market. Bungie still has time to reshape Marathon into a title worthy of its legacy — but with fans already skeptical, the studio will need to make its next showing count.
Stay tuned for more updates on Marathon this fall, as Bungie prepares to share new details and — hopefully — a revised release plan.