Marathon: Bungie’s New Extraction Shooter Launches

Bungie, the creators of iconic franchises like Halo and Destiny, has released Marathon, a team-based extraction shooter. Available on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S as of March 5, 2026, the game marks a return to Bungie’s original Marathon series after a 27-year hiatus.

What is Marathon?

Marathon is a multiplayer extraction shooter set in a sci-fi world. The game takes place on Tau Ceti IV in the year 2893, 99 years after the events of the original Marathon. Players take on the role of “Runners”—individuals who have transferred their consciousness into specialized cybernetic bodies—tasked with infiltrating a lost colony and retrieving valuable artifacts, data, and resources [1].

The Story Behind Tau Ceti IV

The colony on Tau Ceti IV, established by human colonists from the UESC Marathon (a ship built from the Martian moon Deimos), went dark after facing attacks from alien forces and devastating biological agents. A distress call from one of the colony’s AIs finally reached Earth after 98 years, prompting various factions and mega-corporations to send Runners to investigate and extract valuable assets [1].

Gameplay Mechanics

Marathon features a PvPvE (Player versus Player versus Environment) gameplay loop. Players must contend with both UESC security forces, rival Runners, and alien threats although scavenging for loot. Successful extraction of valuable items allows players to assemble stronger builds and return for more lucrative runs [2]. The game includes raid-like security measures within the UESC Marathon ship itself, offering high-risk, high-reward opportunities for coordinated teams [2].

LUX Currency

Bungie has introduced a new in-game currency called LUX for Marathon. However, LUX is specifically designed for cosmetic items and does not provide any gameplay advantages [1].

Looking Ahead

Marathon is designed as a live-service game, with Bungie planning to release regular updates and seasonal content. Each season will restart player progression, encouraging continued engagement and offering new challenges [1].