Bungie shares first looks at gameplay from its new shooter, Marathon, alongside a release date

Engadget - Apr 13th, 2025

Bungie has unveiled new details about its upcoming team-based extraction shooter, 'Marathon', during a showcase event. The game, a reboot of the company's 30-year-old FPS series, is set to release on September 23 and will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with full cross-play and cross-save support. Players will take on the role of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries exploring the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV for riches and power. Teams of three will compete against rival Runners and hostile security forces, scavenging for weapons and upgrades. Surviving players will keep their loot for future runs or venture to the derelict Marathon ship above.

The announcement marks the first substantial update about 'Marathon' since its initial reveal in 2023. The game's development and the showcase offer a glimpse into Bungie's strategy of reviving classic franchises for modern gaming audiences, emphasizing cooperative gameplay and competitive elements. A closed alpha test is scheduled for April 23 to May 4, paving the way for larger tests leading up to the September launch. This approach not only builds anticipation but also allows the developer to fine-tune gameplay mechanics based on player feedback, potentially setting a new standard for team-based shooters.

Video Games Bungie Game Release Marathon Team Based Shooter Fps Cross Play

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a clear and accurate account of Bungie's upcoming game, Marathon, with a strong focus on factual details such as the release date and gameplay features. The article is well-structured and easy to read, making it accessible to its intended audience of gamers and fans of Bungie's work. While the article is timely and relevant, it could benefit from greater transparency regarding its sources and methodology. Additionally, the inclusion of diverse perspectives, such as player opinions or industry analysis, could enhance the balance of the coverage. Overall, the story effectively informs readers about Marathon while maintaining a neutral tone, though it lacks the depth to provoke significant public debate or controversy.

Accuracy

The news story accurately reports on the key details concerning Bungie's upcoming game, Marathon. The release date of September 23, 2025, is consistent with multiple sources, ensuring the claim's verifiability. The platforms mentioned—Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S—are also confirmed by various reports. The story correctly describes the gameplay mechanics, such as the role of players as 'Runners' and the team-based nature of the game, which are supported by other sources. However, the story could benefit from additional verification on the specifics of the 'closed alpha test' dates and details, as these are less commonly reported. Overall, the factual accuracy is high, with only minor areas needing further confirmation.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the game by focusing on its features, release details, and historical context. It does not display overt favoritism towards Bungie or Marathon, nor does it omit significant perspectives that would affect the reader's understanding of the game's launch. However, the article primarily presents information from the perspective of the developer, Bungie, without including insights or opinions from players or industry analysts, which could provide a more rounded view.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the key information about Marathon. The language is straightforward, making it easy for readers to understand the game's features and release plans. The logical flow from the announcement to gameplay details ensures that readers can easily follow the development of the story. However, some additional context or background information about the game's history could enhance understanding for those unfamiliar with the series.

Source quality

The story appears to rely on credible sources, such as official announcements from Bungie and reputable gaming news outlets. However, the article does not explicitly cite its sources within the text, which could enhance its reliability. The lack of direct attribution to specific sources slightly diminishes the overall credibility, even though the information presented aligns with known facts about the game.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source attribution and the methodology behind the information gathering. While it provides factual details, it does not disclose how these were obtained or whether there were any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency about the sources and the context of the information would improve the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and reliability of the content.