Recent leaks concerning Bungie’s extraction shooter Marathon indicate that the game has undergone substantial, behind-the-scenes enhancements. Bungie has been engaging in closed playtesting sessions, and new spilled details emphasize the introduction of an enhanced Runner character, revamped faction systems, and more.

Originally set to launch on September 23, 2025, the game’s release has been postponed due to moderate feedback from alpha tests and concerns about art theft. The studio has committed to more development time and will announce a new release date later this fall.

Significant Upgrades from the Latest Marathon Playtest

According to a well-known data miner, the faction screens in the latest playtest have been completely redesigned, offering cinematic introductions for all in-game factions, each lasting over 30 seconds. While previous cosmetics have been removed, the newly introduced Runner, named “Icon,” hints at future customization options.

Icon brings several unique capabilities, such as a grappling hook, X-ray vision for spotting loot and enemies, and a loot-stealing drone for acquiring rare items from opponents. The revamped Outpost map also introduces new environmental hazards and challenges.

Bungie appears to be seriously measuring player feedback, even rewarding daily testers with $500 gift cards to encourage participation in the testing phase. They also plan to implement features like proximity chat, smarter AI, and dynamic loot encounters in the future. However, as of now, the announcement of Marathon’s new release date remains unconfirmed.