Marathon confirms open beta before its release on Xbox

Bungie will allow players to try out its new extraction shooter before its official release.

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Bungie has cleared up one of the biggest questions surrounding Marathon: the game will feature an open beta before its official release. This is key news for those still unsure if this new shooter is what they’re looking for, especially now that its arrival on Xbox Series is just around the corner.

The announcement was made through social media, where the studio confirmed that there will be an open testing weekend for all players, with no restrictions. Although no dates or times have been set yet, Bungie makes it clear that the beta will allow anyone to get hands-on experience with the game and see firsthand what this new chapter in the franchise has to offer.

What to Expect from Marathon on Xbox: Extraction, PvP, and Sci-Fi

Marathon is shaping up to be a first-person extraction multiplayer shooter, set on Tau Ceti IV, an abandoned colony marked by conflict and survival. Players take on the role of runners, cybernetic mercenaries who venture into the map to gather resources, engage in PvP combat, and escape alive.

The game’s structure revolves around risk and decision-making: each incursion can go very well… or end in disaster. Bungie is betting on tense matches, with constant PvP encounters, environmental hazards, and a strong strategic component, designed for competitive and replayable sessions.

The official release of Marathon is set for March 5th on Xbox Series, PC, and PS5. Until then, the open beta will be the best opportunity to see if this new approach from the studio aligns with what you expect from the next big multiplayer shooter.