Bungie has officially pulled back the curtain on Marathon, its much-anticipated sci-fi extraction shooter, with a full gameplay reveal and a surprise announcement: the Closed Alpha begins later this month.

Following months of teases and cryptic posts, fans finally got their first in-depth look at Marathon during a showcase event that featured both extended developer commentary and live gameplay sessions from select content creators. The showcase wasn’t just for show — it also came with some big dates.

Full Release Coming This Fall — And It’s Going Head-to-Head With Borderlands 4

Mark your calendars: Marathon officially launches September 23, 2025. That’s the very same day Borderlands 4 hits shelves, a risky move at first glance — until you realize Bungie might’ve picked the date strategically to dodge the juggernaut that is GTA 6, expected around the same time. (For what it’s worth, Take-Two publishes both GTA and Borderlands, so there may have been some internal calendar calculus going on.)

But if you don’t want to wait until fall, there’s some good news.

Closed Alpha Drops This Month — Here’s How to Sign Up

The Marathon Closed Alpha kicks off April 23 and runs through May 4. A limited number of keys are already being distributed, but Bungie has opened sign-ups for players eager to test the game early.

To sign up:

1. Head to the official Marathon Discord.

2. Type /alpha in any channel.

3. You’ll receive a private message with a personalized link to register.

4. If selected, you’ll get an email from [email protected] — be sure to whitelist that.

It’s worth noting that this is a Discord-only sign-up for now, so if you’re not already in the community, now’s the time to join.

But… There Are a Few Caveats

While it’s exciting to get hands-on time with the game, this Alpha isn’t a free-for-all:

• The test is under a strict NDA. No streaming, no screenshots, no sharing.

• Codes are region-locked — PS5 players outside of North and South America are out of luck this round.

• A “priority code” doesn’t guarantee access. It just bumps your chances.

• This is a North America-centric tech test, meaning players outside NA may face slower matchmaking and limited functionality.

• You’ll get two friend codes, but again — they’re for “priority,” not direct entry.

It’s a surprisingly restricted rollout considering the full game is just five months out. Whether this is Bungie playing it safe or holding back for a bigger open beta push remains to be seen.

Trailer Breakdown: Fast-Paced, Team-Based, and Tactical

The new Official Gameplay Overview Trailer shows off what Bungie’s calling a “sci-fi team-based extraction shooter.” It features slick visuals, a vibrant neon-soaked aesthetic, and tight, kit-based combat focused on “Runners” — the game’s class-like characters.

Each Runner has a unique loadout of weapons and abilities, designed to be used in synergy with teammates. The goal? Get in, complete the mission, extract — and do it better than the enemy squad trying to do the same.

Marathon will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).

Whether you’re gunning for early access or waiting for the full release, the next few months are shaping up to be a busy — and very competitive — time for shooters. Stay tuned.