Marathon Alpha Players Call for 2026 Delay
Players testing *Marathon’s* Closed Alpha are urging Bungie to delay the game’s release to 2026, citing major gameplay issues and a lack of polish. The sci-fi extraction shooter, first revealed in 2023, is Bungie’s first original IP since becoming a Sony studio.
While Bungie has not confirmed a price, rumors suggest a $40 tag. However, many Alpha testers feel the game doesn’t yet justify any price, pointing to bugs, balance issues, and unsatisfying mechanics. The developer has responded by promising major updates, including the removal of the controversial Mouse Magnetism feature in the next Alpha patch.
Forbes’ Paul Tassi and YouTuber LegacyKillaHD both publicly supported delaying *Marathon* until 2026, echoing the broader player sentiment that the game “isn’t ready.” Others also questioned whether Bungie is fully listening to community feedback.
A rumored Open Beta is set for August, ahead of a planned September release. Pre-orders are expected to go live alongside the Beta, but with Alpha feedback trending negative, many fans hope Bungie reconsiders the timeline.
With rival shooters like *Splitgate 2* gaining praise for smoother early builds, pressure is mounting on *Marathon* to deliver a more refined experience.
