Update on December 30th, 2025: The footage that was originally sourced has been hit with copyright strikes and effectively scrubbed.
Over 20 minutes of raw Marathon gameplay has surfaced online from Bungie’s closed October and December playtests. The leaked footage shows extended match sequences rather than curated promotional clips.
The videos reveal Marathon functions as a PvPvE extraction shooter. Players navigate open maps while engaging both opposing squads and AI-controlled enemies. The footage shows weapon behavior, ability usage, and moment-to-moment combat flow in real matches.
The leaked clip includes AI enemy encounters that appear expanded from earlier test phases. The December closed playtest showcases a flying enemy type that didn’t exist in earlier builds. Other AI mechanics shown include a robot enemy that can disable player sprinting when it attacks.
UI and visual presentation show clear iteration from earlier tests. The interface appears cleaner and more polished compared to previous leaked footage. Environment art and overall visual fidelity also look improved in the newer build.
The leaked footage includes environmental details like puzzle rooms with reduced visibility and hazard warnings displayed as green tripwire overlays. These elements suggest light objective-based mechanics exist within the extraction format.
What this means for Marathon
Marathon represents Bungie’s return to its classic 1990s franchise, now reimagined as a modern multiplayer extraction shooter. The studio is owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment following a 2022 acquisition. Marathon is positioned as a key title in Sony’s push into live-service gaming.
Bungie built its reputation on polished gunplay through Halo and Destiny. The extraction shooter space is currently dominated by games like Escape from Tarkov.
