Bungie, the studio behind Halo and Destiny, today revealed the details of its new team-based extraction shooter Marathon, starting with the release date: September 23rd. The Bellevue studio has released several trailers that show us the gameplay and tell us about the world of the game, Tau Ceti IV, also announcing a Closed Alpha Test that will take place very soon, on April 23rd.

The game will come complete with cross-play and cross-progression, and to have a chance to participate in the Alpha test, you'll need to join the game's Discord server. Here are the steps to follow to register:

• Subscribe to the Marathon Discord server and accept the rules.
• Go to chat #alpha_access and type /alpha.
• Wait for the channel bot to pin you in the #new-noise chat and follow the custom link it will send you.
• On the page that opens, log in with your Bungie account or create one if you don't have one.
• Select the platform of your choice.
• Read carefully and, if you approve it, accept the Marathon Alpha NDA.
• Fill out the survey that will be proposed to you
• Close the survey and return to the home tab to confirm your Alpha enrollment.

Below you will find the very first details about the game and its very dangerous world, while below we offer you a short gameplay trailer, a long overview of the game's features and finally a cinematic trailer that tells us the story of some Runners engaged on Tau Ceti IV. Enjoy reading and watching!

The world of Marathon

In Marathon, players take on the role of a Runner, a cybernetic mercenary who scours the remains of a lost colony of Tau Ceti IV in search of fortune and power. Players team up in teams of three and battle against rival Runner teams and hostile security forces to obtain weapons and upgrades. Surviving, everything they have collected can be saved for future trips to Tau Ceti IV or, if they are brave enough, for a trip to the derelict ship Marathon that is in orbit.

Tau Ceti IV

Welcome to Tau Ceti IV, a lost colony whose inhabitants have disappeared without a trace. Rival factions vie for the remaining resources, hiring Runners who have abandoned their human form for biosynthetic shells. Death is only an obstacle in this ruthless competition in which power, luck and answers to the mysteries of Tau Ceti IV hang in the balance.

Become a Runner

Choose from a roster of cybernetic mercenaries with unique abilities. Players customize their Runner's playstyle with the weapons, implants, and equipment they collect during their missions. Strategist, execute and become the most feared mercenary in Tau Ceti.

A high-stakes journey to increase your power

Bungie's best FPS gunplay creates a unique mix of tactics and fast-paced action, where each race is a tense race to get a big score. Final challenges, ranked matches, seasonal narratives, community events, and more await Season 1.

Marathon - Cinematic Short Film Reveal

Bungie has released the first original cinematic short film set in the Marathon universe, showcasing the team's commitment to rich storytelling both in and out of the game. This cinematic short film was written and directed by award-winning director Alberto Mielgo and his animation studio pinkman.tv.

"When I first read about the universe and characters of Marathon, I found it all strangely poetic and mysterious," said Alberto Mielgo. "The concepts of futility and resistance immediately came to my mind and I felt the urgency to write about them. Seeing the super bold and vibrant artwork of the game team created an immediate bond. It's all deeply stimulating and sobering."