Marathon's first open play week starts on June 2
Source: Engadget
Open Play Week (June 2–9)
When Marathon’s second season kicks off on June 2, Bungie will give new players a chance to try the game for free for a full week. In a blog post published today, the studio said the preview will run through June 9 and will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Any progress made during the preview carries over to the full game if players decide to purchase it afterward.
Season‑2 Reset for Existing Players
As previously announced, existing players will see their item vault and armory reset at the end of the current season, putting everyone on equal footing regarding weapons and upgrades. This makes the preview week an ideal time for both newcomers and veterans to jump in.
New Content Highlights
Sentinel Class
The Sentinel is described as a defensive specialist with a kit built around controlling space. Its prime ability, Defender System, deploys a point‑defense drone that briefly protects you and your crew against grenades and missiles. Another ability, a short‑range motion‑tracking system, lets you gather extra intel on nearby threats and set up defenses accordingly.
Dire Marsh Nighttime Map
The reimagined Dire Marsh zone leans into Marathon’s cosmic‑horror inspirations. Bungie calls it “slower‑paced than Day Marsh” and likens the experience to survival horror, featuring fewer players, darker environments, and additional navigation challenges.
Cradle Customization System
The Cradle allows players to convert extra weapons and equipment into experience points for stat upgrades and perks. This system is intended to let players progress independently of the game’s faction system, which can become tedious when hunting specific high‑level salvage for a single upgrade. Cradle builds can be tweaked at any time to encourage experimentation.
Future Plans and Recent News
Earlier this month, Bungie outlined its plan for Marathon’s future, promising a better onboarding experience for new players and new PvE modes arriving during season 2.
Less than a week later, the studio announced it was ending active development on Destiny 2. The following day, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that Sony was planning “significant” layoffs at the developer. A successful preview week could therefore be a morale boost for Bungie.