Who would have thought a friendlier mode was coming to the usually hostile Tau Ceti?
Bungie has shared new details on Marathon’s upcoming seasonal content, with game director Joe Ziegler outlining plans for Seasons 2 through 5, including new gameplay modes, a defensive Runner shell, and a future alien-themed map. In a new development update, Ziegler detailed Bungie’s roadmap for the extraction shooter’s next several seasons, focusing on in-game additions and experimental content planned for players.
The announcement was made on Thursday (14 May) in a development update on the official website. One of the biggest announcements is the arrival of two PvE-focused experimental modes in Season 2, including the game’s first PvE-only mode.
Marathon
Release date: 5 March, 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam)
Developer: Bungie
Is Marathon getting a PvE-only mode in Season 2?
Bungie confirmed that Season 2 will introduce two experimental playlists:
- An early-season mode focused primarily on PvE with light PvP elements
- A second mode launching later in the season that will be entirely PvE-only
The PvE-only mode will task crews with completing objectives together while making progress across matches. According to Ziegler, these new modes are being introduced to provide players with additional ways to play outside Marathon’s standard high-stakes extraction format.
What new modes are coming to Marathon?
Alongside the two Season 2 experiments, Bungie confirmed that additional experimental queues will continue beyond Season 2.
These future modes may explore:
- More PvE-focused gameplay
- Additional mechanics
- Potentially more purely PvP-focused modes
Bungie stated that these experiments could eventually become permanent parts of Marathon’s core gameplay loop.
New Runner shell and map announced for Marathon
Ziegler also revealed several other additions planned for future seasons, including:
- Sentinel, a new defensive-focused Runner shell
- A new map featuring alien-inspired environments
- Mind-warping debuffs and new gameplay mechanics tied to that map
The new map is planned for later seasons as part of Bungie’s longer-term roadmap.
Marathon Seasons 2 to 5 roadmap
Bungie’s roadmap update outlines an ongoing expansion of Marathon’s gameplay offerings across upcoming seasons, with a focus on:
- Experimental playlists
- New Runner shells
- Additional maps
- Expanded gameplay systems
Season 2’s PvE and PvE-only modes are set to serve as the first major gameplay experiments, as Bungie continues developing Marathon’s seasonal structure.
