Marathon Roadmap: What Awaits Players in Seasons 1 and 2

Studio Bungie, the creators of Marathon, has officially unveiled the roadmap for the game’s first two seasons and explained how the seasonal model will work after launch. The developers detailed what players can expect in the coming months — from launch content and endgame activities to major updates arriving in Season 2.

Marathon will feature three-month seasons with full progression resets, new zones, modes, and progression systems. This spring, players will dive into the first season — DEATH IS THE FIRST STEP, followed by NIGHTFALL in the summer, bringing new mechanics and changes to the world of Tau Ceti.

What Awaits Us in Future Seasons

Seasons in Marathon last approximately three months and fully reset player progression each time. Everyone starts from scratch — without gear, contracts, or faction upgrades — in a world that is significantly more dangerous than you from the very beginning.

Each season introduces new content and mechanics, including gear, Runner shells, zones, events, and other gameplay elements. All of this will be available for free — with no DLC or paid expansions required. By completing contracts and upgrading Marathon factions, players raise their power floor, unlock new Armory options, and gain access to more challenging zones and activities, including Ranked and endgame content such as Cryo Archive.

The seasonal model maintains a constant sense of risk and loot value while allowing players to embark on a fresh “zero-to-hero” journey every three months, complete with new challenges, mechanics, and story developments in the world of Tau Ceti.

Season 1: DEATH IS THE FIRST STEP

Source: Bungie.net

The first season of Marathon — DEATH IS THE FIRST STEP — will run from March to June and marks the beginning of a new struggle for resources and answers regarding the fate of the lost New Cascadia colony on Tau Ceti IV. Players will begin with a full progression reset and gradually work their way from basic gear to endgame activities.

During the season, the community will unlock the fourth zone — Cryo Archive aboard the UESC Marathon — and Ranked mode will launch in the second half of March with seasonal rewards. FIRST STEP will also introduce events, balance updates, new weapons, implants, and quality-of-life improvements.

Additionally, the following will be available at launch:

• Full faction and contract progression
• All six factions, including Sekiguchi Genetics
• All six launch Runner shells, including Thief
• Three zones, including Outpost
• Outpost will unlock the day after launch, allowing the community time to prepare and reach Runner Level 12
• 28 weapons, along with mods, implants, cores, and more to craft ideal builds
• Cosmetics, achievements, and lore through the Codex

As a result, players will have access to a fully developed progression system and a substantial amount of content from day one, with further updates throughout the season introducing new challenges and opportunities for Runners.

Season 2: What to Expect in NIGHTFALL

The second season of Marathon — NIGHTFALL, running from June to August — will showcase the consequences of player activity on Tau Ceti IV. The UESC will tighten security measures and respond more aggressively, making the world even more dangerous.

A key addition will be a nighttime version of Dire Marsh, featuring new threats, UESC reinforcements, and additional survival challenges. The season will also introduce the Cradle system, allowing deeper customization of a Runner shell’s strengths and weaknesses.

Season 2 will bring new content, including:

• Weapons
• Mods
• Cores
• Implants
• Backpacks
• Runner shells
• Zones
• PvE combatants
• Faction upgrades
• Contracts
• New ways to play existing zones

NIGHTFALL will continue evolving the seasonal model by updating loot and progression systems and creating space for new metas and playstyles. With each season, Marathon is designed to feel meaningfully different, gradually uncovering new details about the story of Tau Ceti.

How Seasons Will Work

Source: Bungie.net

Each season in Marathon will fully reset player progression — including gear, contracts, faction upgrades, and character level. Everyone will start from zero, preserving the sense of risk and the value of loot.

However, cosmetics, titles, seasonal rewards, and Codex progression will carry over. Liaison contract progression will also remain intact, meaning factions will not need to be unlocked again each season.

This model allows players to begin a new development cycle every three months without falling behind others, creating equal opportunities for both veterans and newcomers.