What’s happening with Marathon Season 2?

Marathon Season 2 arrives with a free week on PS5

Bungie is planning a new push for Marathon with its Season 2 launch and a limited-time promotion designed to bring in new players.

The key move: Marathon will be free-to-play for one week during the critical launch window for Season 2. The program is set to run across PS5, with the reports describing it as an “Open Play Week.” No PS Plus requirement is mentioned in the provided story coverage.

What players get

While the promotion itself is the headline, the Season 2 reveal materials also point to content changes. Reports tied to the Season 2 rollout describe: - A new cinematic preview for Season 2 with horror-leaning vibes - A new map and a Runner shell referenced in the Season 2 reveal coverage - A shift in gameplay presentation implied by the “Nightfall” branding and marketing tone

Why Bungie is doing it

Marathon is positioned as a live-service extraction shooter, and the promotion appears timed to counter the “try it now” moment that often determines whether players stick around after launch. The stories also mention broader community reactions—some players have been skeptical about Bungie’s priorities, especially after Destiny 2 ends active support.

By offering a full week free on PS5 around Season 2’s launch, Bungie is effectively creating a low-friction entry point. That matters because extraction shooters tend to require time to learn systems, progression, and team dynamics before they feel rewarding.

In short: Season 2 is being sold with a stronger horror presentation, and Bungie is using a free PS5 week to maximize first impressions and retention.