More Marathon Gameplay Leaks From Closed Technical Tests as New Footage Hits Reddit
Bungie’s first non Destiny release in more than a decade, Marathon, continues to face an uphill perception battle, and the latest closed technical test leak cycle is not helping. Even with NDAs in place, Marathon has struggled to keep test footage contained, and this newest wave of leaks again puts unfinished gameplay in the public spotlight.
Spotted via a Reddit thread on GamingLeaksAndRumours, multiple gameplay clips pulled from BiliBili have been reuploaded and are now circulating more widely. The thread points to 5 separate videos showing different slices of the game, adding up to roughly 27 minutes of footage in total. The clips reportedly include a short look at the intro mission, a mini puzzle segment, a sniper rifle that has not been seen previously, and several moments of PvP combat. For players still undecided on Marathon’s direction, this kind of leak dump functions as an unofficial check in on moment to moment feel, pacing, and combat readability.
This leak wave arrives right after Bungie confirmed Marathon is targeting a March 2026 release window, alongside messaging that the studio has refined its vision for what the game should deliver over long term play. Bungie has highlighted new design elements intended to strengthen tension and decision making, including the idea that a dead player’s body will remain on the battlefield as a persistent signal to others, communicating both danger and potential opportunity. It is a smart on paper mechanic for extraction style pressure, but whether it translates into a consistently compelling loop will depend on pacing, readability, and how well the game rewards risk.
The broader challenge is that Marathon does not have the usual Bungie benefit of the doubt. The studio’s legacy in first person shooters is massive, but it is also carrying heavy baggage. Between leadership turmoil, layoffs and delays, recurring internal rumours, and a major plagiarism controversy that impacted schedules again, the project has accumulated an unusual amount of public friction before launch. In that climate, every leaked clip becomes an unofficial referendum, and every rough edge gets amplified.
At the same time, the strategic opportunity is still there. If Bungie can deliver clean gunplay, strong audio visual clarity, and an extraction loop that feels fair, tense, and rewarding, Marathon could still land as a meaningful comeback. But the market has become far less forgiving, and the studio now needs to earn confidence the way a newcomer would, not rely on nostalgia.
Do these leaks make you more interested in Marathon, or do they reinforce concerns that the project is still not where it needs to be for a March 2026 launch?
