Marathon Leak Reveals New Runner, Maps & Gameplay Upgrades for 2026

I’ve been a Bungie fan since the Halo days, sneaking in LAN parties with friends and geeking out over Destiny’s lore. So when a new Marathon leak dropped, showing off major gameplay upgrades, I was all in. This sci-fi extraction shooter, set to revive Bungie’s classic 1994 series, has had a rocky road—delays, art drama, and all—but the latest Marathon leak from a closed playtest (September 5-7, 2025) has me hyped. From a new Runner named Icon to a slick Cryo Archive map, here’s why this Marathon leak has fans buzzing and what it means for the game’s 2026 release.

The Leak: Deakstiny Spills the Beans

The Marathon leak comes from Deakstiny, a well-known Destiny 2 dataminer who’s got a knack for digging up Bungie’s secrets. Their X post (since hit with DMCA takedowns) spilled details from the latest Marathon playtest, and it’s juicy. Despite Bungie’s efforts to keep things under wraps, Deakstiny revealed a revamped faction system, a new Runner, and two updated maps that show Marathon is leveling up. This isn’t the first leak—playtests have been running monthly—but it’s the most detailed yet, giving us a peek at Bungie’s progress after the game’s Marathon release delay from its original September 23, 2025, target.

Why the delay? Alpha tests got mixed vibes, and a messy art theft scandal (more on that later) forced Bungie to pump the brakes. Now, with a new release window expected to be announced this fall—maybe at PlayStation’s rumored State of Play in late September 2025—Bungie’s using these playtests to polish Marathon into a must-play PvP extraction shooter.

Marathon Gameplay Upgrades: What’s New?

The Marathon leak highlights some serious glow-ups. Here’s the breakdown:

Faction System Overhaul: The six factions—Cyberacme, Nucaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi—got a visual makeover. Think cinematic intros (over 30 seconds each!) and a redesigned faction screen that screams sci-fi polish. No more barebones menus; this feels like a step toward immersive storytelling.
New Runner: Icon: Previously codenamed “Thief,” Icon is the star of the leak. This Marathon new Runner brings Apex Legends-style flair with:
- A grapple hook for zipping around maps like Pathfinder.
- X-ray vision to spot loot containers and enemy outlines.
- A loot-stealing drone that snags rare items from rivals, adding a spicy twist to extraction.
- Default skins only for now (labeled “Default Skin 01”), but this hints at future customization.
Map Updates: The playtest kicked off with a revamped Outpost map, now with environmental hazards like falling sparks that chip away at your health. Later, testers explored Marathon Cryo Archive map, set aboard the iconic UESC Marathon ship. Cryo Archive mixes combat with puzzle-like elements—think keys and items to unlock areas—though some spots felt unfinished.
Playtest Perks: Bungie’s not messing around, reportedly offering $500 gift cards to players who logged in daily during the September 5-7 playtest. That’s how serious they are about nailing this.

These Marathon gameplay upgrades show Bungie’s doubling down on feedback, aiming to make the game feel dynamic and alive. The faction cinematics and Icon’s abilities suggest a focus on personality, while maps like Cryo Archive lean into the World of Darkness-esque mystery of Tau Ceti IV.

The Art Controversy and Development Drama

No Marathon story’s complete without some chaos. The game’s delay stemmed partly from lukewarm alpha feedback but also a 2025 art scandal. Artist Fern “Antireal” Hook called out Bungie for using her 2017 designs without permission, sparking backlash. Bungie apologized, blaming a former artist, but it left a sour taste. Fans already love or hate Marathon’s bold, neon-heavy art style, and this didn’t help. The leak suggests Bungie’s scrubbing problematic assets while enhancing visuals, with Cryo Archive’s sci-fi aesthetic looking especially crisp.

The delay pushes Marathon’s release to likely 2026, giving Bungie time to refine AI, add proximity chat, and weave in more narrative elements. After Destiny 2’s ups and downs, they can’t afford to miss the mark here.

What’s Next for Marathon?

This Marathon leak proves Bungie’s listening to fans. The Marathon faction system revamp and Icon’s kit add depth to the extraction loop, while maps like Outpost and Cryo Archive promise variety. With monthly playtests and a rumored reveal at PlayStation’s State of Play, we’re inching closer to a polished product. The $500 playtest rewards show Bungie’s all-in, and features like smarter AI and dynamic loot could make Marathon a standout in the crowded shooter space.

As a longtime Bungie fan, I’m cautiously optimistic. Icon’s drone sounds like a game-changer, and Cryo Archive’s puzzles could add that immersive sim vibe I loved in Destiny’s raids. If you’re hyped, wishlist Marathon on Bungie’s site and watch X for updates. Got thoughts on Icon or the art drama? Spill below!

FAQ: Marathon Leak Insights

What’s new in Bungie’s Marathon leak? A new Runner (Icon), revamped factions, and maps like Cryo Archive with puzzle elements.
When is Marathon’s new release date? No official word, but expect an announcement this fall, likely for 2026.
What are Icon’s abilities? Grapple hook, X-ray vision, and a loot-stealing drone for tactical plays.

Source- Gamerant.com