Marathon's next major update has a date, and for curious players the biggest news is that you won't have to buy the game to try it first. Bungie has confirmed an Open Play Week from December 8–15, 2026, alongside the launch of Symbiosis, its biggest expansion of ways to play on Tau Ceti IV. The update adds a permanent PvE-focused Expedition mode, experimental 3v3 Deathmatch, a revamped Perimeter zone, and a fast melee-oriented Runner shell called Bishop.
Bungie's November 10 official Steam announcement now explains exactly what happens if you try the game during the free access window, whether you keep your progress, and how to unlock the separate Crew Up event rewards. The details are especially helpful for people who liked the world but didn't enjoy being ambushed by rival players in the original extraction loop.
Free access runs December 8–15—and progress can carry over
Bungie's Open Play Week lets everyone download and play Marathon without buying a license between December 8 and December 15. During that window, players can sample the new Symbiosis content, including Expedition, Bishop, the expanded Perimeter map, and equipment additions.
The important catch is what happens afterward. Bungie says items and progression earned during Open Play Week are preserved if you purchase Marathon when the trial ends. That does not mean the game is becoming permanently free-to-play. Once the trial ends, you need a game license to keep playing.
Marathon is currently sold for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam; Bungie's official Symbiosis press release confirms cross-play and cross-save support. A persistent internet connection is required, and console multiplayer may require a separate paid platform subscription. The publisher has not announced a precise regional start hour for the free trial in this communication, so use the official account and store listings rather than assuming midnight everywhere.
Expedition finally gives players a permanent PvE route
The centerpiece of Symbiosis is Expedition, a new PvE-only activity. Bungie describes its first phase as a series of three runs that can be tackled solo or with a crew. Instead of worrying about unpredictable rival Runners, players focus on enemies, environmental hazards and reshaping their build using temporary Flash Boosts.
That design could appeal to players who enjoy Marathon's gunplay and alien world but aren't comfortable losing an entire evening's preparation to a surprise PvP encounter. It also gives newcomers a place to learn without immediately competing against veteran extraction squads.
However, don't confuse Expedition being playable solo with every event tied to Expedition being solo-friendly. Bungie's separate Crew Up challenges have a specific teammate requirement, discussed below. Likewise, the release announcement does not offer independently measured difficulty, loot efficiency or guaranteed progression rates. Those will have to be tested once players get their hands on the update.
Crew Up: the code, deadline and six cosmetic rewards
The new Steam announcement sets out a limited-time Crew Up event running from December 8 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific until December 22 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Participants must redeem the code DMA-T7Y-XJL at Bungie's official code-redemption page after Symbiosis launches on December 8. Redeeming it opens an Events section inside the Codex with challenge objectives.
This event cannot be completed entirely solo. Bungie says the player must be grouped with at least one other person who redeemed the same code, although matchmaking may fill any remaining crew slots. The initial tutorial must be finished before the event objectives become available. Each participant earns and claims their own rewards.
Bungie lists six themed rewards: the Queen's Nest emblem, Queen's Dominion background, Queen's Maw weapon sticker, Cluster Bunch weapon charm, Arata Vectus Destroyer skin, and Exterminator title. Completing consecutive challenges unlocks the corresponding Codex entries and cosmetics.
There are two access periods to remember. December 8–15: free-trial players can join Crew Up without purchasing Marathon. December 15–22: the event continues, but players need to own a license to keep completing it. The code is not a shortcut to claim every reward instantly; its purpose is to unlock the challenges.
What's new outside of the PvE event?
Bungie's November 10 PlayStation Blog breakdown also details the larger Symbiosis package. The Perimeter zone now features alien fungal growth and new spaces, including the Burrows and Reservoir, with a dangerous Tick Queen encounter. These additions aim to make a familiar early-game area feel worth revisiting.
A 3v3 Deathmatch beta offers a different competitive experience: two teams fight to score points without risking their permanent equipment loadouts. Bungie calls it experimental, so treat it as a mode to test rather than a fully settled competitive ranking system.
The Limbo social area offers places to meet other Runners, test guns and gear, and duel. The new Bishop Runner shell emphasizes high-speed, blade-focused combat. Meanwhile, the V17 Flamethrower is designed for short-range area denial, while the Maverick offers a revolver-like hand-cannon option. Bungie has not released enough final balance data to declare either weapon essential.
The official gameplay trailer shows the studio's vision for these additions, but pre-release footage is not a benchmark of final frame rates or matchmaking quality.
Is December 8 the right moment to try Marathon?
For players who held off because Marathon's original extraction format looked too unforgiving, Open Play Week is the most useful part of the announcement. You can experiment with a permanent PvE alternative, try the map changes and decide whether the core movement, combat and atmosphere appeal to you before buying.
For existing owners, the big question is whether Expedition and the improved Perimeter make long-term progression more enjoyable—not whether the free access week exists. The 3v3 beta and Limbo should also offer a lower-pressure route into the game's systems, but their lasting value will depend on how the community responds.
Before December 8, consider adding a friend on your Bungie account, checking platform access requirements, and noting the separate Crew Up end date. Do not redeem the Crew Up code early or expect to claim the rewards without completing the in-game objectives.
Bottom line: Symbiosis launches December 8 with permanent PvE, 3v3 and a reshaped world. The free week runs to December 15, and eligible Crew Up rewards remain attainable until December 22. Is a PvE-first option enough to make you try Bungie's extraction shooter?
Primary sources: Bungie's official November 10 Steam announcement; Bungie's Symbiosis press kit; PlayStation Blog's November 10 overview.
Source date: November 10, 2026