Key points
- Bungie revealed the Symbiosis gameplay trailer November 10; the update launches December 8, 2026 for all players (PlayStation Blog).
- Expedition is Phase 1 of a new PvE-only co-op roguelite mode: a three-run series, solo or with a crew, with no PvP threats, and Flash Boosts that shape builds during a run.
- Deathmatch [Beta] is an experimental 3v3 Team Deathmatch mode where two crews compete for points without risking the permanent loadout.
- The Perimeter zone is reworked — fungal growth, the underground Burrows, the submerged Reservoir and the Tick Queen — and Limbo is a new social space with firing ranges and a dueling pit.
- New Runner shell Bishop, plus new weapons: the Maverick rifle, M7 flamethrower, throwing knives and the Hack Grenade.
- Open Play Week runs December 8–15: everyone plays free, and progress carries over if you buy the game. Crew Up rewards run through December 22. Another major update follows in March.
Expedition: PvE, with no other players hunting you
The headline is Expedition, Phase 1 of a new PvE-only co-op roguelite mode. It is built around a three-run series, playable solo or with a crew, with new combat and environmental challenges and no PvP threats at all — the mode Marathon players have asked for since launch. Flash Boosts shape builds during a run, so each series plays differently.
Deathmatch beta and a reworked Perimeter
On the PvP side, Deathmatch [Beta] is an experimental 3v3 Team Deathmatch mode: two crews compete for points in bite-sized matches without risking the permanent loadout. The Perimeter zone is reworked — fungal growth and alien life have transformed it, opening the underground Burrows and the submerged Reservoir, with the Tick Queen waiting inside. Limbo is the new social space, with firing ranges and a dueling pit. The new Runner shell is Bishop, and the new weapons are the Maverick rifle, M7 flamethrower, throwing knives and the Hack Grenade.
Open Play Week: try it free, keep your progress
Open Play Week runs December 8–15: everyone plays the full game free, and progress carries over if you buy it afterwards. Crew Up rewards run through December 22 for playing with friends. Bungie says another major update follows in March.
What it means for buyers
The free week is the buyer note: anyone can try the full game December 8–15 and keep their progress if they buy, so there is no reason to pay for an account before trying it yourself. If you do buy after the week, check that the listing names the live version and the progress it actually holds. See the Marathon page for the verified sellers listed there.
Sources
- PlayStation Blog: Marathon Symbiosis update launches December 8, adding new PvE and PvP modes, weapons, and moreNov 10, 2026
- Polygon: Marathon’s Big PvE Update Is Starting to Look a Lot Like DestinyNov 10, 2026
- Steam: Marathon Symbiosis Gameplay Trailer (official news)Nov 10, 2026
We report from official announcements first and name the outlet when a detail comes from one report. Found an error? Tell us, and see our editorial policy.
