Bungie’s upcoming extraction-shooter Marathon is a hot topic in this month’s gaming news, with conversations ranging from excitement to bad-faith arguments. It’s a polarizing entry among gamers and critics, but I can’t deny—it has piqued my interest. As a longtime Destiny 2 fan, it’s great to see Bungie trying something new, at least.
When the game officially launches this September 23rd for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, these are the four official maps confirmed to be available at launch:
Dire Marsh (18 Players, 6 Teams of 3)
The first map revealed during the game's announcement, Dire Marsh, is set on Tau Ceti IV, in a dense marshland environment. It’s a massive, open map built for 18 players, split into six teams of three, battling for supremacy and grabbing the best loot they can find. According to Tarkov players, it's roughly the same size as that game’s Shoreline map.
Destiny 2 fans might recognize elements of the design here—it draws heavy inspiration from Clovis Bray’s Europa architecture, with scattered boxes and terminals throughout the arena. The open terrain, especially the tree-covered outskirts, sets the stage for long-range engagements, while its layout also rewards flanking maneuvers. Runners like Glitch and Void, known for their mobility and stealth, are ideal picks on this map.
Indoor areas, such as warehouses and facilities, can become tense and claustrophobic quickly. Many windows and doors can be manually controlled, adding another layer to the chaos. Blackbird, a Runner with a wall-hack ability, is a strong pick in these tighter quarters.
While PvP is central to Dire Marsh, it’s not the only focus. AI enemies, including UESC Soldiers, Recruits, and Bots, roam the map. Players can engage these NPCs to secure better loot or use them strategically to bait and distract rival teams.
Occasionally, a dropship will pass through carrying powerful cargo. Players can shoot it down to claim high-value gear.
Perimeter (15 Players, 5 Teams of 3)
Also set on Tau Ceti IV, Perimeter trades the industrial feel of Dire Marsh for the outer edges of the colonized world. Not much has been shown, but it’s another open map seemingly geared toward long-range firefights.
Think of it as an alternative take on Dire Marsh, likely blending PvP and PvE once again. AI enemies are expected to be present, adding another layer of danger to the otherwise desolate terrain.
Outpost (9–12 Players, 3–4 Teams of 3)
Outpost is the game’s third map, and it seems to set the stage for Marathon’s mysterious endgame. It’s reportedly more challenging than the others, built to test players’ patience and resolve.
Details are still scarce, but as someone who’s logged over 2,000 hours in Destiny 2, I wouldn’t be surprised if Outpost ends up resembling a massive, Gambit-style encounter. Expect relentless waves of enemies—UESC Recruits, maybe even P’fhor Fighters—surging from all directions.
This could potentially be one of the most PvE-heavy maps at launch.
UESC Marathon (No Player Count Confirmed)
Last but not least: the iconic UESC Marathon ship itself. This fourth map will be available shortly after the launch in September and serves as a nod to the original Marathon trilogy. It’s said to be a high-level challenge designed for players who have mastered the game's mechanics.
Fans of Destiny 2 will be pleased to hear that this map is designed like a Raid. Players will battle through rooms filled with enemies, each ending in a mini-boss that drops a key. Collect enough keys, and you'll unlock the final boss room. Defeating the boss unlocks an Artifact.
No one knows who or what the boss is, though speculation is rampant. Some believe it could be the infamous AI, Durandal, possibly possessing a machine body, or maybe it’s a powerful S'pht Compiler. As for the Artifact dropped at the end, theories range from a PvP unlock to a portal that temporarily shifts players into a real-time PvP combat arena before booting them back into the PvE loop.
It’s also been rumored that this map will have a level cap to keep newer players from jumping in too early. You'll need to hit a high enough level to access it, as it's tailored specifically for endgame content.
Only four confirmed maps are available at launch, but Bungie has already stated that more are on the way, especially with the game's seasonal model.
This is a developing piece that will be updated as more information about Marathon’s maps becomes available. For more Marathon coverage, stick with us here at Gfinity.