Bungie is giving players another chance to jump into Marathon for free with the upcoming Symbiosis update. Starting December 8, 2026, everyone will be able to try the full game for an entire week, including its highly anticipated permanent PvE mode.
Alongside the free access period, Bungie is introducing the Crew Up event, encouraging players to team up with friends and complete cooperative challenges for exclusive cosmetics. Whether you’re a returning Runner or someone who hasn’t tried Marathon yet, there will be plenty of new content to explore on Tau Ceti IV.
In Brief:
- Marathon’s Symbiosis update launches on December 8, 2026, introducing the new Expedition PvE mode, Bishop Runner shell, and an updated Perimeter map.
- Open Play Week runs from December 8 to 15, allowing everyone to play Marathon for free.
- The Crew Up event runs from December 8 to 22, offering six exclusive cosmetic rewards.
- Players must redeem the code “DMA-T7Y-XJL” and complete cooperative PvE challenges with at least one friend to earn the rewards.
Marathon Symbiosis Open Play Week Dates and Details
Bungie has confirmed that Marathon will be completely free to play for one week following the launch of its Symbiosis update.
The Open Play Week runs from December 8 through December 15, 2026, giving both new and returning players access to the full game without purchasing it.
During this period, players can experience everything included in Symbiosis, such as:
- Expedition PvE Mode: The first phase of Marathon’s permanent PvE experience, featuring a series of three runs focused on combat and environmental challenges.
- Bishop Runner Shell: A new fast-moving Runner specializing in blade-based combat.
- Updated Perimeter Map: An expanded environment featuring new underground areas, flooded locations, and alien threats.
- Deathmatch Beta: A new experimental 3v3 PvP mode.
- New Weapons: The V17 Flamethrower and Maverick revolver.
- Limbo Social Space: A place to meet other Runners, test weapons, and practice in the firing range.
Players can also enjoy the regular Extraction experience throughout the event.
Even better, all unlocked items and progression will carry over if players decide to purchase Marathon after Open Play Week ends.
Marathon Crew Up Event: Start Date, End Date, and Rewards
Alongside Symbiosis, Bungie is introducing Crew Up, a limited-time event focused on cooperative gameplay.
The event encourages players to form crews and work together to complete increasingly difficult challenges in the new Expedition PvE mode.
Here are the event dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Crew Up Starts | December 8, 12 PM PT |
| Open Play Week | December 8 to 15 |
| Crew Up Ends | December 22, 10 AM PT |
Completing Crew Up challenges unlocks new Codex entries and six exclusive cosmetic rewards.
All Marathon Crew Up Event Rewards
According to Bungie, players can earn the following rewards:
| Reward Type | Item Name |
|---|---|
| Emblem | Queen’s Nest |
| Background | Queen’s Dominion |
| Weapon Sticker | Queen’s Maw |
| Weapon Charm | Cluster Bunch |
| Destroyer Skin | Arata Vectus |
| Player Title | Exterminator |
Players who enjoy exclusive event cosmetics might also remember Marathon’s Vault Breaker Speed Challenge, which rewarded the 30 fastest crews.
However, Crew Up focuses on cooperation rather than competing against other teams for the fastest completion time.
How to Join the Marathon Crew Up Event
Participating in the Crew Up event requires players to redeem a special code through their Bungie account.
Here’s how to get started:
- Visit Bungie’s code redemption page once Symbiosis launches on December 8.
- Sign in with your Bungie account.
- Redeem the Crew Up event code: DMA-T7Y-XJL.
- Launch Marathon and complete the starting tutorial if you haven’t already.
- Open the new Events section in the in-game Codex.
- Form a crew with at least one friend who has also redeemed the code.
- Complete the Expedition PvE challenges to unlock your rewards.
The challenges will start relatively simple before becoming progressively more demanding.
Can You Complete Crew Up Challenges Solo?
No. Although the new Expedition PvE mode supports solo gameplay, Crew Up challenges specifically require cooperation.
You must play with at least one other player who has redeemed the Crew Up code.
Bungie recommends adding teammates as Bungie friends, although players on the same platform can also earn progress when they’re connected through their platform’s friends list.
Each player can progress through the challenges and claim their own rewards independently.
Do You Need to Own Marathon to Participate?
You don’t need to own Marathon during Open Play Week.
From December 8 to 15, everyone can download the game and participate in Crew Up without purchasing it.
However, players must own Marathon to continue completing challenges after December 15, when the free access period ends.
The event itself remains active until December 22, giving existing owners and players who purchase the game additional time to finish their objectives.
There is also no minimum playtime requirement. Once you’ve completed the tutorial, you can begin working toward Crew Up rewards.
Marathon Symbiosis Could Be a Major Turning Point for the Game
Symbiosis represents an important step in Bungie’s plans to expand Marathon beyond its traditional extraction shooter experience.
With the introduction of a permanent PvE mode, a revamped map, new weapons, and more social features, the update offers players several new ways to experience Tau Ceti IV.
The upcoming Open Play Week also gives anyone interested in Marathon an opportunity to see how the game has evolved without spending money upfront.
