Bungie Marathon PS5 Store Issues: Another Marathon Mess Explained 2026

Players accessing the PlayStation 5 version of the shooter Marathon have encountered a significant storefront error, leading to what many are calling another Marathon mess. Bungie, the developer behind the title, launched an Open Play Week to coincide with the release of the game's Season 2 update, but a technical oversight in the PlayStation Store led users to purchase a Deluxe Edition upgrade that did not include the full game. While Bungie has since updated the store page, the confusion regarding whether the Deluxe Edition includes the full game has sparked concerns among the community regarding transparency and store management.

Understanding the PlayStation 5 Store Misleading Description

The core of the issue stems from how the PlayStation Store processes ownership when a user downloads a free trial or participates in an open play event. Because players had downloaded the free version of Marathon for the Open Play Week, the digital storefront registered these users as owners of the game. Consequently, when these players navigated to the store to view available content, they were presented with an option to purchase the "Deluxe Edition" for $14.99.

At the time of the initial launch of the Season 2 update, the product page for the Deluxe Edition suggested it included the full game alongside various cosmetic items. However, the purchase was actually for the "Deluxe Edition Upgrade," a content package intended for users who already owned the base game. Because the store interface incorrectly identified trial participants as full owners, it allowed them to purchase this upgrade, despite the fact that it did not grant access to the full game once the trial period concluded.

Bungie Changes Misleading Store Listing

Following reports from players who realized they had purchased content that did not unlock the full game, Bungie updated the store description to clarify the nature of the purchase. The updated disclaimer now explicitly states that the purchase of the Deluxe Edition upgrade does not grant permanent access to the game. The disclaimer informs users that if they have downloaded Marathon during the Open Play Week but have not purchased the Standard Edition, the upgrade will only provide access to the Deluxe content for the duration of the trial period.

Furthermore, the store now clarifies that the price displayed reflects only the Deluxe Edition add-ons and not the cost of the Standard Edition. This change addresses the ambiguity that allowed users to believe they were purchasing the full game at a discounted price. Despite these updates, the situation has prompted questions regarding how Sony and Bungie manage store listings for titles that utilize trial periods and season-based updates on the PlayStation 5.

The Impact of PSSR and Performance on PlayStation 5

As we continue our coverage here at In Game News, it is important to note that the technical performance of Marathon on the PlayStation 5 remains a point of interest for the community. With the integration of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) technology, the game aims to provide a high-fidelity experience that leverages the hardware capabilities of the PS5 Pro and the standard console. Players are currently testing how these performance enhancements hold up during the Season 2 update.

However, these technical milestones are often overshadowed by administrative hurdles. The confusion regarding store purchases has created a divide between the developer's goals for player retention and the actual experience of users trying to access the game. For more details on how these updates affect the broader ecosystem, you can view our Bungie news archive.

Comparison of Purchase Options

To assist players in understanding the difference between the available store items during the Open Play Week, the following table summarizes the key distinctions between the Standard Edition and the Deluxe Edition Upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Marathon Deluxe Edition include the full game on PS5?

No, the Deluxe Edition upgrade purchased through the PlayStation Store does not include the full game; it only provides cosmetic add-ons and requires the purchase of the Standard Edition to play.

What happened with the Marathon PS5 store description?

The store description was initially misleading, implying that the Deluxe Edition upgrade included the full game, leading players to purchase content they could not use without the base game.

How does the Marathon open play week work on PS5?

The Open Play Week allows players to download and play the shooter for free during the event window, but it does not grant permanent ownership of the full game.