PS Store error lets PS5 players keep Marathon free

A PlayStation Store listing error and a licensing bug during Bungie’s Marathon free-play week last week allowed some PS5 users to download and retain the full Marathon game without paying.

The PS Store ran a limited free-play period for Marathon, a Bungie first-party title released in March 2026. During the promotion a discounted Deluxe Edition content bundle was listed with wording that said it included a copy of the full game. The Deluxe bundle was intended to be purchasable only by customers who already owned Marathon.

A longstanding PS Store licensing bug caused the store to treat free-play users as if they owned the game. That allowed users who downloaded the trial to purchase the Deluxe bundle and receive content attached to their accounts. Many purchasers reported they ended up with only DLC attached to accounts that did not have the base game.

In response to customer complaints, Sony and Bungie provided affected users with full copies of Marathon at no charge and updated the PlayStation Store listing. Both companies also posted notices warning buyers to check ownership requirements before purchasing add-ons. They did not release technical details about the licensing bug or a timetable for a broader fix.

Free-play promotions are meant to let players try games without buying them and are not supposed to convert trial access into permanent ownership. The error follows prior incidents on the PlayStation Store involving licensing and listing problems that produced similar transaction issues.