🔗 Share this article

The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's much-anticipated project, has resurfaced with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has experienced a tumultuous development cycle. Last fall, Bungie announced plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, Bungie revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Despite the title has already encountered its fair share of controversies, the development team appears committed to ensure Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Now, it seems the game's development is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling more players to get an early look of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's naturally limited access than, for example, an public test. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Join their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, players must complete registration by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also register via the digital platform starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will notify selected participants and inform them of the next steps.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since the game's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," Bungie stated. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's full release, focused on the early player experience."

Additional Information

Additional details about the technical test and the game itself can be found on the game's support section. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or cannot participate), there's still good news: Bungie says a public update on the state of the game is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the near future after the private testing phase!" Bungie announced.