🔗 Share this article

The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the news of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to take place soon.

A Challenging Path to Launch

First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a tumultuous creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was re-revealed in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though Marathon has already encountered its portion of controversies, the development team appears determined to ensure Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on Marathon" 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."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a closed technical test, it's naturally limited access than, say, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — participants must satisfy the listed requirements:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Live in supported regions
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Join the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

How to Apply

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

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio said. "That said, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's full release, concentrating on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on the game's help page. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's still good news: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.

"There will be a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.