🔗 Share this article

The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to take place soon.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy development cycle. Last fall, the developer announced it was aiming to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests led to mixed reactions, Bungie revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, Bungie appears determined to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Currently, it seems the game's development is moving forward again, as Bungie just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on the game" since June of this year. The developer is expanding access, allowing more players to get an early look of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a private technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — players must meet the following pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Live in supported regions
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in their community platform
• Sign an NDA via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the private trial, applicants must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users can also submit their application via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will notify selected participants and inform them of the next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," Bungie stated. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be located on the game's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the test (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: The developer says a official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"There will be a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the near future after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.