Bungie's Challenged Action Game Marathon Shows Signs of Life
The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated game, has made a reappearance with the news of a closed technical test set to take place soon.
A Challenging Path to Launch
Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. 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 April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though Marathon has already seen its fair share of issues, the development team appears determined to make certain Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the game's development is moving forward again, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since this past summer. The developer is expanding access, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Exclusive Testing Information
Considering it's a closed technical test, it's naturally limited access than, say, an public test. To participate in the technical test — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must meet the listed requirements:
- Submit an application via the official website
- Live in Europe or North America
- Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
- Participate in their community platform
- Sign an NDA via the online community
How to Apply
Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the technical test, applicants must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via Steam starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with Steam applications due by October 26th. Bungie will contact players who qualify and inform them of the following procedures.
"This is an important checkpoint for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," the studio stated. "That said, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's final version, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."
Further Details
Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's help page. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's still good news: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the schedule once the trial concludes.
"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the near future after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.
