The Developer's Troubled Shooter Project Marathon Shows Signs of Life
Marathon, the studio's highly-anticipated game, has resurfaced 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, Marathon has undergone a tumultuous development cycle. In October 2024, the developer stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the game was showcased again in spring with a planned September release. However, after some playtests led to negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though the title has already encountered its fair share of controversies, Bungie appears determined to ensure their project doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Now, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is expanding access, enabling more players to catch a glimpse of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Technical Test Details
Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, say, an open beta. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Apply via their platform
- Live in supported regions
- Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
- Join their community platform
- Sign an NDA via the online community
Application Process
Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the private trial, players must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. PC users can also register via the digital platform starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with digital platform registrations 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 evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," Bungie stated. "That said, the current version is a development build and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."
Additional Information
Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be located 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: The developer says a official announcement on the state of the game is the following item on the agenda once the test is over.
"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the near future after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.
