Bungie's Troubled Action Game Marathon Is Gaining Momentum

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

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated plans were to begin alpha testing during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing resulted in negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite Marathon has already encountered its fair share of issues, Bungie appears determined to ensure their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Now, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to get an early look of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a closed testing phase, it's naturally more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must satisfy the following requirements:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and 8GB RAM)
• Join their community platform
• Sign an NDA via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, players must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via Steam starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will contact players who qualify 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, several character options, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," Bungie stated. "That said, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the actual experience can be located on the game's support section. But for individuals who don't qualify for the test (or don't have time), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status is the following item 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!" Bungie announced.