The Developer's Troubled Shooter Marathon Shows Signs of Life

Marathon, Bungie's much-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to run later this month.

A Challenging Path to Launch

First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has experienced a bumpy creation process. In October 2024, Bungie stated plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite the title has already encountered its fair share of issues, the development team appears determined to make certain their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it seems the game's development is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests 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 experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a closed technical test, it's understandably more exclusive than, say, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — players must satisfy the listed requirements:

• Apply via their platform
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the technical test, players must complete registration by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by October 26th. Bungie will notify players who qualify and provide details of the next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio stated. "However, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for the game's final version, focused on the early player experience."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's support section. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's still good news: Bungie says a public update on the state of the game is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over.

"There will be a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.