Bungie's Challenged Shooter Project Marathon Is Making a Comeback
The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated game, has reared its head again with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to take place soon.
A Rocky Development Journey
First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, the developer announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was showcased again in April with a planned September release. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Steering Clear of Controversy
Though the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, the development team appears committed to make certain 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 run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is expanding access, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Exclusive Testing Information
Considering it's a closed testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, for example, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — participants must meet the listed requirements:
- Apply via their platform
- Live in supported regions
- Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
- Join the official Discord server
- Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community
Application Process
Applications are open now, and to be considered for the technical test, players must complete registration 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 digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will contact selected participants and provide details of the next steps.
"This is an important checkpoint for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio said. "However, 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 early player experience."
Additional Information
More info about the technical test and the game itself can be found on the game's help page. But for individuals who don't qualify for the trial (or cannot participate), there's still good news: The developer says a official announcement 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 near future after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.
