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Marathon, Bungie's much-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a bumpy development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the game was showcased again in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing led to mixed reactions, Bungie announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though Marathon has already encountered its portion of controversies, the development team appears determined to make certain their project avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on the game" since this past summer. The studio is expanding access, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Considering it's a private technical test, it's naturally limited access than, for example, an public test. To participate in the exclusive trial — which takes place between October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must meet the listed requirements:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Live in Europe or North America
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the technical test, applicants must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. PC users can also submit their application via Steam 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 three maps, several character options, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," Bungie said. "That said, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's intended for Marathon's final version, focused on the early player experience."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the game itself can be located on Marathon's support section. But for players who don't qualify for the trial (or don't have time), there's still good news: The developer says a official announcement on the project's status is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a public update on the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie announced.