Bungie's Challenged Shooter Marathon Is Gaining Momentum
The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the news of a closed technical test set to begin in October.
A Challenging Path to Launch
First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a bumpy creation process. In October 2024, the developer announced it was aiming to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was re-revealed in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Steering Clear of Controversy
Though the title has already seen its portion of issues, Bungie appears determined to make certain their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the game's development is moving forward again, as Bungie just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The developer is expanding access, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the experience via an upcoming "closed technical test."
Technical Test Details
Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's understandably limited access than, for example, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must meet the listed pre-requisites:
- Submit an application via their platform
- Reside in supported regions
- Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
- Join their community platform
- Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server
How to Apply
Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the technical test, applicants must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. PC users can also submit their application via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will notify selected participants and provide details of the next steps.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," Bungie stated. "However, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's planned for Marathon's full release, focused on the initial gameplay moments."
Additional Information
Additional details about the technical test and the game itself can be found on the game's help page. But for players who don't qualify for the test (or don't have time), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the state of the game is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.
"There will be a public update on the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie shared.
