The Developer's Troubled Shooter Project Marathon Shows Signs of Life
Marathon, Bungie's highly-anticipated project, has resurfaced with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase set to begin in October.
A Challenging Path to Launch
First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has experienced a tumultuous development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie announced it was aiming to start Alpha tests during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing led to mixed reactions, the studio revealed during summer that it was postponing the game's launch.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though the title has already seen its portion of controversies, Bungie appears determined to make certain Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the game's development is moving forward again, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on the game" since June of this year. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."
Exclusive Testing Information
Given the fact that it's a private technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — participants must meet the following requirements:
- Apply via their platform
- Reside in supported regions
- Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
- Participate in their community platform
- Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server
How to Apply
Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the private trial, players must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also register via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will notify selected participants and inform them 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, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," the studio stated. "That said, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's planned for the game's final version, concentrating on the early player experience."
Additional Information
Additional details about the private trial and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's support section. But for individuals who don't qualify for the trial (or cannot participate), there's still good news: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.
"There will be a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the coming months after the private testing phase!" Bungie announced.
