Bungie's Challenged Shooter Marathon Is Making a Comeback
Marathon, the studio's much-anticipated game, has reared its head again with the announcement of a closed technical test scheduled to run later this month.
A Challenging Path to Launch
Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests resulted in mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though the title has already encountered its fair share of controversies, Bungie appears determined to ensure their project avoids Concord's fate. Now, 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 this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling more players to get an early look of the experience 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 exclusive trial — which takes place between October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:
- Apply via their platform
- Reside in supported regions
- Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
- Join the official Discord server
- Sign an NDA via the online community
How to Apply
Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the technical test, applicants must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users can also register via Steam starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with Steam applications due by October 26th. Bungie will contact selected participants and provide details of the next steps.
"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," Bungie said. "However, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's planned for the game's full release, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."
Additional Information
More info about the private trial and the game itself can be located on the game's support section. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's positive developments: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the following item on the agenda once the test is over.
"We'll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.
