🔗 Share this article

The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the announcement of a closed technical test set to take place soon.

A Challenging Path to Launch

First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a bumpy development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, the development team appears committed to ensure their project avoids Concord's fate. Now, it seems the game's development is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to get an early look of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a closed technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — participants must meet the following requirements:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the technical test, applicants must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. 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, several character options, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, 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 intended for the game's full release, concentrating on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be found on the game's support section. But for players who don't qualify for the test (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the near future after the private testing phase!" Bungie shared.