Bungie's Challenged Action Game Project Marathon Is Making a Comeback
Marathon, the studio's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the news of a closed technical test set to take place soon.
A Rocky Development Journey
First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has undergone a tumultuous development cycle. Last fall, the developer announced plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the game was showcased again in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Steering Clear of Controversy
Though Marathon has already encountered its portion of controversies, the development team appears determined to make certain Marathon doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Now, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is expanding access, allowing more players to get an early look of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Technical Test Details
Given the fact that it's a closed testing phase, it's naturally more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must meet the listed pre-requisites:
- Apply via the official website
- Reside in supported regions
- Have access to a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
- Join their community platform
- Sign an NDA via the online community
Application Process
Applications are open now, and to be considered for the technical test, applicants must complete registration 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. The developer will contact players who qualify and inform them of the following procedures.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," the studio said. "However, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's full release, concentrating on the early player experience."
Additional Information
Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's help page. But for individuals who don't qualify for the test (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: Bungie says a public update on the state of the game is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over.
"We'll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the near future after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.
