Bungie's Challenged Action Game Project Marathon Is Gaining Momentum
Marathon, the studio's much-anticipated game, has reared its head again with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to begin in October.
A Challenging Path to Launch
Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a bumpy development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Despite the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, Bungie appears committed to make certain their project doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Currently, it seems the project's progress is moving forward again, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to get an early look of the experience via an upcoming "closed technical test."
Exclusive Testing Information
Considering it's a closed technical test, it's understandably limited access than, for example, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which takes place between October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:
- Apply via their platform
- Reside in supported regions
- Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
- Participate in 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 submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users can also submit their application via Steam starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with digital platform registrations due by October 26th. The developer will notify selected participants and provide details of the following procedures.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio stated. "However, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's intended for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the early player experience."
Additional Information
More info about the private trial and the game itself can be found on Marathon's help page. But for individuals who don't qualify for the trial (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the state of the game is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over.
"There will be a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie shared.