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Marathon, Bungie's highly-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the announcement of a closed technical test set to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has experienced a tumultuous creation process. In October 2024, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again in April with a planned September release. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was postponing the game's launch.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Despite the title has already encountered its fair share of controversies, the development team appears determined to ensure their project doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Now, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on the game" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a private technical test, it's understandably more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in supported regions
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, applicants must complete registration by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also register via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will contact selected participants and inform them of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, several character options, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," Bungie said. "However, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's final version, focused on the early player experience."

Additional Information

Additional details about the private trial and the actual experience can be found on the game'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 following item on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the near future after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.