The Developer's Challenged Shooter Project Marathon Is Gaining Momentum
Marathon, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a closed technical test scheduled to begin in October.
A Rocky Development Journey
Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing led to mixed reactions, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Steering Clear of Controversy
Despite Marathon has already encountered its fair share of issues, Bungie appears determined to ensure their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Now, it seems the game's development is moving forward again, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Technical Test Details
Considering it's a closed testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, for example, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — participants must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:
- Apply via the official website
- Live in Europe or North America
- Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
- Join their community platform
- Sign an NDA via the online community
Application Process
Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the technical test, players must complete registration by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also register via Steam starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will contact selected participants and provide details of the next steps.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," the studio said. "However, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, focused on the early player experience."
Further Details
More info about the technical test and the game itself can be found on Marathon's support section. But for individuals who aren't selected for the test (or don't have time), there's still good news: Bungie says a official announcement 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.
