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Marathon, the studio's highly-anticipated game, has made a reappearance with the news of a closed technical test scheduled to begin in October.

A Rocky Development Journey

First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie announced plans were to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in April with a planned September release. However, after some playtests led to mixed reactions, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Despite Marathon has already seen its portion of controversies, Bungie appears determined to ensure Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it seems the project's progress is moving forward again, as Bungie just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's understandably limited access than, for example, an public test. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — participants must satisfy the listed requirements:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs 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, players must complete registration by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via Steam starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will contact players who qualify and provide details of the following procedures.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," Bungie stated. "That said, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for Marathon's full release, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

Additional details about the technical test and the game itself can be found on the game's help page. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's still good news: The developer says a public update on the state of the game is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the coming months after the private testing phase!" The studio shared.