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Marathon, the studio's much-anticipated project, has resurfaced with the news of a closed technical test set to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a bumpy creation process. Last fall, the developer stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, Bungie revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though Marathon has already seen its fair share of issues, Bungie appears committed to make certain Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Now, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just revealed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on the game" since June of this year. The developer is expanding access, enabling additional participants to catch a glimpse of the experience via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, say, an public test. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — players must satisfy the following pre-requisites:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Have access to 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 sufficient memory)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the technical test, applicants must complete registration by the October 16th deadline. PC users can also register via Steam starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will notify selected participants and inform them of the following procedures.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," the studio stated. "That said, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's full release, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

More info about the technical test and the game itself can be found on Marathon's support section. But for players who don't qualify for the trial (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"There will be a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.