Bungie's Troubled Action Game Project Marathon Shows Signs of Life
The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a closed technical test scheduled to run later this month.
A Rocky Development Journey
First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. In October 2024, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, Bungie revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though the title has already encountered its fair share of issues, Bungie appears committed to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Currently, it seems the project's progress is moving forward again, as Bungie just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on the game" since this past summer. The studio is expanding access, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."
Technical Test Details
Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's naturally more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — participants must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:
- Submit an application via their platform
- Reside in Europe or North America
- Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
- Join their community platform
- Sign an NDA via the Discord server
How to Apply
Applications are open now, and to be eligible 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 the digital platform starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will contact players who qualify and provide details of the next steps.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," Bungie said. "That said, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for Marathon's final version, focused on the early player experience."
Additional Information
More info about the private trial and the game itself can be located on Marathon'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 official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the schedule once the trial concludes.
"There will be a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie announced.
