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

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. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests led to mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though Marathon has already encountered its portion of controversies, the development team appears committed to make certain Marathon doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is expanding access, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's understandably more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via the official website
• Reside in supported regions
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, 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
• Sign an NDA via the online community

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be considered for the technical test, players must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application 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 Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio said. "However, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's full release, focused on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be located on the game's support section. 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 project's status is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.

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