Bungie's Troubled Action Game Project Marathon Is Making a Comeback
The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's highly-anticipated game, has reared its head again with the news of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to run later this month.
A Rocky Development Journey
Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has experienced a tumultuous development cycle. Last fall, the developer stated plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing led to mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Though the title has already encountered its portion of issues, Bungie appears committed to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. 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 this past summer. The developer is expanding access, allowing more players to get an early look of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."
Exclusive Testing Information
Given the fact that it's a private technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — participants must satisfy the following pre-requisites:
- Apply via their platform
- Live in Europe or North America
- Have access to a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs 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 eligible 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 digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will notify selected participants and inform them of the following procedures.
"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio stated. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's final version, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."
Additional Information
Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be located on Marathon's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the trial (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: Bungie 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 Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio announced.
