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Marathon, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the announcement of a closed technical test scheduled to run later this month.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. In October 2024, Bungie stated it was aiming to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Despite the title has already seen its portion of controversies, Bungie appears committed to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Currently, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on the game" since June of this year. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Considering it's a closed technical test, it's understandably limited access than, say, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — participants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Apply via their platform
• Live in supported regions
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the technical test, players must complete registration by the October 16th deadline. PC users can also register via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will notify selected participants and provide details of the next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio said. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be found on the game's help page. But for players who don't qualify for the test (or cannot participate), there's still good news: Bungie says a official announcement on the state of the game is the following item on the schedule once the test is over.

"There will be a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie shared.