Bungie's Troubled Shooter Marathon Is Making a Comeback

The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's much-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a closed technical test scheduled to run later this month.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has undergone a tumultuous development cycle. In October 2024, Bungie stated plans were to start Alpha tests during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the project was re-revealed in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite Marathon has already seen its fair share of issues, Bungie appears determined to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Now, it appears the game's development is moving forward again, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the experience via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a private technical test, it's understandably more exclusive than, say, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — players must meet the listed requirements:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Sign an NDA via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the technical test, players must complete registration by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users can also submit their application via Steam starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with Steam applications due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will notify selected participants and inform them of the following procedures.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," the studio stated. "That said, the current version is a development build and will only include a selection of what's intended for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's support section. But for individuals who don't qualify for the trial (or don't have time), there's positive developments: Bungie says a public update on the state of the game is the following item on the agenda 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.