Bungie's Challenged Action Game Project Marathon Is Making a Comeback

Marathon, Bungie's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the news of a closed technical test set to begin in October.

A Challenging Path to Launch

First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has undergone a bumpy development cycle. Last fall, Bungie announced plans were to start Alpha tests during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the game was showcased again in spring with a planned September release. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, Bungie 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 make certain Marathon doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the game's development is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since this past summer. The developer is expanding access, enabling 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 naturally limited access than, for example, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must meet the listed pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Live in supported regions
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and 8GB RAM)
• Join the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

How to Apply

Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the technical test, players must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users can also register 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. The developer will notify players who qualify and inform them of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," Bungie said. "That said, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's intended for Marathon's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's help page. But for individuals who aren't selected for the trial (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the state of the game is the following item on the schedule once the trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the near future after the private testing phase!" Bungie shared.