The Developer's Challenged Action Game Marathon Is Gaining Momentum

Marathon, the studio's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the news of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to begin in October.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has experienced a tumultuous development cycle. Last fall, the developer stated plans were to start Alpha tests during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in April with a planned September release. However, after some playtests led to mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Though the title has already encountered its portion of issues, the development team appears determined to make certain Marathon doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Currently, it seems the game's development is moving forward again, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on the game" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's naturally limited access than, for example, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which runs from October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the following pre-requisites:

• Apply via their platform
• Reside in supported regions
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Join their community platform
• Sign an NDA via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be considered for the private trial, applicants must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also register via Steam starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will contact players who qualify and provide details of the next steps.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio stated. "That said, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

More info about the private trial and the game itself can be located on Marathon's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the test (or don't have time), there's still good news: The developer says a official announcement on the project's status 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 private testing phase!" The studio shared.