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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated game, has reared its head again with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

First announced during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, the developer stated plans were to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again 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

Despite the title has already encountered its fair share of issues, the development team appears committed to ensure their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the project's progress is moving forward again, as Bungie just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is expanding access, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a closed technical test, it's understandably limited access than, for example, an public test. To participate in the exclusive trial — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — players must satisfy the following requirements:

• Apply via their platform
• Reside in supported regions
• Own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
• Join their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, players must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also register via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with Steam applications due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will contact players who qualify and provide details of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," Bungie stated. "That said, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, focused on the early player experience."

Additional Information

Additional details about the private trial and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's support section. But for players who don't qualify for the trial (or don't have time), there's positive developments: The developer 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 the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio announced.