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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase set to take place soon.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has experienced a tumultuous creation process. Last fall, Bungie announced it was aiming to start Alpha tests during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Though the title has already seen its portion of issues, Bungie appears committed to ensure Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as Bungie just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a private technical test, it's naturally limited access than, say, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — players must meet the following requirements:

• Apply via their platform
• Live in supported regions
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in their community platform
• Sign an NDA via the online community

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the private trial, players 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 digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will notify players who qualify and inform them of the next steps.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, several character options, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio stated. "That said, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's full release, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on the game's support section. But for players who don't qualify for the test (or don't have time), 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 trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie announced.