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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's highly-anticipated game, has made a reappearance with the news of a closed technical test scheduled to begin in October.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has undergone a tumultuous creation process. Last fall, Bungie announced it was aiming to begin alpha testing during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was showcased again in spring with a planned September release. However, after some playtests resulted in mixed reactions, Bungie announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, the development team appears committed to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it appears the game's development is moving forward again, as Bungie just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The developer is expanding access, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's naturally limited access than, say, an open beta. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to October 28th — participants must meet the listed pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in their community platform
• Sign an NDA via the Discord server

Application Process

Registration is currently available, and to be considered 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 Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. Bungie will contact players who qualify and provide details of the next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, several character options, proximity communication, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, enhanced narrative elements, and additional features," the studio said. "That said, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's full release, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be located on Marathon's help page. But for individuals who don't qualify for the test (or cannot participate), there's still good news: Bungie says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"There will be a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie shared.