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

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has experienced a tumultuous 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 Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite the title has already seen its portion of controversies, the development team appears determined to ensure Marathon doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Currently, it seems the game's development is moving forward again, as Bungie just revealed that it has run "several closed playtests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing more players to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, say, an public test. To participate in the exclusive trial — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — players must meet the following requirements:

• Apply via the official website
• Live in Europe or North America
• Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Applications are open now, and to be considered for the private trial, applicants must complete registration by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also register via the digital platform starting on Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, with digital platform registrations due by October 26th. The developer will notify players who qualify and inform them of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio stated. "However, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what's intended for the game's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

Additional details about the technical test and the game itself 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 positive developments: The developer says a official announcement on the state of the game is the following item on the agenda once the test is over.

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