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Marathon, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to begin in October.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game has experienced a tumultuous development cycle. In October 2024, the developer stated plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. A period of silence followed, until the project was showcased again in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, after some playtests led to negative feedback, Bungie announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch.

Avoiding Past Mistakes

Despite the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, the development team appears determined to ensure their project avoids the same outcome as other games. Now, it appears the game's development is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is expanding access, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a closed technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which runs from October 22nd to October 28th — players must meet the following pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via the official website
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Sign an NDA via the online community

How to Apply

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, players must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. PC users 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 next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," Bungie stated. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

More info about the technical test and the actual experience can be located on Marathon's support section. But for individuals who aren't selected for the test (or don't have time), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status 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 private testing phase!" The studio shared.