đŸ”— Share this article Bungie's Challenged Action Game Marathon Is Making a Comeback The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the news of a closed technical test set to run later this month. A Rocky Development Journey Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has undergone a tumultuous development cycle. In October 2024, the developer stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests during the coming year. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a planned September release. However, after some playtests led to mixed reactions, the studio announced in June that it was postponing the game's launch. Avoiding Past Mistakes Though the title has already encountered its portion of controversies, the development team appears determined to make certain their project doesn't suffer Concord's fate. Now, it appears the project's progress is moving forward again, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the experience via an upcoming "closed technical test." Exclusive Testing Information Given the fact that it's a closed testing phase, it's naturally more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must meet the following requirements: Apply via the official website Live in supported regions Own a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (system requirements include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory) Join their community platform Sign an NDA via the Discord server Application Process 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 Steam applications due by October 26th. Bungie will contact selected participants 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, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," Bungie stated. "However, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a portion of what's planned for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the early player experience." Additional Information More info about the technical test and the game itself can be found on Marathon's help page. But for players who don't qualify for the test (or cannot participate), there's still good news: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over. "We'll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the private testing phase!" Bungie shared.