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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's much-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news 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 undergone a tumultuous development cycle. Last fall, the developer announced plans were to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was showcased again in April with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, the studio announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though Marathon has already encountered its fair share of issues, the development team appears determined to ensure Marathon avoids Concord's fate. Currently, it appears the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just disclosed that it has run "several closed playtests to collect player input on Marathon" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Considering it's a closed testing phase, it's understandably limited access than, say, an public test. To participate in the technical test — which takes place between October 22nd to October 28th — players must satisfy the listed pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in the official Discord server
• Sign an NDA via the online community

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 Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will notify selected participants and provide details of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," Bungie stated. "However, the current version is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's final version, concentrating on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the private trial and the actual experience can be located on the game'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 following item on the agenda once the trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the private testing phase!" The studio announced.