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Marathon, Bungie's highly-anticipated game, has resurfaced with the announcement of a exclusive testing phase set to take place soon.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, the game has experienced a tumultuous creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the game was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in mixed reactions, the studio revealed during summer 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 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 revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is expanding access, enabling additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Considering it's a private technical test, it's understandably more exclusive than, for example, an public test. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which takes place between Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must meet the listed pre-requisites:

• Submit an application via the official website
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (system requirements include an compatible CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and 8GB RAM)
• Participate in their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be eligible 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 Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will contact selected participants and provide details of the next steps.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and more," the studio said. "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."

Further Details

More info about the technical test and the game itself can be found on the game's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the trial (or don't have time), there's positive developments: Bungie says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the near future after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio shared.