Is the revival of Marathon truly facing a curse? The original game cultivated a dedicated cult following, but Bungie’s current development of its successor has been plagued by one setback after another. The first technical test for this highly anticipated FPS game was reportedly disastrous, prompting the developers to re-evaluate the game’s state and subsequently delay its launch. There have even been significant leadership changes, including a shift in creative director from Steve Cotton to Julia Nardin. Now, Bungie has announced a second technical test, but don’t expect to hear much about it online.
Much like Marathon’s initial closed technical test, this upcoming October playtest will be strictly under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This means you shouldn’t anticipate seeing any gameplay footage or hearing detailed impressions from critics, content creators, or even your friends.
However, after the severe issues encountered during the first test, Bungie unusually lifted the restrictions, allowing gameplay to be freely shared. It’s highly unlikely this will happen a second time, so gaining access yourself might be your only chance to see what Bungie has been refining over the past six months.
Your best bet to glimpse the new-look Marathon is by applying for the October closed technical test. This selection process is essentially a lottery. The test will run from Wednesday, October 22, to Tuesday, October 28. You can submit your application either through a major PC gaming platform or directly via Bungie’s official website. From there, it’s purely a matter of random chance whether you’re granted access.
An image shows a ‘Marathon Concord dev comment’ in what appears to be a development update screenshot, hinting at ongoing progress and communication from the team.
This particular test will feature three distinct maps, five different runner shells, and incorporate proximity chat. Players can also look forward to re-tuned combat pacing, a dedicated solo queue option, and more immersive environmental storytelling. While it’s crucial to remember that this is still a work-in-progress, the community is hopeful for a significant improvement over the April iteration.
Marathon’s closed technical test is scheduled to run from Wednesday, October 22, to Tuesday, October 28. Applications are open on Bungie’s website until Thursday, October 16, and on a prominent PC gaming platform from Monday, October 13 until Sunday, October 26.
If you don’t secure a spot in the test or simply can’t wait for the official Marathon release, consider exploring our recommendations for the best multiplayer games to find something similar to enjoy in the meantime.
Are you still excited for Marathon despite its challenging development journey? Join our community discussion to share your thoughts and connect with other gamers eager to discuss the latest news.