Bungie’s long-awaited PvE shooter, Marathon, which faced an indefinite delay back in June, has officially re-emerged with an exciting announcement: a new closed technical test is on the horizon!
This exclusive test will run in North America and Europe from October 22-27, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While players can sign up now, Bungie has emphasized that the test is limited in scope, meaning an application doesn’t guarantee entry. Those fortunate enough to be selected will also need to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), prohibiting them from sharing any details about their experience.
You can complete the sign-up form on Bungie’s website through October 16 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET. PC players have an additional option to sign up directly via Steam, starting October 13.
What to Expect from the Closed Technical Test
Bungie has previously conducted several closed tests for Marathon, and this one aims for similar objectives: gathering crucial player feedback on the game’s progress. Developers stated, “This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more.”
When Will Marathon Be Released?
Bungie plans to share a development update on Marathon “in the coming months” after this latest closed technical test concludes. The multi-month waiting period for an update strongly suggests that a full release for Marathon isn’t imminent.
Originally slated for a September 23 launch, Marathon was indefinitely delayed in June to allow Bungie more time to refine and enhance the game. Sony, Bungie’s owner, recently reiterated its commitment to live-service projects, despite some previous challenges. The company assured that new systems are in place to prevent Marathon from encountering the same issues as other titles like Concord.
PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst noted that feedback from Marathon’s previous alpha test was “varied.” However, Sony believes the live-service sector still offers a “great opportunity.” Hulst explained that Concord lacked sufficient differentiation in a highly competitive gaming segment. He added, “We have reviewed our processes in light of this to deeply understand how and why that title failed to meet expectations and to ensure we’re not going to make the same mistakes again.”
For Marathon, Hulst’s vision is a “very bold, very innovative, and deeply engaging title.” He highlighted that mixed responses during alpha tests are natural, as the core purpose of early testing is to gather feedback for product improvement. “This cycle of test, of iterate, test again, that is such a key component of the live-service success, both leading up to launch but also throughout the life of the game,” he affirmed.
Hulst did not address the controversy surrounding Marathon where Bungie acknowledged finding stolen art assets within the game. A previous preview from GameSpot remarked, “In a world of free-to-play titles, a paid game that is light on content but full of hopes, dreams, and ambitions may not be enough to inspire in others the same confidence I have in Bungie.”
Below, you can review an image gallery detailing Sony’s live-service game endeavors—those canceled, released, shut down, and upcoming.