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Marathon, Bungie's highly-anticipated project, has resurfaced with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to run later this month.

A Rocky Development Journey

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated it was aiming to begin alpha testing sometime in 2025. This was followed by quiet months, until the project was showcased again in spring with a planned September release. However, after some playtests resulted in negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was postponing the game's launch.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite the title has already seen its portion of issues, the development team appears determined to ensure their project doesn't suffer the same outcome as other games. Now, it seems the project's progress is finally getting back on track, as they just revealed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on the game" since this past summer. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the experience via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's naturally limited access than, say, an public test. To gain access in the technical test — which runs from October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the following pre-requisites:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Have access to a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or S, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Participate in their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

How to Apply

Registration is currently available, and to be eligible for the private trial, applicants must submit their application by Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. PDT. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application 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 notify players who qualify and provide details of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including multiple locations, several character options, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," the studio stated. "However, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's planned for Marathon's final version, concentrating on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be located on the game's help page. But for players who aren't selected for the test (or cannot participate), there's still good news: The developer says a official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the schedule once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on Marathon's development in the coming months after the private testing phase!" Bungie announced.