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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, the studio's highly-anticipated project, has made a reappearance with the news of a exclusive testing phase set to take place soon.

A Challenging Path to Launch

First announced during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Marathon has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, Bungie stated plans were to begin alpha testing during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the game was showcased again in spring with a planned September release. However, following initial testing led to negative feedback, the studio revealed during summer that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Though the title has already seen its fair share of controversies, Bungie appears committed to make certain 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 Marathon" since June of this year. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Technical Test Details

Considering it's a private testing phase, it's understandably more exclusive than, say, an open beta. To gain access in the technical test — which runs from October 22nd to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must satisfy the following requirements:

• Apply via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Own a PS5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (system requirements include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Join their community platform
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be considered for the private trial, players must submit their application by the October 16th deadline. Players on Windows PC can also submit their application via the digital platform starting on October 13th, with digital platform registrations due by Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. PDT. The developer will contact players who qualify and inform them of the following procedures.

"This represents a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate enhancements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, several character options, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and more," the studio stated. "That said, the Technical Test build is a development build and will only include a selection of what's intended for the game's full release, focused on the initial gameplay moments."

Additional Information

More info about the technical test and the game itself can be located on Marathon's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the trial (or cannot participate), there's positive developments: Bungie says a official announcement on the project's status is the next thing on the agenda once the trial concludes.

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