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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's highly-anticipated project, has resurfaced 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, the game has undergone a bumpy creation process. Last fall, the developer stated it was aiming to start Alpha tests during the coming year. A period of silence followed, until the project was re-revealed in spring with a Sept. 23 launch date. However, following initial testing resulted in negative feedback, the studio announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite Marathon has already seen its fair share of issues, the development team appears committed to make certain Marathon avoids Concord's fate. Now, it seems the game's development is finally getting back on track, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to gather feedback on the game" since this past summer. The studio is opening the doors a bit wider, enabling additional participants to get an early look of the game via an forthcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Considering it's a private technical test, it's naturally more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To gain access in the exclusive trial — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — participants must satisfy the listed requirements:

• Submit an application via their platform
• Reside in supported regions
• Have access to a PS5, Xbox console, or compatible computer (system requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, and sufficient memory)
• Join the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the Discord server

Application Process

Applications are open now, and to be eligible for the private trial, players 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 October 13th, with Steam applications due by October 26th. The developer will notify players who qualify and provide details of the next steps.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we evaluate enhancements since the game's Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, proximity communication, adjusted gameplay rhythm, individual matchmaking, deeper environmental storytelling, and additional features," Bungie stated. "That said, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a selection of what's planned for the game's full release, concentrating on the initial gameplay moments."

Further Details

Additional details about the technical test and the actual experience can be found on Marathon's help page. But for players who aren't selected for the trial (or cannot participate), there's still good news: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the schedule once the trial concludes.

"We'll be sharing a comprehensive report on the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" The studio announced.