Bungie Prepares for Another Marathon Closed Technical Test
Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny and Halo, has announced the next phase of its closed technical testing for the upcoming game, Marathon. This new test period is set to kick off on all target platforms—PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S—starting October 22 at 5:00 PM UTC and will conclude on October 28 at the same time. This marks another significant step in the game's development, following several previous closed tests conducted since June.
Interested players have a limited window to apply for participation. Applications are open until October 17 at 11:00 PM UTC. Currently, registration is available exclusively through the official Bungie website. Those looking to apply via Steam will need to wait a bit longer, as registration on Valve's platform will open on October 13 at 5:00 PM UTC. It's important to note that these technical tests are not global; invitations will only be extended to players residing in Europe and North America.
As with previous testing phases, Bungie has enforced a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Participants will be prohibited from sharing any materials, screenshots, or gameplay footage from the test build. While such restrictions are common for early game tests, it's a detail potential participants should be fully aware of.
What to Expect in This Test
Bungie has been actively collecting feedback from its earlier tests and has implemented numerous improvements. The developers shared insights into the progress made:
“Since June, we've conducted several closed playtests to gather feedback on Marathon. We're now opening applications for a closed technical test running from October 22–28. This test, like recent closed playtests, operates under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
This is a crucial step in evaluating improvements made since our alpha testing. We've refined three maps, five Runners, proxy chat, combat pacing, queuing, environmental storytelling, and much more. Please note, the game is still in production, so this test build will only feature a fraction of what's planned for the full version of Marathon.
We’ll share more development updates for Marathon in the coming months after this closed technical test concludes!”
This statement highlights Bungie's iterative approach, focusing on core gameplay elements and player experience. Players accepted into the test can anticipate an improved experience across various aspects, even if the build is not representative of the final product.
Looking Ahead to Marathon's Release
Marathon is currently slated for release before the end of the current fiscal year, which means players can expect the game to launch by April 2026. While a precise release date remains undisclosed, these ongoing technical tests are vital for fine-tuning the game and gathering essential performance data and player feedback across multiple platforms. For players, this consistent testing schedule signals that Bungie is committed to delivering a polished and engaging experience upon release, steadily moving towards the finish line for this highly anticipated title.
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