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The upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Bungie's highly-anticipated project, has reared its head again with the news of a exclusive testing phase scheduled to begin in October.

A Challenging Path to Launch

Initially revealed during the 2023 gaming showcase, Marathon has undergone a tumultuous creation process. Last fall, Bungie announced 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 planned September release. However, after some playtests led to negative feedback, the studio announced in June that it was delaying Marathon indefinitely.

Steering Clear of Controversy

Despite the title has already seen its portion of controversies, Bungie appears committed to make certain Marathon avoids the same outcome as other games. Currently, it seems the game's development is finally getting back on track, as they just disclosed that it has conducted multiple private tests to collect player input on Marathon" since June of this year. The developer is opening the doors a bit wider, allowing additional participants to catch a glimpse of the game via an upcoming "closed technical test."

Exclusive Testing Information

Given the fact that it's a private testing phase, it's understandably more exclusive than, for example, an open beta. To participate in the technical test — which runs from Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PDT — players must satisfy the listed requirements:

• Submit an application via the official website
• Reside in Europe or North America
• Own a PS5, Xbox console, or Windows PC (minimum PC specs include an compatible CPU, supported graphics card, and sufficient memory)
• Join the official Discord server
• Complete confidentiality agreement via the online community

Application Process

Registration is currently available, 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 register 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. Bungie will contact players who qualify and inform them of the next steps.

"This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since Marathon's Alpha, including three maps, several character options, prox chat, adjusted gameplay rhythm, solo queue, enhanced narrative elements, and more," Bungie said. "However, the current version is a development build and will only include a selection of what's intended for Marathon's full release, focused on the early player experience."

Further Details

Additional details about the private trial and the game itself can be found on Marathon's support section. But for players who aren't selected for the test (or don't have time), there's positive developments: The developer says a public update on the project's status is the next thing on the schedule once the test is over.

"We'll be sharing a public update on the game's progress in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!" Bungie shared.