Bungie has unveiled the upcoming playtest dates for Marathon, the much-anticipated reboot of its pre-Halo sci-fi series. Contrary to expectations of an open beta following April’s closed alpha test, the next technical test will again be conducted behind closed doors, requiring interested players to apply for a slot.
Details of the Closed Playtest
The closed playtest is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, October 22 to Wednesday, October 28. Players can submit their applications for an invite on Bungie.net starting now. Additionally, Bungie will open playtest access requests through Steam on Monday, October 13 at 10 am Pacific Time. As this is a closed playtest, participants will need to agree to a nondisclosure agreement.
Bungie emphasized the importance of this testing phase, stating, “This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more.” The studio noted that the Technical Test build is still a work in progress and will showcase only a portion of what is planned for Marathon’s full release, particularly focusing on the early player experience.
Following the April playtest, which received mixed feedback, Bungie has faced significant challenges. The studio’s morale reportedly plummeted in May after it had to apologize for using art from an independent designer without permission, a situation it has encountered multiple times. In June, PlayStation Studios acknowledged the varied responses to the April playtest, and shortly thereafter, Bungie announced a delay in Marathon’s launch, stating, “we need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion.”
Meanwhile, Destiny 2 has faced criticism following a poorly received expansion launch. In response, Sony CFO Lin Tao remarked during an August earnings call that Bungie’s independence would be “getting lighter” as part of an ongoing integration into PlayStation Studios. The month also saw Bungie CEO Pete Parsons resigning from his position.
The future of Bungie remains uncertain, yet the prospects could brighten significantly if Marathon succeeds. Participants in the October playtest will gain insights into the game’s potential, while those outside the testing phase can only speculate until the nondisclosure agreement is lifted.
