Marathon Closed Test: Dates, Platforms, and What’s Being Tested

Marathon, Bungie’s next big first‑person shooter under PlayStation, is entering a crucial stage of development with a closed technical test running this week. The reboot of Bungie’s pre‑Halo sci‑fi series has been through a turbulent journey, but this test could be the clearest sign yet of where the project stands.

Bungie’s Marathon enters closed testing Oct 22–28. Check platforms, sign‑up deadlines, NDA rules, and minimum PC specs.

Originally revealed in 2023, Marathon was first scheduled to launch on September 23, 2025. That plan was derailed after plagiarism accusations and lukewarm fan feedback from earlier builds. Bungie and PlayStation eventually delayed the release, promising to take more time to refine the game. Now, with the closed test about to begin, players finally have another chance to see how far the studio has come.

Test Dates and Platforms

The Closed Technical Test runs from October 22 to October 28, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Applications closed on October 16, though Bungie also enabled sign‑ups through Steam until October 26 at 4 PM PT.

Unlike April’s alpha, which allowed players to share impressions, this test is strictly under NDA. That means no screenshots, streams, or social media chatter from participants.

What’s Being Tested

Bungie described this as an “important checkpoint” for the project. The build includes:

• Three maps

• Five runner shells

• Proximity voice chat

• Re‑tuned combat pacing

• Solo queue support

• Expanded environmental storytelling

The studio stressed that this is still a work in progress, focusing on the early player experience rather than the full scope of the game.

A Rocky Road So Far

Marathon’s development has been anything but smooth. In May, Bungie admitted to using plagiarized art, an issue the studio has faced multiple times before. According to reports, morale within the company dropped sharply afterward. In June, PlayStation Studios acknowledged that feedback from the April alpha was “varied,” and just days later, Bungie announced the official delay.

Meanwhile, Destiny 2 struggled with a poorly received expansion, and Sony CFO Lin Tao even suggested Bungie’s independence within PlayStation Studios would be “getting lighter.” By August, Bungie CEO Pete Parsons had stepped down, adding more uncertainty to the studio’s future.

For Bungie, Marathon isn’t just another project; it’s a potential lifeline. If the closed test shows meaningful improvements, it could restore confidence in both the game and the studio.

Key Details at a Glance

• Test Start: October 22, 2025 – 10 AM PT

• Test End: October 28, 2025 – 10 AM PT

• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Regions Eligible: North America and Europe only

• Application Deadline: October 16, 2025 – 4 PM PT (via Bungie.net)

• Steam Applications: Until October 26 at 4 PM PT

• Access: Invite‑only, under NDA

• NDA Rules:

  • No streaming, screenshots, or public discussion allowed

  • Feedback and recordings must be shared only in the NDA section of the official Marathon Discord  [discord.gg/marathonthegame]

  • Access to NDA channels may take up to 24 hours to activate

• System Requirements (PC Minimum):

  • CPU: Intel Core i5‑6600

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

  • RAM: 8 GB

Marathon’s closed technical test may not answer every question, but it’s a pivotal moment for Bungie. If the studio can turn the corner here, we might finally see the game live up to its billing as the next big FPS under PlayStation. More details is HERE.