By Bungie’s extensively developed PvE shooter Marathon, which was postponed indefinitely back in June, has reemerged with an imminent test.
A private technical test for the game will take place in North America and Europe from October 22-27 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Participants can register for the test now, but Bungie indicated that it is “restricted” in scope, thus merely applying does not ensure acceptance. Additionally, those chosen for the test must enter into a non-disclosure agreement preventing them from disclosing test-related information.
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Currently Playing: Marathon | Official Gameplay Overview Trailer
You can complete the application on Bungie’s website to register now until October 16 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET. PC players can register there or through Steam starting on October 13.
What does the closed technical test entail?
Bungie has conducted numerous closed tests for Marathon earlier; this iteration bears similarities in its goals, intended to assist Bungie in receiving feedback regarding the game’s progression.
“This is a crucial milestone for us as we evaluate our enhancements since Alpha, encompassing three maps, five runner shells, proximity chat, adjusted combat pacing, solo queue, richer environmental storytelling, among other features,” stated the developer.
It seems Marathon is not arriving shortly
Bungie mentioned it will provide an update on Marathon’s development with everyone “in the forthcoming months” after this latest closed technical test concludes. The absence of updates for months implies that Marathon might not launch very soon.
Marathon was initially planned for release on September 23, yet the game was postponed indefinitely back in June to allow Bungie additional time to mold and fine-tune the experience.
Bungie’s proprietor, Sony, recently stated it remains dedicated to pursuing live-service ventures despite some setbacks. The firm mentioned it had
implement new frameworks to ensure that Marathon does not experience the same outcome as Concord.
PlayStation leader Hermen Hulst remarked that insights from Marathon’s recent alpha assessment were “diverse,” yet Sony asserts that the live-service genre continues to present a “tremendous opportunity” for the organization. Concord, according to Hulst, was “insufficiently distinct” in a “highly competitive niche” of gaming, referring to live-service multiplayer experiences.
“We have evaluated our procedures in light of this to gain a comprehensive understanding of how and why that game fell short of expectations and to confirm we’re not going to repeat the same errors,” he expressed.
For Marathon, Hulst indicated that the goal is to develop a “very daring, very groundbreaking, and profoundly engaging project.” The reception to the Marathon alpha evaluation was mixed, and Hulst noted that the entire purpose of providing early tests is to gather feedback that can subsequently be utilized to enhance the product.
“This cycle of testing, iterating, and retesting is such a vital element of the live-service success, both leading up to the launch and also throughout the game’s lifecycle,” he commented.
However, Hulst did not address the controversy surrounding Marathon in relation to Bungie’s acknowledgment of discovering stolen artistic materials in Marathon.
GameSpot’s Marathon preview stated, “In an arena of free-to-play offerings, a premium game that is sparse on content yet full of hopes, aspirations, and ambitions may not be sufficient to instill in others the same level of trust I have in Bungie.”
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