Bungie Schedules Marathon Playtest for Late October
Bungie has officially announced a closed technical test for Marathon, running from October 22 to October 28, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The test marks a major step in the studio’s revival of the iconic sci-fi shooter, offering players their first look at the new competitive extraction gameplay. It will include three playable maps, five Runner characters, and introduce features like proximity chat, solo queue, and fine-tuned combat pacing designed for strategic encounters rather than chaotic firefights.
Playtest Access and Requirements
Players from North America and Europe can register now until October 16 for access. Steam sign-ups open on October 13 at 10 AM PT.On PC, Bungie recommends at least an Intel Core i5-6600 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU.
While the test is under NDA, it’s expected to provide valuable feedback for refining combat flow and Runner customization. Bungie clarified that this version represents only a “portion” of planned content, not the full experience.
Community Expectations and Development Progress
The return of Marathon has generated considerable anticipation, especially since Bungie delayed its release past September 2025 to address gameplay balancing and resolve controversy surrounding the alleged use of third-party art assets. The studio reaffirmed its commitment to “player-driven testing” to ensure competitive integrity and smooth performance.
With its deep sci-fi world and focus on tension-based encounters, Marathon could become one of Bungie’s most ambitious multiplayer projects since Destiny 2. A full release date is expected later this Fall.
