Last weekend, Bungie finally gave a full reveal for its upcoming team-based extraction shooter, Marathon. Slated to launch on September 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Marathon is set to undergo a Closed Alpha Test from April 23 at 10:00 AM Pacific (1:00 PM Eastern) to May 4 at 10:00 AM Pacific (1:00 PM Eastern). Initially, Bungie required all players to sign an NDA to access the Closed Alpha Test, but it has since removed that requirement. This means everyone can share their thoughts, feedback, and footage starting on April 23—and this includes streaming.
Since it will be a Closed Alpha Test, no one would assume it’s a complete version of the game. Bungie’s goal with it is to test two things: the technical capabilities and Marathon’s moment-to-moment gameplay loop. Things breaking is expected and encouraged. The team wants to set proper expectations and stated that the Alpha is a curated, limited slice of systems and content. It is, however, most interested in hearing feedback on weapons and gunplay; maps and survival; Runners; early-game progression; PvP engagements against other Runners; and PvE engagements against AI combatants.
Bungie even provided a list of what the Alpha will not include:
- Final visuals and graphics, including animations and lighting
- Full and polished UI
- All Runners
- All zones, including the Marathon Ship
- Pinnacle and end game content
- All weapons, items, consumables, implants, cores, and mods
- All factions and upgrades
- Long term progression and systems
- Complete narrative and storytelling systems and final shipping content
- Ranked play
- Final balance
Starting next week, Bungie plans on hosting developer Q&As, streams, and will be joining other creators on Tau Ceti IV when the Closed Alpha Test kicks off. For those who haven’t signed up for a chance to play, you’ll want to join Marathon’s official Discord server. Just keep in mind that the initial Closed Alpha Test is for North American players.
