Bungie has revealed new dates for a closed playtest of Marathon, their upcoming extraction shooter and a return to their classic sci-fi series from before the Halo days. Players can apply now on the Bungie website for a chance to participate in the playtest, which runs from Tuesday October 22 to Wednesday October 28. There will also be an option to request access on Steam starting Monday October 13 at 10 am Pacific time. Because this playtest is closed, participants must sign an agreement promising not to share details or images from the game.
According to Bungie, this test lets them collect feedback on the improvements they have made since the alpha test in April. The build will include three maps, five player character types known as shells, more in-game voice chat, updated combat pacing, solo play options, richer environmental storytelling, and more. Bungie says this playtest will focus on the early part of the player experience and does not represent everything the final game will offer.
Marathon is under a lot of pressure to succeed. Some players who tried the game in the April alpha test were excited about its potential, but overall responses were mixed. Recently Bungie has faced challenges such as art controversies and morale issues at the studio. PlayStation Studios commented that player reactions to the first playtest were varied and Bungie decided to delay Marathon's full release to make more improvements. At the same time, Destiny 2 had a rough expansion launch, and Bungie's CEO resigned as the company began to integrate more closely with Sony and PlayStation Studios.
The future of Bungie may depend on how well Marathon is received. This playtest gives a limited group of players an early look at the next chapter of the game, while the rest of us will have to wait for more news as Bungie continues to improve and test Marathon.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/bungie-shows-marathon-proof-of-life-with-the-announcement-of-another-closed-playtest/
