Marathon, the new shooter from Destiny series developer Bungie, has returned to the spotlight after a long period of silence. Following unfortunate events last year and the subsequent postponement, strong rumors surfaced that the project had been canceled. However, Bungie has put these rumors to rest, announcing that development is continuing and that a new testing phase has begun. The developer invited players to participate in a closed technical test, proving that Marathon is not dead.
Bungie Breaks Marathon’s Silence
The dark cloud over Marathon began in mid-2025 when it was revealed that a developer had incorporated another artist’s work into the game without permission, attribution, or compensation. The sudden halt in marketing following this incident, and the official postponement announcement in June 2025, raised serious concerns about the project’s future. Since then, Bungie has continued to produce content for Destiny 2, but has not shared any information about Marathon, further fueling the cancellation rumors.
Bungie has cleared up all this uncertainty with a statement on its official website. The developer announced that it has opened player registration for a “Closed Technical Test” to be held this month. Players wishing to participate in this test, which will be invitation-only, must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The testing period will run from October 22-27, 2025, and will offer players the opportunity to experience the game.
According to the statement, the studio has been running closed tests with smaller groups since June. This new test is planned to include a wider player base. Participants will be able to experience features such as three different maps, proximity-based voice chat, solo queues, and “recalibrated” combat mechanics. Bungie stated that it will share more information about Marathon’s future after the testing period is complete.
The game’s latest known release date is scheduled for March 2026. So, are you excited for Bungie’s new game, Marathon? What are your expectations for the game?
