Bungie provides Marathon closed alpha test details and lifts NDA on streaming and screenshots

Bungie has faced significant criticism following the unveiling of its new extraction shooter, Marathon. Some viewers found the game's unique art style too jarring. Also, deciding against a free-to-play model could limit interest in an already struggling genre. However, the publisher has pledged to listen to feedback and is not afraid to show the game with flaws. Bungie announced that it's removing the NDA from the Marathon closed alpha test starting on April 23rd.

By lifting the NDA, Bungie will avoid the inevitable leaks that plague Battlefield 6. North American gamers and streamers can freely discuss impressions and share screenshots and videos. Some players who applied on the official Marathon Discord server are already receiving codes for the closed alpha test.

The Marathon release date for PCs and consoles is September 23rd. The somewhat limited time-frame doesn't give Bungie much time to make dramatic changes. Still, the company is open to adjusting key elements, including targeting and early-game progression. The extraction shooter will focus on PvP action, so stress-testing servers is also critical. Bungie is anxious to involve content creators and will host Q&A sessions as the closed alpha test begins.

The upcoming play test will only show a glimpse of the complete Marathon experience. Gamers can expect the final version to have an evolved UI and changes to animations and lighting. Ranked play will also be lacking during the closed alpha period. Bungie hopes strong storytelling over distinct seasons will convince skeptics to stay invested in the game. Unfortunately, gamers must wait until September to see how the narrative unfolds.

Even though Marathon will be cross-platform, there are fears that it will die a quick death like Concord. Sony acquired the makers of Halo and Destiny in 2022. With Marathon, Bungie will at least have plenty of feedback to evaluate before its release date.