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What to expect for the Marathon closed alpha: Weapons, maps, and more

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Marathon’s closed alpha is arriving soon — here’s what you need to know.

Bungie has revealed a comprehensive article detailing the upcoming closed alpha for the new extraction shooter Marathon in April and May, starting towards the end of this current week.

The developers have emphasized that the game is still very much a work in progress, yet they are excited for those who get the chance to participate in the closed alpha to provide valuable feedback on the current version of Marathon. Here’s all you should know regarding the Marathon closed alpha test.

When does the Marathon closed alpha start and end?

The initial testing phase for Marathon, known as the Alpha test, commences on April 23rd. Those who have received access codes can download the alpha version of Marathon, and servers across North America will be active for gameplay. Regrettably, players residing outside of North America will need to exercise patience.

The play test concludes on May 4th, but even with the upcoming release of Marathon in September, further tests are scheduled prior to launch. Bungie’s April 18 blog post hints at additional chances for players outside North America to try out Marathon before its official release.

What will we see from the Marathon alpha?

Based on current information, the Marathon test will show less content compared to the final version of the game, as Bungie has made it clear that numerous technical aspects, such as certain features and components, are still in development.

  • 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.

If you aim to fully enjoy Marathon, the alpha version won’t deliver that, it’s definitely not going to be perfect. As Bungie stated in their pre-alpha blog post, they plan on testing and potentially breaking some features, so keep in mind there might be a few glitches or issues.

It’s confirmed that Marathon testers can test a single map featuring four characters, which they can select from. Additional characters will be introduced during the initial testing or launch period.

Bungie is asking for comments on weapon performance, shooting mechanics, map design, Runners’ abilities and gameplay style, advancement during a Marathon game, player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) encounters.

Bungie wants your thoughts on how weapons work, aiming, level layouts, character skills and play style, progress in a Marathon match, battles with other players and non-player characters.

What can alpha testers share about Marathon?

Starting from April 18, the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) regarding Marathon has been lifted, allowing alpha testers to openly discuss their experiences with the game. Players are now free to stream content and express their honest opinions about Marathon. Bungie encourages players to speak up if they encounter any issues or problems with the game.

For developers, it’s crucial to incorporate community feedback and discussions in creating an outstanding version of Marathon. In line with this goal, we’ve chosen to lift the Non-Disclosure Agreement from our Closed Alpha Test. Now, everyone is free to express their opinions, share feedback, and even stream gameplay footage, starting on April 23.

Bungie has launched a creators’ platform and intends to conduct regular Q&A sessions with team members, including developers and executives, to ensure the community stays informed.

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2025-04-19 06:40

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