As part of the Bungie’s reveal showcase for its next game, Marathon, the studio announced a closed alpha test and confirmed how players can sign up for access.
The Marathon closed alpha starts later this month, and players can join the Marathon Discord channel for a chance to get in. Bungie said its teams will be “actively engaging” with the Discord channel, including conducting live Q&As and generally discussing the project directly with fans.
Marathon is a team-based extraction shooter. It’s a successor of sorts to Bungie’s 1994 game of the same name. Whereas Bungie today is better known for its work on the Destiny and Halo franchises, the original Marathon was one of Bungie’s first big successes when it was released for Mac and Apple Pippin.
Review:
Marathon Closed Alpha: A First Look at Bungie’s Next Big Shooter – Is It Worth the Hype?
Bungie, the legendary studio behind Halo and Destiny, is gearing up to reboot one of its earliest successes with Marathon, a team-based extraction shooter set to shake up the gaming world. The recent announcement of a closed alpha test, kicking off later this month, has sent waves of excitement through the gaming community. As revealed in GameSpot’s article, players can sign up for a chance to dive into Marathon early by joining the official Marathon Discord channel. But is this alpha worth your time, and what does it mean for the future of Bungie’s ambitious project? As a gamer and blogger, I’ve got some thoughts to share that’ll help you decide whether to jump in or hold off.
What’s the Buzz About Marathon?
For those unfamiliar, Marathon isn’t a brand-new IP but a revival of Bungie’s 1994 sci-fi shooter, originally released for Mac and Apple Pippin. Back then, it was a groundbreaking title that laid the groundwork for Bungie’s later successes. Fast forward to 2025, and the rebooted Marathon is a far cry from its retro roots. It’s a PvPvE extraction shooter, blending the high-stakes looting of Escape from Tarkov with Bungie’s signature polish—think Destiny 2’s gunplay meets squad-based chaos. Set on the mysterious planet Tau Ceti IV, you’ll play as a Runner, a cybernetic mercenary scavenging for loot in crews of three, battling rival teams and hostile forces.
The closed alpha, starting April 23, 2025, and running until May 4, offers a sneak peek at four playable characters across two maps. It’s a small but tantalizing taste of what’s to come when Marathon officially launches on September 23, 2025, across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC with full cross-play support.
How to Get In on the Action
Getting into the Marathon closed alpha isn’t a simple “click to register” deal—it’s a bit of a hustle, which might frustrate some gamers. As outlined by GameSpot, you’ll need to join the official Marathon Discord server, head to the #alpha_access channel, and type “/alpha” to receive a private message with a sign-up link. From there, you’ll fill out a survey about your gaming habits, platform choice, and Bungie game experience. If selected, you’ll get an email from marathonthegame@info.bungie.net with a code.
Here’s the catch: access isn’t guaranteed. The alpha is region-locked to North America (with PlayStation codes limited to North and South America), and you must be 18 or older. Plus, it’s under a strict NDA, so no streaming or sharing gameplay. This exclusivity has sparked some grumbling on X, with fans outside NA feeling left out. Still, Bungie’s promise of “actively engaging” with the Discord community through live Q&As is a nice touch, offering direct access to the devs—an exciting prospect for die-hard fans.
My Take: Why Gamers Should Care
As a gamer, I’m cautiously optimistic about Marathon. Bungie’s track record with Halo and Destiny sets a high bar, and their pivot to an extraction shooter is bold. The genre’s brutal, high-risk gameplay—where you lose your loot if you don’t extract—could appeal to hardcore FPS fans craving a challenge. The promise of Destiny-like gunplay in a squad-based format is enticing, especially with cross-play ensuring you can team up with friends on any platform. However, the genre is crowded, with giants like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown dominating. Can Bungie carve out a unique space? The alpha will be our first clue.
The Discord sign-up process, while clunky, shows Bungie’s commitment to a controlled test, likely to gather focused feedback. I appreciate their transparency about the alpha’s scope—four characters, two maps, and no progress carrying over to launch. It’s a technical stress test as much as a gameplay preview, so expect some bugs. If you’re selected, you’re essentially a beta tester helping shape the game, which is a cool opportunity for dedicated gamers.
On the flip side, the region lock and NDA are bummers. Extraction shooters thrive on community hype, and locking out international players or barring content sharing feels like a missed chance to build momentum. Posts on X reflect this frustration, with some calling the alpha “too exclusive” for a game so close to launch. I also wonder if Marathon’s competitive focus might alienate casual players, as one X user noted, questioning its broader appeal. Bungie needs to nail the balance between hardcore mechanics and accessibility to make Marathon a hit.
Meaningful Insights for Gamers
If you’re a fan of Bungie’s work or love extraction shooters, signing up for the Marathon closed alpha is a no-brainer. It’s a rare chance to influence a major title before its release and experience Bungie’s next evolution firsthand. The Discord engagement suggests Bungie is listening to players, which could lead to a more polished final product. However, temper expectations—this is an early build, and with only 11 days of access, you won’t get the full picture.
For those hesitant about the genre, Marathon’s alpha could be a low-risk way to test the waters. Extraction shooters demand teamwork and strategy, but Bungie’s polish might make it more approachable than Tarkov’s punishing learning curve. That said, if you’re outside North America or dislike NDAs, you might want to wait for a future open beta, which Bungie has hinted at.
Final Verdict: Should You Sign Up?
The Marathon closed alpha is a golden ticket for Bungie fans and extraction shooter enthusiasts, but it’s not without hurdles. The sign-up process is straightforward but doesn’t guarantee entry, and the region restrictions and NDA might dampen the excitement for some. Still, the chance to play a Bungie game months before release and contribute to its development is a big draw. I’m giving this alpha a 7.5/10 for its potential, docked a few points for accessibility issues.
If you’re itching to squad up on Tau Ceti IV, hit that Discord link and cross your fingers. Just don’t expect to stream your epic loot hauls. For more details, check out the full scoop at GameSpot. What do you think—hyped for Marathon or waiting for more? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s squad up in the comments
