Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon just had its closed technical test footage leak online, breaking the strict non-disclosure agreement that participants signed. The leaked gameplay appeared on October 27, 2025, just days before the extended test period was set to end on October 28. For a game that’s been shrouded in secrecy and controversy, this leak offers players their most detailed look yet at what Bungie has been working on behind closed doors.
What We Know About the Leak
The leaked footage surfaced on Reddit’s GamingLeaksAndRumours community, where users quickly shared links to gameplay videos from the closed technical test. This test ran from October 22 through October 28, 2025, and was supposed to be completely locked down under NDA. Participants were explicitly prohibited from streaming, recording, or sharing any content outside of approved Discord channels.
The timing of this leak is particularly significant because Bungie had just extended the technical test by two additional days, suggesting they were gathering as much feedback as possible before the next development phase. The leaked content has since been taken down through DMCA claims, but not before it spread across gaming communities and forums.
Why This Test Matters
This closed technical test represents a critical checkpoint for Marathon after the game was delayed indefinitely following lukewarm reception to its alpha testing earlier in 2025. Bungie originally planned to launch Marathon on September 23, 2025, but pushed it back after feedback indicated the game wasn’t ready for prime time. The studio has been conducting monthly NDA-bound playtests since then, making continuous improvements based on player input.
Sony has enormous stakes riding on Marathon’s success. The game needs to perform well to justify Sony’s controversial acquisition of Bungie and prove that the studio can create a hit live-service title beyond Destiny. After the catastrophic failure of Concord, PlayStation cannot afford another high-profile multiplayer disaster.
Major Improvements Since Alpha
According to players who participated in the technical test and various leaked reports, Bungie has made substantial improvements to Marathon since the disappointing alpha. The closed technical test included several key additions that address earlier criticism.
Proximity Chat and Social Features
One of the biggest additions is proximity voice chat, a feature that was notably absent from earlier tests. Bungie had previously expressed concerns about creating a “safe environment” for players with prox chat in a game where you literally kill other players. However, community feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of this feature, and Bungie finally implemented it. The social element adds a new layer of tension and potential for both cooperation and betrayal in this extraction shooter.
Faster Combat Pacing
The time-to-kill (TTK) has been significantly reduced compared to the alpha. Early testers complained that gunfights felt sluggish and unsatisfying, with enemies taking too many shots to down. This adjustment should make firefights feel snappier and more rewarding, bringing the combat more in line with what players expect from a modern competitive shooter.
Visual and Environmental Upgrades
The technical test build reportedly features much more polished visuals than the alpha. Players noted improved lighting with proper light bounces, thicker shadows, and dynamic weather effects. One significant change is that enemy corpses now persist after death along with loot bags, addressing complaints that bodies simply vanished in earlier builds. This makes the world feel more grounded and realistic.
What Marathon Offers
Marathon is a team-based extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet Tau Ceti IV. Players take on the role of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries designed to survive harsh alien environments. The gameplay loop involves deploying solo or in crews of three to search for valuable loot, weapons, and mysterious alien artifacts, then successfully extracting before you lose everything.
The closed technical test featured three distinct maps, five customizable Runner shells (character classes), and a solo queue option for players who prefer to go it alone. Bungie has also focused on deeper environmental storytelling to immerse players in the lore of this world, something that was severely lacking in the alpha version.
The Runner System
Recent leaks revealed a new Runner called “Icon,” bringing fresh abilities and playstyles to the roster. Each Runner has unique capabilities that can dramatically change how you approach objectives and combat encounters. The faction system has also been completely redesigned, with all six factions (Cyberacme, Nucaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi) receiving full visual overhauls and cinematic introduction sequences lasting over 30 seconds each.
The Road to Launch
Despite these improvements, Marathon still faces an uphill battle. The game hasn’t captured mainstream attention the way Bungie’s previous titles did, and the extraction shooter market is becoming increasingly crowded. Titles like Escape from Tarkov have established strong player bases, and newcomers need to offer something truly special to compete.
Bungie has promised to announce a new release window later this fall, but no concrete date has been set. The studio clearly wants to take its time getting Marathon right rather than rushing it to market. The positive reception to this technical test compared to the alpha suggests they’re moving in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done.
Sony’s Pressure
The pressure from Sony cannot be understated. PlayStation needs Marathon to succeed not just as a game, but as proof that its live-service strategy can work. The company has invested heavily in Bungie’s expertise, and Marathon represents the first major test of whether that investment will pay off. A Concord-style failure would be devastating for both Bungie’s reputation and Sony’s plans for its gaming division.
Community Reaction
The leaked footage has generated mixed reactions from the gaming community. Players who got into the technical test have reported much more positive impressions compared to the alpha, praising the improved combat feel and added features. However, skeptics remain concerned about whether Marathon can differentiate itself enough from other extraction shooters to build a sustainable player base.
Some players appreciate Bungie’s willingness to delay the game and make substantial changes based on feedback. Others worry that the game has been in development for too long and may have missed its window of opportunity. The extraction shooter genre moves quickly, and what seemed fresh a year ago might feel dated by the time Marathon finally launches.
FAQs
When will Marathon be released?
Marathon does not currently have a release date. Bungie delayed the game indefinitely after its planned September 23, 2025 launch was cancelled. The studio has said they will announce a new release window later this fall once they’re confident the game is ready.
What platforms will Marathon be available on?
Marathon will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The closed technical test ran across all three platforms simultaneously.
Is Marathon free-to-play?
Bungie has not officially confirmed Marathon’s pricing model, though leaked information suggests there will be multiple editions and a season pass system. The full details about monetization have not been revealed yet.
What makes Marathon different from other extraction shooters?
Marathon differentiates itself through Bungie’s signature combat feel, unique sci-fi setting on Tau Ceti IV, the Runner class system with distinct abilities, and deep lore integration. The game aims to be more accessible than hardcore extraction shooters like Tarkov while still maintaining tension and stakes.
Can you play Marathon solo?
Yes, Marathon includes a solo queue option that was added based on player feedback. You can deploy alone, though you may still encounter teams of three players during matches. There are discussions about dedicated solo-only modes, but nothing has been confirmed.
Why was the Marathon technical test under NDA?
The NDA was in place because the build represents early work-in-progress content that doesn’t reflect the final game. Bungie wanted to gather feedback and test server infrastructure without creating false impressions based on incomplete features.
Will there be more testing before launch?
Bungie has been conducting regular monthly playtests and will likely continue testing Marathon extensively before launch. They may announce additional open beta periods as the game gets closer to release.
Conclusion
The leaked Marathon closed technical test footage represents both a setback and an opportunity for Bungie. While the NDA breach isn’t ideal, the generally positive reaction to the improvements suggests the studio is finally getting this troubled project on track. The additions of proximity chat, faster combat, better visuals, and refined gameplay systems address many of the complaints from earlier testing phases. However, Marathon still faces significant challenges in a competitive market, and Sony’s expectations add immense pressure to deliver a hit. Whether Bungie can pull off another franchise success story remains to be seen, but this technical test shows they’re listening to feedback and making meaningful changes. The next few months will be crucial as Bungie works toward announcing a new launch date and building momentum for what could be their most important release since Destiny.