Bungie has a leak problem. Despite locking down their October Marathon playtest with strict non-disclosure agreements, 132 minutes of gameplay footage has surfaced online. The studio and Sony are fighting back with copyright strikes, but it’s a losing battle. The videos keep reappearing, and they show exactly why Bungie wanted this footage kept secret.
A user going by “零一分享” first uploaded five videos to YouTube showing raw gameplay from the closed technical test. Those got nuked by MarkScan Enforcement, the company that handles Sony’s copyright takedowns. But the uploader wasn’t done. They moved to Bilibili and uploaded four more videos, bringing the total to nine separate clips spanning over two hours of footage. As of this writing, those uploads are still live.
What 80,000 Players Were Sworn to Secrecy About
Around 80,000 players participated in the October closed technical test across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Every single one of them signed an NDA prohibiting them from sharing footage or feedback outside private Discord channels. Bungie made it crystal clear that this was early work-in-progress content not meant for public consumption.
The leaked footage reveals a new map called Outpost that Bungie hasn’t officially announced. Unlike the sprawling outdoor environments of Dire Marsh and Perimeter, Outpost pushes combat into tight indoor corridors and cramped rooms. The map is noticeably smaller and designed specifically for close-quarters gunfights where positioning matters more than long-range accuracy.
The footage also shows Heat Cascade Protocol, an environmental hazard event where fiery particles rain down across the map. If you’re caught outside during this event, your shields and health drain until you find cover. This mechanic forces teams to make tough choices between staying exposed for better positioning or retreating indoors where ambushes are easier to execute.
The Visual Upgrades Bungie Didn’t Want You to See Yet
Here’s the interesting part. Players who participated in the test have been saying the game looks significantly better than the initial reveal footage. The leaked videos confirm this. Lighting is more polished, textures are sharper, and animations flow more naturally than what we saw during the April closed alpha.
Even returning content got upgrades. The Perimeter map, which was available during April testing, received noticeable visual improvements. One tester mentioned that the leaked videos don’t capture the true quality of the visuals, suggesting the game looks even better when you’re actually playing it.
So why is Bungie aggressively taking down footage that makes their game look good? Because showing unfinished work creates unrealistic expectations. The UI, weapon balance, and map design are all still being tweaked. If players judge the game based on test footage, they might form opinions about systems that won’t exist in the final release.
A Troubled Development Timeline
Marathon was originally scheduled to release on September 23, 2025. That didn’t happen. After the April closed alpha received harsh criticism, Bungie delayed the game indefinitely. Sony later clarified they’re still aiming for a release before March 31, 2026, but Bungie hasn’t committed to a specific date.
The delay came after Bungie underwent restructuring that saw 17% of its workforce laid off in August 2024. Development has spanned over four years and involved more than 300 developers. The April alpha was supposed to be under NDA, but Bungie lifted that restriction hoping for honest feedback. They got it. Players and critics told them the game needed more time.
In May 2025, Julia Nardin replaced Steve Cotton as creative director, signaling major changes behind the scenes. Between the leadership shuffle, staff cuts, and repeated testing phases, it’s clear Marathon is going through some serious growing pains.
Why NDAs Keep Failing
This isn’t the first time Marathon footage has leaked. Videos appeared during and shortly after the October test ended, though those were quickly removed. In September, details about a third NDA playtest leaked, forcing Bungie to issue more DMCA takedowns. Even the game’s opening cinematic leaked at one point.
The problem is simple math. When you give 80,000 people access to something and tell them not to share it, someone will share it. Add in the fact that Marathon has been delayed and faces skepticism after the lukewarm alpha reception, and the incentive to leak increases. People want to see if the game is improving or if it’s headed toward another Concord-style disaster.
Bungie’s aggressive takedown strategy isn’t helping their image either. Players remember when fraudsters impersonated Bungie to issue fake DMCA strikes against Destiny 2 content creators in 2022, which damaged trust in the studio’s copyright enforcement. Now they’re legitimately striking down content again, and it feels heavy-handed given that the leaked footage actually shows improvements.
What’s Next for Marathon
Bungie is hosting another community playtest from December 12 to 16. Slots are limited, and yes, it’s under NDA again. The studio is also preparing a new ViDoc to showcase updated systems and visuals, which might be timed around The Game Awards on December 11.
Whether the ViDoc addresses the leaks or pretends they never happened remains to be seen. Bungie needs to control the narrative around Marathon because public perception is shaky. The game has been in development for over four years, faced delays, survived layoffs, and replaced its creative director. That’s not the resume of a confident project.
Sony remains committed to launching Marathon by March 2026, but the company has also said they’ll “make corrections as needed.” That’s corporate speak for “we’re watching this closely and we’ll pull the plug if it doesn’t shape up.” After spending billions acquiring Bungie specifically for live-service expertise, Sony can’t afford another flop following Concord’s spectacular failure.
FAQs
How much Marathon gameplay footage leaked?
Over 132 minutes of gameplay footage leaked from the October closed technical test. The leak includes nine separate videos showing different maps, full matches, menus, and various loadouts from the NDA-restricted build.
Why is Bungie taking down Marathon leak videos?
Bungie is issuing DMCA takedowns through MarkScan Enforcement because the footage came from NDA-protected playtests. The studio wants to control how and when early work-in-progress content is shown to avoid forming premature opinions about unfinished systems.
What new content was shown in the Marathon leak?
The leak revealed Outpost, a new close-quarters combat map not previously announced. It also showed the Heat Cascade Protocol environmental hazard, improved visuals, a cleaner UI, and various new weapons and loadouts.
When will Marathon be released?
Marathon was delayed from its original September 23, 2025 release date. Sony says the game will launch before March 31, 2026, but Bungie hasn’t confirmed a specific date. Another community playtest is scheduled for December 12-16, 2025.
How many people tested Marathon in October?
Approximately 80,000 players participated in the October closed technical test across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. All participants were required to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Is Marathon in development trouble?
Marathon has faced multiple challenges including harsh alpha feedback, an indefinite delay, 17% workforce layoffs at Bungie, and a creative director replacement. Sony remains committed to a 2026 release, but the development has been turbulent.
Where can I still watch the leaked Marathon footage?
While the original YouTube uploads were removed via copyright strikes, the footage was reuploaded to Bilibili. However, these videos may also be taken down as Bungie continues enforcement actions. Viewing or sharing leaked content may violate NDAs and terms of service.
Why did Bungie lift the NDA for the April alpha but not October?
Bungie lifted the NDA for the April alpha because they wanted open, honest feedback from the community. The overwhelmingly negative response led to the game’s delay. The October test remained under NDA because it contained even earlier work-in-progress content.
Conclusion
The Marathon leak situation highlights a fundamental tension in modern game development. Studios want controlled messaging around unfinished products, but tens of thousands of playtesters make secrecy nearly impossible. Bungie can issue all the DMCA takedowns they want, but the footage is out there, and people have seen it. The smart move would be getting ahead of the leaks with official footage that shows the game in its best light. Instead, they’re playing whack-a-mole with videos while their community speculates about why they’re so desperate to keep this content hidden. With a December playtest coming and The Game Awards right before it, Bungie has a chance to reset the narrative. Whether they take it or continue fighting losing battles against leakers will tell us a lot about their confidence in what they’re building.