Marathon alpha test dates and how to play

Image from Bungie's Marathon reboot. Not for use until after 12 April 2025, 11 PDT. — (Image credit: Bungie)

Bungie's taking a crack at the extraction shooter genre and so can you when the Marathon alpha test opens up later this month. Official launch day for Marathon isn't until September this year, but it will be running an alpha and beta test before that. From what we've played so far, it's all that Bungie FPS sauce in a different live service package than Destiny 2.

The first alpha will give players who get in a chance to try out four of its different characters ("runners") and two maps in crews of three players all doing the PvPvE thing and trying to exfil with gear and completed contracts. Here's the quick facts on the Marathon alpha:

When is the Marathon alpha test?

Marathon's first alpha test will start April 23 later this month, with Bungie yet to disclose how long it will run for. Signups are live now over in the official Marathon Discord server.

The alpha test is private, requiring a code from Bungie, and is limited to North American players over 18 years of age.

What's in the Marathon alpha test?

Marathon's first alpha test will include four runners and two maps for your squad to test out.

Runners:

Blackbird: Has a tactical spiderbot and feels similar to Destiny 2's Warlock class
Void: Has tactical invisibility and feels most like Destiny 2's Void Hunter
Locus: Has a tactical shield and works well for Destiny 2 Titan mains
Glitch: Super speedy class with a double jump and tactical slide

Maps:

Perimeter: a woodland map for five crews (15 runners)
Dire Marsh: a more open map for six crews (18 runners)

Marathon is built on teams of three players and you'll want to crew up with friends if possible. Bungie says you'll have the option to fill your team with randoms or queue as a solo or duo but there is no solos or duos match mode, trios always.

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Lauren has been writing for PC Gamer since she went hunting for the cryptid Dark Souls fashion police in 2017. She joined the PCG staff in 2021, now serving as self-appointed chief cozy games and farmlife sim enjoyer. Her career originally began in game development and she remains fascinated by how games tick in the modding and speedrunning scenes. She likes long fantasy books, longer RPGs, can't stop playing co-op survival crafting games, and has spent a number of hours she refuses to count building houses in The Sims games for over 20 years.

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