Bungie Inc. Marathon Playtest

Pre-Release and Development History

Bungie released three installments of Marathon, a beloved science fiction first-person shooter game series, from 1994 to 1996. The groundbreaking series was renowned for its pioneering use of a full-3D engine and immersive storyline. However, before the final release of the first game, Marathon, Bungie held a crucial playtest that significantly shaped the game’s development.

Playtest Details

The Marathon playtest was conducted in secret at the University of Chicago in the summer of 1993. A select group of around 20 testers were invited to provide feedback on early versions of the game. The playtesters were given full access to the game’s levels, weapons, and enemies and were tasked with identifying bugs and providing suggestions for improvements.

Impact on Game Development

The feedback gathered during the playtest proved invaluable to Bungie. It helped the developers refine the game’s core mechanics, adjust gameplay difficulty, and identify potential bottlenecks. Based on the feedback, Bungie made several crucial changes to the game, including:

• Reducing enemy density in certain areas to improve performance.
• Adding more variation in level design to enhance gameplay diversity.
• Balancing weapon strengths and ammo capacity to promote tactical gameplay.
• Improving the artificial intelligence of enemies to provide more challenging encounters.

Historical Significance

The Marathon playtest stands as a testament to the importance of user feedback in game development. It showcased how early testing can help shape a game’s trajectory and deliver a more polished and enjoyable experience. The success of the Marathon series, in no small part due to the insights gained from the playtest, paved the way for the genre-defining Halo franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When was the Marathon playtest held?

A: Summer of 1993

Q: Where was the playtest held?

A: University of Chicago

Q: How many testers participated in the playtest?

A: Approximately 20

Q: What was the primary purpose of the playtest?

A: To gather feedback on early versions of the game and identify bugs

Q: What significant changes were made to the game based on the playtest feedback?

A: Reduced enemy density, increased level design variation, balanced weapon strengths, and improved enemy AI

References

• Bungie: Marathon Playtest

• The Making of Marathon: Part 1

Destiny 2 Playtest Feedback

During the recent Destiny 2 playtest, players provided valuable feedback that highlighted areas for improvement:

• PvP Balance: Players expressed concerns about weapon imbalances, particularly the effectiveness of certain shotguns and hand cannons in close-range engagements. Bungie will continue to monitor PvP data and make adjustments as necessary.

• Endgame Content: While players enjoyed the new PsiOps Battlegrounds, they requested more challenging and rewarding endgame activities. Bungie plans to address this in future seasons.

• Character Customization: Players desired expanded options for character appearance customization, including more hair and armor options. Bungie will explore ways to enhance customization in the future.

• Exotics: Players found some Exotic weapons and armor lackluster and requested more impactful and unique abilities. Bungie is considering reworking or buffing certain Exotics to make them more desirable.

• Story Progression: While the Witch Queen campaign was praised, players suggested improvements to the narrative pacing and flow. Bungie will use this feedback to refine future story experiences.

Registration

Bungie Inc. is opening registration for the Marathon playtest, allowing players to experience the upcoming Marathon installment firsthand.

Interested individuals can register through the official Bungie website, detailing their platform preference (PC or console), language, and contact information. Participation is limited and subject to selection.

Selected participants will receive invitations with further details on playtest times and instructions. Bungie encourages players to register promptly to increase their chances of participating.

Destiny 2 Playtest Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i3-3250 or AMD FX-6300
• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB or AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 105 GB available space

Recommended Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 390 4GB
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 105 GB available space

NDA

Overview:

This Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) outlines the confidentiality obligations of participants in Bungie Inc.’s Marathon playtest.

Confidentiality:

• Participants are strictly prohibited from disclosing any information, including game content, gameplay mechanics, or development plans, obtained during the playtest to any third party.
• This prohibition extends to any and all forms of communication, including social media, online forums, and personal conversations.

Usage Restrictions:

• Participants are not permitted to record, capture, or distribute any game footage or screenshots without Bungie’s express written consent.
• Playtest content must only be used for the purpose of providing feedback and assisting in game development.

Consequences of Breach:

• Violation of this NDA may result in legal consequences, including criminal prosecution and civil damages.
• Bungie reserves the right to terminate participation in the playtest and pursue all available remedies for breach of contract.

Duration:

• This NDA remains in effect from the date of signing until Bungie publicly releases the Marathon game.

Acceptance:

• By participating in the Marathon playtest, participants acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of this NDA.

Destiny 2 Playtest Schedule

• Alpha Playtest:
  • Dates: August 18 – 30, 2017
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Content: Explore new patrol zones, participate in strikes and raids, experience the new subclass system
• Beta Playtest:
  • Dates: July 19 – 23, 2017
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Content: Access to a portion of the main campaign, including the original mission from the first Destiny
• Final Playtest:
  • Dates: August 29 – September 1, 2017
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Content: Access to the full game, including all campaign missions, strikes, raids, and multiplayer modes

Locations

Bungie Inc. conducted extensive playtesting for its Marathon series of first-person shooters. Key locations included:

• The Halo Room at HQ: An internal testing facility at Bungie’s headquarters in Bellevue, Washington.
• Worthington Elementary School: A local elementary school where students provided feedback on the game’s educational potential.
• Local Universities: Partnerships with nearby universities, such as the University of Washington, allowed for student testers and feedback.
• Conventions: Events like Macworld and E3 showcased the game to the public and gathered valuable feedback.
• Publicity Stunts: Bungie organized public events, such as "Marathon Night" at a Seattle movie theater, to promote the game and gather feedback.

Destiny 2 Playtest Rewards

Overview

Destiny 2 playtesters received exclusive rewards for participating in the game’s various playtests. These rewards included in-game items, emblems, and even real-world physical items.

In-Game Items

• Playtest Emblem: A unique emblem that can be displayed on player characters.
• Legendary Lost Sector Weapons: A set of legendary weapons that could be obtained by completing the Lost Sectors during the playtest.
• Exotic Cipher: A currency used to purchase exotic engrams from Xur.

Emblems

• Test your Limits Emblem: An emblem awarded to participants in the Technical Alpha.
• Fearless Hero Emblem: An emblem awarded to participants in the Early Access Beta.
• Unbreakable Bonds Emblem: An emblem awarded to participants in the Public Beta.

Physical Items

• Collector’s Edition Buck: A collectible pin in the shape of Buck, the character from the Destiny universe.
• Yearbook: A physical book showcasing artwork and behind-the-scenes content from the Destiny 2 playtest.

Additional Rewards

• xur’s Treasure Tickets: A set of five tickets that granted players with guaranteed exotic engrams upon redeeming.
• Vanguard Tokens: A currency used to purchase Vanguard rewards.
• Glimmer: The in-game currency.

for Destiny 2

Bungie Inc. conducted a playtest for Destiny 2, codenamed "Marathon," to gather feedback on upcoming expansion content. The playtest focused on core gameplay elements, such as combat, abilities, and level design. Participants were given access to new weapons, gear, and locations to provide comprehensive evaluations. The feedback from the playtest will be used to shape the final version of the expansion, ensuring a polished and engaging gameplay experience for players.

Destiny 2 Playtest for PC

Destiny 2, the highly anticipated multiplayer shooter from Bungie, recently conducted a closed beta playtest for PC players. The playtest gave players a glimpse into the game’s content, mechanics, and overall performance.

Gameplay and Missions:

Players got their hands on several missions, including the Inverted Spire Strike, a dungeon-like experience. The gameplay featured familiar elements from Destiny 1, such as space magic abilities, a variety of weapons, and cooperative play.

New Features and Improvements:

The playtest showcased new features like the Shared World Spaces, where players could encounter each other and engage in spontaneous encounters. Other improvements included a smoother UI, improved graphics, and a new matchmaking system.

Performance and Stability:

The playtest provided valuable feedback on the game’s performance and stability. Players experienced occasional crashes and frame drops, but overall the game ran smoothly. Bungie is expected to optimize further before the game’s release.

Player Feedback:

Feedback from the playtest was generally positive. Players praised the gameplay, missions, and new features. Some concerns were raised about the lack of a Clan system, limited character customization options, and the need for further stability improvements.

for Xbox One

Bungie Inc., the renowned developer behind the Halo and Destiny franchises, recently announced a "marathon playtest" of the classic shooter Marathon for Xbox One. The playtest aims to gauge player feedback and gather data for potential future releases.

Participants will have access to a fully playable version of Marathon, with various in-game activities and challenges. Bungie encourages players to share their experiences, suggestions, and any technical issues they encounter.

The playtest is available for a limited time and requires players to sign up via a registration link provided by Bungie. Those selected will receive an email with further instructions and a download code for the game.

Destiny 2 Playtest for PlayStation 4

The Destiny 2 playtest for PlayStation 4 provided players with an early glimpse of the upcoming sequel. Feedback gathered during the playtest will help shape the final game, scheduled for release on September 6, 2017.

Players experienced:

• A new social space called the "Farm"
• A new raid called "Leviathan"
• New subclasses for each character class
• New weapons, armor, and abilities

Overall, the playtest was well-received by participants, who praised the game’s visuals, gameplay, and story elements. Feedback from the playtest will help Bungie make Destiny 2 the best possible game it can be.

for Stadia

Bungie Inc. conducted a playtest for their classic game Marathon on Google Stadia, offering players a chance to experience the original FPS with updated visuals and controls. During the playtest, participants were invited to provide feedback on the game’s performance and share their thoughts on its potential release on Stadia. The purpose of the playtest was to evaluate player interest and gather data to inform future development decisions.

Destiny 2 Playtest for Cross-Play

Destiny 2 has begun a playtest for cross-play, allowing players from different platforms (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation) to participate in activities together. The playtest will run until August 24th and includes all activities in the game, including raids, Nightfalls, and PvP.

During the playtest, players will be able to team up with friends across platforms, regardless of their platform of choice. The social features of the game have also been updated to support cross-play, allowing players to communicate and form fireteams with ease.

The playtest is intended to gather feedback from players and help Bungie prepare for the official release of cross-play in Destiny 2. Feedback can be provided through the official Destiny 2 forums or the #CrossPlay channel on the community Discord server.

for End-Game Content

Bungie Inc. conducted a playtest for end-game content for its Marathon video game series. The playtest focused on developing and refining content for players who have completed the main campaign and are looking for additional challenges. The playtest involved a variety of new and improved features, including:

• New missions with unique objectives and environments
• Increased difficulty levels
• New enemies and bosses
• Improved rewards and loot

Destiny 2 Playtest for PvP

Bungie recently conducted a playtest for the PvP aspect of Destiny 2. Here’s a summary of the key findings and feedback from the test:

• Improved Connection Quality: Players reported a noticeable improvement in connection quality compared to Destiny 1, resulting in reduced latency and fewer instances of lag.
• New Subclasses and Abilities: The new subclasses and abilities introduced in Destiny 2 offer a wider range of options for players to customize their playstyle. Feedback on these additions has been generally positive.
• Revised Map Design: Maps in Destiny 2 have been designed with a greater focus on player mobility and engagement. This has led to more dynamic and fluid gameplay.
• New Game Modes: The introduction of new game modes, such as Countdown and Survival, adds variety to the PvP experience. Players have expressed appreciation for these fresh gameplay options.
• Balance Issues: While many aspects of PvP have been improved, some areas still require balancing adjustments. Certain weapons and abilities have been identified as being overpowered or underpowered.
• Grenade Spam: Players have raised concerns about the excessive use of grenades in PvP. Bungie is working to address this issue by limiting the amount of grenade energy available.
• Removal of Bloom: The removal of bloom from hip-fire weapons has resulted in more precise and consistent gunplay. This change has been welcomed by the community.

for Raid

• Duration: Two weeks (multiple sessions)
• Participant Goals: Provide feedback on Raid features, mechanics, and encounter balance.
• Gameplay Focus: "Deep Dive" into high-difficulty content, including boss encounters, puzzles, and enemy AI.
• Specific Elements Tested: Team coordination, communication, and the need for adaptable strategies.
• Collaboration: Bungie developers collaborated closely with participants to gather insights and refine the Raid experience.

Destiny 2 Playtest for Exotic Missions

During a Witch Queen development build playtest, select players were able to experience exotic missions. These missions featured innovative gameplay elements not typically found in Destiny 2, including:

• Investigation missions: Players solved environmental puzzles to uncover hidden areas and progress.
• Ascendant challenges: A non-combat focused adventure that tested players’ platforming skills.
• Solo mission: A unique narrative experience tailored to the player’s character, exploring their past and motivations.

for Seasonal Content

Bungie Inc. is conducting a marathon playtest for the upcoming seasonal content in its popular multiplayer game, Destiny 2. The playtest, scheduled for a specific time and date, will provide players with an exclusive opportunity to experience new content, including story missions, strikes, seasonal activities, and more.

Participants in the playtest will be able to engage with new gameplay mechanics, explore fresh environments, and interact with previously unseen characters. Bungie is seeking feedback from players regarding the gameplay, story, and overall experience of the seasonal content.

The playtest is an invaluable opportunity for Bungie to gather player insights and refine the seasonal content before its official release. It allows the development team to address any issues, fine-tune the experience, and ensure that players have the most enjoyable and engaging experience possible.

Destiny 2 Playtest for New Weapons

Bungie recently hosted a playtest for upcoming weapons in Destiny 2, showcasing a range of new and exotic armaments:

• Linear Fusion Rifles: Precision weapons with increased bullet velocity and reduced recoil.
• Sidearms: Fast-firing, close-range weapons with burst and full-auto options.
• Sword with Charge Time: A new sword archetype with charged melee attacks for increased damage.
• Trace Rifles: Energy weapons that fire a continuous beam of projectiles.
• Exotic Bow: A unique bow with explosive arrowheads and an exotic perk that grants increased handling after kills.
• Exotic Linear Fusion Rifle: A high-impact weapon with an intrinsic perk that generates bonus damage after rapid precision hits.

Feedback from the playtest will influence the final designs and balancing of these weapons before their release in future updates.

for New Abilities

Bungie Inc., the developer of the Marathon series, recently conducted a playtest for new abilities in the upcoming Marathon game. The playtest featured four new abilities:

• Grapple Hook: Allows players to grapple onto surfaces and pull themselves towards them.
• Boost: Grants players a burst of speed for a short duration.
• Energy Shield: Provides players with a temporary shield that absorbs damage.
• Overdrive: Significantly increases the player’s speed, jump height, and damage output for a limited time.

The playtest received positive feedback from participants, who praised the abilities’ impact on gameplay and the resulting increase in player skill ceiling. Bungie Inc. plans to incorporate feedback from the playtest into the final version of the game.

Destiny 2 Playtest for New Subclasses

Bungie has announced a playtest for new subclasses in Destiny 2. These new subclasses, called Strand, are available for all classes.

Hunter:

• Threadrunner: Focuses on grappling and agility, using grapple anchors and slashing projectiles.

Titan:

• Berserker: Embraces chaos and fury, unleashing powerful melee attacks and a devastating slam.

Warlock:

• Broodweaver: Controls Threadlings, small creatures that can attack enemies and heal allies.

Gameplay Features:

• Grapple Points: New grapple points are scattered throughout encounters, enabling players to quickly reposition and attack from unexpected angles.
• Threadlings: Warlock Broodweavers can summon Threadlings, which can damage enemies, heal allies, and even carry grenades.
• Unraveling: Strand attacks can unravel enemies, debuffing them and increasing their damage vulnerability.

How to Participate:

• Players who own The Witch Queen expansion can join the playtest by signing up on Bungie’s website.
• The playtest will run from May 12-26, 2023.

This playtest offers players a chance to experience the new Strand subclasses firsthand and provide feedback to Bungie.