New ‘Marathon’ Info About The Closed Alpha, NDAs And Open Beta

Forbes - Apr 19th, 2025
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Bungie has lifted the NDA for its highly anticipated game, Marathon, as it rolls out Closed Alpha codes to thousands of players. The Alpha, running from April 23 to May 4, allows gamers to play, stream, record, and discuss their experiences openly. This move aims to gather valuable feedback and shift the narrative positively before the game's official release on September 23. Bungie emphasizes that the game is still in development, and the Closed Alpha serves as a critical technical test before a broader Open Beta expected in August.

The decision to lift the NDA reflects Bungie's strategic response to mixed reactions following the initial gameplay reveal. By encouraging open discourse, the company hopes to address any negative perceptions and make necessary adjustments before launch. The game, priced at $40, will not shift to a free-to-play model despite speculation. The inclusion of a potentially significant fourth map remains uncertain as developers face a tight timeline. The success of the Closed Alpha could be crucial in ensuring Marathon's reception and longevity in the competitive gaming market.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of Bungie's *Marathon* game, focusing on the Closed Alpha and strategic decisions related to NDA lifting and player feedback. It is accurate and timely, offering clear and engaging content for readers interested in gaming news. However, the article could benefit from more transparency regarding sources and a broader range of perspectives to enhance its balance and public interest appeal. While it effectively informs the gaming community, its impact and engagement potential are somewhat limited by the focus on technical details and lack of controversial elements. Overall, the article is a well-written piece with room for improvement in sourcing and perspective diversity.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the key developments regarding Bungie's *Marathon* game, specifically the details about the Closed Alpha, NDA status, and upcoming Open Beta. It correctly states the Closed Alpha dates and the lifting of the NDA, allowing players to stream and discuss the game. The article's claims about the technical test nature of the Closed Alpha, the limited number of players, and Bungie's intention to gather feedback are well-supported by official sources. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the "endgame" content, particularly the fourth map, which the article mentions but does not confirm with official sources. This slight lack of clarity on one aspect prevents a perfect score.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the technical aspects and strategic decisions surrounding the *Marathon* game, providing a detailed look at Bungie's actions and intentions. However, it largely presents a single perspective — that of the developers and industry insiders. The article could benefit from including more diverse viewpoints, such as player reactions or expert analysis on the potential impact of these developments. While the piece does not exhibit overt bias, the lack of varied perspectives slightly limits its balance.

8
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and engaging manner, effectively conveying the key points about the *Marathon* game developments. The language is straightforward, and the structure allows readers to easily follow the progression of events and understand the implications. However, some sections could benefit from more detailed explanations, particularly regarding the technical aspects and potential outcomes of the Closed Alpha. Overall, the article is accessible and informative, with minor areas for improvement in detail.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on unnamed sources and general industry knowledge, which affects the transparency of the information presented. While it does reference Bungie's actions and intentions, the lack of direct quotes or citations from official Bungie communications or press releases diminishes its credibility. Providing more direct references or quotes from Bungie or other authoritative sources would enhance the article's source quality.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing, as it does not clearly indicate where all the information is derived from. It mentions 'per my sources' without specifying who these sources are or how they are connected to the events described. Additionally, the piece does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the reporting. Greater transparency about the sources and potential biases would improve the article's credibility and reader trust.

Sources

  1. https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/alpha_update
  2. https://www.marathonthegame.com
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4Jv5H3_yAo
  4. https://fullcleared.com/news/bungie-shares-an-update-on-marathons-closed-alpha-test/
  5. https://screenrant.com/marathon-closed-alpha-test-how-sign-up/