Bungie Offers $500 Reward for Marathon Playtest – Here’s How to Join

Bungie Expands Marathon Playtest With $500 Reward for Participants

Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon has faced a turbulent journey so far. After receiving mixed feedback during its Closed Alpha Test and dealing with a plagiarism controversy surrounding in-game artwork, the studio decided to postpone the game’s original September 2025 launch. As of now, there’s no confirmed release date.

To keep development on track, Bungie is now running an extended behind-the-scenes playtest—sweetened with a lucrative reward. According to details shared by TheGamePost, selected players will join a 30-day test beginning Monday, September 8, and running through Tuesday, October 7.

How the Playtest Works

Participants must commit to at least one hour of gameplay per day. On weekdays, the testing window runs from 3–7 PM PST, while weekends extend to 2–8 PM PST. Players who complete the full month will earn a $500 gift card of their choice, making it one of the most generous playtest incentives in the industry.

Even partial participation won’t go unrewarded—players will receive a payout proportional to the number of days they complete. With the minimum daily requirement, the payout averages roughly $16.60 per hour, a rate far above most paid gaming test opportunities.

Who Can Join?

This specific test is invite-only, but Bungie encourages anyone who has participated in previous Marathon playtests to check their inbox for invitations. New players eager to join future sessions can register an account on Bungie’s official website and opt in for upcoming testing phases.

Why It Matters

Paid playtests are not unusual, but a $500 reward is rare. The move signals Bungie’s determination to gather valuable player feedback and ensure Marathon launches in a polished, player-ready state when it finally hits the market.