Bungie cancels NDA for Marathon alpha test after controversial presentation: will openness help to change players' minds?
Even before the alpha testing of its upcoming shooter Marathon started, Bungie studio made an unexpected move - it cancelled the non-disclosure agreement (NDA), allowing participants to freely share game details and gameplay footage. Sources cited by Paul Tassi from Forbes offer several possible reasons for this decision.
Here's What We Know
According to insiders, the alpha test is purely technical and deliberately limited to avoid serious technical problems (which is a common practice in the industry). However, despite the NDA, the developers seem to have expected information leaks that would not be critical given the limited nature of the test.
However, the studio's management was reportedly concerned about the community's reaction to the game's recent presentation last weekend. The cancellation of the NDA is intended to "change the narrative" around the project. Perhaps such openness will demonstrate that the studio has nothing to hide and is eager to establish a dialogue with the community in the future.
This step was praised on social media, and now even those who did not get access will be able to see extended gameplay recordings.
Marathon is scheduled to release on 23 September for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The closed alpha test will run from 23 April to 4 May.
Source: Forbes
