New Playtest For Horizon Hunters Gathering Overlaps Marathon Open Beta This Weekend

Earlier this year, Sony Interactive Entertainment finally went public to share that Marathon is releasing in March later this spring. After the delay that pushed the extraction shooter to a 2026 release, the latest live-service is officially nearing its arrival. Alike other premium releases of this nature, it was confirmed Marathon will cost $40 when it hits all major storefronts.

Additionally, Bungie more recently confirmed that Marathon will be hosting a ‘Server Slam’ to test the waters for the game’s lobby hosting. This also gives players a chance to sample the game as well that are unsure of the new Bungie release. Around the same time, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced a separate live-service title: Horizon Hunters Gathering. It is a new entry in the Horizon series which brings the IP to an entirely new genre.

Recently, it was discovered that there will be a closed playtest hosted for Horizon Hunters Gathering. Users online have discovered a new email was sent out revealing that the private beta will be held from February 27th to March 1st. This beta coincides with the Marathon Server Slam that is also being held in the same timeframe. 

“Join the Beta Program at PlayStation for a chance to battle deadly machines in Colorado Springs in the Horizon Hunters Gathering Closed Playtest. This closed playtest is available on PS5 and PC (Steam). From February 27 to March 1, selected players will join the hunt as either Sun, Rem, or Axle in two distinct game modes: Machine Incursion, a wave-based game of survival; or Cauldron Descent, a multi-stage dungeon featuring ever-changing challenges,” the letterhead in the email reads.

This is not the only closed testing to be held by PlayStation in 2026. It was previously confirmed that Bad Robot Games’ 4Loop will be hosting its own internal betas as well with sign-ups already available to file now. You can read the full report by heading here.

Do you plan to sign-up for the Horizon Hunters Gathering closed playtest?

Horizon Hunters Gathering is listed for PlayStation 5 & PC.