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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBungie reportedly offered selected players a $500 gift card for completing a 30-day remote Marathon playtest study. The study ran from September 8 through October 7, 2025, and is over. The terms come from reporting that quoted an invitation email; no Bungie announcement confirming this specific offer was located in the sources reviewed.
What the reported offer involved
According to Forbes’ August 29, 2025 report, which reproduced the invitation’s terms, participants were asked to take part for 30 consecutive days, including weekends. The invitation described the reward as a $500 gift card of the participant’s choice for completing the study—not wages or an unconditional giveaway.
- Study dates: September 8–October 7, 2025.
- Play requirement: At least one hour each day, within specified time windows.
- Feedback: A short survey each day and a weekly survey.
- Reward: A $500 gift card for completing the study. The invitation said partial participants would receive a portion based on the number of days completed.
Forbes’ report quotes the invitation email for these terms. They should be understood as reported invitation language, not as terms confirmed in a Bungie announcement.
When participants were expected to play
The reported schedule set different availability windows for weekdays and weekends. The one-hour minimum was therefore not simply an anytime-you-like daily requirement.
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| Day | Reported play window | Daily minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | 3–7 p.m. Pacific Time | At least one hour |
| Weekends | 2–8 p.m. Pacific Time | At least one hour |
The invitation also called for daily and weekly surveys, so the time commitment included feedback tasks as well as gameplay. The sources do not establish the time required to complete those surveys.
Who could take part—and can you still sign up?
The offer was described as invite-only. Reporting says the invitation went to selected players who had expressed interest in future research opportunities; it was not a public signup for this particular 30-day study. Because the study ended on October 7, 2025, this specific $500 offer is no longer available.
Rank #2
- Four-player madness! - you can't spell Nippon marathon without 'P', 'a', 'R', 'T' And *checks letters* 'I', we suppose... Solo play is supported, but grab up to four pads and enjoy the supreme Silliness of gaming's greatest marathon.
- see all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & More! Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, player... Contest! Lobster-man J Darwin, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth nishibori, school uniform fan zenbei "xen bae" And the completely normal snuguru Maestro
- epic pratfalls! - swinging poles! Giant face-slapping fish! Cyclists! Shiba Inu! Panes of glass! Traffic! False doors! Barrels! Rolling Beams! Wobbly planks! Flying fruit! More Shiba Inu! Earthquakes!!!!!
- tons of surprises! - you never know what will happen next in Nippon marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun Maybe a news anchor will Jet Pack in to Interview you on the racetrack Heck, anything is possible...
- drop-in/drop-out play! - random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play Not a problem. Whatever the cause, Hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
Bungie’s playtest signup page lets people express interest in future testing. It does not reopen the completed study or guarantee selection for another one.
What Bungie says playtests are for
Bungie’s official Marathon Closed Alpha Update says the primary goals of a playtest are to test “technical capabilities and our moment-to-moment gameplay loop.” That explains the general purpose of testing, but it does not confirm the compensation or schedule reported for this later study.
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What remains unconfirmed
The reported invitation provides the published basis for the amount, dates, schedule, and completion terms. The available sources do not establish how many people were invited, how recipients were selected, the total payout, or whether every participant received the stated reward.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Four-player madness! - You can't spell Nippon Marathon without 'P', 'A', 'R', 'T' and *checks letters* 'I', we suppose… Solo play is supported, but grab up to four pads and enjoy the supreme silliness of gaming's greatest marathon.
- See all of Japan! - Cross the entirety of the land of Nippon in a series of creative courses spanning busy city streets, village lanes, bustling markets & more!
- Wacky characters! - Go toe-to-toe with some of the coolest contestants who ever did, er… contest! Lobster-man J DARWIN, onesie-obsessive Elizabeth Nishibori, school uniform fan Zenbei "Xen Bae" and the completely normal Snuguru Maestro Epic pratfalls! - Swinging poles! Giant face-slapping fish! Cyclists! Shiba Inu! Panes of glass! Traffic! False doors! Barrels! Rolling beams! Wobbly planks! Flying fruit! More Shiba Inu! EARTHQUAKES!!!!!
- Tons of surprises! - You never know what will happen next in Nippon Marathon. Perhaps you'll find time for an impromptu spot of slot machine fun? Maybe a news anchor will jetpack in to interview you on the racetrack? Heck, anything is possible…
- Drop-in/drop-out play! - Random pedestrian passing by your couch and wants to play? Not a problem. Whatever the cause, hop in and out for the ultimate, flexible party get-together!
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