Marathon Server Slam: marathon server slam Kicks Off Feb. 26

Mo. Basuony

Published: February 26, 2026 10:30 PM ET

Marathon Server Slam: marathon server slam Kicks Off Feb. 26

Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon holds an open preview this weekend in the marathon server slam, running from February 26 at 10 a. m. PT/1 p. m. ET through March 2 at 10 a. m. PT/1 p. m. ET. The event is presented as both a preview of gameplay and a technical stress test ahead of the game's March 5 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Marathon Server Slam Timing

The Server Slam runs from February 26 at 10 a. m. PT to March 2 at 10 a. m. PT, with the equivalent start and end times listed as 1 p. m. ET. Bungie calls it an open preview weekend and asks players to help spin up global infrastructure at scale for the first time.

Platforms, Cross-Play and Cross-Save

Players will be able to play on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with cross-play and cross-save enabled. Bungie also notes Marathon will appear as part of Steam Next Fest during the preview weekend.

What the test will do

The studio describes the Server Slam as a technical stress test: turning everything on worldwide, inviting as many players as possible, and watching systems closely while players log in, crew up, infil, exfil, log out, repeat. Bungie says teams will be standing by throughout the weekend to address issues, monitor performance, and make adjustments; when something breaks, that is data to help make the March 5 launch better.

Rewards and progression

Everyone who completes the introductory mission during the weekend will unlock a unique Beta. exe emblem and a Complex Study player background marking them as part of the first wave of Runners. Time spent during the Slam will also bank loot rewards for launch based on progress: complete your first mission to unlock the Standard Arrival Cache; reach Runner Level 10 to unlock the Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green); and reach Runner Level 30 to unlock the Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue). Bungie warns that cosmetic and loot rewards will be delivered once Marathon launches on March 5 and that rollout may take time, so if you don’t see items in your inbox immediately, hold tight. Players who tune into anyone streaming Marathon on Twitch during the weekend can also snag a set of cosmetic rewards for launch, with full claiming details posted on support pages.

World, maps and launch content

Marathon takes place on the distant sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV, a derelict space colony where Runners — the player characters — and hostile UESC security forces roam. The timeline given places the game in the year 2893, 99 years after the events of the original Marathon game and hundreds of years after the establishment of the now-dead colony. Maps will include futuristic research facilities, lush forests and a variety of enemies; the planet surface is only the beginning, and players will work their way to the Cryo Archive, the first floor of the UESC Marathon itself, which orbits above. Bungie says the Server Slam will not include all maps and content coming to the main game — the event is both a marketing beta and a server stress test — but should provide a large chunk of the full experience for the weekend.

At launch and into Season 1, players can expect more content: Bungie lists additional zones, factions, contracts, gear, progression depth, Ranked mode and some secrets. The publisher notes the Outpost and Cryo Archive will be two more maps, with the Cryo Archive launching during Season 1. The sixth Runner Shell, Thief, will be available at launch but not during the Server Slam. Ranked mode arrives in Season 1.

Tips from Joe Ziegler

Marathon game director Joe Ziegler shared 11 tips for beginners ahead of the Server Slam; those tips were published and edited for clarity by Game Informer and were noted in broader coverage. The studio suggests the tips are a foundation to build on as players learn more while heading to the Tau Ceti planet where Marathon's maps are set.

Bungie also poses a community ask: if you join the Server Slam, arrive on launch day looking and feeling ready for all the dangers of Tau Ceti.

Are you hopping into the Marathon Server Slam today or this weekend? Unclear in the provided context how many players will join; player reactions will come during the event.