Marathon opens Server Slam beta Feb 26, full game releases March 5

Bungie just unleashed extraordinary news during today’s PlayStation State of Play. The highly anticipated Marathon drops its Server Slam beta on February 26, giving millions a chance to play the Halo and Destiny creators’ brand-new extraction shooter. With the official March 5 launch just weeks away, this is your first taste of Tau Ceti IV’s deadly mysteries.

What is the Server Slam Beta?

The Server Slam is Bungie’s official name for this open preview weekend, emphasizing the company’s goal to stress-test Marathon’s global servers. Players worldwide can jump into two launch zones: Perimeter and Dire Marsh. You’ll tackle opening contracts for five factions, try all six Runner shells, and experience what proximity chat brings to tactical gameplay. This isn’t a restricted beta, either.

No sign-ups, no codes needed. The Server Slam runs free on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S from 10 AM PT February 26 through 10 AM PT March 2. Bungie.net account required to log in, but creating one takes seconds.

How the Marathon Story Unfolds

The mystery begins 421 years in the past. In 2472, the UESC Marathon colony ship left Earth for the Tau Ceti solar system with 30,000 colonists aboard. After arriving 300 years later, silence fell. Now it’s 2893, and you’re a bio-cybernetic Runner hired by warring factions to scavenge Tau Ceti IV’s deadly surface. Contracts, hidden narrative logs, and cryptic graffiti weave the story into every run you take.

Completing contracts and finding narrative items unlock your Codex. This discoverable storytelling separates Marathon from typical shooters. Gantry, the MIDA faction agent revealed in the latest trailer, guides new players through the colony’s mysteries.

Beta Content and Launch Roadmap

The Server Slam introduces enough gameplay to get your bearings without overwhelming newcomers. You’ll have two maps, five faction starter contracts, all six Runner shells, and solo queue options. Season 1 at launch expands massively with two additional zones, Cryo Archive and Outpost, plus ranked mode and full faction progression trees.

Feature	Server Slam (Feb 26)	Full Launch (March 5)
Available Maps	2 zones	4+ zones with Season 1
Factions Unlocked	5 starter contracts	All 6 factions fully unlocked
Ranked Mode	Not available	Coming at launch
Cross-Play	Enabled	Full cross-play and cross-save

Earning launch rewards during the Server Slam means your gear carries forward. A special emblem and player banner commemorate your participation, plus tiered packages with weapons and body implants give returning players a head start.

“Your future, and the mysteries of the past, await on Tau Ceti IV.”

— Bungie Team, Marathon Development

PlayStation Plus Exclusive Rewards Unveiled

PlayStation Plus subscribers get three exclusive weapon charms celebrating Sony’s franchises. The Ghost of Yōtei Onryō Charm, Death Stranding 2 Battle Guitar Charm, and Helldivers 2 For Freedom Charm launch alongside Marathon on March 5. Redeem them through the PlayStation Plus Exclusive Packs page once the game goes live.

These cosmetics represent Bungie’s partnership with PlayStation, reinforcing the game’s day-one PlayStation 5 support. PC gamers on Steam and Xbox Series X/S players get the full experience with identical content.

Is Marathon the Extraction Shooter You’ve Been Waiting For?

With just two weeks between the Server Slam and full launch, Marathon marks Bungie’s bold return to original IP after decades of Halo and Destiny dominance. The PvPvE extraction formula challenges traditional multiplayer design, forcing players to balance aggressive gameplay against the pressure of extracting loot alive. Will six factions, proximity chat, and survival mechanics create the next genre-defining shooter? The Server Slam reveals whether Bungie’s vision matches the hype this February.

Sources

• Bungie.net – Official Marathon March 5 release announcement with voice cast and pre-order details
• PlayStation Blog – Server Slam beta details, PlayStation Plus weapon charms, and launch roadmap
• GameSpot – Live coverage of PlayStation State of Play February 2026 announcements