Bungie’s extraction shooter Marathon opens its doors for the Server Slam next week, giving players worldwide their first chance to experience Tau Ceti IV before the full launch on March 5, 2026. This open preview weekend runs from February 26 to March 2 and is completely free on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with cross-play and cross-save enabled.
1. Marathon Server Slam Dates and Access
The Marathon Server Slam is a four-day open preview weekend designed to stress-test servers and give players their first hands-on experience with Bungie’s new extraction shooter.
The Server Slam serves dual purposes: stress-testing Bungie’s infrastructure ahead of launch and rewarding early participants with exclusive gear, cosmetics, and progression caches that carry over to the full game. Marathon is also featured during Steam Next Fest, expanding the game’s visibility.
1.1. When Does the Server Slam Start?
- Start: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM GMT
- End: Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM GMT
The preview weekend runs for 96 hours, giving players ample time to explore two zones, complete faction contracts, and grind towards Runner Level 30 for the best rewards.
Server Slam Release Date.
1.2. Platforms and Requirements
The Server Slam is accessible on:
- PC via Steam (no sign-up required, free download from storefront)
- PlayStation 5 (console subscription required for online play)
- Xbox Series X|S (console subscription required for online play)
Cross-play and cross-save are fully functional during the Server Slam, allowing you to switch between platforms seamlessly. No pre-order is required to participate—simply download the test client from your platform’s digital storefront when servers go live.
2. All Server Slam Rewards
Participating in the Marathon Server Slam unlocks tiered rewards that carry over to the full game on March 5, 2026. Progression during the preview weekend directly translates to loot caches, weapons, and cosmetics waiting in your account at launch.
2.1. Complete Your First Mission: Standard Arrival Cache
Simply finishing the introductory mission unlocks the Standard Arrival Cache, plus a unique emblem and player background marking you as part of Marathon’s first wave of Runners.
Standard Arrival Cache contents:
- Standard implants (6x)
- Standard Runner shell cores (4x)
- Standard weapon chip mods (6x)
- Weapons: Overrun and Hardline
This cache provides the foundational gear to start your post-launch runs with a competitive edge.
2.2. Reach Runner Level 10: Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green)
Grinding to Runner Level 10 during the Server Slam upgrades your launch package to the Enhanced Arrival Cache, featuring improved gear quality and expanded mod options.
Enhanced Arrival Cache contents:
- Enhanced implants (6x)
- Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x per shell, 12x total)
- Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x)
- Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline
The Enhanced tier improves base stats and unlocks greater modding potential than Standard gear.
Extraction.
2.3. Reach Runner Level 30: Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue)
Maxing out at Runner Level 30 secures the Deluxe Arrival Cache, the highest reward tier available during the Server Slam and the most substantial launch advantage.
Deluxe Arrival Cache contents:
- Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total)
- Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each per shell, 12x total)
- Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total)
- Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle
- Backpack: Deluxe Base Backpack
The Deluxe Base Backpack is exclusive to this tier and expands carry capacity for future runs, while the Deluxe Magnum offers superior damage and handling over lower-tier variants.
2.4. Tips for Maximizing Rewards
- Prioritize missions that grant high XP per completion to reach Level 10 quickly.
- Play in crews to complete contracts faster and reduce extraction failures.
- Focus on survival over risky loot grabs — dying resets mission progress and wastes time.
- Use proximity chat to form temporary alliances with solo players when outgunned by rival crews.
All rewards, including the emblem and player background, will be granted automatically when Marathon launches on March 5.
A downed enemy.
3. All Zones, Factions, and Runner Shells
The Server Slam offers a curated slice of Marathon‘s full experience, introducing core systems without revealing everything reserved for launch and Season 1.
3.1. Two Infiltratable Zones
The preview weekend features two distinct zones on Tau Ceti IV, each with unique environmental challenges and loot distribution:
- Perimeter: An edge-site expansion located on the colony’s outskirts, featuring open terrain and scattered security installations.
- Dire Marsh: The colony’s agricultural research hub, characterized by dense foliage, water hazards, and abandoned laboratories.
Both zones scale in difficulty based on your progression and feature hostile UESC security forces and rival Runners competing for the same contracts.
-
- Dire Marsh.
-
- Perimeter.
3.2. Five Factions and Early Contracts
The Server Slam grants access to early contracts for five of Marathon‘s six factions:
- CyberAcme
- NuCaloric
- Traxus
- MIDA
- Arachne
Sekiguchi Genetics, the sixth faction, is excluded from the Server Slam and unlocks at launch with full progression trees. Completing faction contracts rewards Runner XP, implants, and shell cores that improve your loadout for future runs.
Each faction offers distinct early-level progression trees, allowing you to experiment with different upgrade paths during the preview weekend.
Factions in Marathon.
3.3. Five Runner Shells Plus Rook
The Server Slam includes five of the six Runner shells available at launch, plus the Rook scavenger experience:
Available shells:
- Assassin: High mobility and burst damage for aggressive playstyles.
- Destroyer: Tank-focused shell with heavy armor and explosive weaponry.
- Recon: Information-gathering specialist with enhanced radar and movement speed.
- Triage: Support shell focused on healing and reviving crew members.
- Vandal: Versatile shell balanced between offense and defense.
Assassin Runner Shell.
Excluded shell:
- Thief: The sixth Runner shell, reserved for launch on March 5.
Rook scavenger experience allows solo players to experience Marathon‘s extraction loop without committing to full crew engagements, offering a lower-stakes introduction to the game’s mechanics.
Destroyer Runner Shell.
3.4. Gameplay Modes and Social Features
The Server Slam supports multiple playstyles and social dynamics:
- Crew play: Form premade squads of up to three players with coordinated loadouts.
- Solo Runner: Infiltrate zones alone with a higher risk but full loot ownership.
- Proximity chat: Form uneasy alliances with nearby players or negotiate temporary truces mid-mission.
Cross-play ensures matchmaking pools remain populated across all platforms, while cross-save lets you switch between PC and console without losing progress.
4. What’s Coming at Launch and Season 1
The Server Slam is intentionally limited to preserve surprises for Marathon‘s full release on March 5, 2026. Launch day and Season 1 introduce substantial additional content.
4.1. Two More Zones at Launch
- Outpost: Set in the middle of a thriving UESC military installation, featuring fortified structures and high-tier loot.
- Cryo Archive: An endgame zone aboard the derelict UESC Marathon orbiting Tau Ceti IV, unlocking during Season 1.
Cryo Archive represents the pinnacle of Marathon’s difficulty and loot quality, requiring maxed faction progression and elite loadouts to survive.
Outpost.
4.2. Full Faction Progression and Sekiguchi Genetics
Launch unlocks full progression trees for all six factions, including deeper upgrade paths, additional contracts, and the introduction of Sekiguchi Genetics.
Faction reputation earned during the Server Slam does not carry over to launch, but the gear and experience you acquire will inform your post-launch strategy.
Faction progression.
4.3. Ranked Mode and Additional Features
Ranked mode arrives during Season 1, introducing competitive matchmaking with skill-based rankings and exclusive rewards. Bungie has also teased “other secrets and surprises” planned for Season 1, including narrative developments tied to the UESC Marathon derelict ship.
5. Pre-Order Bonuses and PlayStation Plus Rewards
While the Server Slam is free, pre-ordering Marathon unlocks additional cosmetics and cross-game rewards for Destiny 2 players.
5.1. Pre-Order Tiers
Marathon will feature three Editions for players to choose from, each tailored to their preferences.
- Standard Edition ($40): Base game plus weapon cosmetics, emblem, and player background.
- Deluxe Edition: Adds premium cosmetics and access to the first rewards pass.
- Collector’s Edition: Includes all Deluxe content plus physical collectibles (16-inch Thief Runner Shell statue, WEAVEworm miniature, embroidered patch, postcards).
Preorders are now available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Marathon Collector’s Edition.
5.2. PlayStation Plus Exclusive Weapon Charms
PlayStation Plus members receive three exclusive weapon charms at launch, inspired by flagship PlayStation titles:
- For Freedom Weapon Charm (Helldivers 2)
- Battle Guitar Weapon Charm (Death Stranding 2)
- Onryō Weapon Charm (Ghost of Yōtei)
These charms are redeemable via the PlayStation Store starting March 5, 2026. Bungie has confirmed that equivalent weapon charms will be available to Steam and Xbox players, with details to follow closer to launch.
PS5 Charms for Marathon.
