Bungie Marathon Server Slam Schedule and Launch Details
Bungie has declared its last server testing for the game Marathon which will occur before the game launches on March 5. The extraction shooter genre has developed into a mainstream entertainment category which combines survival elements from DayZ mod with Escape from Tarkov's high stakes gameplay. Bungie will launch its final version of Marathon after ARC Raiders achieved success in late 2025. The final open beta, designated as the Server Slam, is scheduled to run this weekend before the game officially launches on March 5, 2026.
Marathon Server Slam will take place from Thursday February 26 until Monday March 2. The test is available to players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Bungie has synchronized the global rollout across the following time zones
- PST 10:00 AM
- EST 1:00 PM
- UTC/GMT 6:00 PM
- CET 7:00 PM
- JST/KST 3:00 AM (Feb 27)
- AEST 5:00 AM (Feb 27)
The game mechanics operate through three main elements which include loot collection and risk assessment plus extraction procedures. Marathon allows players to maintain their progress throughout the game because they cannot lose their achievements after completing a match. Players, known as Runners, enter the derelict colony of Tau Ceti IV to secure gear and resources. The main objective requires players to collect items from the zone and successfully exit the area instead of remaining alive until the end. Players will lose all equipment they possess during the session if they fail to reach an extraction point but they can keep what they retrieved from the game.
The game takes place in 2893 which happens to be almost 100 years after the events of the original 1994 title. Players must explore this sci fi world which features maps that contain hostile AI enemies and competing human players. The Server Slam will provide a complete demonstration of the following components
- PvEvP Combat Simultaneous battles against environmental hazards and rival Runners.
- Loot Scavenging Searching for hardware, currency, and seasonal power upgrades.
- Progression Earning cosmetics and testing the stability of the servers before the March 5 release.
The final playtest serves as major infrastructure testing for Bungie. Players who want to experience the mechanics need to do so before this Wednesday because it serves as their final chance to access all current generation platforms without payment.
