Marathon Confirms Server Slam Dates With Early Play Available

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This article was updated on February 16, 2026 with a version of the launch trailer included. First published February 12, 2026.

marathon Fans will get a chance to try out the game early before it launches, as Bungie has revealed new details about the upcoming extraction shooter while also confirming the server slam date. The long and winding road to development marathon With only a few weeks to go, we're quickly approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. From the shabby alpha test to the plagiarism controversy, various controversies and delays, marathon We've seen it all during our long development period.

actually, marathonDelaying its release to 2026 may have been the best thing for the game. ARC RaidersAlthough it launched in a big way last year, it gave the development team more time to further improve the game and add highly requested features like proximity chat. We've also been given another pass at available shells, which are characters players can choose from, and new shells like the “free loadout” Rook and the combat medic known as Triage have been added to the firing roster. If you're still on the fence, Bungie is giving everyone a chance to try it out before Marathon launches.

Marathon attack-based matchmaking

Bungie reveals whether Marathon will adopt ARC Raiders' attack-based matchmaking.

Marathon developer Bungie has revealed whether its new extraction shooter will adopt an ARC Raiders-style matchmaking system based on aggression.

Marathon Server Slam Date

  • February 26th at 10am Pacific Time to March 2nd at 10AM PT

As part of Sony's PlayStation State of Play, marathon is in the spotlight to show more worlds and what players will be diving into on March 5th. As the studio promised last month, marathon Server Slam will begin on February 26th at 10AM PT/1PM ET and run throughout the weekend, ending a few days ago on March 2nd. marathon It will be released on March 5th. This not only allows players to check out Marathon and see if it's something they're interested in, but it also gives them some rewards for its launch.

Specifically, players will receive rewards based on how much progress they have made during the Slam, with new gear available for completing the first mission, reaching Runner Level 10, and then reaching Runner Level 30. Here's the full story:

Standard Arrival Cash – Complete 1 mission

  • Standard implants (6)

  • Standard runner shell core (4x)

  • Standard Weapon Chip Mod (6x)

  • Weapons: Overrun and Hardline

Improved Arrival Cache – Reach Runner Level 10

  • Enhanced Implants (6x)

  • Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x each shell, 12x total)

  • Enhanced Weapon Chip Mod (4x)

  • Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline

Deluxe Arrival Cache – Reach Runner Level 30

  • Deluxe and Enhanced Implants (3 each, 6 total)

  • Deluxe and Reinforced Runner Shell Cores (1x each shell, 12x total)

  • Deluxe and Enhanced Weapon Chip Mods (2 each, 4 total)

  • Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Reinforced Volley Rifle

  • Backpack: Deluxe Base Backpack

Marathon PlayStation Weapon Charm Image via Bungie

Keep in mind that Marathon Server Slam is only one part of the overall game. Players can basically only explore two maps: Perimeter and Dire Marsh, the first two areas of the game. In terms of unique factions in Marathon, only five factions can deliver contracts to players: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne, with Sekiguchi Genetics remaining the same until launch. Besides, it's not everything marathonYou can use the Runner shell, as Bungie has confirmed that only five of them, including Rook, will be available. Fans of the Thief shell will have to wait until it's released.

Rearranges covers into correct US release order.




Rearranges covers into correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Difficult (10)

More of the disclosures were highlighted. marathonThe UESC Marathon colony ship departed with over 30,000 colonists to establish a new home on Tau Ceti, but after arriving 300 years later, contact was lost. Now, scavengers and mercenaries, funded by warring factions, seek to scour the colony to uncover its secrets.

One final surprise: PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download special rewards when Marathon launches. Specifically, there are three weapon talismans that can be attached to weapons. Ghost of Yotei, death stranding 2and Helldiver 2.


Marathon tag page cover art


released

March 5, 2026

ESRB

Teen/Animation Blood, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, User Interaction

multiplayer

Online multiplayer, online co-op


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