Marathon Server Slam Event Details and Release Schedule Announced

After multiple delays, Bungie is set to kick off a 'Server Slam' event for Marathon, beginning tomorrow, February 26, and lasting until March 2. Marathon is a player-versus-player extraction shooter located on the enigmatic planet of Tau Ceti IV. Players will take on the roles of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries equipped to navigate the planet's challenging environments as they explore the abandoned colony that once thrived on Tau Ceti’s surface. The full release of Marathon is slated for March 5, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. This Server Slam provides a chance for players to sample the game prior to its official launch. Additionally, Bungie intends to utilize this event to evaluate its anti-cheat measures and encourages players to report any cheating behaviors they may witness. Below are the essential details regarding the content available, the rewards for participating, and the local start times for the free server test. **Marathon Server Slam Start Times** The Server Slam will commence according to the following schedule: **Thursday, February 26 — Monday, March 2, 2026:** - PST (San Francisco): 10 AM - CST (Austin, Mexico City): 12 PM - EST (New York): 1 PM - GMT (London): 6 PM - CET (Paris): 7 PM **Friday, February 27 — Tuesday, March 3, 2026:** - JST (Tokyo): 3 AM - CST (Beijing): 3 AM - AEST (Sydney): 5 AM - NZST (Wellington): 7 AM **Marathon Server Slam Missions and Activities** Participants can engage in the following: - Infiltrating two distinct zones: Perimeter, located on the edge of the colony, and Dire Marsh, the agricultural research center. - Completing early contracts for five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne. - Progressing through initial faction levels and their respective progression trees. - Testing five of the six Runner shells available at launch, along with the scavenger experience known as Rook. - Choosing to play solo or as part of a crew, forming temporary alliances through proximity chat and other features. **Marathon Server Slam Rewards** Rewards earned during the Slam will carry over to the official launch, depending on player progress: - Completing the first mission unlocks the Standard Arrival Cache, which includes: - Standard implants (6x) - Standard Runner shell cores (4x) - Standard weapon chip mods (6x) - Weapons: Overrun and Hardline - Reaching Runner Level 10 grants access to the Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green), offering: - Enhanced implants (6x) - Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x for each shell, totaling 12x) - Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x) - Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline - Attaining Runner Level 30 unlocks the Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue), which provides: - Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, totaling 6x) - Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each for each shell, totaling 12x) - Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, totaling 4x) - Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle - Backpack: Enhanced Base Backpack PlayStation Plus members will receive additional weapon charms inspired by Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2, and Helldivers 2 upon launch. Players on Steam will automatically obtain the exclusive Crowbar Weapon Charm when Marathon is released on March 5, while Xbox Series X and S players will gain access to the exclusive Emerald Clutch and Emerald Catch Weapon Charms.