Marathon Server Slam Is Live Now — Start Times, Rewards, and What You Can Play

Bungie's Marathon Server Slam is now underway, giving everyone on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam a free, no-strings-attached look at the studio's PvP-focused extraction shooter before it officially launches on March 5. The event runs from February 26 at 10 a.m. PT through March 2 at 10 a.m. PT, and no PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription is required to participate. It's also part of Xbox's Free Play Days and Steam Next Fest.

Quick answer: The Server Slam is live right now and ends March 2 at 10 a.m. PT. You can download Marathon for free on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Steam — no preload was offered, but the client is roughly 15 GB.

Server Slam start times by region

The event ends at the same time on March 2 (or March 3 for regions east of GMT). Bungie is also using the Server Slam to stress-test its anti-cheat systems and has encouraged players to report cheaters during the event.

What's playable during the Server Slam

Marathon is set on the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV, where players control bio-cybernetic Runners who scavenge, fight hostile AI security forces, and clash with rival Runners in a first-person extraction shooter format. The Server Slam offers a limited slice of the full game, not everything that will ship on March 5.

You can drop into two zones. Perimeter is an edge-site expansion on the colony's outskirts, and Dire Marsh is the colony's agricultural research hub. Early contracts are available for five of the game's six factions — CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne — and you can progress through the opening faction levels and their respective progression trees.

Five of the six Runner shells planned for launch are playable, along with the Rook scavenger experience, which functions as a solo-friendly role focused on looting rather than direct combat. You can play in a crew, go solo, or try to form uneasy alliances using proximity chat. Additional maps, factions, contracts, and gear will arrive at full launch and throughout Season 1.

Server Slam rewards that carry over to launch

Time spent during the Server Slam banks loot rewards you'll receive when Marathon fully launches on March 5. The rewards are tiered, scaling with how far you progress during the event.

Complete your first mission to unlock the Standard Arrival Cache, which includes six standard implants, four standard Runner shell cores, six standard weapon chip mods, and two weapons (Overrun and Hardline).

Reach Runner Level 10 to unlock the Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green tier). This adds six enhanced implants, 12 enhanced Runner shell cores (two per shell), four enhanced weapon chip mods, and two weapons (Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline).

Reach Runner Level 30 to unlock the Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue tier). You'll receive a mix of deluxe and enhanced implants (six total), 12 deluxe and enhanced Runner shell cores (one of each per shell), four deluxe and enhanced weapon chip mods, two weapons (Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle), and an Enhanced Base Backpack.

Cosmetic Twitch Drops are also available for viewers watching Server Slam streams, though the specific drop schedule and items haven't been fully detailed in the event announcement.

Platform-exclusive weapon charms at launch

Each platform gets a small bonus when Marathon launches on March 5. PlayStation Plus subscribers receive weapon charms themed around Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2, and Helldivers 2. Steam players automatically get the Crowbar Weapon Charm. Xbox Series X|S players receive the Emerald Clutch Weapon Charm and the Emerald Catch Weapon Charm. These are cosmetic only and separate from the Server Slam progression rewards.

How Marathon compares to other extraction shooters

If you're coming from Arc Raiders, expect a very different tone. Marathon is a first-person game with movement and gunplay that leans closer to Apex Legends than The Division. It's built around PvP from the ground up — there's no aggression-based matchmaking system splitting players into friendly and hostile lobbies. Everyone is a potential threat, and the AI enemies are aggressive too, with some using abilities like invisibility and shields.

Progression is structured around six factions, each offering powerful character mods that permanently change how your Runner behaves within a season. Higher-tier maps require better gear to enter, creating a natural endgame loop. Weapon rarity appears tied to the quality and quantity of attachments rather than being intrinsic to the gun itself, meaning you can strip mods from one weapon and apply them to another you prefer.

The game uses a fully server-authoritative architecture, a significant departure from Destiny 2's client-authoritative model. This should prevent many of the exploits that plagued Destiny's PvP modes, though it won't eliminate aimbotting entirely. Bungie has stated it will issue permanent bans for cheaters, with an appeal process available for false positives.

What to know before jumping in

There's no preload. You'll need to download the client once the event goes live, but the file size is modest — around 15 GB based on previous playtests. The Server Slam is completely free and doesn't require owning the game.

Solo players have options. The Rook role lets you enter matches that should already have fewer full squads, leaning into a scavenger playstyle. Faction sponsor kits and bounce-back mechanics help rebuild your loadout after a bad run. That said, this is an unforgiving game by design. You will lose gear when you die, and well-equipped squads will have a meaningful advantage. If that loop appeals to you, the Server Slam is the ideal time to find out — it costs nothing, and any progress you make carries forward to March 5.

Marathon launches on March 5 in Standard and Deluxe editions for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam with full cross-play and cross-save. Season passes are permanent and don't expire, a departure from the time-limited model Bungie used in Destiny 2.