Marathon is moving full speed ahead as Bungie released a new gameplay trailer announcing the game’s first public test – the Server Slam. The event runs from February 26 to March 2 on consoles and PC, featuring full cross-play support.
Purpose of the Server Slam
The name of the public test says it all as Bungie wants to stress-test server loads ahead of launch. It also gives players their first opportunity to try the game without needing access codes.
Servers go live on February 26, 2026 at 10 AM PT and will close on March 2 at 10 AM PT.
Server Slam Content
The Server Slam won’t include the full game, but players can expect the following:
Two maps: Perimeter and Dire Marsh
Opening quests for five Marathon factions
Six Runner shells
Solo queue and proximity chat enabled
Players who participate will be rewarded with a special emblem and player banner, which will be granted at launch.
What Happens at Launch
When the full game releases on March 5, Season 1 begins immediately. It will introduce two additional maps named Outpost and Cryo Archive, alongside full progression trees and mission content for all six factions. Interestingly, the game will also launch with a ranked mode available from day one.
The Server Slam will be an important moment for Bungie, as this marks the first true public test and will likely determine whether the game justifies its premium price of $40 (PHP 1,799).
Marathon has had a rocky start, from the lukewarm reception during its alpha test to Bungie developers being accused of plagiarising art (an issue that has since been resolved). These setbacks are discouraging, but the team appears to be building an interesting world while injecting new ideas into the high-risk gameplay the extraction shooter genre is known for. I’m personally curious to see whether Bungie’s take has a strong enough foundation to sustain a healthy player base in the months ahead.
About the Author – Carlos Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.