Marathon Server Slam: Complete Guide to the 2026 Open Beta Times, Rewards, and Content

The long-awaited return to the Marathon universe is nearly upon us. Bungie, the legendary studio behind Destiny and the original sci-fi trilogy, is reimagining its classic franchise as a tense, high-stakes PvPvE extraction shooter—a genre where every successful infiltration and loot extraction is a triumph, and every loss is punishing. Ahead of its official launch, the studio is throwing open the doors for one final, free public test. Dubbed the "Server Slam," this open beta represents the last chance for players worldwide to experience the game, stress its infrastructure, and—crucially—earn exclusive rewards that will carry over to the full release. This guide breaks down everything you need to know: from global start times and how to prepare, to the lucrative progression caches waiting to be unlocked.

When and How to Play the Server Slam

Key Dates & Global Start Times

The Marathon Server Slam is a limited-time event. The servers will be live from Thursday, February 26, 2026, through Monday, March 2, 2026. Access is not continuous; servers will operate on a daily schedule to concentrate the player population for optimal stress testing. Each day, the action begins at:

• 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PT)
• 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
• 6:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• 7:00 PM Central European Time (CET)

Players should plan their sessions around these daily windows to ensure they can connect and participate.

Platform Access & Features

The beta is completely free and requires no pre-order or prior purchase. It will be available on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Bungie has confirmed full cross-play and cross-save support for the event, allowing friends to squad up regardless of platform and for players to maintain their progression across different devices.

How to Prepare: PC Specifications

To ensure a smooth experience during the beta, PC players should verify their systems meet the following requirements:

• Minimum:
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
  • RAM: 8GB
  • GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti (4GB) / AMD RX 5500 XT (4GB) / Intel Arc A580 (8GB)
• Recommended:
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500
  • RAM: 16GB
  • GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060 (6GB) / AMD RX 5700 XT (8GB) / Intel Arc A770 (16GB)

The Core Purpose

While this is a fantastic opportunity for players to get a hands-on preview, Bungie is clear about the Server Slam's primary objective. This event is a critical, final-scale stress test of the game's servers and a major trial for its anti-cheat systems ahead of the full launch. Player participation directly helps Bungie identify and resolve backend issues, aiming to ensure a smooth experience on day one.

Beta Content: Maps, Shells, and Factions

The Extraction Shooter Loop

Marathon pits teams of Runners against both a hostile alien environment and each other. The core loop involves infiltrating a map, scavenging valuable Artifacts and resources, completing objectives, and fighting your way to an extraction point—all while other player teams try to do the same and claim your loot. Adding a layer of tension and strategy, the beta will feature proximity chat, making every rustle in the brush and whispered coordination from a rival team a potential threat.

Available Maps and Playable Classes

For the Server Slam, players will have access to two distinct maps that showcase the game's environmental variety:

• Perimeter: A sprawling industrial complex on the edges of a colony.
• Dire Marsh: A treacherous, fog-shrouded wetland filled with ancient ruins.

Players will choose from five distinct Runner Shells, each representing a different playstyle and ability set: Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, and Triage. Additionally, all players will have access to the free scavenger loadout, "Rook," providing a balanced starting point for new entrants.

Faction Contracts and Early Progression

The corporate and ideological factions vying for control of the colony world are already active. During the beta, players can take on contracts from five of them: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne. Completing these missions will grant early faction reputation and rewards, offering a meaningful head start on understanding the game's progression systems, even though beta progress itself will not carry over.

Exclusive Rewards to Unlock for Launch

Progress Resets, Rewards Persist

It is vital to understand the distinction between progression and rewards. All character levels, faction reputation, and loot collected during the Server Slam will be wiped before the official launch. However, by completing specific account-wide challenges, players will permanently unlock exclusive items that will be waiting for them when the full game goes live.

The Reward Tiers

Bungie has structured the rewards into three key milestones, designed to incentivize participation and mastery during the beta:

• First Mission Completion: Simply finishing your first full match will grant a unique emblem and player background to showcase your veteran status.
• Reach Runner Level 10: This unlocks the "Enhanced Arrival Cache" for the full game. This cache contains enhanced implants, shell cores, weapon mods, and two exclusive weapons: the Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline.
• Reach Runner Level 30: The ultimate beta challenge rewards the "Deluxe Arrival Cache." This top-tier package includes all deluxe and enhanced items from the previous cache, plus the Deluxe Magnum, an Enhanced Volley Rifle, and a Deluxe Base Backpack cosmetic.

Platform-Exclusive Bonuses

Each platform is offering its own cosmetic incentive for participation:

• PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive three weapon charms themed after PlayStation Studios titles: Helldivers 2, Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yōtei.
• Steam players will earn an exclusive Crowbar Weapon Charm.
• Xbox players will unlock the Emerald Clutch and Emerald Catch weapon charms.

Looking Beyond the Beta: Launch and Season 1

Official Launch Date

The full Marathon experience begins just days after the Server Slam concludes. The game officially launches on March 5, 2026, across PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Post-Launch Roadmap (Season 1)

Bungie has already outlined a substantial content drop for Season 1, which will follow shortly after launch. This includes:

• New Zones: The Outpost and Cryo Archive areas will expand the playable landscape.
• A New Runner Shell: The sixth shell, the Thief, will become available, specializing in stealth and hacking.
• Final Faction: The Sekiguchi Genetics faction will be introduced, completing the roster of six and offering its own contract tree.
• Competitive Play: A dedicated Ranked mode will be added for players seeking a more structured competitive environment.

The Marathon Server Slam is more than a simple demo; it's a collaborative moment where the player community directly shapes the launch experience. This is your final chance to learn the maps, test your strategies, and stake your claim before the persistent, high-stakes world of Marathon goes live. By participating, you not only help Bungie polish the final product but also secure powerful exclusive gear that will provide a tangible advantage from day one. Download the beta, gear up your Runner, and see if you have what it takes to survive the Slam.