Marathon Server Slam: Release Countdown, Rewards, and Details
Bungie is finally cracking the airlock on Tau Ceti IV to see if their servers can handle the stress of thousands of runners dying repeatedly.
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If you are itching to lose all your gear to a camper sitting in a dark corner, your time has nearly arrived. Marathon is officially launching on March 5, 2026, but the developers are hosting a "Server Slam" preview event beforehand. This isn't just a demo. It is a stress test designed to break things before the real money changes hands. It runs for five days and offers a surprisingly decent amount of loot that carries over to the main game. I have gathered all the intel you need to prepare for the drop so you don't waste a single second staring at a login queue.
The Countdown
The Server Slam kicks off on February 26, 2026. Bungie has stuck to their usual schedule for this one, meaning the servers go live at "Bungie o'clock" which is usually in the morning for the US West Coast and evening for Europe. If you are staring at a greyed-out play button, consult the timer below to see exactly how long you have to wait before you can start sprinting.
Server Slam Initiation
Global Launch Times
If you don't trust the robot math above, here is the breakdown for the major regions. Bungie is syncing this launch globally, so nobody gets a head start just because they live in New Zealand. Everyone drops at the exact same moment.
What To Expect
The Server Slam runs from February 26 to March 2. You are getting access to a significant chunk of the game. This isn't one of those betas where you can only play the tutorial and look at the menu. You will have access to two major zones: Vicinity and Dark Moor. There are five factions to run quests for and six different Runner shells (classes) to try out. The goal here is simple. Get in. Secure loot. Get out. Or die trying and lose everything you worked for. It is the standard extraction loop. The interesting twist for PlayStation players is the inclusion of "exclusive" weapon charms paying homage to Helldivers 2, Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yōtei. I'm sure the PC players won't be jealous at all.
The Loot Breakdown
This is why you are actually here. Bungie is bribing us to stress-test their servers with carry-over rewards. If you play the Server Slam on the same account you plan to use for the full release on March 5, you keep these specific unlocks. You have to actually work for them, though. Reaching Runner Level 30 in just five days is going to require a serious lack of sleep and a lot of caffeine.
This is going to be a bloodbath.
The Server Slam is your only chance to get a leg up on the competition before the floodgates open in March. If you can manage to hit Level 30, starting the full game with a Deluxe Base Backpack and a stash full of implants is a massive advantage. Just remember that everyone else is trying to do the same thing, and they all have guns. See you on Tau Ceti IV. I'll be the one taking your stuff.
Marathon Is Already Discounted
Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter is already available at a reduced price. If you're planning to jump in at launch, you can secure your copy below.
