Marathon Server Slam Is Starting: Exact Start Time & Rewards

Bungie is holding a free "server slam" playtest for its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon. This article provides all the essential Marathon Playtest Details. The event runs from February 26 to March 2 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with no pre-order or sign-up required. Players can join by downloading the client from their platform's storefront. Participation grants access to a portion of the game's launch content and unlocks cosmetic items and in-game caches for the full release on March 5. This follows a period where the developer reworked the game after an earlier alpha playtest.

How To Join Marathon Server Slam (Playtest)

Accessing the Marathon Server Slam is straightforward. The client becomes available for download when the event goes live in each region. Navigate to the game's official page on Steam, PlayStation Store, or Microsoft Store. From there, you can download the server slam build for free. No codes, pre-orders, or prior sign-ups are necessary to participate in the open weekend. The test is designed to stress the servers ahead of the official launch.

Marathon Server Slam Exact Time

The playtest begins globally on Thursday, February 26, at 6 p.m. UTC and concludes on Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m. UTC. This timing provides a full weekend of play for participants worldwide. The specific start and end times vary by time zone, with the event rolling out simultaneously for all players.

Here are the corresponding times for major regions:

• US Pacific: 10 a.m. PST, February 26 to 10 a.m. PST, March 2
• US Eastern: 1 p.m. EST, February 26 to 1 p.m. EST, March 2
• UK: 6 p.m. GMT, February 26 to 6 p.m. GMT, March 2
• Central Europe: 7 p.m. CET, February 26 to 7 p.m. CET, March 2
• Australia: 5 a.m. AEDT, February 27 to 5 a.m. AEDT, March 3
• New Zealand: 7 a.m. NZDT, February 27 to 7 a.m. NZDT, March 3

This is a free preview, available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Cross-play and cross-save are enabled for the duration of the test, allowing progress to carry over between platforms. The full game launch follows shortly after the event concludes, on March 5, at a $40 price point.

Marathon Server Slam Rewards

Bungie is offering several rewards to incentivize participation and progression during the Server Slam. These items will not be available during the preview itself but will be added to player accounts for the full game launch. All participants who complete the introductory mission will receive a unique emblem and player background to signify their early involvement. Further rewards are tied to reaching specific Runner Levels during the weekend event. Unlocking these Arrival Caches provides a considerable amount of starting gear. I believe this tiered reward system gives players a clear progression path for the weekend.

Completing your first mission unlocks the Standard Arrival Cache. This cache contains:

• Standard implants (6x)
• Standard Runner shell cores (4x)
• Standard weapon chip mods (6x)
• Weapons: Overrun and Hardline

Reaching Runner Level 10 unlocks the Enhanced Arrival Cache. This green-tier cache includes:

• Enhanced implants (6x)
• Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x for each shell, 12x total)
• Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x)
• Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline

Reaching Runner Level 30 unlocks the Deluxe Arrival Cache. This blue-tier reward cache contains:

• Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total)
• Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each for each shell, 12x total)
• Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total)
• Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle
• Backpack: Deluxe Base Backpack

PlayStation Plus subscribers receive additional cosmetic bonuses. These include three weapon charms based on other Sony properties: the Onryō Weapon Charm from Ghost of Yōtei, the Battle Guitar Weapon Charm from Death Stranding 2, and the For Freedom Weapon Charm from Helldivers 2. These items can be redeemed from the PlayStation Store when Marathon launches. Bungie has stated that similar weapon charms will be available for Steam and Xbox players, but has not yet released the details for those platforms.

Worth It Play?

The Server Slam offers a substantial look into the game Bungie has been reworking for the past year. Players get access to two maps, Perimeter and Dire Marsh, and can take on early contracts for five of the six launch factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne. I am interested in seeing the available progression through the early faction levels and their associated trees. Five of the six launch Runner shells—Assassin, Destroyer, Recon, Triage, and Vandal, plus the free loadout Rook—are also playable, with only the Thief shell being unavailable. The inclusion of squad and solo queues, proximity chat, and full cross-play gives a robust preview of the final experience before its March 5 release.