Marathon Server Slam Set for Open Preview Weekend on February 26 Ahead of March Launch
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Bungie is set to host a Marathon server slam from Thursday, February 26 through March 2, allowing players to test the game and stress-test the servers across all platforms.
Announced during a recent PlayStation State of Play live show, the Marathon server slam is described by game director Joe Ziegler as an open beta preview—an opportunity for everyone (on console, those with an online subscription) to experience Bungie’s ambitious extraction shooter.
“The weekend will introduce players to Marathon’s gameplay, featuring additional zones, factions, contracts, and more to come at launch and during Season 1,” Bungie states in a blog post.
Participating in the server slam will reward players with bonuses for the full game upon its launch on March 5, including a cosmetic emblem and banner. “You’ll also earn a tiered gear package for Marathon’s launch, which includes weapons, body implants, and more to assist you on your initial runs,” Bungie adds.
On PS5, PlayStation Plus members can also claim weapon charms inspired by Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2, and Helldivers 2.
The server slam will kick off and conclude at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST. This limited version of the game will feature two zones, Perimeter and Dire Marsh, along with the opening contracts for five of Marathon’s factions. All six Runner Shells, including the free-loadout-on-legs class Rook, will be available. “Solo queue, proximity chat, and more” will also be included, according to Bungie.
Season 1 of Marathon, the launch season, will introduce two additional zones: Outpost and Cryo Archive. All six factions will be fully unlocked for progression, allowing players to unlock new perks and vendor items, with a ranked mode added in.
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Sony is “very confident” in Marathon following playtests that highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, which have since been addressed for Bungie’s Arc Raiders challenger.
