Bungie Opens Up Marathon Testing to All Players

Bungie has revealed an exciting opportunity for players to dive into the world of Marathon with an open beta weekend, dubbed the “Server Slam.” This event will take place from February 26 to March 2 on PlayStation 5 and other platforms, just ahead of the game’s official launch on March 5. It looks like the final stretch to release is going to be a thrilling sprint!

The beta will showcase a variety of features, and Bungie has also dropped a new trailer that highlights the game’s unique setting.

Marathon has had a bit of a rocky road. Originally slated for a September 2025 release, it faced an indefinite delay following some less-than-stellar feedback from an alpha test. Fortunately, “indefinite” turned out to be a short wait, as Bungie kicked off the new year with a fresh release date announcement that has held firm. Positive feedback from a closed test in October 2025, part of a series of evaluations aimed at addressing the game’s issues, has indicated that things are looking up as we approach launch.

Despite these improvements, Marathon’s reputation has taken some hits since its initial reveal. It faced unfavorable comparisons to Firewalk’s troubled Concord, which has cast a shadow over many multiplayer titles. Additionally, there were allegations of plagiarism when an artist claimed that Bungie used their promotional artwork without permission. This isn’t the first time Bungie has encountered such accusations, and they have previously acknowledged their mistakes. To top it off, there was a mishap where pre-orders for Marathon on Steam inadvertently forced Destiny 2 onto players—definitely a blunder to remember.

Mark your calendars: Marathon is set to launch on March 5 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.