Bungie’s Server Slam for Marathon runs from February 26, 2026 to March 2, 2026, and offers a free, open preview of the studio’s new extraction shooter on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The test is global, crossplay-enabled, and intended as a large-scale stress test of servers, matchmaking, and core gameplay loops, while also giving players a slice of launch content and exclusive cosmetics.

What the Server Slam delivers

The Server Slam is a time-limited preview, built to let players explore a vertical slice of Marathon before full release on March 5, 2026. Key elements of the test include:

• Two playable zones, offering distinct environments and objectives.
• Multiple Runner Shells to try, including combat and scavenger archetypes.
• Faction contracts and an introductory mission to sample progression loops.
• Proximity chat, crossplay, and cross-save support, so friends can squad across platforms.
• Platform-specific cosmetic rewards, with PlayStation Plus packs noted as an added incentive.

What carries over: cosmetics earned during the Server Slam are expected to transfer into the full game. What does not: the bulk of player progression from the preview will not carry over, because the test is built for data collection, not long term progression.

Dates, times, and how to join

The Server Slam begins on Feb 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time and closes on Mar 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. Times are synchronized globally so the event opens simultaneously for most regions, though local clock translations vary. The preview is free, you do not need to pre-order, and the client should be available in platform storefronts when the window opens.

This abbreviated table highlights common zones, check your platform store for precise local start times.

Rewards and platform differences

Bungie and platform partners have positioned the Server Slam as both a test and a carrot. Players can expect:

• A commemorative emblem and player banner for participation.
• Tiered gear packs or cosmetic items that unlock at full launch.
• PlayStation Plus exclusive weapon charms tied to partner properties.

Platform differences have drawn attention, because platform-exclusive cosmetics influence player expectations and can shape early community perception. For many players the ability to earn items in a free test, and keep them at launch, lowers the barrier to participate.

Technical goals and what Bungie is testing

From an engineering standpoint, the Server Slam focuses on scalability, matchmaking quality, and anti-cheat resiliency. The test will exercise dedicated servers under real-world load, logging connection stability, latency, and matchmaking distribution.

The point of a Server Slam is not just to show content, but to simulate launch conditions and find issues before they affect paying players.

What to expect as a player

• Occasional server hiccups or queue times during peak hours.
• Temporary matchmaking imbalances while developers collect telemetry.
• Rapid patches and hotfixes during the window, as Bungie triages any critical issues.

```bash

Example: check basic network connectivity to Steam or platform services

ping store.steampowered.com -c 4
traceroute example.platform.service

Use these to verify local network routing before the event

```

Community reaction and competing tests

Community commentary ahead of the Server Slam has been mixed, in ways that matter. Many players are eager for a polished launch, and an open preview is a welcome chance to evaluate core systems. Others are wary that platform-exclusive cosmetics can create early divisions, and that a short test window may not reveal long tail stability problems.

At the same time, other studios scheduled playtests in the same weekend, creating overlap in player attention. That timing raised industry chatter about coordination, and whether overlapping tests dilute audience size for each participant. From a developer perspective, running a public stress test when many players are available can be advantageous, but from a community angle it can force players to choose where to spend limited test hours.

Multiple viewpoints

• Players, especially those who follow Bungie’s prior franchises, view the Server Slam as a low-friction way to assess whether Marathon’s loop and netcode feel right.
• Competitive and content-creator communities are focused on whether the preview will reveal balance issues, exploit vectors, or performance gaps that could shape launch-day impressions.
• Analysts and platform partners watch retention signals and storefront metrics to judge whether the upcoming March 5 launch has strong momentum.

Risks, unknowns, and what to watch for

• Server capacity under sustained high concurrency, and whether matchmaking leads to long queues.
• Any persistent client-side crashes tied to hardware configurations across PC and console.
• The thoroughness of anti-cheat measures, especially once crossplay expands the matchmaking pool.
• How Bungie communicates fixes and follow-up patches after the test window closes.

How to prepare and make your playtest matter

• Back up relevant settings, and be prepared for progress not to carry over to the full game.
• Test cross-platform friend invites ahead of the event if you plan to squad up.
• Record and report bugs via official channels, include timestamps and reproduction steps, and join developer feedback portals or official Discords.

Final takeaways

The Marathon Server Slam is a concentrated rehearsal for launch, offering players free access to a slice of the game and giving Bungie crucial data on servers, match quality, and early balance. Expect rough edges, rapid fixes, and a community eager to weigh in. For players, it is both a chance to earn a few exclusive items and to influence the game’s readiness. For Bungie, it is a public stress test that can make or break first impressions ahead of the March 5 release.

Join, play, and file good bug reports. The more disciplined the feedback, the better the launch will be.