Prepare to unravel the mysteries of the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV: Marathon is hosting a Server Slam where players worldwide can jump into Marathon and earn rewards for launch.
Today the Bungie team shared more details about the upcoming open preview weekend*, which will run from February 26 to March 2 on PlayStation 5 and other platforms. The weekend will feature an introduction to Marathon’s gameplay, with additional maps, factions, contracts, and more to come at launch and during Season 1.
Marathon is the upcoming survival extraction FPS from Bungie, the studio behind Halo and Destiny.
In Marathon, you’ll scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti as a bio-cybernetic Runner. Play with your crew, as a solo Runner, or form uneasy alliances with proximity chat* as you take on hostile security forces, rival Runners, and unpredictable environments. Complete contracts, craft new builds, and take on greater challenges—culminating with the derelict Marathon ship in orbit.
New trailer shares a look at the lost colony
The UESC Marathon colony ship left Mars for the Tau Ceti solar system in 2472.
It arrived 300 years later. Then… silence. Contact with the 30,000 colonists who set out to make a new home on an alien world was lost.
The year is now 2893 and a new breed of mercenary scavenger has arrived to scour the lost colony for its secrets. These bio-cybernetic outlaws are known as Runners. Fueled by heated rivalries between the warring factions who fund them, Runners risk everything to deploy to Tau Ceti IV’s deadly surface.
So far from home, every run is a fight for survival and a search of answers and infamy in the shadow of the derelict Marathon, hanging—judging—in low orbit above.
Your future, and the mysteries of the past, await on Tau Ceti IV:
PlayStation Plus weapon charms revealed
Bungie also shared a first look at some special rewards for PlayStation Plus players: a trio of weapon charms paying homage to Helldivers 2, Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yōtei.
- Ghost of Yōtei – Onryō Weapon Charm
- Death Stranding 2 – Battle Guitar Weapon Charm
- Helldivers 2 – For Freedom Weapon Charm
These weapon charms can be redeemed PlayStation Plus members by visiting the PlayStation Plus Exclusive Packs page once Marathon launches on March 5.
Join the Server Slam: February 26 to March 2
Players worldwide can help stress test Marathon during the Server Slam on PlayStation 5 and other platforms. The server slam takes place from February 26, 2026 at 10AM PT to March 2, 2026 at 10AM PT. It will include all of Marathon’s supported languages.
The Server Slam is an introduction to Marathon’s gameplay–enough to get your bearings, with more to explore at launch.
During the Server Slam, you’ll be able to…
- Infil into two zones:
- Perimeter
- Dire Marsh
- Take on the opening contracts for five of Marathon’s factions
- Try out all six Runner Shells, plus Rook in scavenger mode
- Solo queue, proximity chat, and more
Season 1 of Marathon will also bring…
- Two more zones
- Outpost
- Cryo Archive
- Full contract and progression trees unlocked for all six factions
- Ranked mode
- And more!
Join the Server Slam to secure rewards for launch, including a special emblem and player banner to commemorate the event.
You’ll also be able to earn a tiered gear package for Marathon’s launch, which includes weapons, body implants, and more to help you on your first runs. Learn more about Server Slam and the rewards available here.
Marathon launches on March 5
Marathon releases on March 5** and is available now for pre-order on PlayStation 5 and other platforms.
Pre-order Marathon to receive additional rewards, including weapon cosmetics, an emblem, and player background for Marathon at launch, plus rewards for Destiny 2 linked to your Bungie.net account.
The Marathon Collector’s Edition is also available for purchase. Featuring a premium unboxing experience inspired by Sekiguchi Genetics’ shell-weaving process, unbox to reveal a 1/6-scale Thief Runner Shell statue, collectible miniature WEAVEworm, and more.
Keep up with the latest Marathon news by wishlisting Marathon on PlayStation 5 and following Marathon on X, TikTok, and YouTube. You can also join the community Discord to stay in touch with the development team and share your feedback.
*Bungie.net account and internet connection required.
** Bungie.net account and internet connection required. Paid for PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately) required on PS5. PlayStation Plus membership subject to recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: play.st/psplus-usageterms.
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Author: Nikki Brown (she/her)
