‘Marathon’ Server Slam Beta Start-Time, Rewards And How To Play On PC, Xbox Series X And PS5

Forbes Business

by Erik Kain, Senior Contributor

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bungie’s highly anticipated extraction shooter *Marathon* is set to kick off its Server Slam beta this weekend, offering players a chance to dive into a sci-fi world filled with action and loot. The beta, available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5, runs from February 26th to March 2nd and features two maps, Perimeter and Dire Marsh, alongside multiple factions and game modes. Players can team up in trios or solo, with proximity chat enabled for spontaneous collaborations. The event also includes cosmetic rewards and progression opportunities, giving participants a glimpse of what’s to come when the full game launches on March 5th. *Marathon* places players on Tau Ceti IV, a desolate space colony teetering between survival and chaos. The game combines both PvE and PvP elements, where players scavenge for resources and battle hostile AI forces or other competitors. Five factions—CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne—are central to the experience, with Contracts offering unique objectives and Faction levels unlocking powerful upgrades. The Cryo Archive, a high-stakes orbital location, serves as the ultimate goal, while the Perimeter and Dire Marsh provide diverse environments for exploration and combat. The Server Slam is not just a playtest but also a critical server stress test to ensure smooth gameplay upon launch. With crossplay and cross-save enabled, players across platforms can unite in their quest for loot and survival. While the beta excludes some maps and features planned for the full release, it offers enough content to immerse players in Bungie’s neon sci-fi universe. The game’s accessible design, blending fast-paced FPS action with strategic teamwork, positions *Marathon* as a fresh contender in the competitive extraction shooter market. For fans of battle royales and loot-focused games, *Marathon* represents a new evolution

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Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/26/2026