We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the start date for Marathon’s Server Slam, the rewards you can earn from playing, and, all-importantly, how you can actually play for yourself.
Marathon, the upcoming extraction shooter from Destiny creator, Bungie, is nearing its official launch. Considering the tumultuous and fraught development journey the game has gone through over the past several years, the developer understandably wants its first new game in over a decade to make an impression on its own terms.
This is why the studio is hosting a big preview weekend for Marathon, giving anyone who wants to the opportunity to check out a generous portion of what the game has to offer. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you can expect from the Marathon Server Slam.
Similar to the Diablo 4 Server Slam, and other pre-launch open weekends, the Marathon Server Slam is an opportunity for Bungie to stress test the game’s servers, inviting as many players as possible to jump in and play to better allow the developer to prepare for the big day.
In that sense, it’s essentially one final open beta for the game, available just days before it officially launches.
How to play the Marathon Server Slam
The Marathon Server Slam is entirely free – no pre-orders or codes/invites required. It’s available across PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. When it goes live, all you’d need to do is download the client to start playing. Using your Bungie account, you can also enjoy cross-play with other platforms, and cross-save for when you want to try the game out on more than one platform.
Marathon Server Slam start and end times
The Marathon Server Slam is available for four days. From Thursday, February 26 to Monday, March 2. Servers will then go offline to prepare for the official launch on March 5, when you’ll obviously need to buy the full game to play.
The Server Slam starts and ends at the same times on the dates noted above:
- 10am PT.
- 1pm ET.
- 6pm GMT.
- 7pm CET.
- 10pm GST.
- 5AM AEDT (February 27).
Marathon Server Slam content
This is the biggest offering for a Marathon beta we’ve seen yet. The game’s full extraction shooter loop will be available to experience. That includes playing solo (or co-op with others), picking a class, jumping into a map, PvPvE gameplay, proximity chat, extracting (or failing to do so), as well as some on-base loot management.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Two zones (maps): Perimeter, and Dire Marsh.
- Five Runner Shells (classes): Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Triage, as well as the scavenger Rook (free loadout).
- Contracts from five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne.
- Early level progression and faction reputation skill trees.
Marathon Server Slam rewards
Given how much content you’re going to have access to over the course of the Server Slam, Bungie wanted to reward players who take the time to really see what it has to offer. For starters, if you complete the introductory mission, you’ll earn a unique emblem, and player background you can use in the full game.
Indeed, all of the rewards you earn by playing the Server Slam will only be delivered at launch in the full game, meaning you’ll need to buy it to make use of them. Progress does not carry over between the Server Slam and launch, so keep that in mind.
Depending on how much time you spend in the Server Slam, and how much progress you make, you’ll receive better and better rewards at launch. Here’s everything you can earn:
Complete your first mission – Unlock the Standard Arrival Cache
- Standard implants (6x).
- Standard Runner shell cores (4x).
- Standard weapon chip mods (6x).
- Weapons: Overrun, and Hardline.
Reach Runner Level 10 – Unlock the Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green)
- Enhanced implants (6x).
- Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x for each shell, 12x total).
- Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x).
- Weapons: Enhanced Magnum, and Enhanced Hardline.
Reach Runner Level 30 – Unlock the Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue)
- Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total).
- Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each for each shell, 12x total).
- Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total).
- Weapons: Deluxe Magnum, and Enhanced Volley Rifle.
- Backpack: Deluxe Base Backpack.
Marathon Server Slam PC specs
Much like Destiny 2 before it, Marathon has some fairly modest system requirements on PC. Feedback from some of the earlier tests suggests that it’s going to be a fairly smooth experience. If you’re curious whether or not your PC can cut it, see below.
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack).
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600.
- RAM: 8GB.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4GB) / Intel Arc A580 (8GB, with ReBAR on).
- DirectX: 12.
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack).
- CPU: Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500.
- RAM: 16GB.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8GB) / Intel Arc A770 (16GB, with ReBAR on).
- DirectX: 12.