Bungie kicks off marathon server slam ahead of launch

Bungie has officially launched Marathon Server Slam — an open preview event for its highly anticipated game. This large-scale test runs from February 26 to March 2, 2026, and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam completely free — no pre-orders or subscriptions like PS Plus required to join. The event gives players a chance to explore parts of the game’s world, try out several Runner Shells and early contracts, and stress-test the servers ahead of the full release on March 5, 2026.

Early reports from the Server Slam show strong participation, with tens of thousands of players already jumping in — a promising sign of interest in Bungie’s bold shift toward the extraction shooter genre.

A Controversial Road to Release

Despite the excitement around the Server Slam, Marathon hasn’t had a smooth development cycle. The project faced controversy over alleged plagiarism when Scottish artist Fern “Antireal” Hook accused Bungie of using her art without permission — an issue Bungie publicly acknowledged and committed to resolving.

The game also went through multiple internal changes and delays, and some community skepticism grew after early testing phases failed to fully impress. These bumps raised questions about the game’s direction and whether Bungie could deliver on its ambitious vision.

Is There Room in a Crowded Shooter Market?

In today’s gaming landscape, first-person shooters are more popular — and more competitive — than ever. Rather than sticking to a traditional PvE formula, Bungie is positioning Marathon as a PvPvE extraction shooter, competing more directly with titles like Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders. This hybrid genre emphasizes tactical play, high-risk decision-making, and the constant tension of extraction mechanics.

With its legacy and the massive fan base Bungie has built through Destiny and the original Marathon series, the studio has a solid foundation. But success now hinges on whether Marathon can carve out a unique identity and retain players in an increasingly crowded field.

What Failure Would Mean for Bungie and PlayStation

If Marathon struggles to find and keep an audience, the implications could extend beyond a single game. After Sony acquired Bungie in 2022, Marathon became a cornerstone of PlayStation’s strategy to expand into live-service titles — games designed to generate ongoing engagement and revenue through seasonal content and recurrent monetization. A lackluster launch could shake confidence in that approach, especially following other high-profile cancellations and setbacks in the genre. For Bungie, it might prompt further restructuring and a reevaluation of creative priorities. Marathon isn’t just another release — it’s a test of Sony’s live-service ambitions and Bungie’s future direction.