An open beta for Bungie’s upcoming shooter Marathon has been introduced, and it begins quickly. Through the Sony State of Play at this time, Bungie introduced that an open beta on all platforms will happen February 26 by way of March 2. The “server slam,” because it’s referred to as, will let gamers strive the sport on the low value of $0 simply earlier than it releases on March 5.
Through the server slam, gamers will get to expertise an “introduction to Marathon’s gameplay.” This contains:
- Infil into two zones:
- Perimeter
- Dire Marsh
- Tackle the opening contracts for 5 of Marathon’s factions
- Check out all six Runner Shells, plus Rook in scavenger mode
- Solo queue, proximity chat, and extra
PlayStation Plus subscribers are getting particular bonuses for participating within the server slam. These embrace weapon charms primarily based on different Sony video games, together with Ghost of Yotei, Demise Stranding 2, and Helldivers 2. These embrace:
- Ghost of Yōtei – Onryō Weapon Appeal
- Demise Stranding 2 – Battle Guitar Weapon Appeal
- Helldivers 2 – For Freedom Weapon Appeal
The existence of an open beta isn’t any shock, as Bungie stated in January that it could provide a free check for the sport for everybody in some unspecified time in the future earlier than launch.
Everybody who takes half within the server slam will get a particular emblem and participant banner that denotes that they performed the beta.
Marathon has endured a number of controversies already, with Bungie settling a case after artwork plagiarism allegations, whereas the studio has additionally confronted questions on whether or not video games like Marathon are remnants of the previous. In GameSpot’s preview of Marathon from April 2025, GameSpot’s Tamoor Hussain stated, “A paid sport that’s mild on content material however filled with hopes, desires, and ambitions might not be sufficient to encourage in others the identical confidence I’ve in Bungie.”
Marathon was delayed indefinitely in June 2025, with Bungie writing on the time that it wanted extra time to “craft Marathon into the sport that really displays your ardour.” Bungie went darkish for a while earlier than lately resurfacing to announce a March 5 launch date at a $40 value level.
Preorders alone have pushed Marathon into Steam’s best-seller checklist, so there are indicators of momentum forward of launch.
Marathon is the most recent entry in Bungie’s sequence, which started in 1994. Sequels had been launched in 1995 and 1996, which means the brand new Marathon is popping out 30 years after the final one.