Bungie's upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon, has reaffirmed its release date for March 5, 2026, following a tumultuous development period. During the February 2026 State of Play presentation, Bungie announced a weeklong server slam from February 26 to March 2, allowing players early access to two zones and six runner shells. Participants can also complete opening contracts for five factions, earning bonus loot at launch. Despite the excitement, Marathon's development has faced challenges, including layoffs and an uncredited artwork controversy, creating uncertainty around the game's reception in an increasingly competitive genre.

What is included in the Marathon server slam?

The Marathon server slam offers players early access to two playable zones, six runner shells, and the opportunity to complete opening contracts for five factions, along with bonus loot for progress made during the event.

Marathon is a reboot of the classic Bungie franchise originally launched in the 1990s, notable for its innovative design and strong narrative. As Bungie transitions from its legacy of Halo, players and fans are closely watching how Marathon will redefine the extraction shooter genre, especially after the challenges the studio faced during development. The game aims to revitalize Bungie's bold storytelling and gameplay mechanics while appealing to both nostalgia and modern gaming standards.