marathon-news

[dense sedge]

Get Ready for the Livestream!

@everyone It's official—the Marathon Gameplay Reveal Showcase starts <t:1744477200:R>! Please note that all times in this post will automatically convert to your local time zone.

The big reveal starts on <t:1744477200:F>.

You can join the interactive pre-stream right

There are some activities happening throughout the stream, including unscrambling signals to unlo~-%^&()_+{}:"<>?~.

🟣 📺 Tune into the pre-stream at twitch.tv/marathonthegame

We've also got something special planned for two hours before the livestream, so at <t:1744470000:F>. You’ll want to tune into our official Twitch channel for the full plays experience.

Twitch drops and subscription rewards

We have two rewards running during this event!

• Unlock a cat badge on Twitch by subscribing to anyone streaming in the Marathon Twitch directory. This is available from <t:1744382700:F> to <t:1744498800:F>. Twitch Prime subs do not count for the badge.

• Unlock a Marathon emblem in Destiny 2 via Twitch Drops by watching 15 minutes of anyone streaming in the Marathon directory. This is available from <t:1744477200:F> to <t:1744484400:t>.

ALL HAIL PINK CAT

You can see more Bingus Felini art and our plans for tomorrow in today's Steam post. Shoutout to Gabriel Flauzino and Row for the art below -- tag us in Discord if you're here and we'll tag you in this post!

SEE YOU AT THE REVEAL SOON

[drifting steppe]

@everyone

THE LIVESTREAM SHOWCASE STARTS

//NOW//

📺🟣 twitch.tv/marathonthegame

[drifting steppe]

READY TO SIGN UP FOR THE CLOSED ALPHA TEST?

Follow the steps below to sign up for you chance to be one of the first to playtest Marathon.

• Enter the command /alpha in the #🐛alpha_access channel.
• You'll receive a private message in that channel just for you
• Follow the instructions in that message, which includes a unique link for you to sign-up online
• If chosen, you'll receive an email from [e-mail]. We recommend adding this email to your contacts ahead of time to make sure the email isn't caught in spam.

The Closed Alpha Test will run from April 23 to May 4! We'll be inviting people throughout the duration of the playtest, so keep an eye on your emails

p.s. The Gameplay Reveal Showcase is live now on Twitch!

[dense sedge]

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE LIVESTREAM & MORE!

If you're looking for more gameplay — many of the creators who joined us last week are posting footage on their channels! You can find a full list of everyone who may have content live now in this article.

Closed Alpha Test Info

You can sign up for the Closed Alpha Test by entering the command /alpha in https://discord.com/channels/1303855380845301861/1337176621442007061 and following the instructions. The Closed Alpha Test is available to players who are 18+ and located in North America.

‼️ If your sign-up link is broken, hang tight! We're working on a fix now that impacts names with special characters at the start/end of your Discord name. We expect the fix to be live <t:1744491631:R>, at which time your link should work.

The Closed Alpha Test will be a fairly small playtest as we test our technical capabilities and gather important feedback before bigger tests. We know there are lots of you who want to play and won’t be able to get in (yet), and we see you. Please hold tight. We'll be there soon.

Closed Alpha Test: April 23 to May 4
Bet~-~%^&*()_+{}:"<>?~-~
Launch: September 23, 2025

ICYMI -- You can check out the full livestream VOD on YouTube now

Finally...

From all of us at Bungie, thank you for being here. It's been so exciting to finally share more about this game with you. And it's just the beginning — you can expect more to come, like live Q+As in Discord, additional livestreams, and other surprises in the weeks and months ahead

~ The Marathon Team

[dense sedge]

Marathon Closed Alpha Update

What’s in the Alpha, what's not, and dropping the NDA.

We’d like to start this update with a big thank you to everyone who has joined us in the Marathon community or signed up for Alpha since our reveal showcase last weekend.

As developers we believe community feedback and dialog is essential to make the best version of Marathon. Up until now, this feedback has come from closed playtest sessions. In the spirit of building towards that future, we’ve decided to remove the NDA from our Closed Alpha Test. Everyone can share their thoughts, feedback, and footage, including streaming starting on April 23.

HOW WE DEFINE CLOSED ALPHA

This is a true closed technical test of Marathon. What that means is that you’ll be playing an incomplete version of the game. Our primary goal is to test two things: technical capabilities and our moment-to-moment gameplay loop. We plan to break stuff.

Alpha is a curated, limited slice of systems and content. We welcome feedback across the board, but the areas we are most keen to hear your thoughts on are:

• Weapons and gunplay
• Maps and survival gameplay
• Runners, including kits and build-crafting
• Early-game progression, including factions, contracts, and faction upgrades
• PvP engagements against other Runners
• PvE engagements against AI combatants

It’s important to note the Alpha is NOT the complete game. It does not include:

• Final visuals and graphics, including animations and lighting
• Full and polished UI
• All Runners
• All zones, including the Marathon Ship
• Pinnacle and end game content
• All weapons, items, consumables, implants, cores, and mods
• All factions and upgrades
• Long term progression and systems
• Complete narrative and storytelling systems and final shipping content
• Ranked play
• Final balance

We’ll be hosting developer Q+As, streams, and jumping in with other creators all next week. See you on Tau Ceti IV.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE

Keeping an open dialogue is a crucial part of Alpha and beyond. We’ve been tracking several topics since Reveal and we’re looking forward to seeing and hearing your feedback as you play Alpha. After the Closed Alpha Test ends, we'll be summarizing the major things we heard, our thoughts, and what comes next.

If you haven’t already, make sure to hop into the Discord and sign-up for Alpha for your chance to play. And if you are outside of NA, we will have additional opportunities for you to play Marathon before release later this year. We are still in the process of configuring our global datacenters, and they aren't ready for large-scale public testing yet.

In the meantime, Traxus sends regards.

[dense sedge]

// ONI.link.established //

WARNING COGNITION RUNTIME ERROR

LIMINIAL BUFFER STATUS 100%

RUNNER DEFRAGMENTATION COMPLETE

▶️ https://youtu.be/N4Jv5H3_yAo

[dense sedge]

Quick announcement, with so many of you already in the server posting your feedback and community art we have run smack into Discord's cap on how many active posts be live on a server. Many of you have already noticed that its sometimes difficult to get a post up while we are at the cap until other posts are closed out.

To alleviate this issue, tomorrow we are going to be pausing all posting to the feedback and community art channels and replacing them with chat channels so you can continue to share feedback and art without having to worry about the forum post cap. We will lock the posts but keep them archived so we can continue to review all the feedback you've posted and will continue to monitor the new feedback channel as well. We appreciate everyone's feedback on the game so far and we will keep you updated on the best ways to share your thoughts with us. Thanks!

[dense sedge]

We have fixed an issue where some Xbox players were able to access the Closed Alpha Playtest early. All players with Closed Alpha access will be able to join on April 23 at 10AM Pacific.

[drifting steppe]

The Closed Alpha Test is nearly upon us.

Let ‪Skarrow9‬ help you get Tau Ceti ready.

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POCquCQ4ZCU

[dense sedge]

//EVENT: DEV TEAM ALPHA PlayMA
//TIMESTAMP: 3PM PT

Join us for our very first PlayMA, later today.

//ACCESS_POINT: twitch.tv/marathonthegame
//TRANSMISSION_END//

[dense sedge]

//MARATHON ALPHA TEST//

Join Senior Design Lead Lars Bakken, as he runs Tau Ceti with bearki and HiddenXperia.

RUN 🏃‍♂️

//ACCESS_POINT_1: https://www.twitch.tv/bearki
//ACCESS_POINT_2: https://www.twitch.tv/hiddenxperia

[dense sedge]

//MARATHON ALPHA TEST//

It's time to touch down on Tau Ceti with Gameplay Director Andrew Witts, JesseKazam, and bearki.

Prepare for infil. 🐛

//ACCESS_POINT_1: https://www.twitch.tv/Jessekazam
//ACCESS_POINT_2: https://www.twitch.tv/bearki

[dense sedge]

Marathon Closed Alpha Week 2 Update

Thank you to everyone who has been playtesting the Marathon Closed Alpha and sharing your feedback with us. You are already helping us plan and make improvements to the game. We’ve made a few setting changes in Week 1 based on player feedback, and looking ahead at Week 2 we have a few more updates for the community.

We will be doing daily invite waves to the Closed Alpha through Friday. So, give your email a check every afternoon, and you can also keep an eye on this page in your Bungie.net account.

Patch Note Preview

Later this week, we will be releasing patch 0.5.0.2, which includes the following updates:

User Interface and Experience

• Fixed an issue where players’ Bungie IDs were not showing correctly in player tooltips.

Combat

Runners

• Runner’s base health has been increased from 100 hp to 120 hp.
• Shield hp has been decreased by the following amounts:
  • Standard (Grey) - Reducing from 25 hp to 20 hp.
  • Enhanced (Green) - Reducing from 50 hp to 40 hp.
  • Deluxe (Blue) - Reducing from 75 hp to 60 hp.
  • Superior (Purple) - Reducing from 100 hp to 80 hp.
  • Prestige (Gold) - Reducing from 100 hp to 80 hp.

Dev Commentary: One persistent feedback point we’re seeing is that higher tier shields are too much of an advantage in combat. The changes above squish the difference in effective health across each shield tier a bit, shifting it back into the Runner’s base health pool. This should make punching upwards more viable when you're equipped with standard or green enhanced shields.

Weapons

• Removed mouse magnetism and adhesion on PC and disabled the setting to toggle it on and off.
• Long Shot
  • Increased Longshot sniper damage by 11%.
• **Overrun AR **
  • Increased damage by 10%.

Dev Commentary: *We’re also increasing the damage of a couple of our weapons to make sure they can keep up with the new health values above. For example, the Longshot will still be able to down a Runner at base shields with one precision head shot with the increased damage buff. *

Stability

Fixed an issue causing crashes when using certain GPU hardware configurations.
Fixed an issue where players pressing the sprint key while in ADS could cause a crash.
Fixed issues that could cause dedicated servers to crash.

One more thing before we go! Here are some fun facts from Week 1 of the Closed Alpha.

• Over 205,000 hours played in Week 1!
• 37% of runs on Dire Marsh have resulted in shell death.
• The UESC Elite unit has downed more than 25,000 players. Ouch.
• Void is currently the most popular Runner.

[drifting steppe]

Our Game Director, JoeZ, will be unavailable this Friday, so we're shifting our PlayMA to May 16th at 1PM PT, that way we can stream our Friday internal playtest. We're eager to dive into Alpha feedback and share our initial thinking.

📺 twitch.tv/marathonthegame

[dense sedge]

We immediately investigated a concern regarding unauthorized use of artist decals in Marathon and confirmed that a former Bungie artist included these in a texture sheet that was ultimately used in-game. This issue was unknown by our existing art team, and we are still reviewing how this oversight occurred.

We take matters like this very seriously. We have reached out to 4nt1r34l to discuss this issue and are committed to do right by the artist. As a matter of policy, we do not use the work of artists without their permission.

To prevent similar issues in the future, we are conducting a thorough review of our in-game assets, specifically those done by the former Bungie artist, and implementing stricter checks to document all artist contributions.

We value the creativity and dedication of all artists who contribute to our games, and we are committed to doing right by them. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[drifting steppe]

Join the team in our latest PlayMA, live now. We'll be discussing Alpha feedback and answering your questions live with Game Director Joe Ziegler.

//ACCESS_POINT: https://twitch.tv/marathonthegame

[drifting steppe]

Marathon Development Update

Thank you not only for your passionate feedback around the Marathon reveal and Alpha playtest, but also for your patience while we took the time to listen closely and chart our next steps.

Through every comment and real-time conversation on social media and Discord, your voice has been strong and clear. We've taken this to heart, and we know we need more time to craft Marathon into the game that truly reflects your passion. After much discussion within our Dev team, we’ve made the decision to delay the September 23rd release.

The Alpha test created an opportunity for us to calibrate and focus the game on what will make it uniquely compelling—survival under pressure, mystery and lore around every corner, raid-like endgame challenges, and Bungie’s genre-defining FPS combat.

We’re using this time to empower the team to create the intense, high-stakes experience that a title like Marathon is built around. This means deepening the relationship between the developers and the game’s most important voices: our players.

Over the next few months, we’ll continue closed testing (including participants from the Alpha) to deploy gameplay updates and test new features as they come online.  
Some of our immediate focus areas will be:

• Upping the Survival Game
  • More challenging and engaging AI encounters
  • More rewarding runs, with new types of loot and dynamic events
  • Making combat more tense and strategic
• Doubling down on the Marathon Universe
  • Increased visual fidelity
  • More narrative and environmental storytelling to discover and interact with
  • A darker tone that delivers on the themes of the original trilogy
• Adding more social experiences
  • A better player experience for solo/duos
  • Prox chat, so social stories can come to life

You’ll hear from us again later this Fall when we can share the progress we’ve made, alongside the game’s new release date. Thank you again for your patience and— much more importantly— your passion. Your continued feedback will help us make Marathon the incredible gaming experience we all know it can be.

— Marathon Dev Team

[dense sedge]

@everyone Marathon Closed Technical Test: Apply Now

Since June, we’ve run several closed playtests to gather feedback on Marathon. We’re now opening applications for more players to join us for a Closed Technical Test from October 22 to October 28. This is a limited, invite-only playtest for players in North America and Europe on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. As with recent closed playtests, this test is under NDA.

To sign up, head over to #🐛playtest_access and use the /playtest command to get your personalized signup link. Do not share this link as it could negatively impact your signup.

Fill out this form between now and October 16 at 4 PM (PT) to submit your application. If you previously applied for public Alpha from April, the form may automatically submit; no further action will be needed if this happens.

For players on PC, we’ll also be enabling applications via Steam on October 13 at 10 AM (PT), and they’ll remain open until October 26 at 4 PM (PT).

This is an important checkpoint for us as we test our improvements since Alpha, including three maps, five runner shells, prox chat, re-tuned combat pacing, solo queue, deeper environmental storytelling, and more. That said, the Technical Test build is a work in progress and will only include a portion of what’s planned for Marathon’s full release, focused on the early player experience.

We’ll be sharing a public update on Marathon's development in the coming months after the Closed Technical Test!

CLOSED TECHNICAL TEST SIGNUP FAQ

How long will the Closed Technical Test run?

• The Closed Technical Test will run from October 22 at 10AM PT, to October 28 at 6PM PT.
• Participation in previous tests doesn’t guarantee participation in this or future tests.
  How do I know if I’ve been invited?
• You will receive an official email from Bungie.
• Closed Technical Test invites will be sent in waves throughout the test.
  If I’ve played in the Alpha or other NDA’d playtest, am I automatically invited to the Closed Technical Test?
• No, you’ll need to apply and be invited to the Closed Technical Test to participate.
  Am I allowed to stream, record, or share my playtest experience?
• This test is strictly under an NDA, and as such you will not be able to stream or share your playtest experience publicly.
• Any feedback or recordings will need to be shared only in the NDA’d section of the Marathon Official Discord.
  Can I share my invite with someone else (friends/family)?
• Your invite is specific to you, the Bungie.net account you signed up with, and the Discord account you provided during the sign-up process. You will not be able to share it.
  How do I get access to the NDA Discord?
• Join the official Discord at discord.gg/marathonthegame. We will add the Discord account name you provided during sign-up to our NDA’d section. Access for the NDA’d Discord channels can take up to 24 hours to update.
• For those joining after the test has begun, we’ll be conducting role grants daily in the evening for the duration of the test.
• For Steam users, you’ll need to take the survey you receive in-game to provide your Discord and Bungie.net account names.
  How do I report bugs or provide feedback?
• For bug reporting, you will need a Bungie.net account to access the Marathon Help Center Forums.
• For feedback, we will be sending out surveys to your email. Additionally, you can provide feedback in our NDA section in Discord.
• Access for both the forums and Discord can take up to 24 hours to update.
  What regions are allowed in?
• North America
• Europe
  What are the minimum system requirements?
• Console:
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series S
• PC:
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6600
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
  • RAM: 8GB RAM
    Learn More: https://help.marathonthegame.com/

Steam

Marathon

From the creators of Halo and Destiny
Scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV in Bungie’s team-based FPS extraction shooter. Choose your Runner and work together in crews of three as you battle rival teams and hostile security forces for weapons and upgrades. Survive and your loot is yours to keep for future runs on Tau Ceti—or if you’re…

Release Date

To be announced

▶ Play video

[dense sedge]

@everyone

As we prepare for the Closed Technical Test later this month, access to the Marathon Closed Alpha build on Steam is expiring today. This is housekeeping and not a ban or a reflection on any account.

If you see the "Marathon Closed Alpha Test" replaced by the "Marathon Closed Technical Test" in your Steam library today, this means you will be admitted to the playtest. All players admitted to the playtest will also receive an email confirmation in the future.

If your access to "Marathon Closed Alpha Test" is revoked, you're still eligible to receive access to the Technical Test. We'll be inviting additional players who sign up on Bungie.net and Steam before and throughout the test.

Steam sign-ups open on October 13th at 10AM PT.

More info on the Closed Technical Test and how to sign up is here: Apply Now: Marathon Closed Technical Test | Bungie.net

[dense sedge]

@everyone, as we continue our preparation for the new limited technical test later this month, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players will receive a title update for the "Marathon Closed Alpha Test", turning it into the "Marathon Closed Technical Test".

This is only housekeeping and DOES NOT guarantee access to the test. For full details on how to apply to the Marathon Closed Technical Test, please check here: Marathon Technical Test Signup

Additionally, you can get your signup link in the #🐛playtest_access channel by using the command /playtest

[dense sedge]

@everyone Steam signups for Marathon's NDA’d Closed Technical Test are now open. Hit “Request Access” on the Store page! You’ll receive an email from Steam closer to the test if you’re accepted.

The Closed Technical Test will be available in North America and Europe from October 22, 10 AM PT – October 28, 10 AM PT.

For more info, check out our Marathon Closed Technical Test FAQ

[dense sedge]

Tech Test: FAQ

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Tech Test and provided feedback! We've compiled answers to regularly occurring questions we're seeing related to access. If you haven't been accepted into the Tech Test, we will be sending out more invites throughout the course over the coming days.

I got into the Tech Test through Steam but haven't been able to access the NDA'd Discord Channels?

• Most players will be automatically added to the NDA'd Discord channels using the Discord account provided during the initial intake survey. However, if you joined through Steam and have not yet provided us with your Discord name, you can do so using this survey here. After completing the survey, it may take us up to 24 hours to give you the proper permissions in Discord.

How do I find and install the Marathon Closed Technical Test on console?

• PS5: Navigate to the Game Library from your home screen and select "Your Collection." From here, download "Marathon Closed Technical Test."
• Xbox Series X|S: Navigate to "My games & apps" from the Guide, select "See all" and then choose "Full library." From here, download "Marathon Closed Technical Test."

I have multiple versions of Marathon on Steam. Which version should I be playing?

• On Steam, play the "Marathon Closed Technical Test." Other versions are from previous playtests and will not work.

[dense sedge]

The Marathon Closed Tech Test has now concluded and the servers are officially offline. Thank you to everyone for your interest in joining!

There will be future testing opportunities, so stay tuned.

-The Marathon Team

[dense sedge]

@everyone Sign-ups for the Marathon December Playtest is now open in #🐛playtest_access! Please head over there and use the command /playtest to get your personalized signup link. Remember, don't share your link!

Please note that this test is much smaller than October, so space will be limited.

The playtest will take play on December 12th to the 15th from 2PM to 8PM PT each day.

[dense sedge]

@everyone We’re embracing the dark sci-fi world and survival extraction challenge of Marathon.

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/fjzmhROTv28
📖 Learn More: https://bung.ie/450dGSQ

[dense sedge]

Vision of Marathon: New Gameplay, Dev Insights, & More

Since the Alpha playtest in April, we’ve been quietly iterating on Marathon alongside a dedicated community of players. Every closed playtest was a chance for us to hear candid feedback about what’s working, what needs work, and where Marathon can shine.

Today we’re sharing a new look at Marathon – and the impact of the fusion between the community’s feedback and our vision for Marathon.

You can watch the full ViDoc now.

Marathon Releases March 2026

Marathon releases March 2026, targeting a price of $39.99/€39.99/£34.99. We’ll announce additional regional pricing as we get closer to launch.

Purchasing Marathon will give you full access to the game, including a roadmap of free gameplay updates as the year progresses. This will include new maps, new Runner shells, events, and more, starting with the exploration of UESC Marathon's Cryo Archive in Season 1.

We also want to ensure you are logging in because you love the game, not from fear of missing out—so Marathon's Rewards Passes will not expire, and you’ll be able purchase and unlock prior Passes.

Finally, and most importantly, we believe in preserving competitive integrity in Marathon, so survival will never come down to how much money you spend.

We’ll share more about our plans for seasonal content, a roadmap, and details about when you’ll be able to try the game as we get closer to launch.

ViDoc Highlights

Today we shared new gameplay footage and we dove into how we’re embracing the survival extraction challenge and dark, sci-fi world of Marathon.

Highlights include timestamped links if you'd like to learn more.

• New features since alpha, including...
  • Proximity chat
  • Solo queue
  • Rook, a Runner shell used to scavenge matches in progress
• The world and fantasy of Marathon
  • Ways we’re doubling down on the dark, gritty, and grounded sci-fi world
  • Your role in Marathon–you are the Runner, and you transfer your consciousness into different shells designed with unique capabilities
• Improved visual fidelity and immersion, including...
  • Dead Runners drop as corpses that decay over time
  • Deepened environmental storytelling
  • The role of audio
• Introduction to Marathon’s four zones (maps)
  • Three surface zones – Perimeter, Dire Marsh, and Outpost
  • The first zone on the UESC Marathon – Cryo Archive, an end-game challenge
• Loot and customization
  • Weapons and mods, including ways to customize your gun in unique ways (like turning the Battery SMG into the Needler)
  • Runner shell archetypes and ways to customize your playstyles
• Factions and progression
  • Factions and the jobs they’ll ask you to do in game, like MIDA requesting you blow up a UESC dropship
  • Faction upgrade trees and the capstone rewards you’ll earn each season
  • The Codex, a collection of your achievements and narrative discoveries; progress to earn exclusive cosmetics and lore

What’s Next for Marathon?

We’ll be sharing more gameplay–and other surprises–and chatting with the community more often as we prepare for release in March 2026.

You can keep up with the latest news on...

• Discord
• Twitter
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Looking forward to getting Marathon into your hands next year 🐛

[dense sedge]

Marathon releases March 2026, and everyone will have a chance to play in an open preview weekend before launch.

[dense sedge]

@everyone
Transfer your consciousness into Runner shells, customizable gameplay archetypes designed for survival. Craft your perfect playstyle using the cores, implants, weapons, and mods you scavenge on your runs.

Watch Marathon Developer Insights | Runner Shells

Learn more in our full blog, right here: https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/dev-insights-runner-shells-new-video

[dense sedge]

@everyone Marathon releases March 5, 2026 and is available for pre-order on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Watch the trailer now: https://youtu.be/UbNhSVj6WZM
Pre-order details: https://bung.ie/4rl5QfF

Collector's Edition links:
No Game Code:
https://bungiestore.com/products/marathon-collector-s-edition-no-game-code/MAC24001-100
 
XBOX:
https://bungiestore.com/products/marathon-collector-s-edition-xbox/MAC24001-200
 
Steam
https://bungiestore.com/products/marathon-collector-s-edition-steam/MAC24001-300
 
PlayStation US:
https://bungiestore.com/products/marathon-collector-s-edition-playstation-americas/MAC24001-500

EU Link: https://eu.bungiestore.com/games-music/collectors-edition

[dense sedge]

Initiating consciousness transfer to DESTROYER SHELL.
/////
ARCHETYPE: COMBAT SPECIALIST
/////
Consciousness transfer complete.

🛡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_tFPT5X2hs

[dense sedge]

Neural sync initiated with ASSASSIN SHELL.
///
ARCHETYPE: SHADOW AGENT
///
Initiating consciousness transfer...

🔪 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i46lq8NS2JI

[dense sedge]

Hey @everyone, we’re excited to share we’ll be a part of the PlayStation State of Play tomorrow, February 12 starting at 2pm PT! Come join the stream and help us share the excitement for Marton.

Once the show ends, check in for a gameplay livestream with some special guests and our game director, Joe Ziegler, that will kick off around 3pm PT.

Finally, we’ve seen some speculation about a surprise preview weekend drop. It’s not coming this weekend – we'll let you know the dates in advance so you have some more time to plan around them.

[dense sedge]

Hey @everyone, the PlayStation State of Play is starting now! Come join the stream and help welcome new softshells to Marathon: https://www.twitch.tv/playstation

|| is in need of your services||

[dense sedge]

Marathon’s Server Slam Begins February 26

We’re opening up the doors and letting everyone in from **February 26 – March 2. **

It's time to begin your journey across the stars.

Marathon’s Server Slam, our open preview weekend*, runs from February 26 at 10 AM PT to March 2 at 10 AM PT. Now’s your chance to jump in, put our servers through their paces, and help us get ready for launch on March 5. You’ll be able to play worldwide on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save enabled.

We’re also excited to be part of Steam Next Fest!

Play the Slam, Earn Rewards for Launch

If you join us starside, we’ve got some extra gear in store to make sure you’re Tau Ceti ready come launch day. Everyone who completes the introductory mission will unlock a unique emblem and player background that marks you as part of the first wave of Runners.

On top of that, time spent during the Slam will bank loot rewards you’ll receive at launch, based on how far you progress:

• **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
    The emblem, player banner, and loot rewards will be waiting for you when Marathon launches on March 5.

What You’ll Play During the Server Slam

The Server Slam is a slice of Marathon’s gameplay. Enough to get comfortable, not enough to see everything.

You’ll be able to:

• Infil into two zones:
  • Perimeter, an edge-site expansion on the colony's outskirts
  • Dire Marsh, the colony’s agricultural research hub
• Take on the early contracts for five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne
  • Progress though the early faction levels and progression trees for each faction
• Try out five of the six Runner shells that will be available at launch, plus our scavenger experience Rook
• Play as a crew, solo Runner, form uneasy alliances with proximity chat, and more

Launch and Season 1 will bring additional maps, factions, contracts, gear and more, including:

• Two more zones
  • Outpost, set in the middle of a thriving UESC military installation
  • Cryo Archive, an end-game zone aboard the derelict UESC Marathon (unlocks during Season 1)
• Thief, the sixth Runner shell
• Full progression for all six factions, including additional contracts, deeper upgrade trees, and the addition of the sixth faction Sekiguchi Genetics
• Ranked mode (unlocks during Season 1)
• Other secrets and surprises...

Watch the Launch Gameplay Trailer

In 2472, the UESC Marathon left Mars with 30,000 colonists aboard. Its mission: Establish a new home in a distant solar system.

300 years later they arrived. Then… silence. The ship, and its colony, were lost.

Until now…

Your future, and the mysteries of the past, await on Tau Ceti IV:

Launch Gameplay Trailer

Marathon releases on March 5

Marathon officially launches on** March 5, 2026 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save supported at launch. **
You can pre-order now to secure additional in-game rewards, including weapon cosmetics, an emblem, and player background for launch, plus a set of Destiny 2 rewards linked to your Bungie.net account.

Pre-order here:

• Steam
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Collector’s Edition

PlayStation Plus Weapon Charms

And we’ve got just one more thing for you.
If you’re playing on PS5 with PlayStation Plus at launch, you’ll get access to a set of exclusive weapon charms inspired by:

• Helldivers 2 (For Freedom Weapon Charm)
• Death Stranding 2 (Battle Guitar Weapon Charm)
• Ghost of Yōtei (Onryō Weapon Charm)

PlayStation Plus members can redeem all three weapon charms at PlayStation ®Store when Marathon releases on March 5.

We'll have weapons charms for Steam and Xbox players as well, which we’ll share more about in the future.

Come on and Jam

Whether you’re here to loot powerful items, hunt players, take down UESC, or just see what Marathon actually feels like to play—we’d love to have you in the Server Slam. Jump in, stress the servers, earn your rewards, and help us get ready for March 5.

• Gameplay at full launch requires internet access and paid-for subscription on console (sold separately).

Livestream with JoeZ, TheBurntPeanut, and Gingy

@everyone Our game director JoeZ is crewing up with @TheBurntPeanut and @RNGingy for a few runs on Outpost in our internal Bungie playtest. Tune in now on Twitch!

Twitch.tv/theburntpeanut

Twitch.tv/gingy

[dense sedge]

In case you missed it!

We joined the PlayStation State of Play to share some exciting updates, including a new gameplay trailer and Server Slam details!

Server Slam Details

• Our open preview weekend is on <t:1772128800:f> to <t:1772474400:f>
• Available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S
• It's a slice of Marathon's gameplay -- enough to steady your shell legs, not enough to experience everything
• Earn cosmetic and loot rewards for launch

Learn more: https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/marathon-server-slam

[dense sedge]

Softshells won’t survive. Play in Marathon’s Server Slam next weekend from February 26 to March 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWwXSb7dlnQ

[dense sedge]

Join audio director Chase Combs and composer Ryan Lott for a behind-the-scenes look at Marathon’s music.

Four original tracks are now available for streaming on all major music streaming platforms.

https://youtu.be/uk4K91aeixU

https://soundtracks.lnk.to/marathonEP

[dense sedge]

Catch an exclusive 40 minutes of new gameplay from our recent onsite playtest, captured by OperatorDrewski! Join us for our Server Slam, happening February 26 to March 2!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5JXX0KZioI

[dense sedge]

We’re investing in networking and security for Marathon:

🖥️Dedicated servers
🤖Server-side authority over key actions to reduce exploits
😶‍🌫️Fog of War to limit wall hacks and loot revealers
⛓️‍💥Disconnect recovery
🛑No second chances

Learn more: https://bung.ie/4rZEoEe

https://youtu.be/7ScRKFm56Vk?si=RIx8ZpKAhMRLyoPY

[dense sedge]

ROOK ONLINE // ARCHETYPE: SCAVENGER

Play Marathon in the Server Slam preview weekend from February 26, 2026 to March 2, 2026.

https://youtu.be/Nertr9Lt9Ic

[dense sedge]

*The Contract leaderboard has been closed for evaluation.

If you participated, ensure your DMs are open.

Rewards will be distributed shortly.

This closure may not be permanent.

Stay ready.*

[dense sedge]

Marathon's Server Slam is Almost Here

It is almost time to light up Tau Ceti.

Marathon’s Server Slam, our open preview weekend*, runs from February 26 at 10 AM PT to March 2 at 10 AM PT. This is your chance to jump in, play Marathon before launch, and help us spin up our global infrastructure at scale for the very first time.

You will be able to play on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play and cross-save enabled.

We are also excited to be part of Steam Next Fest, so you will see Marathon there as well!

What Makes This A Server Slam

Let us talk about what this weekend is really about.

The Server Slam is a technical stress test. We are turning everything on worldwide, inviting as many of you in as we can, and then watching the systems closely as you do what you do best: log in, crew up, infil, exfil, log out, repeat.

Because of that, you should expect this to feel a little different from a standard launch weekend:

You will likely see login queues, especially during peak hours

• We may need to bring servers down for maintenance on short notice
• You may run into disconnects, error codes, and bugs
• We will be standing by throughout the weekend to address issues, monitor performance, and make adjustments as needed. When something breaks, that is data we can use to make our launch on March 5th all the better.

What You Will Experience During The Slam

The Server Slam is a slice of Marathon. The idea is simple: you get to feel what Marathon actually plays like, with much more waiting for you on March 5th.

Across the weekend you will be able to:

• Infil into two zones on Tau Ceti IV:
  • Perimeter, an edge-site expansion on the colony’s outskirts
  • Dire Marsh, the colony’s agricultural research hub
• Take on early contracts for five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne
  • Progress through early faction levels and upgrade trees for each of these five factions
• Try out five of the six Runner shells that will be available at launch, plus Rook, our scavenger experience
• Play how you like
  • Drop in as a Crew
  • Run solo
  • Form uneasy alliance in real time with proximity chat
  • Or test your foes’ diplomacy by making those alliances fall apart using the aforementioned prox chat

This is a preview weekend, not the full game. When Marathon launches and Season 1 kicks off, you can expect additional zones, factions, contracts, gear, progression depth, Ranked, and some secrets you’ll have to experience yourself.

Launch and Season 1 will bring...

• The late-game zones Outpost and Cryo Archive
• Full contract and progression depth for all factions
• Ranked mode
• The sixth Runner shell Thief
• Season 1 unlocks, or end-game content
• And much more!

Launch Day Bonuses For Server Slammers

If you join us starside during the Server Slam, we want you to arrive on launch day looking and feeling ready for all the dangers of Tau Ceti.

Everyone who completes the introductory mission during the weekend will unlock a unique Beta.exe emblem and Complex Study player background that mark you as part of the first wave of Runners. These cosmetic rewards will be exclusive to Server Slam participants.

On top of that, time spent during the Slam will bank loot rewards for launch, based on how far you progress:

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: Enhanced Base Backpack

Cosmetic and loot rewards will be delivered once Marathon launches on March 5th. It’ll take a bit of time for us to roll out the rewards to everyone, so if you login and don’t see them in your inbox, hold tight – they should arrive soon!

Watching The Slam: Twitch Drops

If you like to watch as much as you like to run, we have something for you too.

Throughout the Server Slam weekend, you will be able to tune in to anyone streaming Marathon on Twitch and snag a set of cosmetic rewards for launch. Full details on how to secure and claim your rewards will be available on our support pages, but here is the overview:

• Link your Bungie and Twitch accounts
• Watch Marathon streams during the Server Slam window
  • Any stream in the Marathon Twitch category will count!
• Earn Twitch Drops that will be granted to your Bungie.net profile and delivered in-game at launch on March 5th
  • Twitch Sponsored Kit may take up to 48 hours to arrive in your in-game Mailbox and must be redeemed by March 31.

There are five Twitch Drop rewards available during the Server Slam weekend, so grab your snacks (NuCal or otherwise) and secure them before launch.

• Twitch Sponsored Kit, aka Standard in-game loot (Watch for 1 hour & 30 minutes)
• Profile Emblem: SMILEYworm (Watch for 1 hour)
• Profile Background: WEAVEworm (Watch for 2 hours)
• Weapon Sticker: GLOWworm (Watch for 3 hours)
• Weapon Skin (Style): HMG Twitch Engine (Watch for 4 hours)

Run Clips

We'll be sharing everyone's run clips on Marathon's social media accounts throughout Server Slam! If you want a shot at being featured, add #marathonthegame to your social media posts on Twitter and TikTok. Or join our Discord and drop your content in the #1476197847169761473 channel.

Here are some tips and watchouts:

• Disable notification sounds, popups, and overlays from other programs like Discord or recording software. We can't show those!
• Avoid excessive HDR; we want to spotlight the game's out-of-the-box look and feel.
• Don't add outside music or sounds.
• Keep voice chat focused on Marathon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiJIkfW5iyw

Join Us For the Slam

Whether you’re here to be a loot goblin, third-party some unsuspecting crews, run real-time combat readiness tests with the UESC, or just to see what Marathon feels like to play – we’d love to have you join us in the Server Slam.

Jump in, crew up, stress the servers, earn your launch rewards, and help us get ready for March 5th.

We’ll see you on Tau Ceti IV.

*Gameplay at full launch requires internet access and paid-for subscription on console (sold separately).

Server Slam FAQ

We know you have questions. Here are answers to some of the big ones.

When is the Server Slam again?

From February 26 at 10 AM PT to March 2 at 10 AM PT.

Where can I play?

The Server Slam will be available on:

• Steam
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S

You do not need a PlayStation Plus membership to participate in the Server Slam. Once Marathon launches, an active online subscription service will be required to play on console.

Can I preload for Server Slam?

No, preloading will not be available for the Server Slam. This will help lessen the load on our servers when we first go live.

Preloading will be available for Marathon's launch.

Is cross-play and cross-save supported?

Yes. Cross-play and cross-save will be active for the Server Slam, just like they will be at launch. You will be able to play with friends across platforms and carry your account between them.

Is this the full game?

No. The Server Slam is an open preview weekend that represents a slice of Marathon’s launch content and progression. When Marathon launches and Season 1 kicks off, you can expect additional zones, factions, contracts, gear, progression depth, the Thief Runner shell, Ranked, and some secrets some secrets you’ll have to experience yourself.

Does my Server Slam progression carry over to launch?

Your Server Slam progression will not carry over to launch. However:

• Your earned launch rewards (emblem, player background, Twitch Drops) will be granted to your account on March 5th
• Your Arrival Caches filled with loot will be delivered to your account on March 5th to help jumpstart your first runs; earn better loot for reaching Runner Level 10 and Runner Level 30
• The experience you gain learning zones, contracts, and shells will give you a head start on day one

When do I get my rewards?

• In-game Server Slam rewards (emblem, background, Arrival Caches) will be delivered to your account when Marathon launches on March 5th via the in-game mailbox. It’ll take a bit of time for us to roll out the rewards to everyone, so if you login and don’t see them in your inbox, hold tight – they should arrive soon!
• Twitch Drops will be granted to your Bungie.net account after you meet the watch requirements and claim them on Twitch, and will appear in-game at launch. They may take up to 48 hours to arrive in your in-game Mailbox and must be redeemed by March 31.

If you run into any issues claiming or receiving rewards, our support team will have a full troubleshooting guide available.

Why is it called a “Server Slam”?

Up until now, we’ve been running monthly playtests to gather feedback about Marathon. These have been essential for improving Marathon alongside the community, but we haven’t had the chance to test our technical infrastructure at scale.

This weekend is all about slamming our servers with as many active players as possible. You bringing your friends and hammering the queues will help us find and fix technical issues before we launch on March 5th.

Will there be bugs, queues, or downtime?

Yes. You should expect this to be less stable than launch.

• Login queues are likely
• Disconnects and error codes may occur
• We may bring servers down for emergency maintenance

We will communicate status updates on our official channels and will be actively monitoring telemetry throughout the weekend. If you want to make sure you’re looking at the right places, feel free to join the Marathon Official Discord, follow MarathonDevTeam on Twitter and Bluesky. You can also follow Bungie Server Status on Twitter or check the Server Status web page for the latest info.

Which regions and languages are supported?

The Server Slam will be available worldwide, with localized text and voice over for all of our supported languages.

[dense sedge]

Hi everyone! We want to share a big thank you for getting Marathon to crack top 5 before Server Slam. If you haven't already, give us a wishlist and follow on Steam.

The entire team is so grateful for your support and we love seeing so much great community art and general excitement for both Server Slam tomorrow and the launch next week!

Pop open a drinkable cheeseburger, gather your crew, and we'll see you tomorrow for the Slam.

[dense sedge]

Welcome to the Server Slam!

Hi @everyone! The Marathon Server Slam runs from Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 AM PT (UTC-8) to Monday, March 2 at 10:00 AM PT (UTC-8).

Downloads are up! To start your download, search "Marathon Server Slam" on your preferred platform.

Please note we may run into a few things as we get everyone in:

• Login queues are likely
• Disconnects and error codes may occur
• We may bring servers down for emergency maintenance
  

[dense sedge]

Take your first step into the world of Marathon with the Marathon Collection on the Bungie Store featuring a new Marathon logo hat and a WEAVEworm plush.

Marathon Collection [001] WEAVEworm Plush

🧢 Marathon Collection [001] Logo Hat

[dense sedge]

Hit the ground running.

Complete three community contracts during Server Slam to unlock in-game rewards!

Clip your best runs and drop them in #1476197847169761473 for a chance to be featured on our social channels.

By submitting, you grant Bungie permission to use your footage.

[dense sedge]

Introducing Seasons in Marathon

With Marathon’s launch around the corner, we want to take a minute to share how we’re approaching seasons and our plans for Season 1 and beyond.

Seasons Overview

Seasons in Marathon last about three months, and each season will bring new content and features that change the way you master survival, grow your power floor, and progress throughout a season.

Marathon's living universe and gameplay will continue to evolve across seasons, fueled by your feedback and your impact on the world of Tau Ceti as you uncover what happened to the lost colony and on the Marathon ship.

Seasonal updates will introduce new gameplay, including gear, Runner shells, zones, events, and more, which will be free for all players to access or earn–no expansions or DLC required.

A Dangerous Climb

From your first steps on Perimeter to the end-game on Cryo Archive and Ranked mode, each season will challenge you to discover, adapt, and master new survival skills on your climb.

Everyone will start fresh each season with nothing to their name and the constant threat of death in a world more lethal and powerful than you are.

Over the course of the season, you’ll complete contracts and progress your faction upgrades, granting you access to stronger base stats and better wares in the Armory. It’s not just about what you loot, it’s about raising your power floor and the options available to you. Over time, recovering from a bad loss will get easier, and crafting your ideal build will be more accessible.

As you master survival and grow your available resource pool, you’ll be able to take on increasingly challenging contracts, zones, and enemy Runners. Climb the Ranked ladder, prep for high-stakes Cryo Archive runs, and secure the most lucrative loot and prestigious rewards of the season.

Then as the season comes to a close and the feeling of “$@%& it let’s ball” settles in, roll with your best loot knowing a fresh start for everyone, with more to discover and a new climb to master, is just around the corner.

Discover, Adapt, Survive

Each season of Marathon brings a clean slate for the whole community with progression resets. These resets include everyone’s gear, contract progression, faction progression, and player level.

You’ll keep your achievements and ways to express yourself. This includes cosmetics (earned and paid), titles, and other rewards you earn by playing and reaching milestones each season. Your Codex progression also carries over, as unburying the secrets of Tau Ceti takes time.

A few other things carry over too, such as your liaison contract progression; no need to unlock the factions every season.

Seasonal resets mean that the game stays dangerous, loot feels meaningful, and there’s always a good opportunity to get back into the game or bring a friend in without feeling behind the curve. It’s a way to say goodbye to the old, welcome the new, and kickoff a journey from zero-to-hero with new ways to play, content to master, and things to discover.

What’s in Season 1?

Season 1: DEATH IS THE FIRST STEP (aka FIRST STEP) is the start of a new gold rush on Tau Ceti. It's the beginning of a proxy war between rival factions competing for power and answers to what happened to the 30,000 lost souls of the New Cascadia Colony. And as a Runner, you’re at the forefront of the expeditions.

When you step foot on Tau Ceti IV, you’ll find a hostile world that wishes you dead. As you and other Runners begin to explore the surface, you’ll soon discover a way aboard the derelict UESC Marathon ship hanging above.

Once the community unlocks the way into orbit, the fourth zone, Cryo Archive, will become available. Prepare your mind and shell to take on this end-game zone on the Marathon ship, where you’ll solve security puzzles, unseal frozen vaults, and come face-to-face with an entity even the UESC fears.

During the second half of March, Ranked mode will also unlock. Put your survival skills to the test and exfil with valuable loot to climb the Ranked ladder and earn exclusive rewards each season. We’ll share more details about Ranked mode when we get closer to it’s launch.

FIRST STEP also brings events, quality-of-life improvements, balance tuning, new implants, a new weapon, and other surprises.

This is in addition to the full suite of launch content, which includes:

Complete faction and contract progression

• All six factions, including Sekiguchi Genetics
  • All six launch Runner shells, including Thief
• Three zones, including Outpost
  • Outpost will unlock the day after launch, giving the community time to gear up and unlock the zone at Runner Level 12
• 28 weapons, plus mods, implants, cores, and more to craft your perfect builds
• Earnable cosmetics, achievements, and storytelling through the Codex

Looking Ahead: Season 2 and Beyond

You’ll start to see the impact of your presence on Tau Ceti IV in Season 2: NIGHTFALL. Your activities on the lost colony have not gone unnoticed, and the UESC are stepping up their security measures and responding in force to your criminal activities.

Each season of Marathon will have a different theme and a unique combination of new features, content, and stories that continue to evolve the world and gameplay. We’ll also be tuning all of our loot and progression systems, creating space for new metas and ways to play to emerge.

Seasonal updates will include a unique set of new content, which are the things you do, explore, and collect on Tau Ceti. This can include any combination of: weapons, mods, cores, implants, backpacks, Runner shells, zones, PvE combatants, faction upgrades, contracts, and new ways to play existing zones.

For example, NIGHTFALL will bring a nighttime version of Dire Marsh, where you’ll fight to survive when the lights go out, UESC reinforcements flood in, and the a~~~~~%^&*()_+{}:"<>?~~~. Season 2 will also bring our next Runner shell along with new weapons, mods, cores, contracts, and more.

We’re also working on brand new systems that will change the way you play, plan, and progress throughout a season. For example, NIGHTFALL will introduce the Cradle, a new system designed to give you more autonomy over your Runner shell’s statistical strengths and weaknesses.

As we build upon each season, Marathon will continue to grow and evolve. The game and world today and a year from now should feel meaningfully different as we add new features and go on the journey of discovering what happened to the colonists of Tau Ceti... and what happens when you dig up secrets that are better left buried.

The Start of a Journey Together

Finally, we want to say thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to play and share your thoughts and excitement for Marathon. Community feedback throughout the last year has helped us shape Marathon into something better, and we’re excited to continue building alongside you all. Head here for a recap of what we heard during the Server Slam.

We'll see you on Tau Ceti on March 5 as we continue to expand this delightfully weird, pulse-racing, and cosmically horrific game together.

[dense sedge]

In death we’ve just begun. Watch the Marathon Launch Cinematic featuring Poppy and Son Lux.

Marathon releases March 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtw5BDpKgJM

[dense sedge]

Marathon Launches Tomorrow

Prepare to shed your mortal form and embrace death as a cybernetic mercenary — your future on Tau Ceti awaits.

...if you escape, will they call you god?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtw5BDpKgJM

Marathon's launch cinematic trailer features new music written by Ryan Lott & Son Lux, with vocals and lyrics by Poppy.

You can listen to "In Death We've Just Begun" on all major music streaming platforms. The full Marathon OST releases on March 6.

Marathon Launches on March 5

Marathon goes live worldwide tomorrow March 5 at 10 AM PT on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

We’re releasing Marathon globally at the same time — here's an image to help you find the release time in your region.

Marathon Launch FAQ

As we venture forward into day one of Marathon, here’s an FAQ to make sure you’re prepared:

When does Marathon launch?

Servers go live tomorrow March 5 at 10 AM PT. Check the regional launch times graphic above for your local start time!

Can I pre-load Marathon?

Yes. Pre-loading is available now on all platforms. Make sure to check your storefront of choice to ensure you're ready to go.

Do I need to download the game again if I played the Server Slam?

Yes. The launch build is different from the Server Slam build. Redownload Marathon from your platform’s store.

Which platforms can I play Marathon on?

You can play on Steam (PC), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-play and cross-save. You will need an active online subscription on console to play.

What is different from the Server Slam?

Launch includes Marathon’s full progression, a new Runner shell, Outpost, and more:

• Full faction and contract progression
  • All six factions, including Sekiguchi Genetics
• All six launch Runner shells, including Thief
• Three zones, including Outpost
  • Outpost will unlock the day after launch, giving the community time to gear up and unlock the zone at Runner Level 12
• 28 weapons, plus mods, implants, cores, and more to craft your perfect builds
• Earnable cosmetics, achievements, and storytelling through the Codex
  Launch also includes fixes and updates informed by the Server Slam, including adjustments for PvP frequency on Perimeter (Beginner), with more changes to come. Read more about what we heard in the Server Slam here.

When do Outpost, Cryo Archive, and Ranked mode go live?

• Outpost will be available the day after launch and will require Runner Level 12. This gives you a bit of time to gear up before you go headlong into one of our more treacherous zones.
• Ranked mode will go live in the second half of March.
• Cryo Archive will go live once you unlock the way into orbit in the second half of March.

I played the Server Slam. When will I get my rewards and do they expire?

Server Slam cosmetic rewards and Arrival Caches will roll out during the first day of launch. It will take some time for them to make it to everyone’s in-game Mailboxes, so if you don’t see them upon logging in hold tight — they should arrive soon.

If you earned Server Slam rewards, you must log in before Season 1 concludes to receive them. If you do not log in during Season 1, you will not receive your rewards.

Need a reminder of what tier of Arrival Cache loot you secured in the Slam? Head here.

When will I get my Twitch Drops from watching during the Server Slam?

If you tuned in to Marathon on Twitch and secured Twitch Drops, your rewards will be granted to your Bungie.net profile and delivered in-game at launch on March 5. The Twitch Sponsored Kit may take up to 48 hours to arrive in your in-game Mailbox and must be redeemed by March 31.

Will there be new Twitch Drops at launch? How do I earn them?

Yes! To earn Twitch Drops, make sure you...

• Link your Bungie.net account to your Twitch account
• Watch Marathon streams in the Twitch Directory with Drops enabled during the launch window
• Claim each reward from your Twitch Inventory, then log in to Marathon to receive them
  There are six rewards up for grabs during the launch weekend. Tune in from March 5 at 10 AM PT to March 9 at 10 AM PT to secure:
• Weapon Sticker: Smol K.i.t.t.y. (subscribe or gift a subscription to a creator playing Marathon)
• Twitch Sponsored Kit, aka Standard in-game loot (watch for 1 hour)
• Profile Emblem: Pink Graffiti Bingus (watch for 1 hour)
• Profile Background: Pink Graffiti Bingus (watch for 2 hours)
• Weapon Sticker: Pink Graffiti Bingus (watch for 3 hours)
• Weapon Skin (Style): White and Purple – Ballistic Sniper (watch for 4 hours)

You’ll also be able to earn a new set of Twitch Drops during the Tau Ceti Cup on March 14, an event pitting creator teams against each other to prove they’re the best Runners on Tau Ceti. More details to come!

How do I claim my platform's weapon charms? What are they?

• Players on PlayStation, Steam, and Xbox will all receive weapon charms unique to their platform.
• Steam players will automatically receive the Crowbar weapon charm upon logging in at launch.
• PlayStation players receive the For Freedom, Battle Guitar, and Onryō weapon charms. Visit the PlayStation® Store when Marathon releases on March 5 to claim your rewards.
• Xbox players will automatically receive the Emerald Clutch and Emerald Catch weapon charms upon logging in at launch.

Will there be login queues occur at launch? How do I check server status?

Launch days are busy! Brief queues or updates may occur, and we’ll communicate status if we need to perform maintenance via the BungieServerStatus Twitter and Bluesky accounts. We’ll also share updates in here in our Discord.

How do seasons work? Where can I see what’s coming next?

Head over to our Seasons in Marathon post for a full rundown, including some teases for what’s cooking in Season 2.

How do I get help or report an issue?

Visit the Marathon Help Center for troubleshooting and known issues. If you run into reward delivery problems, account linking errors, or crashes, this is a good place to start.
You can also join the official Marathon Discord and follow the MarathonDevTeam Twitter for alerts or to ask for help.

Tomorrow is the day — we'll see you on Tau Ceti soon.

[dense sedge]

In Marathon...

• Seasonal gameplay content is free for all players to access or earn, including zones and Runner shells
• There is no pay for power
• Rewards Passes do not expire
• You can buy previous seasons' Rewards Passes if you wish
• You unlock rewards in your Rewards Passes using SILK, which is earned by playing the game. SILK cannot be purchased.
• Premium Pass Rewards only include cosmetics, not gameplay items
• Cosmetics are also earnable through the Codex, with others available for purchase
• The premium currency LUX can only be used for cosmetics – not gameplay advantages

NOTE: SILK is a bonus included with the purchase of the Deluxe Edition only. It is otherwise unavailable for purchase.

[dense sedge]

Marathon is Live Now

Today is the day — we’re pressing the big “GO LIVE” button and putting Marathon fully in the hands of our community.

Marathon wouldn’t be the game it is today without the support and feedback of players all the way from alpha to Server Slam. Today marks the start of the next phase of our journey together, with even more passionate players joining the fold. Together we'll continue shaping Marathon into the best version it can be — and the team is ready to cook.

• If you want to learn more about our plans for seasons and what’s coming in Season 1 and beyond, head to our Seasons in Marathon blog
• If you have questions about launch, including how to claim Server Slam rewards, Twitch Drops for launch, and what’s new since the Slam, head to our FAQ
• And if you want to just get f*(&$# hyped, pop on the launch cinematic as you finish your download and prepare for Tau Ceti

Marathon is available now on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with cross-play and cross-save.

You can keep up with the latest news by following us on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also follow the official Dev Team account on Twitter and Bluesky, or join the official community Discord to chat with the dev team and find a crew who’s just as passionate about drinkable food as you are!

And with that, the lost colony of Tau Ceti awaits your arrival. Good luck, careful who you trust, and remember — death is the first step.

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Transferring image data . . . MTHN_LAUNCH_CINE .//

{{__auth bungie.poppy.sonlux}} terminal display override initiated >>>

In Death We've Just Begun

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nfil into the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV: A derelict colony rife with rival Runners, hostile UESC security forces, and unpredictable environments.

Order Marathon with the Marathon Collector’s Edition now available for purchase on the Bungie Store.

🐛 https://bung.ie/4536xkT

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The Tau Ceti Cup is live now on https://www.twitch.tv/marathonthegame ! Join now to spectate high-skill Marathon gameplay and earn new Twitch drops!

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Ranked in Marathon

Put your survival skills to the test, climb the competitive ladder, and prove you’re a top Runner on Tau Ceti in Ranked mode. Your first chance to play Ranked is this weekend, March 21 at 10:00 AM PT – March 24 at 10:00 AM PT.

Ranked mode is in beta for Season 1, and as a feature that’s still in development, we’re looking for substantial feedback from you all to continue shaping Ranked mode into the best version it can be.

Overview

Ranked is designed to test everything you’ve learned in Marathon, including looting, PvP success, and strategic risk taking. You’ll earn score based on your performance on a run, with your score target determined by a new item: the Holotag (more on that below).

You’ll earn Ranked Points (RP) by meeting your score target in a run. Over time, you can climb through six ranks (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Pinnacle) with three tiers each (Bronze 3, Bronze 2, Bronze 1, etc.).

At the end of the season, you’ll secure rewards based on the highest rank you earned during the season, even if your final standing is lower — we don’t want the fear of losing rewards to stop you from playing.

Each season will bring a unique set of rewards you can only earn from playing Ranked.
Season 1's rewards will include:
A Ranked emblem for the highest rank you achieved that season, plus...

• Pinnacle
  • Gun Style
  • Title
• Diamond
  • Gun Style
• Platinum
  • Gun Style
• Gold
  • Runner Shell Style (Destroyer)
  • Title
• Silver
  • Player Background
    We’ll share the full details on these rewards and how to secure them as the season progresses.

Additionally, each time you earn a new rank each season, you’ll get a loot package, which contains gear and room keys to randomly-selected zones.

Ranked Availability

You must be Runner Level 25 to queue for Ranked.

Ranked opens up for play on the weekends, with each weekend featuring a different planet-side zone: Perimeter, Dire Marsh, or Outpost. The first weekend will be on Perimeter.

All crew sizes will be matched together for Ranked — so bring friends to help or go as a lone wolf to test your skills against opposing crews.

Bet on Yourself: Choose Your Stakes

When you queue for Ranked, you have two options: Low Stakes and High Stakes. These are separate Matchmaking pools, with different requirements for entry.

• Low Stakes Queue (Ranked)
  • Minimum gear ante: 3,000
  • Minimum Holotag tier: Bronze
• High Stakes Queue (Ranked+)
  • Minimum gear ante: 10,000
  • Minimum Holotag tier: Platinum
    Note that the first weekend of Ranked will only have Low Stakes queue available to give people a chance to start climbing the ladder and prepare for High Stakes.

Let’s breakdown gear ante and Holotags.

Gear Ante

The gear ante is the minimum requirement on your equipped gear’s value in credits. For reference, the 3,000 gear ante is about the equivalent of a set of Enhanced (green) gear with a few Deluxe (blue) pieces. The 10,000 gear ante is about the equivalent of a set of Deluxe gear with a few Superior (purple) pieces.

Having a gear ante ensures everyone in your match is putting a minimum amount on the line to compete—no being matched with a teammate going on a naked knife run, or downing enemy Runners with just Sponsored Kits.

Holotags

In addition to the gear ante, you must bring one Holotag in your backpack to queue for Ranked. You can purchase Holotags using credits in the Armory, or if you defeat an enemy Runner and exfil with their Holotag, you can use it for your future runs.

There are six tiers of holotags: Bronze, Silver, and Gold (Low Stakes) and Platinum, Diamond, and Pinnacle (High Stakes). You can purchase up to your current rank of Holotag tier in the Armory. So if you’re Gold, you can purchase Gold, Silver, and Bronze Holotags; if you’re Platinum, you can unlock Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, etc.

How Does Scoring Work?

tl;dr:

• You have a score target set by your team’s Holotag values
• Loot valuable items to get score
• Once you reach your score target, exfil to get Rated Points
• If you exfil before you hit your target, you don't get Rated Points
• If you die, you lose Rated Points based on your team's Holotag values
• You can get bonus Rated Points, aka overperformance capacity, by looting enemy player’s Holotags or collecting Tag Chips from UESC and map events
  At the highest level, the Ranked Points you earn are based on the value of loot your crew collects and exfils with on your run. When your loot meter fills up, it's time to exfil.

Want to go deeper? Buckle up.

The Holotag you bring into the match sets two important values for your run: a score target and a loss penalty.

The credit value of loot you find counts towards your crew’s score, excluding certain items like ammo and consumables. When your crew reaches its score target, any additional loot does not count, unless you loot enemy Holotags that grant you overperformance capacity and allow you to earn over your initial score target.

Here’s the complete breakdown:

• **Score target **= minimum total loot value your team needs to exfil with to earn Ranked Points
  • Your score target is decided by your team’s combined Holotag value
  • Starting loadouts don’t count towards your score target
  • Exfil at your score target to earn RP
  • Exfil with less than your score target, and your Rank has no change
• Overperformance capacity = how much loot over that score target you can earn bonus points for
  • This number starts at zero
  • You can gain overperformance capacity by looting enemy Runner Holotags or Tag Chips, which drop from high-value UESC and in-run activities
• Loss penalty = how much you lose by failing to exfil
  • This number is decided by you team’s combined Holotag value
  • You only lose RP if you fail to exfil
    Note that Holotags persist after exfil so you can use them on your next run. You can sell Holotags for full value after exfil.

Want to do the math? Here are the numbers:

You can also find lootable Tag Chips during a Ranked match by defeating UESC and engaging with map events. Tag Chips count as valuable loot towards your score target, and they also grant overperformance capacity. Tag Chips auto-sell on exfil.

This is a lot to take in, so to summarize:

The better you and your team’s Holotags, the more Ranked Points you can earn from a run. Higher-tier Holotags require you to exfil with more loot to reap the benefits, and they bring a higher loss penalty if you die. But if you only bring in lower-tier Holotags, you’ll hit your score cap more quickly and have less potential upside per run.

Or in professional terms... you need to risk it for the biscuit.

Up Next...

Your first chance to play Ranked starts on Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 AM PT until Tuesday, March 24 at 10:00 AM PT on Perimeter. This will be Low Stakes queue only to give people time to gear up and prep for High Stakes runs.

Ranked mode is in beta for Season 1, and we’ll be watching closely for your feedback. Send us your thoughts on this server, and keep an eye on our Marathon Development Team accounts on Twitter, and Bluesky. We’ll keep you posted on what we’re hearing and adjustments we’re making, both for Ranked and all things Marathon.

Good luck in your first Ranked runs!

Marathon Development Team (@marathonteam.bungie.net)

News, updates, and insights from the developers on @MarathonTheGame.bungie.net

Bluesky

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@everyone, all codes have been cracked and Cryo Archive’s seal thaws.

Step foot into Marathon's first end-game zone soon.

Coming March 20, 2026.

https://youtu.be/SW8VRcMy5vU

https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/cryo_archive_overview

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Live at <t:1774277940:f>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6Q9J4Z8dQ

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Thief cinematic is live!

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RECON SHELL // YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE
https://youtu.be/6q2A6PLiNMs

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Marathon x Displate

Which Runner shell is your favorite?

Marathon x Displate have launched with a full collection featuring key art for the six Runner shells in Marathon that players can proudly display of their favorite Runner shell.

Players can also pick up a Displate showcasing the Compiler from the deluxe edition key art.

https://displate.com/@qwDNw

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Season 2 Begins June 2

More details on Season 2: NIGHTFALL soon but first, we have some final Season 1 shake-ups to highlight.

As the season comes to an end, we want to embrace the feeling of liberated chaos that comes from knowing a fresh start for everyone is just around the corner.

Starting with Update 1.0.9 on May 19:

• Events (ex: Lockdown) now happen 100% of the time (including Wardens)
• Locked Room Keys are now guaranteed from each Warden
• Cryo Archive Sponsored Kits will now be available on a daily basis
• Starting May 21, Cryo Archive live every day through the end of Season 1
• +50% Runner Level XP
• +50% Faction XP
• Improved Rook Kits

Get out there and send Season 1 out with a bang - put that gear you've been hoarding to use, try those builds you've been thinking about, and have fun.

https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/season_2_begins_june_2

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Launch, Learnings, and What’s Next

Marathon’s game director reflects on the journey so far and the weird and wild path ahead.

**THE SHORT VERSION (TL;DR) **
There’s a lot of words ahead, but here’s the gist of it:

• With the first season of Marathon we’ve created a strong core community.
• We're embarking on a multi-season journey built around growing from the seed of this strong community.
• We’re looking to solve some pain points for players:
  • Making the game less grindy, more rewarding
  • Making improvements to things like the UI/UX, matchmaking, end game meta, playing as solos/duos, etc.
  • Smoothing out onboarding
• We’re also going to build out more of the core game:
  • Adding new fun and mind-bending content: new and updated zones, Runner shells, new combatants, weapons, loot, and more
  • Building systems to make progressing more interesting
• We want to build more survival experiences for different moods, like if you want to full sweat or lean back and chill.
  • Exploring more pure PVP, PVE, and PVP-lite experiences
  • Continue experimenting with experimental queues to learn more around these experiences

Other highlights:

• We're bringing back Duos for Season 2 with a rotating Duos queue.
• We're testing some experiments in Season 2 around PVE and PVP-Lite modes.
• We’re expanding the max size of your Vault and increasing faction progression rates in Season 2.
• We’ll talk more about Season 2 content like Night Marsh, the new Cradle progression system, and the Runner shell Sentinel, the week of May 25.

If this summary has your interest piqued, read on below for more info on these topics.

https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/launch_learning_whatsnext