Marathon's open beta, called Server Slam, is the first public test of Bungie's PvPvE extraction shooter before launch. You get a live slice of Tau Ceti IV, real matchmaking pressure, and permanent launch rewards if you hit milestones during the event.
Beta progression resets. Only Server Slam rewards transfer to your account on launch day: March 5, 2026.
This guide is focused on useful info only: how to join, exact window, what rewards are permanent, what you actually play, and how to push efficiently toward Level 30.
How to Join the Open Beta
Server Slam is free and open. No invite and no preorder required.
Platform availability
- Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S are supported
- Cross-play and cross-save are active during Server Slam
- Server Slam exception: PlayStation Plus is not required during beta
- At full launch, console online subscriptions are required on PlayStation and Xbox
Where to download
- PC (Steam): open Steam, search Marathon, install Server Slam client
- PlayStation 5: open PlayStation Store, search Marathon, download beta
- Xbox Series X|S: open Microsoft Store, search Marathon, install beta
Cross-save is enabled, so use the same Bungie-linked account you plan to keep for launch rewards.
Server Slam progression does not carry over to launch. Runner level, gear, and resources reset. Only cosmetic rewards, Arrival Caches, and Twitch Drops transfer.
Server Slam Release Window
The beta runs for a short window right before launch, so planning your sessions matters.
| Region | Time (2026) |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | Feb 26, 10:00 to Mar 2, 10:00 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | Feb 26, 13:00 to Mar 2, 13:00 |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Feb 26, 18:00 to Mar 2, 18:00 |
| Central European Time (CET) | Feb 26, 19:00 to Mar 2, 19:00 |
| Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) | Feb 27, 05:00 to Mar 3, 05:00 |
Full game release: March 5, 2026.
There are only a few days between beta end and launch. If you want guaranteed Level 30 progression during Server Slam, lock it in early with our Marathon Boosting Services.
Permanent Rewards
Server Slam rewards are granted to your Bungie account on launch day, March 5, 2026, via the in-game Mailbox.
Bungie says reward rollout can take time. Check your Mailbox periodically before assuming rewards are missing.
Visuals below cover rewards with confirmed art files (Weapons, Weapon Charms, and Twitch Drops).
Placeholder 420x210Intro Mission Complete (First Mission)
Cosmetics + Standard Arrival Cache
Complete the intro mission fully to secure all rewards in this milestone.
No official visuals are available yet for Beta.exe (emblem) and Complex Study (background).
- Emblem: Beta.exe
- Player Background: Complex Study
- Standard implants (6x)
- Standard Runner shell cores (4x)
- Standard weapon chip mods (6x)
- Overrun AR
Placeholder 220x132 - Hardline PR
Placeholder 220x132
Runner Level 10
Enhanced Arrival Cache (Green)
- Enhanced implants (6x)
- Enhanced shell cores (2x per shell, 12x total)
- Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x)
- Enhanced Magnum MC
Placeholder 220x132 - Enhanced Hardline PR
Placeholder 220x132
Runner Level 30
Deluxe Arrival Cache (Blue)
- Deluxe + Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total)
- Deluxe + Enhanced shell cores (1x each per shell, 12x total)
- Deluxe + Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total)
- Deluxe Magnum MC
Placeholder 220x132 - Enhanced BR33 Volley Rifle
Placeholder 220x132 - Backpack: Enhanced Base Backpack
Platform Weapon Charm Rewards
PlayStation
- PSN Death Stranding 2 Battle Guitar Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118 - PSN Helldivers 2 For Freedom Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118 - PSN Ghost of Yotei Onryo Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118
Steam
- Steam Gordon Freeman Crowbar Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118
Xbox
- Xbox Green Clutch Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118 - Xbox Green Catch Weapon Charm
Placeholder 118x118
Twitch Drops (Optional, But Free)
During Server Slam, watching Marathon on Twitch also grants launch rewards.
Placeholder 420x210How It Works
- Link Bungie and Twitch accounts
- Watch any stream in the Marathon Twitch category during Server Slam
- Claim drops on Twitch so they can be delivered at launch
Drop Milestones
- 1h watched: Twitch Sponsored Kit + Emblem (SMILEYworm)
Placeholder 132x132 - 2h watched: Profile Background (WEAVEworm)
Placeholder 260x120 - 3h watched: Weapon Sticker (GLOWworm)
Placeholder 132x132 - 4h watched: Weapon Skin (HMG Twitch Engine)
Placeholder 132x132
Twitch Sponsored Kit can take up to 48h and must be redeemed by March 31.
Use the same Bungie account for beta and launch. Reward transfer is account-bound.
What You Do During Server Slam
Server Slam is a live gameplay slice, not a scripted demo. You deploy, loot, fight players and AI, and extract.
- Deploy solo or as a crew (up to 3 players)
- Play in live zones: Perimeter and Dire Marsh
- Run Contracts for factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne
- Use Runner Shells to define your playstyle and survival tools
Placeholder 420x210
Rook is the low-risk scavenger entry: you bring no owned gear, risk nothing, and can learn routes/contracts safely.
Server Slam is not the full launch build. Bungie states Season 1 adds more content depth, including Thief shell and Ranked.
Need Help Hitting Level 30?
Server Slam is short. Missing the deadline means missing the top cache.
If you want to secure milestones fast without burning your weekend, we can help with:
- Runner Level progression to any target level
- Contract routing and extract planning for faster XP gain
- Guaranteed milestone completion before Server Slam closes
- At full release we handle everything, including fully custom orders for any goal
- Custom goals based on your available playtime
Want your rewards locked in before the timer ends? See our Marathon Boosting Services and use code LUBLOG10 for 10% off.
FAQ
Server Slam is Marathon’s open beta and the first public test before launch. You get a live slice of Tau Ceti IV and permanent launch rewards if you hit the event milestones.
February 26, 2026 (10:00 PT / 18:00 GMT / 19:00 CET) to March 2, 2026 (10:00 PT / 18:00 GMT / 19:00 CET). Full release is March 5, 2026.
On launch day (March 5, 2026). Rewards are delivered to your Bungie-linked account via the in-game mailbox. Delivery can take time, so check again later if they do not appear immediately.
Everything is reset at launch. Only Server Slam rewards for reaching milestones will transfer to your account on March 5, 2026.
Two maps (Dire Marsh and Perimeter), multiple factions with contracts (CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne), and six out of seven Runner Shells available during the test (including the Rook).