Marathon Server Slam kicks off February 26

GAMING NEWS AlexP - 6 hours ago

The new launch gameplay trailer for Marathon gives players a much clearer look at what Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter is all about. Fast gunfights, high-tech gear, and tense escapes are front and center. From what we’ve officially seen, this is a PvPvE extraction FPS where you drop into dangerous zones, grab valuable loot, and try to make it out alive. If you fail, you lose what you brought in. If you survive, you get stronger for the next run. It’s intense, risky, and built around smart decision-making.

With that in mind, it’s hard not to see Marathon as a serious competitor to ARC Raiders. Both games sit in the same extraction space and are aiming at players who enjoy high-stakes runs and squad-based action. Where ARC Raiders leans into a grounded sci-fi invasion theme, Marathon brings a cleaner, more stylized sci-fi world mixed with Bungie’s well-known gunplay. For fans of the genre, having two big titles pushing each other could only mean better updates and stronger support in the long run.

Get ready for the Marathon Server Slam

Before launch, players will get a chance to jump in early during the officially confirmed Server Slam running from February 26 to March 2, 2026. This test period will let players stress the servers and try out the core experience ahead of release. It’s a great chance to see how the shooting feels, how extraction works in real matches, and whether your squad can actually survive under pressure.

Beyond the action, Marathon has an interesting story behind it. The game is set on Tau Ceti IV and ties back to the mysterious colony ship UESC Marathon. According to the official lore, the ship left Mars in 2472 with 30,000 colonists. After arriving centuries later, everything went silent. Now players step into the role of bio-cybernetic “Runners” who explore what happened. Six factions operate on the planet, and you can complete contracts for them, slowly uncovering pieces of the bigger mystery through Codex entries and story details.

If you’re thinking about diving in, make sure you use our price comparison tool to find the best deals for Marathon. With a big release like this, prices can vary, so it’s always smart to check before you buy.