Bungie’s pre-launch Server Slam for Marathon drew heavy traffic during its opening 24 hours, reaching a peak of 143,621 concurrent players on PC, according to coverage at Eurogamer. The figure applies to Steam and represents only PC activity during the first day of free access ahead of Marathon’s full release on March 5, 2026.
Marathon’s Server Slam is a public playtest designed to exercise servers and give players a taste of the core loop. The game is a PvPvE extraction shooter set on Tau Ceti IV, and it marks Bungie’s first non-Destiny project since work on the Halo series. Players move through derelict colony zones scavenging loot, facing rival Runners and hostile UESC security forces, then attempting to extract with valuables while tense firefights break out.
Infil into the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV: A derelict colony rife with rival Runners, hostile UESC security forces, and hazardous environments. As you scavenge its zones for valuables with a crew or alone, tense moments of exploration break into fast-paced PvP combat where gunplay is responsive, time to kill is low, and preparation is rewarded.
Marathon is available in a Standard Edition for £34.99 / $39.99 and a Deluxe Edition with extra content for £49.99 / $59.99.
Steam numbers from the Server Slam were significant when compared to recent multiplayer launches. For reference, Highguard peaked at just over 97,000 concurrent players during its launch window, and the pre-release ARC Raiders test reached about 189,000 concurrent players. With the weekend approaching, the Server Slam’s peak could shift further as more players log in.
The playtest was rolled out in a staggered schedule by region. Players who want to collect the test’s streaming rewards can follow the Twitch Drop details in the guide at How to get every Marathon Server Slam playtest Twitch Drop.
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Marathon
Developed by Bungie
A PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon will see players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments and explore the lost colony that once inhabited Tau Ceti’s surface. Players will engage solo or in crews of three, searching for mysterious alien artifacts, as well as for valuable loot and new weapons and gear that they can add to their collection.
- Genre: Shooter
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Multiplayer, Battle Royale
- Publisher: Bungie
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Age Rating:
GRAC 15+
