Following numerous delays, Bungie's Marathon is almost here, releasing on PC (via Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 5 after a successful "Server Slam" beta test over the weekend. It's Bungie's first new game since it released Destiny 2 in 2018.
A PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon sees players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments, exploring the lost colony that once inhabited Tau Ceti’s surface.
In our Marathon review-in-progress, we wrote: "The Server Slam alone doesn’t paint a full picture, but working my way to character rank 30 was a really promising glimpse at the first stretch of progression in what looks to be quite an intense climb to the endgame.
"I’ll be diving deep into every aspect of Marathon at its full launch and be back with a final review once I’ve seen what the later half of that experience feels like – some of which is being held behind planned updates in a couple of weeks. But at least right now, I’m feeling extremely good about the chances of this becoming my next obsession."
Bungie recently revealed what to expect from Marathon at launch and confirmed plans for seasonal wipes, which means all players lose their gear every few months, bringing a "clean slate for the whole community" each session. Players will keep their achievements, cosmetics, titles, and other rewards, as well as their Codex progression.
Don't forget that you can pre-load now on all platforms (PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S), and Marathon supports both cross-play and cross-save, although you'll need an active online subscription on your console of choice to play.
If you participated in the Server Slam, you'll need a fresh download as the launch build is different from the Server Slam build. Bungie does expect "brief queues" on launch day, and advises you keep an eye on Bungie's Server Status accounts on Twitter/X and BlueSky for the latest information.
Depending on where you are in the world, Marathon is set to go live on all platforms at the following times:
Marathon global release times:
Thursday, March 5, 2026:
PST (San Francisco):
- 10am
CST (Austin, Mexico City):
- 12pm
EST (New York):
- 1pm
GMT (London):
- 6pm
CET (Paris):
- 7pm
Friday, March 6, 2026
JST (Tokyo):
- 3am
CST (Beijing):
- 3am
AEST (Sydney):
- 5am
NZST (Wellington):
- 7am
What's different from the Server Slam?
The full launch game includes Marathon’s full progression, a new Runner shell, Outpost, and more, including:
- 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.
Ranked mode won't be live until the "second half" of March, and Cyro Archive is the same, although you need to unlock the way into orbit first.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.