The definitive breakdown of Bungie's pre-launch testing program for the marathon game
The marathon beta is Bungie's official pre-release public testing phase for Marathon, their next-generation sci-fi extraction shooter. Set on the hostile colony world of Tau Ceti IV, the marathon beta lets players experience real gameplay — extraction mechanics, PvPvE combat, runner customization, and faction contract systems — before the full retail launch on March 5, 2026.
Unlike traditional closed betas gated behind pre-orders or lottery systems, the marathon beta is designed to be broadly accessible. The first phase of the marathon beta, officially titled the Server Slam, required no purchase, no subscription, and no invite code. Any player on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC via Steam could download and play during the event window.
From a technical standpoint, the marathon beta serves two goals: it gives Bungie real-world server load data ahead of launch, and it gives the community its first hands-on opportunity to evaluate the game's core loop. The marathon beta is your clearest signal of what the full game will feel like on day one.
All content, modes, and features playable during the marathon beta window
The marathon beta features Perimeter (urban industrial) and Dire Marsh (dense wetland ecology). Both maps offer multiple extraction zones, hidden caches, and distinct environmental hazards that define the marathon beta's tactical depth.
Customize your identity across five distinct Runner shells in the marathon beta: Rook (balanced combat), Glitch (disruption specialist), Void (stealth infiltrator), Atrox (heavy assault), and Blackbird (recon marksman). Each runner has a unique passive during the marathon beta.
The marathon beta puts Bungie's full extraction loop in your hands — enter a zone, fight AI and rival squads, loot high-value targets, and escape alive through an extraction point. Death in the marathon beta means losing everything in your rig.
The marathon beta includes early-access contracts from all five in-game factions. Completing faction objectives during the marathon beta unlocks skill tree nodes and cosmetic rewards exclusive to beta participants.
Bungie confirms that completing specific milestones during the marathon beta earns exclusive cosmetic items that carry over to the full game at launch. Marathon beta-exclusive rewards will not be available for purchase after the event ends.
The marathon beta supports full cross-play between PS5, Xbox, and PC. Squad up with friends across platforms — or face cross-platform teams in the field. Your marathon beta experience is the same regardless of hardware choice.
Get into the marathon beta in under 5 minutes on any supported platform
The marathon beta is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). All three platforms provide identical marathon beta content. If you're playing on PC, navigate to store.steampowered.com, search "Marathon," and add it to your library — it will appear as a free title during the marathon beta window.
On PlayStation 5: go to the PlayStation Store, search "Marathon," and select "Download." On Xbox: find Marathon in the Microsoft Store and select "Install." The marathon beta client is the same file as the full game — no separate download is required when the game launches.
The marathon beta requires a free Bungie.net account linked to your platform profile. If you played Destiny or Destiny 2, you already have one. For new players, registering a Bungie account takes under 2 minutes at Bungie.net and grants access to the marathon beta companion features.
Start the marathon beta during the active event window. Select your Runner shell, review your loadout, and queue for a drop. The marathon beta puts 3-player squads into a shared-world extraction match. Squads are auto-formed if you queue solo or you can pre-form a cross-platform team.
The marathon beta includes faction objective tracking in the in-game menu. Complete daily and weekly contracts from all five factions during the marathon beta to unlock exclusive carry-over cosmetics. Beta-exclusive rewards are confirmed lost if not claimed before the marathon beta window closes.
How to download and launch the marathon beta on PS5, Xbox, and PC
Store: PlayStation Store
Steps: Search 'Marathon' → Add to Library → Download → Play
DualSense haptic feedback is active during the marathon beta.
Store: Microsoft Store
Steps: Search 'Marathon' → Install → Play
Xbox Smart Delivery ensures optimal version for your console.
Store: Steam Store
Steps: Search 'Marathon' on Steam → Add to Library → Install → Play
Supports up to 4K/60fps. DLSS/FSR active in the marathon beta.
🔗 Cross-Play Note: During the marathon beta, cross-platform parties are fully supported. You can squad with PS5, Xbox, and PC players simultaneously. Use your Bungie.net friend tag to add cross-platform friends before the marathon beta goes live.
Limited cosmetics confirmed to carry over from the marathon beta to the full game
| Reward | Type | How to Earn in Marathon Beta | Carry-Over to Full Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Slam Weapon Skin | Weapon Cosmetic | Complete 5 extraction runs during the marathon beta | ✅ Confirmed |
| Beta Pioneer Emblem | Runner Emblem | Log in during any marathon beta session | ✅ Confirmed |
| Tau Ceti Survivor Tag | Runner Cosmetic | Survive 3 extractions without dying in the marathon beta | ✅ Confirmed |
| Faction Bronze Badge (x5) | Faction Cosmetics | Complete 1 contract per faction during the marathon beta | ✅ Confirmed |
| Early Access XP Boost | Gameplay Perk | Carry-over to full game launch week (1 week only) | ✅ Confirmed |
⚠️ Important: All marathon beta rewards must be earned before the event window closes. Items not claimed during the marathon beta are permanently lost — they will not be made available again through the full game or future events.
What the marathon beta tells us about the full March 5, 2026 launch experience
Unlike early trailers, the marathon beta puts real extraction mechanics in players' hands. Looting, risk calculation, squad coordination, and mid-match decision-making are all live in the marathon beta — giving a far more accurate picture of moment-to-moment gameplay than any developer showcase could provide.
The marathon beta's primary technical purpose is stress-testing Bungie's infrastructure. A clean marathon beta launch is a strong predictor of server health on March 5. Conversely, issues flagged during the marathon beta give Bungie 3 days to address them before the full launch.
With five runner shells available in the marathon beta, the community is already identifying dominant playstyle archetypes, ideal squad compositions, and underrated picks. Marathon beta data will drive the first major balance patch post-launch.
The free, open-access design of the marathon beta maximizes day-one player counts. Research consistently shows that players who participate in a game's beta are significantly more likely to purchase the full title — making the marathon beta a direct driver of launch week sales and long-term server population.
Practical advice to get the most out of every marathon beta session
Pre-load the client before the event opens to avoid day-one queue delays. The marathon beta download is available in your platform store before the event goes live.
Faction contracts are the most time-efficient source of carry-over rewards. Map out all five factions' daily contract requirements on day one of the marathon beta.
The marathon beta is the best time to explore every runner before committing your main-game playstyle. Skill unlock costs are reduced in the marathon beta.
Solo extraction in the marathon beta is high-risk. Cross-platform squads have a measurably higher extraction success rate. Pre-form your squad via Bungie.net before the marathon beta begins.
Both Perimeter and Dire Marsh have multiple extraction points. Marathon beta is your free opportunity to memorize routes before the full game's permadeath stakes are on the line.
Bungie actively monitors marathon beta telemetry and community feedback. Changes made mid-beta and post-beta are signals of what gets patched on launch day — follow Bungie's channels closely.
Everything players are asking about the marathon beta, answered
The marathon beta is the only way to experience Bungie's extraction shooter before March 5, 2026 — and to earn exclusive cosmetics that won't be available again. Download the marathon beta on your platform now.