When Does Marathon Launch? Release Times, Platforms, and Pre-Order Bonuses Explained

Image Marathon (via Bungie)

The wait for Bungie's next big shooter is nearly over. Marathon is set to launch on March 5, 2025, and players around the world are gearing up to drop into the ruins of the Tau Ceti IV colony for the very first time.

The game has been generating a lot of buzz, especially after its recent Server Slam beta event, and the hype is very much alive heading into launch week.

When Can You Play Marathon?

Marathon goes live at 6 PM UTC on March 5. That time was tied to Bungie's Server Slam event and a countdown timer on the PlayStation Store. It also lines up with Destiny 2's daily reset.

Here is the full breakdown of regional launch times:

• Pacific Time (PST): 10:00 AM

• Mountain Time (MST): 11:00 AM

• Central Time (CST): 12:00 PM (noon)

• Eastern Time (EST): 1:00 PM

• Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UK): 6:00 PM

• Central European Time (CET): 7:00 PM

• India Standard Time (IST): 11:30 PM

• Japan Standard Time / Korea (JST): 3:00 AM, March 6

• Australian Eastern Time (AEST): 5:00 AM, March 6

• New Zealand (NZDT): 7:00 AM, March 6

Marathon will be available on the following platforms at launch:

• PS5

• Xbox Series X

• PC (Steam)

Pre-Order Bonuses and Launch Day Rewards

Players who pre-order will receive a set of cosmetic rewards:

• ZERO STEP 004 CE Tactical Sidearm Style

• ZERO STEP RC Weapon Charm

• ZERO STEP SHIFT Weapon Sticker

• APOGEE INTERCEPT Background

• APOGEE INTERCEPT Emblem

For Destiny 2 fans, linking your Bungie.net account unlocks additional crossover items:

• UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost

• UESC Rover Exotic Ship

• UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow

These items will be available at the Special Deliveries terminal in Destiny 2’s Tower once the game launches.

There are also platform-specific rewards for those jumping in on launch day. PS5 players with an active PS Plus subscription will receive three weapon charms themed around PlayStation titles: Onryo from Ghost of Yotei, Battle Guitar from Death Stranding 2, and For Freedom from Helldivers 2.

PC players on Steam will get a crowbar charm as a nod to Half-Life. Xbox players, unfortunately, do not appear to be getting any exclusive launch day rewards.

Editions and Pricing

Here is a look at what each edition includes:

• Standard Edition ($39.99): Full game only

• Deluxe Edition ($59.99): Full game, "Midnight Decay" cosmetic set, Season 1 Premium Pass, and 200 SILK tokens

• UESC Bundle ($89.99): All Deluxe content, "Traxus" Weapon Skin, digital soundtrack, and 500 SILK tokens

• Collector's Edition ($229.99): All Deluxe digital content, a Thief Runner statue, embroidered iron-on patch, Sekiguchi WEAVEworm collectible, 6 art postcards, a lenticular poster, and a Zero Step Emblem and Background

Image via Bungie

How Did the Server Slam Go?

The Server Slam beta ended on March 2, giving players a final shot at trying the game before committing to a purchase. It peaked at about 143,621 concurrent players on Steam, a solid turnout, though it fell short of rival ARC Raiders, which drew in 190,000 during its open alpha.

SteamDB data shows Marathon lost roughly 40% of its player base by day two, a drop that certainly raised some eyebrows.

Image credit: SteamDB

That said, the game held a top 5 position in Steam pre-sales through much of the event, which is a positive signal. The Destiny 2 community, in particular, seems very enthusiastic about Marathon, with many popular streamers from that scene staying with the game all weekend.

The big question heading into launch is whether casual interest will convert into lasting players. Marathon is entering a competitive live-service market at a $39.99 price point, which is not a trivial ask. Whether Bungie can hold its audience past the opening week will likely determine just how successful this one turns out to be.