Play Marathon for Free: Bungie Confirms Open Preview Weekend
Bungie is opening Marathon to everyone before launch with an “open preview weekend. With the March 5, 2026, launch looming, the test weekend will offer the studio, which is in desperate need of a win after years of internal turmoil, a chance to give its upcoming shooter a trial by fire.
Bungie is at a crossroads. After a decade of Destiny dominance, the legendary studio is betting its entire reputation on a bold revival of Marathon. With a firm March 5, 2026, release date for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the pressure is on to prove this isn’t just another trend-chasing extraction shooter.
After a cycle of delays and internal restructuring, this public hands-on is a “Trial by Fire,” a high-stakes moment where Bungie must prove that their mastery of the “feel” of combat can translate into the brutal, high-stakes world of extraction shooters.
👉 READ ALSO: Bungie Reveals the Full English Voice Cast For Marathon
Marathon: Everything to Know About the February Open Test
Bungie has confirmed on X that the open preview weekend will give “everyone” the chance to “try Marathon out,” suggesting it will be a free test across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
During the test, Bungie is removing every possible barrier to entry, prioritizing player volume. It’s the final chance the developer has to ensure key features work, weapons are balanced as intended, and servers are ready for the high number of players preparing to enter on March 5.
For fans, the weekend will likely serve as an opportunity to test the persistent world features, where player actions are supposed to leave a lasting mark on the evolving colony of Tau Ceti IV.
It is also the only opportunity many will have to try the game before it launches. If the preview weekend is free, as expected, this is your chance to ensure the extraction shooter is for you before you spend any money.
Yes. We’ll have an open preview weekend before launch, and everyone will be able to try Marathon out!
— Marathon (@MarathonTheGame) January 19, 2026
Marathon vs The $40 Entry Barrier
In an era where many expected a Free-to-Play model, Bungie has doubled down on a $39.99 premium price point for Marathon. This puts the mid-February test in a unique position: it is your only chance to verify the value of your investment before the game’s official launch.
The extraction genre is notoriously punishing for lone wolves, but Bungie’s inclusion of a dedicated solo queue aims to solve the “trios-only” frustration found in early builds.
Furthermore, the addition of Proximity Chat introduces a layer of social unpredictability, negotiating extractions or setting traps, that was previously missing.
The February test allows you to see if these features feel like core components or mere afterthoughts before you commit to the pre-order. While Bungie hopes it can persuade more players to pre-purchase.
Is Marathon Worth Pre-purchasing?
Use the February open test as your personal benchmark. Do not pre-order until you have felt the “Bungie feel” inside the high-stakes extraction loop. The extraction genre is notoriously unforgiving. If Bungie can’t prove that Marathon is more than a “Destiny 2” PvP reskin during this free window, the March launch could be a quiet one.
Will you be dropping into Tau Ceti IV during the open test, or has the $40 price tag already turned you away?
Fueled by a passion for gaming and the ever-evolving world of gaming news, Daniel loves connecting with seasoned and new players to bring games to life on the page, exploring their narratives and gaming trends. A self-published fiction and fantasy author, Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience writing gaming news and a love for storytelling that drives his enthusiasm to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and industry innovations. You will find him in-game as "Windfell."
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