This shooter game is reserved for high IQ gamers?

Marathon is set for full release on March 5 following the conclusion of its open server slam, signaling the imminent arrival of Bungie’s new extraction shooter set on Tau Ceti.

The game will launch simultaneously worldwide across PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, meaning some regions will gain access in the early hours of March 6 due to time zone differences.

Release times are scheduled for 10 a.m. PT, 12 p.m. CT, 1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. UTC and 7 p.m. CET on March 5, and 3 a.m. JST and 5 a.m. AEDT on March 6.

The free open server slam held over the weekend drew a peak of 143,000 concurrent players on Steam on its first day.

Although player numbers tapered off over time amid feedback about the title’s complexity and steep learning curve, Bungie said engagement improved as players gained deeper experience with the game.

The studio addressed several issues ahead of launch, including input lag and communication bugs, and said it continues to monitor additional concerns raised during the server slam.

Marathon will debut with a $40 price tag, matching the launch price of Arc Raiders, and despite ranking near the top of Steam’s best-sellers chart in recent days, its commercial durability will be tested once paid access begins.

Recent struggles in the live service shooter market were highlighted by Highguard, which suffered disappointing player numbers that led to layoffs at developer Wildlight Entertainment shortly after release and a decision to shut down the game on March 12.

While Marathon’s server slam performance suggests encouraging interest, though not at the breakout level seen by Arc Raiders at launch, it remains uncertain whether the title can sustain momentum in the highly competitive live service shooter landscape.