Why PS Plus is not required to play Marathon
Usually, paid multiplayer games require a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online on PS5. However, Marathon circumvents this rule during Server Slam thanks to its temporarily free-to-play model.
Sony applies a clear policy: all free games from the PlayStation Store remain accessible online without a PS Plus subscription. Marathon’s public test falls into this category, allowing any PS5 owner to participate at no additional cost. Please note, however: the full version of the game will require payment. The standard edition is listed at $40, while the Deluxe edition will top out at $60.
An ambitious extraction shooter from Bungie
Developed by Bungie, the studio behind Destiny, Marathon marks the return of a cult license from the 90s in a modernized and competitive version. Players take on the role of a Runner sent to explore Tau Ceti IV, an abandoned alien colony. Their consciousness is transferred into biomechanical bodies called Shells, in the service of artificial intelligences and powerful corporations. The principle of the game is based on the extraction shooter model: enter a map, collect resources, survive clashes and manage to extract yourself alive. The genre is known to be demanding, with each defeat potentially resulting in the loss of acquired equipment.
What Free Server Slam Offers
During this free phase, players can access:
- Several introductory missions
- Two playable cards
- Complete multiplayer
- A full-scale test of the servers
After closed alpha and beta phases, this is the first massive opening to all players. This is the ideal opportunity to test the feeling of weapons, the tension of clashes and squad cooperation.
A strategic launch for PlayStation in 2026
Marathon represents one of Sony’s major multiplayer projects for 2026. After a period dominated by narrative single-player experiences, PlayStation is seeking to strengthen its presence in the competitive live-service segment. This free weekend allows us to gauge public interest while ensuring technical stability before the official launch. On PS5, the only barrier to entry remains ownership of the console, with no additional subscription required during the event. Server Slam ends March 2. After this date, access will become paid again until the full release of the game on March 5.