Bungie’s latest shooter, Marathon, has kicked off its final pre-launch test. In doing so, it has already smashed through the 140,000 mark for daily peak concurrent players on Steam.

This 'Server Slam' is a stress test for the infrastructure ahead of the official launch. Participants can dive into two playable zones, tinker with five faction upgrade trees, and equip five different Runner bodies. On its first day, running until March 3, it hit a peak of 143,621 concurrent players, securing the 9th spot overall—and the 2nd highest in the extraction genre. It seems the pedigree of the Destiny developers combined with the allure of a free taster for a premium title is proving quite the draw.

Marathon is a modern reimagining of Bungie’s classic of the same name. You play as a 'Runner'—a mercenary scavenging an alien planet for high-value loot before making a hasty exit. The core hook lies in the build system, allowing you to mix and match Runner bodies, weaponry, and cybernetic implants.

Marathon's official launch is scheduled for March 5, 2026. Once the game hits version 1.0, those locked-off zones will open up, and the full suite of progression systems will be available. Plus, if you manage to hit certain milestones during this test, you'll snag some bonus rewards to carry over into the full release.

Elsewhere on the Steam charts, Resident Evil: Requiem is still holding firm at number one following its debut, currently sitting with a 'Very Positive' rating. Meanwhile, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has jumped to 3rd place, bolstered by a sale and the arrival of the new Techmarine class. Marathon currently sits at 7th.