The queue pops. Your trio is split across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, and the match timer doesn’t care. I froze and asked myself whether my hours of progress would follow me when the servers open.
Server Slam hands us the first public taste of Marathon, and it arrives with crossplay and cross-save active ahead of the full launch on March 5, 2026. I’ll walk you through what they do, how to set them up, and the smart moves I’d make in the first week.
I noticed friends joining matches from three different storefronts — How does crossplay work in Marathon
You and I both know matchmaking dies when player pools are tiny. Marathon offers full crossplay between PC and consoles, which means friends on Steam, Epic, PlayStation, and Xbox can end up in the same lobby.
Crossplay is a social highway that widens the player pool and speeds up matchmaking. Expect quicker queues and more varied opponents. If you prefer controller play on PC, you can still plug one in and stay competitive; the game supports multiple input types on the same platform.
If Bungie follows the pattern from Destiny 2, crossplay will be enabled by default with an option to opt out inside the settings. That gives you choice without fragmenting the community from day one.
We’re investing in networking and security for Marathon:Dedicated serversServer-side authority over key actions to reduce exploitsFog of War to limit wall hacks and loot revealersDisconnect recoveryNo second chances Learn more: https://t.co/CBTJ1wGDVi pic.twitter.com/FT2fXQgyIp
— Marathon (@MarathonTheGame) February 23, 2026
Can I play with friends on different platforms?
Yes. Crossplay pulls together players across PC and console storefronts. I’d recommend adding friends via the in-game list or linking platform friends to your Bungie account to make invites painless.
How do I opt out of crossplay if I want to?
Chances are strong you’ll find a toggle in the social or matchmaking settings — similar to Destiny 2. I’d wait for the full release to confirm exact menu steps, but plan on a clear on/off switch rather than a buried workaround.
I’ve carried saves between systems before — How does cross-save work in Marathon
Cross-save ties your progress to your Bungie account so you can continue play on PC or console without repeating content. That’s the point: move your profile, not your chores.
Cross-save is a vault for everything you’ve earned, carrying cosmetics, progression, and purchases across platforms. Link the same Bungie account to PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Steam, or Epic and your characters, inventories, and paid cosmetics travel with you.
Will my purchases transfer between PC and console?
Yes. When cross-save is active and platforms are connected to the same Bungie account, paid items and progression transfer. It saves you from buying a cosmetic twice — which is the opposite of fun.
What if I play on two platforms without linking accounts?
Then you run two separate progress tracks. I don’t recommend that unless you want to repeat weapon grinds or cosmetic challenges on each system.
Practical tips from someone who tests these things: link your Bungie account before Server Slam if you plan to hop between systems; add platform friends to your in-game roster; and try a controller on PC to see how it feels before you commit to a platform for ranked play.
The Server Slam will show how smooth the systems are and whether matchmaking balances cross-platform input fairly — but are you ready to let your progress travel with you on day one?
