11 Tips From Marathon Game Director Before Heading Into The Server Slam, Which Goes Live Today

Bungie's extraction FPS, Marathon, is right around the corner, launching next week on March 5 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Ahead of its launch, the studio is holding a "Server Slam," essentially an open playtest for anyone to hop into and get a feel for the game. 

The slam begins in just a few hours, and ahead of it, Marathon game director Joe Ziegler has shared 11 tips for beginners to keep in mind, as spotted by Forbes. 

Here's what they are, edited by Game Informer for clarity: 

1. Gear comes and goes – don't be too precious about it, but learn to use what you go and it will serve you.
2. Remember to bring enough ammo and consumables to survive a couple of fights. If you don't have much, then use a sponsored kit or play as Rook [one of the game's six Runner shells designed for solo players looking to scavenge the battlefield and stay out of trouble] and focus your runs on getting gear and creds or stocking up on resources.
3. If you're learning, don't rush your contract objectives; playing slowly can help you avoid getting overwhelmed.
4. Keep your ears open. You will often hear threats before you see them.
5. Try to take the fight you think you can win – you don't need to fight everything. Greed and ambition can lead to a quick downfall.
6. Don't sleep on battery weapons – in the right hands, they are strong, but remember that if you reload with them before they're empty, you will lose the battery.
7. A friend who plays Triage (another Runner shell that is basically a medic for your trio) is a keeper. Be kind to them.
8. If you want to win a fight, use what your opponent wants against them. Patience and cunning are powerful allies.
9. Stray Rooks are unpredictable and can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you treat them.
10. Don't get tilted – cooler heads make smarter decisions.
11. If all else fails, beg for mercy in proximity chat and hope someone listens. 

I'm sure we'll all learn plenty more as we head to the Tau Ceti planet that Marathon's maps are set on, but for now, Ziegler's tips seem like a great foundation of tricks to build on. 

The Marathon Server Slam begins today, February 26, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and ends on Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Read about the exclusive details you can earn by playing this weekend here. 

Marathon launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on Thursday, March 5. 

Are you hopping into the Marathon Server Slam today or this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!