Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Marathon (1994) and Marathon (2026) are at opposite ends of FPS history, but playing them at the same time I'm finding they have a lot in common, despite their vast differences
This article compares the original 1994 Marathon with the upcoming 2026 version, highlighting their shared narrative themes and design philosophies despite vast differences in genre and technology. The author explores how both games, from the early days of FPS to modern extraction shooters, utilize environmental storytelling and AI characters to create compelling experiences.
Weekend Console Download Deals for May 1: Marathon goes on sale
Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon is available at a discount as part of the latest PlayStation and Xbox sales. This marks the first major sale for the game.
As Steam player counts continue to dominate conversations around multiple games, it turns out 45% of you don't actually care that much for the metric
A significant portion of PC gamers do not heavily rely on player count metrics for evaluating games. While some use it to gauge popularity or potential game shutdowns, many find it an unreliable indicator, with a notable percentage admitting to using it for 'ragebait'.
Take note Xbox, exclusives are the main reason people buy video game consoles
A recent consumer survey indicates that exclusive games remain the primary driver for console purchases, despite Microsoft's multiplatform strategy. While some Xbox titles have found success on PlayStation 5, the data suggests a return to exclusives may be necessary for Xbox's future success with Project Helix. Sony also appears to be re-evaluating its own multiplatform approach for single-player titles.
Marathon Was Reportedly Played by 2.2 Million Players in Launch Month, 1.1 Million on PC
Analytics firm Ampere estimates that Marathon was played by 2.2 million players in its launch month, with 1.1 million on PC, 660,000 on PlayStation 5, and 525,000 on Xbox Series X/S. Former Square Enix director Jacob Navok suggested Sony's lack of marketing for the title indicates a lack of faith, despite its popularity on Xbox Series X/S.
Bungie promises changes for Marathon’s Ares, the WSTR, and grenade spam
Bungie has acknowledged player concerns regarding grenade spam and weapon balance in the upcoming game Marathon. The developers confirmed on Twitter that they are implementing changes to grenade stock counts and stacks. Additionally, adjustments are being made to the Ares railgun's effectiveness against shielded enemies and the WSTR weapon's damage, with a focus on more nuanced balance changes.
Xbox games are making bank on PlayStation
Xbox games generated $667 million in gross revenue by being ported to PlayStation 5, according to a report by Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics. While some titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves performed exceptionally well, others like Starfield and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition also met sales thresholds. Sony, conversely, is not planning to port more PlayStation 5 games to PC, focusing on single-player exclusives for its console while live-service games will be multiplatform.
Games Inbox: Will Marvel’s Wolverine be as good as Spider-Man 2?
Readers discuss the potential of Marvel's Wolverine compared to Marvel's Spider-Man 2, with concerns about its movement and gore. Other topics include the future of digital game distribution, the perceived audience for Steam Machines, and the implications of Nintendo's movie ventures. There's also commentary on game difficulty modifiers, the impact of Grand Theft Auto 6, and PlayStation's digital rights management.
Marathon’s Lack of Marketing by Sony Indicates Lack of Faith, Says Former Square Enix Exec
Former Square Enix executive Jacob Navok believes Sony's lack of marketing for Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon indicates a lack of faith, citing low concurrent player numbers on Steam and minimal promotion on the PlayStation 5 dashboard. Despite selling around 1.2 million copies, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S trailing PC in sales, the game's player acquisition is slower than similar titles, partly due to UI/UX issues and a rushed launch after its beta.
ESA Canada Reveals Resident Evil Requiem is Canada's Top Selling Game For Mach 2026 | Console Creatures
Resident Evil Requiem was Canada's top-selling game in March 2026, according to data released by ESA Canada and Circana. The monthly rankings also featured titles like MLB The Show 26, WWE 2K26, Marathon, and various sports games. Digital sales for Pokémon Pokopia were excluded from the March rankings.
ESA Canada Reveals Resident Evil Requiem is Canada's Top Selling Game For March 2026 | Console Creatures
Entertainment Software Association Canada has reported that Resident Evil Requiem was the top-selling game in Canada for March 2026. The monthly rankings also featured titles like MLB The Show 26, WWE 2K26, Marathon, and various sports games, with data compiled in collaboration with Circana.
Sony's "lack of marketing push" on Marathon "speaks to the lack of faith from the platform holder," says former Square Enix exec
A former Square Enix executive believes Sony's limited marketing for Bungie's Marathon indicates a lack of faith in the title. Despite Marathon being the most played game on Xbox last month, its presence on PlayStation dashboards is minimal. This lack of promotion is contrasted with Microsoft's typical support for its first-party titles and the potential for Marathon to be a major success if marketed effectively.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Marathon players are expressing frustration with in-game issues, particularly regarding grenade mechanics. Developer Bungie has acknowledged the problems and is working on implementing fixes to address player concerns.
I've given up taking a second weapon into Marathon matches, and you should too
This article argues against carrying a secondary weapon in Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, citing the game's extremely fast time-to-kill and emphasis on stealth. The author suggests that the secondary weapon slot is better used for looting additional items or simply left empty, as the brutal pace of engagements rarely allows for weapon swapping. The piece also touches on the game's unforgiving nature and the importance of environmental awareness for survival.
"What a joke" - Marathon players are losing patience after getting constantly pelted with grenades, as Bungie promises fix
Players of Bungie's Marathon are expressing frustration over excessive grenade spam, a problem the developer has acknowledged and promised to address. Bungie plans to implement changes to grenade stock and stack sizes before the end of the current season to mitigate the issue. The grenade spam meta has become a significant concern within the community, impacting gameplay in modes like Cryo Archive.
Marathon Update Gives Players One Free Cryo Archive Sponsored Kit Each Week.
Marathon has updated its item economy to provide players with one free Cryo Archive Sponsored Kit weekly. This change aims to improve accessibility to the game's weekend-only endgame zone, the Cryo Archive.
Marathon is looking to save you from grenade spam and being one-shot by the Ares
Bungie is addressing two major player complaints in Marathon: excessive grenade spam and the Ares railgun with its Prestige mod causing one-shot kills. The developer plans to adjust grenade stock counts and stack sizes, and is working on a fix for the Ares' unintended one-tap capability. These changes aim to improve the overall player experience and game balance.
Bungie Reveals Official DualSense Edge Settings For Marathon | HappyGamer
Bungie has released official PlayStation DualSense Edge controller settings for their upcoming game Marathon. These detailed optimizations focus on enhancing gameplay through precise button mapping and trigger adjustments, reflecting the game's tactical design. While praised by some for offering a competitive edge, concerns have been raised about potential accessibility issues for players without the premium hardware.
Bungie makes Marathon's Cryo Archive map less brutal, blocking spawn rush strats and giving out one free sponsored…
Bungie has implemented changes to the Cryo Archive map in Marathon to improve the player experience. These updates include providing a free sponsored kit each weekend and addressing spawn rush strategies by blocking common routes used by aggressive players. The WSTR shotgun has also been rebalanced to encourage more reliable body shots.
What do Marathon and The Lord of the Rings have to do with each other? PvPvE gameplay, apparently
Bungie game director Joe Ziegler compares the PvPvE gameplay of the upcoming game Marathon to classic adventure stories like The Lord of the Rings. He explains that the balance between predictable PvE challenges and the unpredictable nature of other players creates compelling experiences. Ziegler believes this dynamic is crucial for the success of extraction shooters.
