Marathon is no longer the underdog it once seemed.
Bungie’s latest project, set to launch during the Marathon Server Slam on March 5, has surged in Steam’s top sellers chart, jumping 58 places to secure third position—just behind Resident Evil Requiem and Counter-Strike 2. The rapid climb comes after a period of skepticism following mixed playtest reactions and competition with Arc Raiders.
Unlike previous Bungie releases that required pre-orders for early access, Marathon’s preview weekend is open to all players without purchase barriers. This strategy appears to be paying off, with the game gaining momentum in the final stretch before its big launch.
- Marathon now ranks third on Steam’s top sellers list, ahead of Warframe and Arc Raiders.
- The Server Slam event on March 5 will serve as a critical test for player reception.
- Bungie’s reworked gameplay and marketing push may be shifting perceptions ahead of the launch.
The game’s shift in fortunes is notable given its controversial past. While Arc Raiders has faced criticism for its PvP-focused mechanics, Marathon’s extraction-based gameplay—with added proximity chat features—aims to balance competitive and cooperative elements. Whether this approach resonates with players remains to be seen, but the current sales spike suggests at least a portion of the community is intrigued.
For Bungie, the stakes are high. After years of relying on Destiny 2 for stability, Marathon represents a potential turning point—not just for the game’s success, but for the studio’s future in a competitive market. The Server Slam will be the first true indicator of whether the hype is sustainable or if this is just a temporary blip.
