A “Small Indie Project” Crushed Marathon at Launch, but Bungie’s Game Still Shows a Strong Start
Marathon launched yesterday across multiple platforms, including Steam. While Bungie’s new shooter enjoyed a respectable debut, it didn’t quite manage to become the day’s most-played new title.
Unexpectedly, the top spot was claimed by Slay the Spire 2. Released in Early Access, the sequel immediately drew a massive crowd. Steam statistics show that Marathon peaked at approximately 88,000 concurrent players at launch, while Slay the Spire 2 surged past 277,000.
However, there is a significant caveat to these numbers. Mega Crit’s latest hit is currently a PC exclusive. In contrast, Marathon launched simultaneously on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, meaning Steam’s data only reflects a portion of its total audience.
The developers of Slay the Spire 2 commented on the situation with a touch of humor. Mega Crit congratulated Bungie on the release of Marathon, playfully describing their own title as a “small indie passion project” that players shouldn’t overlook.
Despite the player count comparisons, Bungie’s launch is far from a failure. Marathon has debuted to strong player feedback, maintaining an 84% positive review score on Steam.
While the “small indie project” did indeed surpass Marathon in concurrent Steam players, it doesn’t diminish the shooter’s successful debut. The real test for Bungie lies ahead: maintaining player interest after the initial launch window.
Related articles
Rockstar Continues Work on GTA VI Ahead of Release
Game Freak Winds Down Beast of Reincarnation Support With One Major Patch Left
Hugh Jackman’s The Death of Robin Hood Hits No. 1 on Streaming
Where to Find Shroud Mushrooms in Enshrouded
Assassin’s Creed Creator Shows 1666: Amsterdam Gameplay With Daytime Investigations and Nighttime Hunting
BeamNG.drive: Split-Screen Multiplayer Arrives in v0.40
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Enters Steam Top Sellers Days Before Release
Warhammer: The Old World Tomb Kings of Khemri Set Opens for Preorder on October 24Warhammer: The Old World Nehekhara Warhost Set Opens for Preorder on October 24