Marathon has only been out for a few months, so it's really hard to say if it has what it takes to sustain a year-long following like Destiny 2but Bungie's fate rests on that outcome. Bungie has been dealing with a tumultuous few months since then Marathon launched, as many Destiny 2 fans do not switch over to the extraction shooter. Even before Marathon officially launched, the game was blamed for the downfall of Destiny 2and Bungie recently ending post-launch support has only made that belief stronger.
That frustration and anger over Destiny 2The ending is completely justified, but a lot of that anger is misplaced. Marathon should not be directly blamed Destiny 2 pushed into the dark. Marathon and Destiny 2 could absolutely have thrived side by side, but due to mismanagement by both Bungie and Sony, the two never really even got the chance to coexist peacefully. Bungie has now found itself in a position where it has done just that Marathon to trust, and it doesn't look promising.
If Marathon can't meet Sony's expectations, Bungie may not be able to bounce back from this low point
Marathon is far from a bad game. Beyond the stigma of singing Destiny 2 fans, another reason the extraction shooter hasn't gained the same reach as its predecessor is that it's a much more niche experience. Extraction shooters can grow in popularity due to games like ARC Raiderssuccess, but that doesn't mean all titles in the genre see the same player numbers. Now that Bungie is experimenting with one Marathon PvE mode, the studio feels desperate to finally win over some of those Destiny 2 crowd that isn't interested in a full-on extraction shooter.
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Sony chose Bungie to help move its live service plans, and Destiny 2 could have been a big help
Despite the cancellation of several major Sony live service games, Harmony flops and shuts down after just two weeks, and lukewarm reception for what's to come Horizon Hunters Gatheringthe company still insists on pursuing this goal. Marathon has been one of the few games on Sony's live service agenda to cross the finish line and stay afloat with a consistent player base. It does not retract Destiny 2 numbers, though, and that's a big problem.
It's hard to say, but it's very possible that either Sony or Bungie could have run out Destiny 2 support as a last ditch effort to push fans to play the extraction shooter. If that was indeed the plan, it backfired horribly. Fans have been worthy of success Destiny 2 server slams and starting online petitions to try to send a message to Sony and Bungie that many of them have no interest in saying goodbye to the beloved FPS.
Destiny 2 could have been used to kick-start the era of live services that Sony has desperately wanted. For Sony to be so fixated on bringing out a bunch of live service titles is baffling that Marathon took precedence Destiny 2 when the two could have been used to corner different markets and expand Sony's reach for live services.
Also, the fact that the latest Bungie layoffs came after the announcement of Destiny 2 the end of support further illustrates the poor position the studio has found itself in. Marathon is Bungie's only hope right now, and there's a strong possibility that it Destiny 2 the fans don't budge and let the extraction shooter take its place.
Many Destiny 2 fans see marathon play as a betrayal, and it hurts Bungie's chances of getting out of this rut alive
There have been situations where streamers have immediately stopped playing Marathon because of the backlash they get from Destiny 2 fans via comments and chat messages. Angry messages calling Marathon a “dead game” or claim that streamers are failing Destiny 2 has prevented some from enjoying their time broadcasting with the extraction shooter. This is not fair to streamers or fans in general, because Marathon has a lot to offer when the Destiny 2 drama is set aside.
Sony and Bungie have made a lot of mistakes since they merged, but Marathon deserves a chance to get his moment in the spotlight. However, the main question is whether the companies will really allow it to happen. Sony's live service plans come in their own way, especially when the company insists on premium pricing.
Marathon going free to play might be the only thing that can save it now
There are many reasons why Sony should Marathon free. One of the main reasons is that it opens the door even wider for players who don't care about the outcome of Destiny 2. ARC Raiders might be able to get away with the $40 price tag, but Sony will finally have to accept that Marathon is not a strong enough competitor right now to justify the same cost. There is a very real possibility Marathon could reach the same heights one day, but it has a significant learning curve compared to ARC Raiders that likely deters a lot of people from spending the money to check out a game they might not even click with.
Destiny 2 started out as a paid product, but it eventually went the free-to-play route and used DLC as a way to monetize new content. Marathon could use a similar structure, but only time will tell if Sony and Bungie allow that to happen.
Whatever Bungie and Sony decide to do next when it comes to the future of Marathon is terrible. Right now, it looks like Bungie has fallen into a hole that seems impossible to get out of, which is a shame. Bungie has many amazing and talented developersand Marathons gameplay and lore is a reflection of that talent. Marathons chances to become a game that houses a community as strong as Destiny 2 isn't over yet, but time is running out for Bungie and Sony to find a stable solution.
- Released
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March 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen/animated blood, language, violence, in-game purchases, user interaction
