Marathon Season 2 Has a Loot Explosion Bungie Can’t Explain

Bungie has recognized that Marathon players are gathering gear much faster than intended in Season 2, and they still don’t know why. In a public statement, the developer admitted that “progression and access to power moved much faster than the previous season” but couldn’t identify the reason behind it.

This admission is a concern for a game that’s still trying to find its way. Marathon launched with mixed reviews, earning 81% positive ratings from 46,456 Steam users. This reflects genuine excitement from some players but also ongoing criticism from others. Season 2 aimed to correct the course after a shaky first season and a launch-day outage that locked players out for hours.

Instead, the season has created an unintended issue with loot inflation. When players get high-tier gear too quickly, it shortens the progression curve that extraction shooters rely on to keep players engaged long-term. The problem isn’t just that the game becomes too easy. It’s that the economic loop—where risk and reward must maintain a balance—can completely collapse. Bungie’s comment that “we’re still unravelling the source” hints that the problem could stem from multiple systems interacting rather than a single mistake.

This uncertainty raises a red flag. Bungie designed Destiny 2’s retention model around carefully controlled loot distributions. So, an unexplained economy issue in Marathon suggests either inadequate pre-launch testing for Season 2’s changes or unexpected player behavior that QA didn’t foresee. The studio hasn’t confirmed any planned fixes or their timelines yet.

The timing adds to the pressure. Marathon currently has 5,114 concurrent players on Steam, showing the game is still looking for a stable audience at a $39.99 price point. Analysts pointed out earlier this month that a potential PvE mode could disrupt Marathon’s economy if not implemented carefully. The loot issue in Season 2 shows that the economy is already fragile without adding that variable.

By The Numbers

Steam Review Score	81% positive
Total Steam Reviews	46,456
Current Steam Players	5,114
Current Price (Steam)	$39.99
Season 2 Launch	June 2026

Community feelings about the loot problem connect to another, louder concern. Many Steam reviewers have echoed the same sentiment: “Can’t recommend this one until there is a proper PvE mode implemented. Would much prefer to play with friends against the AI than to run and get ganked constantly.” This loot economy issue might drive away players who are already sticking around—those putting up with the PvP-only format in hopes that Bungie will stabilize the game.

What To Watch

• Bungie’s diagnosis timeline: The studio is still working on identifying the source of the loot acceleration. Keep an eye out for a follow-up post that explains which systems are involved and whether they’ll implement a hotfix or a full patch.
• Player retention after the fix: Fixing loot inflation often means reversing gains players have made, which usually leads to backlash. How Bungie manages existing inventories will show how they weigh the integrity of the economy against player goodwill.
• PvE mode announcement: With the economy under pressure and growing community demand for PvE, any official news on that front—whether confirmation or denial—will matter more now than it would have before Season 2’s issues.