Marathon’s new PvE mode has tripled the game’s concurrent player count, according to Insider Gaming. This marks the first notable increase in player numbers since Bungie’s extraction shooter faced a rocky launch earlier this year. The game now boasts 8,129 concurrent players on Steam, highlighting how much the new mode has impacted the game’s popularity.
The introduction of the PvE mode signifies a major shift for Marathon, which initially focused on PvP as a $27.99 title on Steam. This mode eliminates the threat from other players, which many critics and gamers considered the game’s biggest obstacle. Now, squads can complete extraction loops against AI enemies instead of competing with human players.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial. As of July 2026, Marathon has seen three game directors leave in just two years. That level of leadership turnover usually doesn’t bode well for stable live-service games. Troy Baker defended the game’s live-service model on July 19, but his comments felt more like damage control than a celebration, especially after a launch period marked by dwindling numbers and a frustrated community.
Steam review statistics reveal a mixed picture: an 80% positive rating from 48,005 reviews seems good, but recent negative feedback is affecting community discussions. The gap between its overall score and the recent trend raises concerns. It suggests that while some players enjoyed the game initially, many later felt let down by its direction or the decline in its player base.
Whether this tripling from a low point is a true success depends on what that low point was. If Marathon dipped to around 2,700 concurrent players before the PvE update, hitting 8,129 shows real improvement. But if it peaked at 40,000 or 50,000 at launch—common for a mid-budget Bungie game at this price—then the current numbers still indicate a significant drop. Military.com’s coverage suggests the new mode could motivate purchases, indicating that the update is sparking the media interest Marathon desperately needed.
| Current Steam Price | $27.99 |
| Current Concurrent Players | 8,129 |
| Steam Review Score | 80% positive |
| Total Steam Reviews | 48,005 |
| Game Directors Lost (2 years) | 3 |
| Player Count Change (PvE patch) | ~3x increase |
Community sentiment is still tough. One Steam reviewer bluntly stated: “This game sucks and it died so fast. Look at how dead it is. If you think this game is good you don’t know what’s good.” That sentiment pops up in many reviews, showing a player base that feels the game hasn’t kept its early audience—a challenge that no single patch can fully fix.
What To Watch
- Player count stability over the next 30 days: A tripled count means little if it drops again in two weeks. Keep an eye on whether the new PvE audience sticks around or if it’s just a temporary spike.
- Leadership continuity: Losing three directors in two years highlights deep internal issues. Bungie needs to assure the community of stable creative leadership before they’ll trust long-term plans.
- Monetization adjustments: At $27.99, Marathon sits in an awkward price range for a struggling live-service game. A price cut or a shift to free-to-play—something Bungie has done with Destiny 2—could drastically alter the direction that MSN and other outlets are closely monitoring.
Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers esports, competitive gaming, and community stories for Explosion.com. A former semi-professional Counter-Strike player, Marcus transitioned to journalism 5 years ago and has since covered major tournaments including The International, League of Legends Worlds, and the Valorant Champions Tour. He brings a player's perspective to competitive gaming coverage and is known for his data-driven analysis of player performance and meta shifts.
