Bungie’s Marathon is getting compared to Concord, with Unisba Media pointing out how this extraction shooter mirrors Sony’s 2024 flop. But the numbers reveal a more nuanced picture: right now, 1,581 players are in the game, and Steam reviews are still 79% positive.
Marathon launched on March 5, 2026, priced at $39.99 on Steam. That’s the same price Sony set for Concord, which shut down about two weeks after its August 2024 debut. Since Bungie is a subsidiary of Sony, the comparison was bound to happen.
However, the comparison isn’t entirely fair. Concord peaked at fewer than 700 concurrent players on Steam, and Sony pulled it shortly after. In contrast, Marathon has received 49,609 Steam reviews, indicating a significant number of players bought and engaged with it. A game that gathers that much feedback likely didn’t just disappear upon release.
The current player count raises some valid concerns. We don’t have a 24-hour peak figure, so 1,581 is just a snapshot, possibly during an off-peak hour. Nevertheless, that’s a small number for a premium-priced shooter from one of the most recognized studios in the industry. Live-service games rely on matchmaking pools, and low player numbers can hurt those pools.
The Unisba Media article lacks depth beyond its headline, making the Concord comparison feel more emotional than factual. The data suggests Marathon has a divided audience rather than a failing one.
| Release date | March 5, 2026 |
| Price (Steam) | $39.99 |
| Steam reviews | 79% positive (49,609 reviews) |
| Current players | 1,581 |
| Community sentiment (10 signals) | Mostly negative |
Community Pulse
The gap between a 79% positive score and mostly negative community sentiment shows that the audience is divided on the core multiplayer experience. The main criticism we noted revolves around PvP. One Steam reviewer stated, “the pvp is terrible add a permanent pve mode maybe itll be worth it then.” That sentiment popped up three times in our sample, indicating it reflects a portion of the 10 signals, not the entire picture. It highlights a clear desire: players want a permanent PvE option.
What To Watch
- Player count trend: Keep an eye on daily peaks instead of snapshots. A consistent 24-hour peak significantly above today’s 1,581 could counter the Concord narrative.
- PvE demands: How Bungie responds to requests for a permanent PvE mode may influence player retention, especially among those unhappy with PvP.
- Review trajectory: If the positive rating dips below 79% with nearly 50,000 reviews, it could indicate that sentiment is solidifying.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
