By the BuyCarry News Team | March 28, 2026

📊 Sales Breakdown & Platform Split

Bungie’s Marathon has officially sold 1.2 million copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox, generating $55 million in revenue, according to Alinea Analytics.

Steam leads the pack with 70% of the player base, followed by PS5 at 19% and Xbox at 11%. While those figures are impressive for a new IP in a niche genre, the game has faced headwinds—including a steep learning curve, fierce competition, and a recent dip in player engagement. But a strategic move by Bungie may be paying off.

🎮 The Review Strategy: Delayed Gratification

Before launch, Bungie asked journalists to hold their reviews until after key content arrived. That moment came on March 17 with the release of update 1.0.5, which reworked balance, added new mechanics, and introduced the high‑level Cryo Archive map.

Despite the update, Marathon continued to lose ground on Steam, dropping to 77th place in the global sales charts by March 26.

Then the reviews dropped. On March 27, Western publications began publishing their assessments en masse. Critics met the game with generally positive reviews:

• PS5 version: 81 on Metacritic (40 reviews)
• PC version: 80 on Metacritic (33 reviews)
• User reviews: “Very Positive” on Steam with 86% approval (nearly 31,000 reviews)

The impact was immediate. Marathon surged:

• Rose to 32nd place, then 17th, and now sits at 22nd in global Steam sales
• No other major news breaks coincided with the surge, linking the increase directly to the review publication

Bungie’s gamble—delaying reviews to let the game’s best foot forward—appears to have worked as a re‑engagement tool.

⚔️ The Competition: Arc Raiders Still Ahead

While Marathon has found its footing, it still trails its main competitor, Arc Raiders, which launched in October 2025. Both games held server‑slam events before release, allowing players to try before buying. The results:

• Arc Raiders: 80% sales increase after its server slam
• Marathon: 49% sales increase

Analysts point to first impressions as a key differentiator. Arc Raiders is widely considered more beginner‑friendly, while Marathon caters to hardcore players with a steep onboarding curve. Reviews have consistently noted that Marathon “weeds out those who can’t give their all.”

🛣️ A Bumpy Road, But a Dedicated Fanbase

Marathon’s path to release wasn’t smooth. An art plagiarism controversy in 2025 and a delay worried potential players. But weeks after launch, the game has built a dedicated fanbase that continues to support it.

With positive reviews now public and a renewed presence on Steam sales charts, Marathon is far from dead. It’s finding its audience—and that audience is sticking around.

💬 BuyCarry’s Take: The Long Game Pays Off

At BuyCarry, we’ve watched Marathon’s launch closely. The 1.2 million sales figure is solid—especially for a $40 extraction shooter in a genre dominated by free‑to‑play alternatives. But the real story here is Bungie’s patience.

Delaying reviews was a risky move. In an era where day‑one coverage often dictates a game’s fate, Bungie bet that players would trust the game’s evolution more than its launch state. The results speak for themselves: a surge back into Steam’s top 20, positive critical reception, and strong user reviews.

We also appreciate the honesty in the sales breakdown. 70% of players on Steam confirms that PC is Marathon’s primary battleground. That focus matters for a live‑service game—it tells the developers where to concentrate their efforts.

Yes, Marathon is harder to get into than Arc Raiders. Yes, it lost some of its launch momentum. But extraction shooters are a marathon, not a sprint (pun intended). Bungie has proven before—with Destiny—that they know how to build a long‑term community.

If you’re looking to dive into Marathon now that the reviews are out, or if you want to catch up on the Cryo Archive content, BuyCarry offers carries and coaching to help you skip the painful learning curve and get straight to the good part.

🎮 Our Marathon Services

• 🚀 Marathon Leveling & Progression Boost – Skip the learning curve and unlock endgame content fast
• ❄️ Marathon Cryo Archive Mastery – Dominate the high‑level map, security clearances, and extracts
• 🎓 Marathon Coaching & Contract Completion – Learn optimal routes, faction grinds, and extraction strategies from pros

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How many copies has Marathon sold?
  A: 1.2 million copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox, grossing $55 million in revenue.
• Q: Which platform has the most players?
  A: Steam leads with 70% of the player base, followed by PS5 at 19% and Xbox at 11%.
• Q: Why did Marathon surge on Steam sales charts recently?
  A: The surge coincided with the release of positive reviews from major gaming publications on March 27.
• Q: How does Marathon compare to Arc Raiders?
  A: Arc Raiders sold better after its server‑slam event (80% increase vs. 49% for Marathon) and is considered more beginner‑friendly.
• Q: What are the critical reviews like?
  A: Metacritic scores are 81 (PS5) and 80 (PC). Steam user reviews are “Very Positive” at 86%.
• Q: How can BuyCarry help me in Marathon?
  A: We offer carries, coaching, and contract completion services to help you master the game’s mechanics and stay ahead of the curve.