Marathon 1.2 Million Copies Sold Across Steam, PS5, and Xbox Explained
Bungie’s new extraction shooter, Marathon, has sold 1.2 million copies across Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in its initial weeks. While 1.2 million units is a solid achievement for a new IP, the reception is considered lukewarm given Bungie’s high-profile pedigree and the game’s large development budget. While critics praise the game’s design, analysts suggest it has not yet made the commercial splash Sony and Bungie intended.
Marathon Sales Breakdown by Platform: Steam vs. PS5 vs. Xbox
The sales for Marathon are heavily skewed toward PC, which is unusual for a Sony first-party title. The breakdown of the 1.2 million copies is as follows:
- Steam (PC): ~800,000 copies (≈67% of total sales)
- PlayStation 5: ~217,000 copies (≈19% of total sales)
- Xbox Series X|S: ~133,000 copies (≈11% of total sales)
This split highlights the importance of the PC market for the extraction shooter genre. The strategic decision to launch as a multiplatform title day-one allowed Bungie to reach a large PC audience that likely would not have engaged if the game were a PS5 exclusive.
How Many Copies of Marathon Sold on Steam
Steam is the dominant platform for Marathon, accounting for nearly 70% of total sales.
- Total Sales: Approximately 800,000 copies.
- Market Context: PC owners outnumber PS5 owners by roughly 4:1 and Xbox owners by 6:1 for this specific title.
- Validation: Independent data from SteamDB and review-to-sales heuristics confirm these high estimates.
The success on Steam is attributed to the genre’s popularity on PC, Bungie’s established PC fanbase from Destiny 2, and a successful “Server Slam” beta that generated significant streamer interest.
How Many Copies of Marathon Sold on PS5
On PlayStation 5, Marathon sold approximately 217,000 copies, representing 19% of total sales.
- Performance: This figure is seen as underwhelming for a first-party Sony title on a console with a large install base.
- Contributing Factors: The hardcore difficulty and PvP focus may have less broad appeal to the general console audience compared to PC. Additionally, the lack of platform exclusivity meant players with both a PC and a PS5 often gravitated toward the Steam version for technical advantages.
How Many Copies of Marathon Sold on Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X|S represents the smallest market share at roughly 133,000 copies (11% of sales).
- Reach: This figure includes Xbox consoles, the Microsoft Store on Windows, and cloud gaming.
- Context: The lower sales likely reflect the smaller console install base compared to PS5 and a lack of specific marketing toward the Xbox audience by Sony. While Bungie has deep roots on Xbox via Halo, those fans did not migrate to Marathon in massive numbers.
Marathon Revenue Estimate from 1.2 Million Copies Sold
Alinea Analytics estimates that Marathon has generated approximately $55 million in gross revenue from initial sales.
- Average Price: ~$45.80 per copy, suggesting a mix of the $40 Standard Edition and the $60 Deluxe Edition.
- Net Revenue: After platform fees (roughly 30%), Bungie/Sony likely netted around $38.5 million.
- Financial Standing: While significant, $55 million gross may not yet cover the high development costs of a project that was in the works for over five years. The game’s long-term financial health will depend on its live-service monetization, such as battle passes and cosmetics, which are not included in the initial sales figures.
Why Marathon Sales are Highest on Steam
Several factors fueled Steam’s dominance:
- Genre Fit: Extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov have established their core fanbases on PC.
- Technical Advantages: PC players benefit from unlocked framerates, precision mouse/keyboard controls, and better inventory management systems.
- Storefront Visibility: Steam’s discovery algorithms and “Very Positive” user ratings (91%) helped convert browsers into buyers.
- Streamer Influence: High visibility on Twitch and YouTube by PC-based streamers drove immediate sales.
Marathon Concurrent Players and Average Playtime Stats
Player engagement remains a bright spot for the title:
- Retention: These figures suggest a dedicated core audience is forming, which is essential for the longevity of a live-service extraction shooter.e sprinted out of the gate, but the race isn’t over; in fact, for this Marathon, it’s only just the beginning.
- Daily Active Users (DAU): Peak weekend DAU reached 478,000, later stabilizing around 345,000 on weekdays and 380,000 on weekends.
- Concurrent Peak: The pre-launch Server Slam saw a peak of 143,000 concurrent players on Steam alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How many copies has Marathon sold so far?
Marathon has sold approximately 1.2 million copies across all platforms as of late March 2026. This total includes sales on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While a solid start for a new IP, some industry expectations were higher given Bungie’s reputation. - How do Marathon’s sales break down by platform (Steam vs PS5 vs Xbox)?
Sales are heavily weighted toward PC:- Steam (PC): ~67–70% (approx. 800,000 copies)
- PlayStation 5: ~19% (approx. 217,000 copies)
- Xbox Series X|S: ~11% (approx. 133,000 copies) This split is unusual for a Sony-published title, identifying PC as the game’s strongest market.
- How many copies of Marathon sold on Steam specifically?
Approximately 800,000 copies were sold on Steam, representing nearly 70% of total sales. This large PC player base is corroborated by SteamDB estimates and a “Very Positive” (91%) user review rating at launch. - How many copies of Marathon sold on PS5?
The PlayStation 5 version sold roughly 217,000 copies, or about 19% of total sales. This is considered relatively low for a Sony first-party title, suggesting the game’s hardcore PvP nature appealed more to the PC audience. - How many copies of Marathon sold on Xbox Series X|S?
Xbox platforms accounted for about 133,000 copies (11% of total sales). While smaller than other platforms, it ensures an Xbox presence in the cross-play matchmaking pool. - How much revenue has Marathon made from 1.2 million copies sold?
Gross revenue is estimated at $55 million, with an average selling price of $45 per copy due to Deluxe Edition sales. After platform fees, net revenue is estimated at $38 million. This does not include additional income from in-game microtransactions or season passes. - Why did Marathon sell so much more on PC (Steam) than on consoles?
The extraction shooter genre has a dedicated following on PC. Marathon’s high difficulty, complex systems, and “mouse-and-keyboard” friendly gameplay resonated with PC enthusiasts. Additionally, marketing buzz and streamers focused heavily on the PC version, driving Steam uptake. - Is Marathon considered a success or a disappointment for Bungie and Sony?
It is a mix of both. While it achieved high engagement and critical praise from core players, it hasn’t yet become a blockbuster hit. It was outpaced by competitors like Arc Raiders (12M sales) and saw lower-than-expected console sales, leading analysts to call the launch “lukewarm.” However, its strong player retention suggests it is a “long-term play.” - When did Marathon launch and how did it perform initially?
Launched on March 5, 2026, Marathon peaked at 478,000 daily active users in its first week. It was a top-seller on Steam but saw a drop-off from casual players who found the learning curve too steep. Initial performance established it as a popular but niche-focused title. - What do analytics say about Marathon’s player engagement and future – is it likely to grow?
Analytics show extreme engagement, with Steam users averaging 27.8 hours of playtime. If Bungie improves the onboarding experience and adds content, experts forecast a “slow-burn” success similar to Rainbow Six Siege, potentially doubling sales in the long run.
Conclusion
Marathon launched as an ambitious new chapter for Bungie – a bold foray into the extraction shooter genre with cross-platform aspirations. The game’s early results paint a nuanced picture. On one hand, Marathon garnered 1.2 million sales in its opening weeks, amassed a passionate player base (especially on PC), and delivered a gameplay experience that hardcore fans rave is among the best in the shooter space.
Its gross revenue of ~$55 million from launch sales and the hundreds of thousands of daily players who continue to dive into Tau Ceti’s lethal playground demonstrate that Marathon has indeed found a foothold. The design – from its slick neon-drenched visuals to its high-skill gunplay – “hooks players deeper than the average extraction shooter” when it clicks, leading to exceptional engagement like 50+ hour playtimes for a sizable chunk of the audience.
In conclusion, Marathon’s story is one of tempered expectations yet solid foundations. Selling 1.2 million copies is nothing to scoff at – it means over a million players thought the world of Marathon was worth stepping into. More importantly, a very healthy percentage of them found it worth staying in, as evidenced by the game’s strong retention and glowing word-of-mouth within its community.
Financially, the game is on track to recoup its investment with continued sales and in-game monetization, especially if the active players remain engaged (which they show every sign of doing). Marathon may not have redefined the genre overnight, but it has established Bungie in a new space and given them a platform to build on. If Bungie runs this race with the same dedication its players have shown, Marathon could, over time, grow from a solid performer into a standout success in the extraction shooter genre.
The coming months and years will determine Marathon’s ultimate legacy. Will it rise to join Bungie’s pantheon of legendary titles? The pieces are in place: superb gameplay, a devoted fanbase, and a developer with a track record of mastering the long game. As it stands in early 2026, Marathon is far from finished – in fact, the real marathon has just begun.
With iterative improvements and community support, Marathon can transform its initial spark into a sustained flame, proving that sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Bungie and its fans appear ready for that long haul, and if they succeed, Marathon will not only be a win for them but also a roadmap for how Sony approaches gaming in this new era.
Sources and Citations
- Alinea Analytics – Rhys Elliott. “Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox.” (March 24, 2026).
https://alineaanalytics.substack.com/p/marathon-has-sold-12m-copies-across - GamesRadar – Austin Wood. “Marathon sold just 1.2 million copies with nearly 70% on Steam, analyst estimates: ‘It hasn’t exactly made the splash Sony and Bungie wanted.’” (March 24, 2026).
https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/marathon-sold-just-1-2-million-copies-with-nearly-70-percent-on-steam-analyst-estimates-it-hasnt-exactly-made-the-splash-sony-and-bungie-wanted/ - GameSpot – Darryn Bonthuys. “Marathon Release Date, Pricing Details, And Everything We Know About Bungie’s Extraction Shooter.” (January 20, 2026).
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marathon-everything-we-know-about-bungies-extraction-shooter/1100-6514617/ - Reddit (r/Marathon) Discussion Thread. “Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox.” (March 2026).
https://www.reddit.com/r/Marathon/comments/1s2p10a/marathon_has_sold_12m_copies_across_steam_ps5_and/
Recommended
- Diverse and Attractive Video Game Characters: Exploring Stellar Blade, Hades, and More
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet – Release Date, Story, Cast, Gameplay, and Everything We Know
- Nobody Wants to Die Noir Retrofuturistic Detective Game: Trailer, Reviews & Player Feedback
- Boris Gertsovsky Got Rid of His Stake in GDEV: What the March 2026 Share Sale Means
- Canva Just Bought Cavalry & MangoAI: What the 2026 Acquisitions Mean for Motion Design and AI Video Ads
- How do I simulate a GoPro-style camera in Blender?
- Hair Cards in Blender: Complete Guide to Creating Game-Ready Hair for Characters
- Dead by Daylight’s All-Kill: Comeback Adds Game’s First Urban Map — Trickster’s Delusion, Kwon Tae-young Perks, and Release Date
- Pokemon Pokopia Withered Wastelands Guide: How To Increase The Humidity, Trigger Rain, And Rescue Onix
- What is the difference between Perspective and Orthographic Camera in Blender?










