Marathon's Early Pace: Are Bungie's Runners Stumbling Out of the Gate, or Just Warming Up?
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
This update dives into Bungie's *Marathon* launch, noting its impressive wishlists but surprisingly lower pre-order sales compared to *Arc Raiders*, raising questions about its reach beyond the dedicated *Destiny 2* fanbase. We also celebrate *Resident Evil Requiem*'s stellar 5 million sales, cheer for a fan's ingenious Bidoof LEGO creation, and give a gently skeptical nod to *Atomic Heart*'s upcoming 'final' DLC.
Right then, gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with the latest gaming news, and honestly, it's wilder than a rogue spell cast during a Tuesday morning tea ceremony. We've got sales figures doing a funny little dance, fan creativity blossoming, and a game I swear I'd exiled from my memory banks making a comeback. It's a proper mixed bag, but let's dig in, shall we?
First up, we're talking about Bungie's much-anticipated extraction shooter, *Marathon*. You know, the one where everyone's buzzing about its return? Well, according to some clever chaps at Alinea Insight (as reported by our pals over at Kotaku), the beta for *Marathon* was an absolute wishlist champion. During Steam's big Next Fest, it was the second most-wishlisted game, pulling in over 200,000 eager players, and it's now sitting pretty with about 1.2 million total wishlists. Fair dinkum, you'd reckon Bungie and Sony would be chuffed about that, eh? It was also the most-played demo during the Next Fest. That's some serious hype generation right there.
But here's where things get a bit... interesting. Like when you try to teleport an apple into your hand and accidentally summon a badger instead. Alinea Insight's estimates, published a few days before *Marathon*'s official launch, suggest the game had only sold around 250,000 copies on Steam. Now, that's not a disaster by any stretch, but here's the kicker: its competitor, *Arc Raiders*, had apparently shifted around 550,000 units three days before its own launch. That's more than double! Bloody hell, right?
Now, before we declare *Marathon*'s launch a tragic tale of digital woe, let's inject a bit of Jeff-style context and gentle skepticism. Does this mean *Marathon* is destined to flop? Not necessarily, mate. But it does suggest it's facing a bit of an uphill battle against *Arc Raiders* in the immediate launch window. What's even more fascinating, and a testament to the digital wizardry of these analysts, is the audience overlap. Only 48% of players who jumped into *Marathon*'s beta also gave *Arc Raiders* a whirl. On the flip side, a whopping 74% of *Marathon* beta players were also dedicated *Destiny 2* fans. See a pattern emerging, eh?
This tells us a couple of things. Firstly, Bungie's audience is fiercely loyal, bordering on cult-like dedication (and I mean that in the best possible way, like a secret society of spell-slinging guardians). Secondly, it highlights the challenge of launching a new IP, even for a studio with Bungie's pedigree. Are they simply preaching to the choir, hoping their existing fanbase will transition over? Will these dedicated *Destiny 2* players, already deep in the endless grind of the Light and Darkness saga, be willing to brave the 'early hours of suffering' – as the original article put it – to become *Marathon* aficionados? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? It's a classic case of hoping lightning strikes twice, or rather, hoping your magic circle is big enough for everyone.
Moving on from potential launch day drama, let's celebrate a genuine win! Capcom has announced that *Resident Evil Requiem*, their latest delve into the delightfully horrific world of survival horror, has already shipped a cool 5 million units. Now that's what I call a success story! It just goes to show you, when you put out a genuinely good game – and by all accounts, *Requiem* is a cracker – players will flock to it. While it's got a fair few zombies (and probably some other monstrosities) to slay before it catches the all-time best-selling *Resident Evil 2 Remake* (which has sold nearly 17 million units over seven years, wowza!), 5 million is nothing to scoff at. It's proof that sometimes, the magic just *works*, no accidental badgers involved.
And speaking of working magic, here's a story that absolutely warms this digital wizard's heart: a fan-made LEGO creation that's pure genius. You know Eevee, right? The ridiculously cute, perpetually evolving Pokémon? Well, one clever brick-master, Creationcaravan4 on Instagram, took an Eevee LEGO set and, with no extra pieces, transformed it into... Bidoof! Yes, Bidoof, the beaver-like Pokémon who, as the original piece perfectly put it, "doesn't give a f**k." Bidoof might not get the same mainstream love as Pikachu or Eevee, but online, the community adores the little chap. This is exactly the kind of grassroots creativity I love to see – someone taking a corporate product and making it their own, simply because they can. It's like finding a hidden rune in the code of reality, revealing a surprising new path.
Finally, let's cast our minds back to *Atomic Heart*, that slightly bonkers, Soviet-era *Fallout*-esque shooter. Remember it? Honestly, I had to rummage through my mental archives for a bit there, but apparently, it's still ticking! It's getting its fourth and final DLC, titled *Blood on Crystal*, set to drop on April 16th. The blurb promises a "thrilling, high-stakes conclusion," with our hero P-3 venturing deeper into Facility 3826 to battle CHAR-les and save humanity. New locations, unspeakable truths – it all sounds very dramatic. I'm always cautiously optimistic about these 'final conclusions'; sometimes they tie everything up neatly, and sometimes they just leave you with more questions than answers, like a cliffhanger that forgot to turn up for the next season. Here's hoping it gives the game a proper, satisfying send-off, rather than just another mystery to unravel.
So there you have it, mates. A peek into the often-chaotic, always-fascinating world of gaming. From sales figures that demand a closer look, to beloved horror triumphs, and community creations that remind us why we love games in the first place, it's never a dull moment. Keep an eye on *Marathon* as it truly finds its footing, celebrate *Resident Evil Requiem*'s success, give a nod to the Bidoof builder, and let's see if *Atomic Heart* can stick the landing. This digital wizard's always ready for the next surprise the industry throws our way!
Tags: Marathon, Arc Raiders, Resident Evil Requiem, Atomic Heart, Game Sales
Original article: kotaku