Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon is gaining strong commercial momentum ahead of its official launch on March 5, 2026. Just over a week before release, the title has climbed into the upper ranks of Steam’s Top Sellers chart, surpassing several established multiplayer games in the process.
At the time of writing, Marathon sits at number three on the Steam Top Sellers list in the United States and number six in the United Kingdom. The ranking is based on revenue generated on the platform, which includes pre-orders and early purchases. The only titles currently ahead of Bungie’s new shooter in the U.S. market are Resident Evil Requiem and Counter-Strike 2.
Overtaking ARC Raiders and Other Multiplayer Titles
One of the most notable developments is Marathon moving ahead of ARC Raiders, another entry in the extraction shooter genre developed by Embark Studios. ARC Raiders launched nearly three months ago and has maintained a steady player base since release. Despite that, Marathon has managed to generate enough sales activity to rank above it on Steam’s revenue chart.
In addition to ARC Raiders, Marathon is currently positioned above several other well-known multiplayer titles, including Helldivers 2, Marvel Rivals, and Apex Legends. While these games continue to maintain active communities, the pre-launch interest surrounding Bungie’s project has translated into a measurable spike in sales performance.
It is important to note that Steam’s Top Sellers chart reflects current revenue over a specific period, not total lifetime sales or concurrent player counts. This means Marathon’s position represents strong short-term purchasing activity rather than long-term performance metrics.
Server Slam Test Builds Momentum
Part of the renewed interest in Marathon can be attributed to Bungie’s recent “Server Slam” test. Hosted in the week leading up to launch, the test allowed players to access the game ahead of release and provided Bungie with an opportunity to stress-test servers and gather feedback.
The event served both technical and marketing purposes. It offered players a final preview of the extraction shooter’s systems while also generating discussion across social media and streaming platforms. As anticipation builds, the test appears to have contributed to increased pre-orders and visibility on Steam.
What This Means for Bungie
Marathon represents Bungie’s return to the competitive multiplayer space with a new intellectual property. The studio has faced internal restructuring and public scrutiny during development, including leadership changes and other reported challenges. The upcoming release is therefore a significant moment for the company.
Reaching the top three on Steam’s Top Sellers list ahead of launch signals strong market interest. However, the long-term success of Marathon will depend on post-launch support, player retention, and how it performs in a crowded extraction shooter market.
With its March 5, 2026 release date approaching, Marathon enters launch week with clear commercial momentum. Whether that early sales surge translates into sustained engagement will become clearer once the game is live across all platforms.
Source: Insider Gaming
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is Marathon releasing?
Marathon is scheduled to release on March 5, 2026, across all announced platforms.
Why is Marathon ranking high on Steam Top Sellers?
Steam’s Top Sellers chart is based on revenue generated during a specific period. Strong pre-orders and increased purchasing activity ahead of launch have pushed Marathon into the top three in the United States.
Did Marathon surpass ARC Raiders on Steam?
Yes. At the time of reporting, Marathon ranked above ARC Raiders on the Steam Top Sellers chart in the U.S., reflecting higher recent revenue.
What is the Marathon Server Slam?
The Server Slam is a pre-launch test event hosted by Bungie. It allows players to try the game before release while helping developers test server stability and gather feedback.
Is Steam Top Sellers based on player count?
No. The Steam Top Sellers chart is based on revenue, not concurrent player numbers or total copies sold over time.
