Marathon's debut: a sony first-party puzzle?

Sony’s first-party exclusive, Marathon, isn't exactly setting the sales charts ablaze, despite its lauded design. Initial reports, compiled by Alinea Analytics, reveal a surprisingly uneven launch, prompting questions about Sony’s long-term strategy for the title.

Steam dominates, consoles struggle

The data paints a stark picture: roughly 800,000 copies of Marathon have been sold across all platforms, with a staggering 80% of those sales originating on Steam. PlayStation 5 accounts for 19%, and Xbox – encompassing all its services – sits at a mere 11%. For a game billed as a Sony exclusive, the platform’s comparatively weak performance is a significant head-scratcher, particularly given the ongoing debate surrounding Sony's multiplatform ambitions.

Rhys Elliot, Alinea Analytics’ Head of Market Analysis, voiced his concerns succinctly on social media: