Bungie is now dedicating more of its development resources to Marathon than to Destiny 2, according to sources familiar with the studio’s internal structure. The revelation, first reported by Forbes, has intensified ongoing worries among Destiny 2 players about the long-term future of the live-service shooter, especially as Marathon continues to struggle with player retention in its early months.
While exact headcounts were not disclosed, the report indicates that of Bungie’s roughly 800 developers, Marathon currently has the larger share of active staff. This marks a reversal from roughly a year ago, when sources described a 550-to-300 split in favor of Destiny 2. The shift comes as Marathon, Bungie’s first new IP in decades, attempts to establish itself in the competitive extraction shooter genre.
Context of the Resource Shift
Marathon launched in March 2026 as Bungie’s ambitious return to the extraction shooter format. The game drew initial interest with its unique PvPvE loop, stylistic presentation, and Bungie’s pedigree in first-person shooters. However, early player counts have been softer than hoped. The title peaked at over 88,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after launch but has since declined significantly, with recent 24-hour peaks hovering around 20,000. By comparison, Destiny 2 still maintains approximately 10,000–12,000 concurrent players on Steam on many days, despite being a much older title with a more established player base.
The resource reallocation has not gone unnoticed by the Destiny 2 community. Players have already expressed frustration over the delay of the next major expansion, Shadow and Order, now scheduled for June 2026. Many see the heavier focus on Marathon as a sign that Destiny 2’s content cadence may continue to slow, even as the game remains one of Bungie’s flagship titles.
Marathon’s Early Challenges
Marathon’s performance has been a point of discussion since launch. While critical reception was generally positive, the game has faced criticism for its complexity, steep learning curve, and certain design choices that some players felt prioritized uniqueness over accessibility. In a genre already populated by established titles like ARC Raiders and the enduring Escape from Tarkov, Marathon has struggled to maintain the kind of sustained player engagement needed for long-term success in a live-service model.
Bungie has responded with regular updates and balance patches, but the shift in developer focus suggests the studio is prioritizing Marathon’s growth in the critical early months. This is a common strategy for new live-service titles, but it carries risk when an older, still-active title like Destiny 2 relies on consistent content to retain its audience.
Destiny 2’s Position in 2026
Destiny 2 has undergone significant changes in recent years. Once supported by over 1,000 developers at its peak, the game has seen its team size reduced through layoffs and restructuring following Sony’s acquisition of Bungie in 2022. Despite these challenges, the game continues to hold a dedicated player base and generates steady revenue through expansions, seasons, and cosmetic sales.
The delay of Shadow and Order to June 2026 was already viewed by some as a sign of stretched resources. The latest report that Marathon now commands more developers has amplified concerns that Destiny 2 could see even slower content updates moving forward. However, Bungie has repeatedly stated that Destiny 2 remains a priority and that the studio is committed to supporting the game for years to come.
Bungie’s dual focus on Destiny 2 and Marathon reflects the challenges of managing multiple live-service titles in a competitive market. Extraction shooters have seen increased interest in recent years, but the genre remains difficult to crack, with many new entries struggling to retain players beyond the initial launch window.
Sony, which acquired Bungie in 2022, has emphasized the importance of live-service games as part of its broader gaming strategy. Both Destiny 2 and Marathon fit into that vision, but the need to balance resources between an established franchise and a new one has created tension that is now visible to players.
Whether Marathon can turn its early numbers around remains to be seen. If it achieves sustained success, it could validate Bungie’s investment and provide a new revenue stream. If player counts continue to decline, the studio may face difficult decisions about how to allocate its remaining development capacity.
For Destiny 2 players, the coming months will be telling. The Shadow and Order expansion in June will be a key test of whether the game can maintain engagement with reduced resources. In the meantime, the community will likely continue to monitor player counts, content cadence, and any further announcements from Bungie regarding both titles.
The situation highlights the delicate balance live-service games must strike between innovation and ongoing support. Bungie now finds itself managing two major franchises simultaneously, and the coming year will show whether it can successfully nurture both without one suffering at the expense of the other.