Marathon's monetization generates concerns

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Mar 9, 2026, 4:30 PM - 44 comments

In its first days after it was released, Marathon, the new extraction shooter from Bungie, has generated both enthusiasm and criticism among players. The long-awaited revival of the studio's classic franchise launched earlier this month and quickly attracted attention for its fast-paced combat and competitive structure, but its monetization model has already become a major talking point within the community.

Monetization is in the spotlight

Early player impressions have been generally positive when it comes to gameplay, confirming that the game delivers what it promised. Many users have praised the title’s tight shooting mechanics and tense PvPvE encounters, in which squads of three players explore hostile environments, collect valuable loot, and attempt to extract while battling rival teams and AI-controlled enemies. The game's distinctive art style and atmosphere have also been widely highlighted as strengths during the opening days following release.

However, criticism has emerged around the game's microtransactions and battle pass system. Some players have expressed frustration with the way cosmetic items are handled, noting that certain customization options require duplicates or additional purchases to be applied to multiple pieces of gear. Others have argued that the battle pass offers limited value compared to similar systems in other live-service games, particularly because it does not provide enough premium currency through progression to offset its cost.

In response to the feedback, Bungie has acknowledged community concerns and indicated that adjustments are already under consideration. According to the developer, upcoming updates may include changes to the monetization structure and improvements aimed at making cosmetic systems and progression feel more rewarding for players. The studio said it is closely monitoring feedback during the launch window and plans to refine the experience as the game evolves.

The launch has also been accompanied by a separate debate within the gaming press. Bungie has asked critics to delay publishing full reviews of Marathon until later in the month, when an endgame zone will become available. The studio argues that this content represents a key part of the game’s overall progression and that evaluating the title without it could lead to an incomplete assessment.

As a live-service multiplayer title, the early weeks will be crucial for Marathon. Bungie's ability to address monetization concerns while continuing to expand the game's content will likely play a major role in determining the future of the game. Remember that you can easily and safely access the cheapest Marathon PC keys with our comparator at any time if you don't own the game yet.

gennyshark

Mar 12, 2026, 10:18 AM

Bungie has announced a change to the controversial €9.99 add-on bundle that includes 1,100 Lux, the game's premium currency. The problem, reported by many users, is that most cosmetic items in the in-game store cost 1,120 Lux, forcing players to purchase at least one additional €4.99 bundle (with 500 Lux) to redeem one. The community's reaction was immediate, and the studio decided to take swift action. With the update arriving this week, the €9.99 bundle will offer 1,120 Lux instead of the previous 1,100. Those who already purchased it will automatically receive an additional 20 Lux to make up the difference. However, the move doesn't address all the criticism: some fans continue to take issue with the price of cosmetics and the Premium Pass, which continues to offer a content level they deem unsatisfactory. In a post on social media, the studio states that it intends to continue monitoring fan feedback to improve the microtransaction system.

Criketos

Mar 11, 2026, 2:20 PM

When a premium currency pack does not even allow you to directly buy a skin and encourages spending a little more, it gives the impression of a system designed to force spending. Fortunately, Bungie seems to have reacted quickly to the criticism and is already planning adjustments. In the end, everything will depend on their ability to keep a reasonable monetization that does not give the impression of penalizing players who do not pay. Marathon has potential, but community trust is very important for the survival of the game

SlDiorite5

Mar 10, 2026, 10:23 PM

Monetization will always be a big part of any live service game and it's not different with Marathon. Since they have Sony backing them, they should take a page out of Helldivers 2's book and try something similar. It's essential to not pressure the player or make them feel like they're being punished for not spending or playing enough. However, FOMO was kind of Destiny's thing, so it's gonna be hard to see them change now.

Angry by default

Mar 10, 2026, 8:27 PM

they need monetization because aintnoway they gonna get profits with just the 40$ the game costs, gotta milk as much as possible

gif123

Mar 10, 2026, 1:45 PM

Marathon’un çıkışıyla birlikte oyun mekanikleri genel olarak sağlam görünse de, tartışmalar daha çok oyunun ekonomik sistemi etrafında dönmeye başladı. Oynanış tarafında tempolu çatışmalar ve risk–ödül mantığı oyuncuların ilgisini çekmiş gibi duruyor. Buna rağmen kozmetik eşyaların dağıtımı ve battle pass yapısının bazı oyuncular tarafından yeterince tatmin edici bulunmadığı görülüyor. Bungie’nin bu eleştirileri kabul edip değişiklikler üzerinde çalıştığını söylemesi önemli, ancak bu tür sistemlerin oyuncular tarafından gerçekten kabul görmesi genelde uygulanan güncellemelerin kalitesine bağlı oluyor. Önümüzdeki haftalarda yapılacak düzenlemeler, Marathon’un topluluk tarafından nasıl hatırlanacağını büyük ölçüde belirleyebilir.

bazan

Mar 10, 2026, 1:44 PM

The launch of Marathon shows that the game has managed to attract attention thanks to its solid gunplay and tense PvPvE structure, but the discussion around its monetization system has quickly become a central topic in the community. While many players seem satisfied with the core gameplay loop, the current battle pass value and the way cosmetic items are handled have raised some concerns. Bungie acknowledging these criticisms and signaling possible adjustments suggests that the studio is willing to refine the system as the game evolves. As with many live-service titles, the long-term reception of Marathon will likely depend on how well these monetization issues are balanced with meaningful content updates and player-friendly progression.

Baris4hin

Mar 10, 2026, 11:07 AM

It’s understandable that players are worried about the monetization system. Hopefully Bungie will listen to the community and make sure Marathon stays fair and enjoyable for everyone.

Gaelyn

Mar 10, 2026, 9:53 AM

Honestly, I think Marathon’s monetization sits in a tricky spot. On paper, a paid game with “no pay‑to‑win” and cosmetics‑only LUX sounds fair, especially for a competitive extraction shooter. But Bungie needs millions of copies sold plus strong cosmetic sales just to break even, and that financial pressure already shows through aggressive bundles and early backlash from the community. If future seasons start locking the coolest content behind expensive packs, player trust could evaporate very quickly

Uny

Mar 10, 2026, 8:46 AM

La monétisation de Marathon est correcte : prix d'entrée abordable et LUX cosmétique seulement, sans pay-to-win. Ça rassure pour le gameplay équilibré. Mais Bungie pousse fort sur les skins chers, et la communauté râle déjà. Espérons que ça reste fair-play.

M0ЯĐRΕĐ

Mar 10, 2026, 12:20 AM

Bungie a corrigé un système où il manquait volontairement un peu de monnaie premium pour pousser les joueurs à acheter plus. battle pass pas, ou pas assez interéssant, mais bon, faire le changement c'est bien, mais de base, il n'aurait pas fallu le faire et ce qui est assez drole, c'est qu'il le faisait sur destiny avec le prix du pass saisonnier qui étais a 1200 argentum et les pack c'est soit 1100 ou 1600.