Bungie recently found itself in a rather peculiar spotlight when its veteran sci-fi shooter, Destiny 2, began automatically installing on PC systems. This unsolicited download occurred without user permission after players pre-ordered Marathon, the studio's upcoming extraction shooter, on Steam. While Bungie quickly resolved the technical error by Monday, January 20, 2026, the incident became an instant online meme, drawing comparisons to U2's infamous 2014 album drop into iTunes libraries. For us, this glitch highlights the delicate balance Bungie is attempting to strike with its diverse gaming portfolio.
Bungie clarified the unexpected Destiny 2 downloads were a server-side technical error, not an intentional marketing stunt. The issue was largely tied to Marathon's pre-order bonuses, which include exclusive Marathon-themed cosmetic items for Destiny 2 players. Thankfully, as Destiny 2's base game is free-to-play, no financial transactions were impacted by this curious digital intrusion.
When the Ghost in the Machine Installs Your Games
The "accidental installation" began the week of January 19, 2026, shortly after pre-orders for Marathon went live. PC players who shelled out for the new title through Steam were met with Destiny 2 initiating a download, a significant undertaking given the game's hefty 170 GB storage requirement. This unexpected digital guest sparked a flurry of jokes across social media. Many users playfully dubbed Destiny 2 a "virus" or, as some on Reddit humorously put it, a "Destiny jumpscare". The community's reaction ranged from outright annoyance to genuine amusement at Bungie's apparent mishap. Some players even speculated, albeit jokingly, that this was Bungie's sly attempt to boost Destiny 2's dwindling player numbers.
In addition to this eyebrow-raising download issue, Bungie also addressed a separate bug by January 20 that prevented Marathon Collector's Edition owners from activating their game codes on Steam.
Marathon's Rocky Road to Launch
The pre-order period has been undeniably significant for Marathon, marking Bungie's first new game in nearly nine years and the first installment in the Marathon series in three decades. The title quickly ascended Steam's charts, peaking as the fifth top-selling game and ranking fourth in revenue shortly after pre-orders opened, eventually settling at number 11. However, we believe this initial success on the charts should be viewed in context, given the legacy of Bungie and the pent-up demand for a new IP.
Set to launch on March 5, 2026, Marathon is an extraction shooter, first-person shooter (FPS), and multiplayer experience slated for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, priced at $40. It boasts a notable voice cast including Samantha Béart, Roger Clark, Darin De Paul, Jennifer English, Neil Newbon, and Ben Starr.
Despite its current pre-order metrics, Marathon's development has navigated a notably troubled path. The game experienced a delay from its original September 2025 release date, a decision reportedly influenced by "internal and external feedback—much of it negative—following a Closed Alpha in May". Early 2025 preview footage garnered mixed reactions from the community and drew immediate comparisons to other live-service shooters like Concord. The project also faced accusations of art plagiarism, which were later resolved with the original artist, though the incident reportedly impacted team morale and saw the game's art lead depart prior to release. Reports also surfaced that Bungie leadership had, for years, "ignored developer concerns," particularly regarding the need for a PvE component in the game. It’s a bold move for Bungie to launch a new, competitive extraction shooter at a $40 price point in an already crowded genre, especially considering these internal struggles and the negative public sentiment surrounding its development. We are skeptical about how effectively Bungie can deliver on its promises for Marathon given these numerous hurdles.
Marathon's Shadow Over Destiny 2
The impending launch of Marathon is casting a long shadow over its older sibling, Destiny 2. While Destiny 2 players do receive exclusive Marathon-themed cosmetic items (UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost, UESC Rover Exotic Ship, and UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow) as a pre-order bonus – an issue with these items not appearing correctly was resolved by January 19 – the new game's release will notably delay Destiny 2's 'Shadow and Order' update, originally planned for March 3 but now pushed back to accommodate Marathon's March 5 launch.
From our perspective, the decision to delay Destiny 2 content for Marathon is a clear indicator of Bungie's shifting priorities, a move that has not gone unnoticed by the Destiny 2 community. This comes at a time when Destiny 2, a free-to-play sci-fi FPS looter shooter, has seen a consistent decline in player count since the release of its 'Lightfall' expansion. Player numbers have plummeted significantly, with some third-party trackers reporting the average player count on Steam hitting a record low of 32,497 in the last 30 days as of September 2024, a steep drop from 123,023 in June 2024 following The Final Shape's launch. Community sentiment is "worse than ever", with many feeling the game is "dying" and that there are "no people to LFG anymore for some activities".
Adding to player concerns, Marathon was notably listed as an "expansion" within Destiny 2's Eververse microtransaction store, which many Destiny players found unsettling and even misleading. This choice to present a separate, paid game within Destiny 2's in-game store has understandably "rubbed the Destiny 2 community wrong". Furthermore, a significant portion of Destiny 2's PvP team reportedly moved to work on Marathon, directly impacting the development and support of Destiny's competitive multiplayer. Destiny 2's PvP has "struggled badly in recent years," with a lack of new maps and persistent cheating issues. The perception that Marathon will launch with dedicated servers and anti-cheat, features Destiny 2 players have long clamored for, only adds salt to the wound for a community that feels neglected.
While Bungie maintains that Marathon is not intended to be a "Destiny 3" and that Destiny 2 has a future, the studio's actions suggest a strong pivot. The concern among Destiny 2 players is palpable: resources are being diverted, their beloved game is experiencing a decline, and a new title, built in part on the back of Destiny 2's expertise, is taking center stage. We believe Bungie faces a significant challenge in reassuring its loyal Destiny 2 fanbase that their game isn't merely being put into maintenance mode as attention shifts to the new extraction shooter.
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