Nah no tie, Arc is much better, hell marathong is already dead.
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Marathon Alpha Impressions
- Thread starter coachmcguirk91
- Start date
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
In their current forms one is going to do much better than the other
yurinka
Member
Nah, the main difference is that Arc Raiders did open their test to way more people, not limited to a few thousands in NA. Meaning way more people can stream it and play it, so there's way more channels streaming it and more audience. And it's in a less early stage, so looks more finished, with more content and appealing to watch.
But if we look at the average viewers/channel that ARC Raiders had the first week of this tech 2 test it's slightly bigger but pretty much the same than the one Marathon had during the same week of Marathon's closed alpha limited to NA.
If we look at was available worldwide regarding Marathon, the gameplay reveal (or back in the time the youtube game reveal), it shows a huge peak of streamers and viewship. Meaning, pretty likely once it became available to everybody, continuing with that viewers/channel ratio but having way more channels streaming the results will be way larger.
Twitch daily viewers:
Twitch daily channels streaming them:
Average amount of viewers per channel:
We also have to consider that this first week of Marathon's closed alpha it was competing against the release of Oblivion's Remaster and Expedition 33, which got an insane coverage an audience in Twitch, even if they had way less average viewship/channel outside the launch day:
Klosshufvud
Banned
Those are some graphs for sure but it's not just the quantity of streamers that differ but also the fact that the streamers with the choice to play both chose Arc Raiders almost every time. That sends a pretty strong idea what game resonated more. Also if rumors are true and Arc Raiders launches before Marathon, it will be a huge uphill battle for Bungie as the former has all the positive buzz and hype of this sub genre right now.Nah, the main difference is that Arc Raiders did open their test to way more people, not limited to a few thousands in NA. Meaning way more people can stream it and play it, so there's way more channels streaming it and more audience. And it's in a less early stage, so looks more finished, with more content and appealing to watch.
But if we look at the average viewers/channel that ARC Raiders had the first week of this tech 2 test it's slightly bigger but pretty much the same than the one Marathon had during the same week of Marathon's closed alpha limited to NA.
If we look at was available worldwide regarding Marathon, the gameplay reveal (or back in the time the youtube game reveal), it shows a huge peak of streamers and viewship. Meaning, pretty likely once it became available to everybody, continuing with that viewers/channel ratio but having way more channels streaming the results will be way larger.
Twitch daily viewers:
Twitch daily channels streaming them:
Average amount of viewers per channel:
We also have to consider that this first week of Marathon's closed alpha it was competing against the release of Oblivion's Remaster and Expedition 33, which got an insane coverage an audience in Twitch, even if they had way less average viewship/channel outside the launch day:
Killjoy-NL
Banned
If ARC launches before Marathon, 90% of the ARC userbase will likely have moved on by the time Marathon releases.
That's probably what Embark knows as well and why they ask the community if they should release it now.
With all eyes on ARC, it's best to not wait too long to release it, as at $40 they will make money at launch without much competition.
People shouldn't forget that apart from Marathon, Hunger is also coming.
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mayham2199
Member
Yea I was talking to my friends and we don't really understand why it's not just coming out. It's not perfect but it's great right now and might as well get ahead of Marathon. We are excited to try Marathon also and we are going to stick with whatever one we like better. Marathon has an edge because we prefer First person view.
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StreetsofBeige
Member
300 people on Steam. Thats it. ARC Raiders play test is over and Marathon gamers barely hanging on.
Dacvak
No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
How can I join in on the Marathon alpha? I'm interested in at least giving it a shot. What's ARC Raiders? I don't keep up with this genre at all.
StreetsofBeige
Member
The ARC playtest is over.
And Marathon's is over any day now. You'd need a code sent to you to get in. At this point, dont bother. They probably arent even sending out codes anymore.
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
I'm not trying to be hyperbolic but there is not a single thing about this game that I find interesting, it'll be the easiest pass ever
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Snakeeyes646
Member
Played both at length, Marathon is an embarrassment of a game that has had 6 years development time, Arc Raiders was wholesome fun no matter the outcome of a raid (survive or died)
Robot Carnival
Member
is there still way to get into the alpha or sign up for beta?
a'la mode
Banned
Cutting away proximity chat to "remove toxicity" can't be doing it any favors. Sure, you're going to have some shitty people in there, but overall chat interactions add so much to the game in terms of emergent gameplay; sometimes you might negotiate trades, or buddy up with someone on the field, or navigate firefights with your team, or provoke people into making bad decisions. Sometimes you might hang out with someone to the end, or you might backstab them or get backstabbed yourself. Quick decisions on the field based on interactions you can't control or predict, funny situations translating into Twitch clips that get shared around.
Marathon is just a sanitized Disney version of the experience that feels like it's missing the point entirely.
Marathon is just a sanitized Disney version of the experience that feels like it's missing the point entirely.
StreetsofBeige
Member
Yup. They are trying as hard as possible to make it as casual as possible. Hence other stuff like heavy aim assist, revives and forced teams so gamers don't freak out trying to go solo.
mayham2199
Member
Ark had a lot of this to though. Imo it's also way more fun with teams. They might not force it but I don't even like solo in Ark it's boring. A random team is more fun.
StreetsofBeige
Member
Getting rid of prox chat simplifies the game too. As you said it cuts out any random stuff with other teams.
If nobody can communicate with other teams, it makes marathon easier to understand for casuals as it'll turn into all gun fights.
Killjoy-NL
Banned
No proximity chat on consoles is far less of an issue as most people who play with friends are in party chat.
They won't hear you anyway.
The rest likely won't even use their mic, but rather pings.
Avid Reading Horse
Member
It's not 343 anymore they fucked up enough to where they rebranded to "Halo Studios" and hoped nobody noticed.
Alan Silvestro
Member
This game is doa, but maybe Bungie could postpone the release to 2026 to fix shitty graphics...
Mibu no ookami
Banned
I wonder when we could possibly hear of a delay.
Certainly by August, but I wonder how much sooner than that we could hear from them.
Certainly by August, but I wonder how much sooner than that we could hear from them.
Im pretty sure you can since you have to say if a video is sponsored or not
StreetsofBeige
Member
According to Steamdb, ARC Raiders peak high was 21,000. And it ended the test at 6,911 players (last data point on their graph). The game had its player count actually rising every day until shut down where it dropped off.
Marathon's peak was 6,919. 700 was the 24H peak. It says 35 players right now because the alpha ended an hour ago (9 pm EST), but it ended an hour ago at only 476. Marathon peaked on day one and immediately dropped hard on day 2 and onward. So after day one, it couldnt sustain the first day gamers like ARC did. It died off after day one to a couple grand. Then the final days of the alpha it dropped well below 1,000.
Marathon's peak was 6,919. 700 was the 24H peak. It says 35 players right now because the alpha ended an hour ago (9 pm EST), but it ended an hour ago at only 476. Marathon peaked on day one and immediately dropped hard on day 2 and onward. So after day one, it couldnt sustain the first day gamers like ARC did. It died off after day one to a couple grand. Then the final days of the alpha it dropped well below 1,000.
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Killjoy-NL
Banned
8BiTw0LF
Consoomer
You do know that only 30k got an invite for Marathon? 10k for each platform (estimated). No friends codes after 30 minutes of gameplay. A very closed alpha with very limited things to offer - only 2 maps out of 4, 4 classes out of 6 and only a handful of obtainable modifications. Marathon had approx 5 hours of content. ARC Raiders showed everything on display and let (almost) everyone in.According to Steamdb, ARC Raiders peak high was 21,000. And it ended the test at 6,911 players (last data point on their graph). The game had its player count actually rising every day until shut down where it dropped off.
Marathon's peak was 6,919. 700 was the 24H peak. It says 35 players right now because the alpha ended an hour ago (9 pm EST), but it ended an hour ago at only 476. Marathon peaked on day one and immediately dropped hard on day 2 and onward. So after day one, it couldnt sustain the first day gamers like ARC did. It died off after day one to a couple grand. Then the final days of the alpha it dropped well below 1,000.
Posting steam ccu's are just plain stupid comparing these games.
Because pve co op sucks… if I'm going up against a computer I'd rather play single player…Fair enough
I just feel like there's already an overload of competitive games—Valorant, PUBG, Apex, CS, Overwatch, LoL, Fortnite, etc. Meanwhile, PvE co-op experiences like Destiny remain rare and special. It's surprising more studios don't focus there. Left 4 Dead 2 never got a real successor (maybe Helldivers 2), Borderlands stalled, and Destiny brought something unique. Remnant 2 shows potential, even FromSoftware is exploring it.
And to be clear, I love competitive games—I've logged thousands of hours. But the gaming space feels ripe for a new, ambitious PvE co-op title. Marathon doesn't seem like it.
Smh… I shouldn't have to make console plural… If I say such and such sold better on console it obviously means all consoles.
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
I too thought player retention would show us something but like you said many more people got invited to ARC not to mention everyone getting 2 friends codes and everyone they invited got friends codes so the numbers kept growing thus rendering these numbers totally useless
KyoZz
Tag, you're it.
Yeah, and you could have been a little less a jerk in your answer. But here we are right?
Men_in_Boxes
Snake Oil Salesman
Mibu no ookami
Banned
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Men_in_Boxes
Snake Oil Salesman
I don't need Marathon in September. I just want it to be good. ARC Raiders will more than make up for the slack caused by a delay. I'm just hoping Bungie says some exciting stuff tomorrow because that ship needs to slowly turn around.
HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
Men_in_Boxes
Snake Oil Salesman
Killjoy-NL
Banned
If you look at the official Marathon tweet, they just changed the date.
It was miscommunication, as they apparently updated it yesterday shortly after the initial announcement for 8th may:
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Luipadre
Member
Delay is whats next
Killjoy-NL
Banned
One hour ago though:
Mibu no ookami
Banned
Still sounds like a delay to me.
Moridianae
Member
All the impressions and feedback I've seen in regards to this game(and I think they opened it up so people could talk about it) is Arc Raiders was by far more well recieved in virtually every aspect.
The reception to this game has been mostly fridgid. I wouldn't be surprised if they delay it--kind of like Suicide Squad did?
It'll be for "polish" even though the reason was simply it's heading towards Concord 2.0 territory if Arc stays as good as it is and Marathon doesn't do much to change opinions.
Mibu no ookami
Banned
I've been calling for a borderlands 11th hour art direction change. I think that in tandem with some heavy gameplay changes could put it on solid footing.
But I don't think the people who came up with this game and have received feedback on it for the last 6 years are the people who are capable of fixing it.
Killjoy-NL
Banned
From what I've seen skimming comments on various videos, reactions seem pretty much 50/50 of both games.
Maybe 60/40 for ARC as invites kept being sent throughout the beta, whereas Marathon had a very limited playerpool due to both limited invites and being exclusive to the US. This already gives a skewed perception if you look at CCU as it would automatically be low outside of US peak-hours.
I'm still gonna say people are underestimating Marathon and Bungie and grossly overselling ARC due to relatively short-lived hype.
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Moridianae
Member
Could be one of those situations where they do receive valid criticism, but choose to ignore it like DA: Veilguard did and then blame everyone but themselves when it flops like a Magikarp.
Mibu no ookami
Banned
I don't know. Bungie seems to have a serious leadership problem and I don't know that they have enough rope from Sony to shift gears here.
If the game looked like this, I think it could have found an audience as a gritty scifi extraction shooter.
I'd love to be in the room where someone says, let's make Marathon, but let's make it nothing like Marathon and look like this weird pixely shit.
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Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
They will delay for sure. They didn't do more than one wave of invites because feedback was so bad.
Their key tester for feedback was a guy who cheats at chess and even he told them the game is cheeks.
They delayed before because internal feedback behind doors was not hot.
They need another 2 years. In that time add a pve story mode to it, and update the gameplay loop, inject fun, update visuals in outside environments, and more.
If they drop this at $40 in September it'll be concord 2, and Ark will eat their lunch.
Their key tester for feedback was a guy who cheats at chess and even he told them the game is cheeks.
They delayed before because internal feedback behind doors was not hot.
They need another 2 years. In that time add a pve story mode to it, and update the gameplay loop, inject fun, update visuals in outside environments, and more.
If they drop this at $40 in September it'll be concord 2, and Ark will eat their lunch.
StreetsofBeige
Member
Right off the bat the alpha was doomed, and it had nothing to do with bad graphics, boring gameplay, aim assist or anything like that.
The game is supposed to be team based in trios, yet didnt even do friends codes. So anyone wanting to buddy up with friends had to hope their friends all got codes too. Even going by these GAF threads, not everyone got a code.
So you got a slew of solos playing a game not even meant for solos. So I bet most gamers either just winged it as solo dabbling, or they had a shit time playing with randoms teammates who dont want to go on mic.
In other games and modes, a gamer can totally get by being a lone wolf muting everyone. When most people play TDM, BR or some kind of simple objective mode like domination, you can technically still do great and win the match by kill farming. You can sit back and snipe while racking up kills in TDM or let the rest of the team go through the meat grinder winning domination or hardpoint objective pts.
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HeisenbergFX4
Gold Member
It was a terrible idea not giving friend codes and forcing randoms together which (for me at least) usually wasn't ideal
Granted I know it was a closed alpha that was originally supposed to be under an NDA but still someone there had to know this would not go over well
Jinzo Prime
Member
It either has ro be delayed or go into early access; they can't change the perception before September.