Bungie's Marathon Set for Release Amidst Technical Glitches and Community Concerns

Bungie's highly anticipated game, *Marathon*, is set to release on March 5, 2026, following a delay from September 2025. The pre-order period has generated significant excitement, with *Marathon* quickly ascending to the top of Steam's best-sellers list, ranking fourth shortly after its announcement, just behind established titles like *ARC Raiders* and *Counter-Strike 2*. However, this success was marred by a technical glitch that caused *Destiny 2* to auto-install on PCs for those who pre-ordered *Marathon*.

Destiny 2 Installs on Steam Triggered by Marathon Pre-orders

The auto-install issue was confirmed by Bungie's Marathon development team, which stated, “We’ve resolved an issue where Destiny 2 would begin installing after pre-ordering Marathon on Steam.” This glitch, initially met with skepticism and humor, raised concerns among players about the intertwining of the two games, as *Destiny 2* is often seen as struggling to maintain its player base following the release of the *Lightfall* expansion. Some players expressed frustration over this marketing strategy, which positions *Marathon* as an “expansion” within the *Destiny 2* microtransaction store, Eververse.

“‘Destiny 2’ Expansion ‘Marathon’ Auto-Installs on PCs”‘Marathon’ Is Listed As A ‘Destiny 2’ Expansion, Was Auto-Installing D2 On PCsBungie fixes Marathon pre-order glitch that caused Destiny 2 to start installing on Steam, to the amusement of everyone: "Like something out of The Onion"

The launch of *Marathon* is expected to impact *Destiny 2* significantly. The release of *Marathon* will delay the upcoming *Destiny 2* update titled *Shadow and Order*, originally scheduled for March 3. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the transfer of talent from *Destiny 2's* PvP team to the *Marathon* project, which could affect the quality of competitive play in *Destiny 2*. Critics argue that this shift may further diminish the game's appeal and player engagement.

‘Marathon’ Is Listed As A ‘Destiny 2’ Expansion, Was Auto-Installing D2 On PCs“‘Destiny 2’ Expansion ‘Marathon’ Auto-Installs on PCs”Bungie fixes Marathon pre-order glitch that caused Destiny 2 to start installing on Steam, to the amusement of everyone: "Like something out of The Onion"

In the lead-up to the release, *Marathon* has faced its own set of challenges. The departure of the art lead just months before launch, coupled with an art plagiarism scandal, has reportedly affected team morale. Despite these hurdles, Bungie is focused on ensuring a smooth launch, although questions remain about how effectively they will manage potential server issues and cheating, common concerns for online-only games.

“‘Destiny 2’ Expansion ‘Marathon’ Auto-Installs on PCs”

Bungie has acknowledged the technical issues surrounding the pre-order process and has taken steps to rectify them. The company also announced the voice cast for *Marathon*, featuring notable actors such as Samantha Béart and Roger Clark, which adds to the game's anticipation.

You're safe: Buying Marathon on Steam no longer downloads Destiny 2 automatically

As the March 5 launch date approaches, the gaming community remains eager to see how Bungie will navigate the challenges ahead. With a month and a half left until release, players are left wondering what surprises and potential issues may arise as *Marathon* enters the gaming landscape.

“‘Destiny 2’ Expansion ‘Marathon’ Auto-Installs on PCs”

• “We've resolved an issue where Destiny 2 would begin installing after pre-ordering Marathon on Steam.” — Bungie Marathon Development Team

You're safe: Buying Marathon on Steam no longer downloads Destiny 2 automatically

This article encapsulates the current state of *Marathon* and its implications for *Destiny 2*, highlighting both the excitement and the challenges that lie ahead for Bungie.

‘Marathon’ Is Listed As A ‘Destiny 2’ Expansion, Was Auto-Installing D2 On PCs