Sony Admits Marathon’s Launch Is Risky Because Its Live Service

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Sony Has Already Factored Failure Into Expectations.

Story Highlight
  • In the latest earnings call, Sony CEO Hiriko Totoki clarified that Marathon’s launch is risky because it is a live service entry. 
  • Therefore, Sony is already factoring in risks and losses regarding how well the game performs after launch.
  • The leadership does not appear optimistic, a stance also reflected by players and Bungie in past developments.

Since the original director for Marathon left Bungie last year, reports suggested that the game’s development was not going well. The official reveal further sullied the negative narrative as the footage was slammed with dislikes and criticisms. 

Now, after Bungie showed concern with Marathon’s negative reception, it appears that even Sony believes its launch won’t be a walk in the park. The company CEO, Hiriko Totoki, is already factoring in failures into expectations only because Marathon is a live-service entry. 

Why it matters: Sony’s lack of optimism about Marathon’s launch paints a grim picture regarding its future.

marathon bungie
The current narrative around Marathon in the gaming scene is mixed at best. 

In the earnings call for FY 2024-2025, Sony CEO Hiriko says that Marathon, being a multiplayer title, could impact its performance after launch. The pessimistic wording makes sense considering Sony’s mixed performance with the live service genre so far this generation.

Regarding Marathon, there is a little risk, due to it being multiplayer, but we have factored that into our expectations.

On one hand, Sony shattered everyone’s expectations by publishing Helldivers 2. However, the colossal Concord flop and multiple live-service cancellations over the last few years have given Sony more grounded expectations for Bungie’s Marathon. 

It also doesn’t help that many Marathon IP aficionados believe the new live-service game will flop like Concord instead of achieving moderate success

Marathon
Many gamers are already upset by Marathon’s art style and other gameplay elements. 

Like almost all gamers, not even Sony argues that Marathon will be the next big PlayStation live-service hit like Helldivers 2. However, the firm expects the title to help grow the SIE business group like other upcoming titles.

Do you think Bungie’s upcoming Marathon will fail like Concord because of the mixed player reception? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

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