Bungie has officially addressed Marathon players’ complaints about PvP infrequency during the Server Slam, suggesting one of the root causes may be the game’s AI being a little too good. The Server Slam kicked off on February 26 and has been available across all major platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. Early data from sources like SteamDB indicates the open beta has largely been a success for Bungie, with Marathon surpassing 140,000 concurrent players on Steam alone and outperforming ARC Raiders on Valve’s storefront in terms of sales.
However, Marathon‘s Server Slam hasn’t been without criticism, with one of the biggest complaints centered on the lack of frequent PvP encounters. Many players argued that the game feels more like a PvE-focused extraction shooter, despite pre-release marketing that heavily emphasized player-versus-player action. “It felt like I was constantly looking for [other players], hunting for them, looking for PvP. But there just wasn’t that many players on the map,” said content creator and streamer Rory Newbrough, describing his solo experience in Marathon.
Marathon’s Server Slam Is Off to an Incredible Start
Marathon, the upcoming extraction shooter from Destiny developer Bungie, kicks off its official Server Slam, and it’s off to an incredible start.
The UESC Bots Might Be Why You’re Not Getting Any PvP in Marathon
Bungie has now responded to the PvP criticism, saying that “the UESC are deadlier than you might think and will wipe you off the map, thus limiting the lobby’s PvP opportunities, if you let them swarm.” In simple terms, the AI may be so strong that it can eliminate players before they even get the chance to fight each other. Like ARC Raiders‘ maps, Marathon‘s zones are populated by both players and NPCs, primarily the UESC robots. Bungie now suggests that many players in Server Slam matches are being taken out by these bots before any real PvP encounters happen.
The strength of Marathon‘s bots should not come as a surprise, as players have been openly discussing how difficult the AI can be, especially for newcomers. Many others share this view of Marathon‘s PvE, arguing that it is not properly balanced. And Bungie’s recent comment has only reignited the debate over whether the AI is overpowered and in need of a nerf.
Bungie is not claiming that the UESC bots and bosses are the sole cause of inconsistent PvP. It notes that certain zones, such as Perimeter, are intentionally designed with fewer players to remain more beginner-friendly. “Head to Perimeter and then Dire Marsh for a greater challenge,” the studio advises players looking for more PvP action. Even so, some fans remain unconvinced, arguing that deeper technical issues may be affecting PvP in Marathon.
Drag weapons to fill the grid
Drag weapons to fill the grid
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Some Fans Blame the Sound Design and Fog of War
“You need to fix sound design,” one fan commented on Bungie’s Twitter post, adding that “Everything just sounds like you’re underwater, and you cannot hear enemy footsteps or them looting at all.” While some players say these audio issues can be improved through Marathon‘s settings, others argue there is a deeper design problem that Bungie needs to address. They claim the game intentionally limits player awareness as a gameplay mechanic, and that this design choice is hurting the PvP experience in ways that cannot be fixed by simply tweaking a few options.
Another complaint revolves around how Marathon‘s security and networking systems affect PvP. Specifically, some players point to the Fog of War mechanic, claiming it prevents consistent encounters. The system limits the information that player clients receive about their surroundings. This is reportedly meant to reduce cheating by restricting access to server-side data that could reveal enemy positions. However, critics argue that the system makes it harder to track down other players, causing PvP engagements to feel random and sporadic.
As of this writing, Bungie has not directly addressed concerns about the sound design or the Fog of War system. It has, however, encouraged Server Slam participants to share feedback through the official Discord server. “Thanks for all the feedback so far, and keep it coming,” the developer said. But with Marathon‘s official launch set for March 5, it remains to be seen whether Bungie will actually make further PvP adjustments before release.
- Released
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March 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen / Animated Blood, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
