MegaCrit Challenges Marathon as Slay the Spire 2 Launches to 420K+ Concurrent Players on Steam

Launch Day Highlights: Marathon and Slay the Spire 2 Debut

On March 5, 2026, the gaming community witnessed the simultaneous release of two highly anticipated titles on Steam: Bungie’s extraction shooter, Marathon, and the indie-developed sequel, Slay the Spire 2 by MegaCrit. Notably, Marathon was also made available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Player Counts: An Exciting Start

According to insights shared by X user Wario64, both games launched remarkably close in terms of player engagement, each attracting over 80, 000 concurrent players on Steam. Marathon achieved a peak of 88, 337 concurrent players, showcasing a strong initial interest from the gaming community.

In a surprising turn, Slay the Spire 2 quickly gained momentum, currently boasting an impressive 420, 395 players who are eager to conquer the spire once more. This surge raises the question: how many players are enjoying Marathon on its additional platforms? While we can’t ascertain precise figures for PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, it’s reasonable to speculate that total player numbers for Marathon could exceed 100, 000, potentially matching Slay the Spire 2’s astonishing reach.

Steam DB Insights

The available data from SteamDB paints a vivid picture of player excitement, positioning Slay the Spire 2 ahead in popularity among PC gamers. The comparison between these two game launches gained humor when MegaCrit made a light-hearted comment aimed at Bungie’s new title. They tweeted, “Congratulations to the Marathon team on their launch! Don’t let small indie passion projects like this pass you by just because Slay the Spire 2 is out.”

Congratulations to the Marathon team on their launch! Don’t let small indie passion projects like this pass you by just because Slay the Spire 2 is out ❤️ https://t.co/zysPPC5W4p

— Mega Crit ⚔️ Slay the Spire 2 Out Now! (@MegaCrit) March 5, 2026

MegaCrit’s Humble Humor

This playful jab was quickly clarified by MegaCrit, who assured fans that their intention was not to undermine Marathon, recognizing that they did not anticipate the scale of Slay the Spire 2’s success. This ongoing rise in player numbers is a testament to the dedication of the indie development team, adding an extra layer of humor to their earlier comment.

Impressions and Early Access Considerations

It’s notable that Slay the Spire 2 is still in early access, meaning it remains a work in progress. This fact makes its current success all the more impressive and serves as a strong indicator of its potential once fully launched.

Conclusion: A Snapshot of Launch Success

While these figures may only reflect launch day excitement, they convey significant messages about each game’s reception. Steam’s concurrent player statistics can be seen as an initial gauge rather than a definitive measure. As for the future, only time will tell if Marathon can reach similar heights as Slay the Spire 2—but for now, it appears the latter is leading the race.

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