As Bungie's highly-anticipated new extraction shooter, 'Marathon', enters its Closed Alpha phase, early signs suggest potential trouble ahead. Despite my mixed feelings about the game, which include some thrilling moments and others that fall flat, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see a promising future for its longevity.

One alarming trend has surfaced: a steady decline in player numbers. While I’m not focused on the specific player count—after all, this is just an Alpha phase—what’s truly concerning is the trajectory. After an initial peak of around 7,000 players at launch, numbers quickly plummeted to less than half just a couple of nights later. As we move into the weekend, the scenario seems grimmer, with players dwindling to under a third of the original pool by the 72-hour mark.

What's particularly troubling is that this drop is occurring even as more players are being granted access to the Alpha through new code distributions. If those who sought out codes—generally the most enthusiastic potential players—are losing interest so rapidly, what does that say about the game's broader appeal?

Twitch viewership paints a similar picture, with a significant dip in streaming activity since the game’s debut. Large streamers initially attracted viewers, but the subsequent decline indicates that the hype may not be lasting. Ideally, interest would not only sustain but grow as more Alpha codes are released and the weekend unfolds.

While it’s premature to declare 'Marathon' a failure based on just a few days of Closed Alpha feedback, this trend is a red flag regarding player engagement. The implications for the game's launch and its long-term success could be significant.

It's essential to remember that this is still an Alpha. Future updates, balance changes, and refinements will undoubtedly enhance the final product, likely making it more appealing. However, the core elements of 'Marathon' remain the same. Whether these are enough to capture and maintain the interest of its audience once it fully launches is an open question.

Stay tuned for updates, as Bungie faces critical decisions in the coming months about how to capitalize on or respond to this early feedback.