Shooter Monthly #7: Marathon’s Collapse, Apex’s Comeback, & Disney’s Extraction Shooter

Marathon’s player numbers are collapsing, Apex Legends is surging again, and rumors suggest Disney may be entering the extraction shooter genre.In this episode, we break down:● Why Marathon’s retention and onboarding may be fundamentally broken● Whether Bungie can still save Marathon● How Arc Raiders became the first mainstream extraction shooter hit● Why extraction shooters still struggle with accessibility● The debate around wipes, PvP pressure, and economy design● Why Apex Legends is suddenly exploding again in DAU● How Apex keeps balancing casual and hardcore players● The hidden importance of movement and traversal in shooters● Why Apex’s live service design is still among the best in gaming● The rise of bots, softer matchmaking, and more accessible BR systems● Why Disney may be working on an extraction shooter● Whether sci-fi shooters are still too niche for mainstream success● Why the extraction shooter genre may still be in its early evolution

CHAPTERS:

03:11 Marathon In Trouble
06:30 Why Players Bounce
08:23 Saving Marathon
09:42 Onboarding Versus Difficulty
11:08 Marketing Retention Reality
15:32 Cryoarchive Endgame Explained
17:01 Tarkov Side Project Reveal
22:46 Arc Raiders Update Check
27:21 Live Service Reengagement
30:10 Why Arc Raiders Clicks
31:44 Accessibility Push Needed
33:23 Sandbox Health Ideas
36:19 Apex Season Surge
39:02 Movement and Progression
42:33 Market Forces and China
46:35 Bots and Softer BRs
49:02 Disney Extraction Rumor
50:35 Star Wars and Fortnite Link
52:21 Wrapping Up