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NFL Draft Source Program gets Pittsburgh businesses in the game
Michael Pattillo has a thriving spice and catering business. The end goal, though, of this classically trained culinary wiz is to work as a private chef. Now,...
Pitt to offer online Infant Mental Health certificate
A new University of Pittsburgh academic program aims to address the mental health, growth and development needs of infants and toddlers amid a shortage of qualified, working professionals. Pitt has launched a new, online graduate certificate in Infant Mental Health. The 12-credit program kicks off this fall, said Robert Gallen,
NFL Draft in Pittsburgh expected to boost business in nearby Weirton
The NFL draft will take over the city of Pittsburgh next week, with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected in town for the event.While the bulk of the actio
Pitt Team Shines in National Bioethics Competition
In an annual tournament where students debate ethical issues in medicine, biotechnology and health care, the Pitt team placed second.
Steelers LB Patrick Queen Reveals Odds on Aaron Rodgers’ Return
Like everyone, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen is just waiting to hear if four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers will […] This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers LB Patrick Queen Reveals Odds on Aaron Rodgers’ Return
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to stay in business under new nonprofit owner
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will live on past its slated May 3 closure date, thanks to a new deal with a nonprofit journalism organization.
Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ St. Louis Blues, 4/14/2026
Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-16, 98 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) @ St. Louis Blues (36-33-12, 82 points, 7th place Central Division) When: 9:30 p.m. ET How to Watch: Local on TVAS and SN-PIT, national on ESPN Pens’ Path Ahead: The Philadelphia Flyers officially clinched a first-round matchup with the Pens with a shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on […]
Pirates’ Paul Skenes reaches historic milestone in 59 starts
As Paul Skenes continues to stack milestones early in his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 23-year-old added another historic note Monday in a 16-5 rout of the Washington Nationals. Making just his fourth MLB start of the season, Skenes…
Allegheny Health Network and UPMC to have pop-up clinics for NFL draft in Pittsburgh
With the anticipated crowds of people for the NFL draft, health care workers are preparing to care for anyone who will need treatment.
Allegheny Health Network and UPMC to have major presence for NFL draft in Pittsburgh
Washington Nationals Announce Roster Moves After Waldichuk Injury
After some bad news was sprinkled into Sunday's win against the Brewers, securing the first sweep against the team since 2011 and first in Milwaukee since 2006, the Washington Nationals announced a flurry of moves ahead of the four game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Health Sciences Teams Show Off Their Knowledge at Game Night
Eating too much protein can stiffen vessels.
Health Sciences Teams Show Off Their Knowledge at Game Night
Eating too much protein can stiffen vessels.
Two Pitt Materials Science Students Receive Ellwood Scholarships
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering students Margo Levenson and Koh Bauman have received Ellwood Metallurgy Scholarships, which include a paid summer internship. Ellwood, a family-owned metals manufacturer, offers the scholarship to high-caliber, third-year college students studying metallurgy.Levenson, a Pittsburgh native who...
‘The Pitt’s Noah Wyle Reacts to Supriya Ganesh’s Shocking Exit
Wyle also explained why the decision was made to write Ganesh out of the show.
Riding momentum from sweep, Nationals ready for Pirates, Paul Skenes
Fresh off their first three-game road sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in 20 years, the Washington Nationals will try to keep their momentum going when they face the Pirates and ace Paul Skenes on Monday night in the first contest of a four-game series in Pittsburgh.
From Vision to Reality: Sports Complex Initiative Takes Center Stage at April Greenville-Pitt Power Luncheon
A major community initiative is coming into focus this April, and local leaders will have a front-row seat to the conversation. Andrew Schmidt, President &
3 Steelers poised for their first All-Pro in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, here are our favorite three Steelers to be named and All-Pro for the first time.
Pittsburgh plans entertainment, block party for pedestrians walking through the NFL Draft
Jeremy Waldrup, head of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, has some advice for the several hundred thousand people who visit the city next week for the...
‘The Pitt’ Guest Star Shawn Hatosy Could Make Emmy History
Hatosy won Emmy gold for his performance in the medical drama last year, and this year, he could pull off a never-before-seen feat.
Dons boss Robinson will not relax until safety is secured
Stephen Robinson does not want Aberdeen to relax during their two-week break after they recorded a much-needed 2-0 win over Hibernian to boost their William Hill Premiership survival hopes. Kevin Nisbet netted from the penalty spot after Grant Hanley was sent off for hauling down Toyosi Olusanya and the Scotland striker added a second with 15 minutes to go to end a nine-match winless league run. The Dons are five points above Kilmarnock, who sit in the relegation play-off spot with five games to play, and the two teams clash at Pittodrie in the next round of Premiership fixtures which does not take place until April 25.
Will Aaron Rodgers' potential retirement dash Steelers' 2026 plans?
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be in for a long 2026 season if Aaron Rodgers chooses to retire, leaving the team with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
Coffee and granola: How a uniquely Pittsburgh partnership is helping local businesses grow
Derek Davies never intended to return to Pittsburgh. He had one goal by the time he graduated from North Allegheny High School: “Get the hell out...
April baseball means snowflakes and very brave parents
Attending spring sports games in upstate New York often means cold weather. Here's how to stay warm and entertained.
Alexander Ovechkin receives standing ovation from rival Penguins crowd in potential last game in Pittsburgh
Steelers trade proposal sends Nick Herbig to NFC powerhouse
Could the Steelers send Herbig out of Pittsburgh?
Game Preview: Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins, 4/11/2026
Who: Washington Capitals (40-30-9, 89 points, 6th place Metropolitan Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (41-22-16, 98 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) When: 3:00 p.m. ET How to Watch: National broadcast on ABC and TBS Pens’ Path Ahead: Today is the final home game of the regular season (but not the last home game of the season, now that […]
NFL reporter: Titans should acquire Falcons TE Kyle Pitts
One longtime NFL reporter suggests that the Tennessee Titans should acquire Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
Alamo Drafthouse showing 'The Pitt' finale free for health care workers
Ten Alamo Drafthouse locations are hosting free screenings of "The Pitt" Season 2 finale on Monday, April 13. Limited tickets are available online.
Pirates get 1st hit off Cubs' Thielbar in 7th inning after Imanaga departs
Shota Imanaga pitched six sharp innings for the Chicago Cubs before Ryan O’Hearn led off the seventh with a single to right off Caleb Thielbar for Pittsburgh’s first hit of the game | 97.3 The Sky
Jury starts deliberating states' claim that Live Nation has a monopoly on concerts and ticketing
Jury deliberations have begun in a civil case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment | 1080 WTIC NEWSTALK
Jury starts deliberating states' claim that Live Nation has a monopoly on concerts and ticketing
Jury deliberations have begun in a civil case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment. The states argue that the company and its ticketing arm, Ticketmaster, are...
NHL Playoffs: What’s next for the Penguins?
The Pittsburgh Penguins completed a double whammy yesterday, not only did they clinch a playoff spot for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs as a result of their victory, they also clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers loss. That makes for the best of days. What’s next for the Pens? […]
Pittsfield Health Shuts Down North Street Eatery for 'Pests'
Closed sign on Iztac's front door. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Iztac Mexican Restaurant is currently shut down by the Health Department. A hearing at the Board of...
Penguins clinch playoff spot with 5-2 win over Devils
Evgeni Malkin scored as part of his two-point game, Sidney Crosby set up two goals and Kris Letang had an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot by defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Thursday night. The Penguins are playoff-bound for the first time since 2022, ending a three-year drought that followed a streak of qualifying 16 seasons in a row. Crosby, Malkin and Letang have been around for all of it, including Stanley Cup runs in 2009, ’16 and ’17.
2026 Peabody Awards Entertainment Nominations
Additional noteworthy TV shows up for the prestigious honor, designed to recognize impactful small-screen storytelling, include 'Adolescence,' 'Andor,' 'Death by Lightning,' 'Dying for Sex,' 'Forever,' 'Mussolini: Son of the Century,' 'Pluribus' and 'The Rehearsal.'
Pitt’s philosophy program ranked No. 5 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject
The three Dietrich School units that make up the program continued its top-five streak, which dates back 10 years.
Pitt launches an affordable online graduate Certificate in Infant Mental Health
The new School of Education program, part of the Pitt Online portfolio, will help fill a critical national and statewide workforce gap.
Big businesses in Downtown Pittsburgh pivot to remote work for 2026 NFL Draft
Some Downtown Pittsburgh businesses have a simple message for their employees during the 2026 NFL Draft: Stay home. Big companies like PPG, Highmark and PNC are telling workers they don’t have to fight traffic, navigate around the detours or deal with the hassle of finding a coveted parking spot during
Steelers pre-draft visits and meetings tracker: News and updates
Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers' top-30 visits and pre-draft meetings ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Turning a classic children's snack into a business in Pittsburgh
Steelers 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: WR Elijah Sarratt
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, here is a scouting report for wide receiver Elijah Sarratt of Indiana.
Schefter gives update on Steelers' Aaron Rodgers deadline rumors
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently addressed the Pittsburgh Steelers-Aaron Rodgers deadline rumors.
Could the 2026 Pittsburgh Penguins Recapture the Magic of 2016?
It’s now been a decade since the Pittsburgh Penguins hoisted their fourth Stanley Cup, and ten years later, the team is looking to recapture that magic once more. Only four members remain from the 2015-16 team: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Bryan Rust. Four guys who not only know what it’s like to […] The post Could the 2026 Pittsburgh Penguins Recapture the Magic of 2016? appeared first on The Lead.
Penguins announce 2025-26 team award winners
Defenseman Erik Karlsson wins a major award, while the fourth line wins two of them for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Graduate programs in health sciences and engineering rose in U.S. News & World Report rankings
Seven health sciences specialty programs cracked the top 10, including a No. 1 ranking for occupational therapy, and the Swanson School of Engineering ranks No. 24 for public universities.
Penguins provide Blake Lizotte injury update ahead of playoffs
The Penguins got some seemingly positive updates on a key penalty killer just before the end of the regular season. The Sportsnet Pittsburgh broadcast shared footage this weekend of Blake Lizotte, who has been sidelined since March 14 with an upper-body injury, skating and taking shots ahead of Sunday morning practice. “He’s continuing to progress,” […]
Former Steelers OL makes surprising admission about time in Pittsburgh
Former Steelers OL Derwin Gray ranked Pittsburgh at the very top of his favorite former teams he has played for.
Spanberger signs bipartisan bills tied to billions in business investment across Virginia
Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday signed a package of economic development bills aimed at securing billions of dollars in private investment and creating thousands of jobs across Virginia, highlighting projects in Southside and Central Virginia tied to manufacturing, energy infrastructure and pharmaceuticals.The legislation supports several major projects announced by the administration in February, including a more than $500 million investment in Pittsylvania County by Avio USA Inc. The company plans to build an 860,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in the town of Hurt.
The week ahead: Penguins looking for just one win
When the 2025-26 NHL season began the Pittsburgh Penguins were given, by most models, less than a 10 percent chance of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As they enter play on Monday, with game No. 79 on the schedule ahead, MoneyPuck has them at a 99.9 percent chance to make the playoffs with an 8.2 […]
Steelers' ideal draft scenario revealed
What would be the best-case scenario for Pittsburgh in the draft?
Shiloh Jolie makes surprise cameo in Korean star Dayoung's music video
Shiloh Jolie, the 19-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, is a backup dancer in K-pop star Dayoung's \
Steelers 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: WR Antonio Williams
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, here is a scouting report for wide receiver Antonio Williams of Clemson.
Steelers insider dismisses Aaron Rodgers to Broncos buzz
According to Mark Kaboly, Aaron Rodgers won't be heading to the Denver Broncos, and his signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers is an "almost done deal."
Steelers 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: G Jalen Farmer
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, here is a scouting report for offensive guard Jalen Farmer of Kentucky.
The dirty truth about houseflies and their health risks
This is the latest installment of Pittsburgh Pests, an occasional series examining the insects and other creatures that pose health risks in our region. When...
Entertainment schedule taking shape for NFL Draft
Pittsburgh’s turn in the spotlight is getting a little brighter this month thanks to even more festivities announced this week in conjunction with the NFL Draft.
Where to watch Baltimore Orioles vs Pittsburgh Pirates: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 4
Here's how to watch Saturday's Pittsburgh Pirates vs Baltimore Orioles game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
All Pittsburgh Steelers Picks 2026 NFL Draft
How many picks do the Pittsburgh Steelers have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
MassLive: Boston, Springfield land on top 10 list of best cities for STEM professionals
Boston and Springfield were among the "Top 10 best metro areas for STEM professionals" in 2018, according to statistics compiled by WalletHub, a personal finance website. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Boston was ranked second and Springfield eighth on the list. Worcester came in at 18th. The full results can be found here. "We made another good list," Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said. "Glad to see our educational and workforce development are starting to pay off - this is all about a good four-letter word - jobs!" The 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country were ranked in 17 key metrics, WalletHub said. The evaluation ranged from "per-capita job openings for STEM graduates to annual median growth for STEM jobs, to projected demand for STEM workers by 2020," according to the summary. Seattle was top-rated, followed in order by Boston; Pittsburgh; Austin, Texas; Minneapolis; Madison, Wisconsin; Salt Lake City; Springfield; Chicago; and Atlanta. Original article: https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/11/springfield_makes_top_10_natio.html
Steelers could face competition for Aaron Rodgers, per report
The Pittsburgh Steelers may face stiff competition from the Denver Broncos for Aaron Rodgers, according to a new report from Mike Florio.
NHL Playoff Race: What the Penguins need to do
The Penguins lost to Tampa last night but still remain incredibly well-positioned to secure a playoff spot this season. Here’s the relevant standings for them as of now. While there could be other avenues with a Wild Card spot, for now we’ll keep it simple on the most straight-forward path available to Pittsburgh: finishing in […]
Wiz Khalifa to headline NFL Draft Entertainment Series
Wiz Khalifa has been named a headliner for the NFL Draft Entertainment Series, taking place in his native Pittsburgh. He is set to take the stage at 5:15 p.m. ET on April 24 before the second and thir...
How realistic is ‘The Pitt?’ We asked UVA Health’s ER staff
The medical drama, set in Pittsburgh, is gaining viewers with its gritty portrayal of a busy emergency room, similar to UVA’s.
2026 NFL Draft Performers: Wiz Khalifa, Kane Brown & Bret Michaels
Wiz Khalifa, Bret Michaels and Kane Brown will headline this year's NFL Draft Entertainment Series in Pittsburgh.
Wiz Khalifa, Kane Brown & Bret Michaels to Headline 2026 NFL Draft Entertainment Series in Pittsburgh: ‘The Energy Here Is Different’
The free, three-day event will go down April 23-25 alongside the NFL Draft.
Pennsylvania Brewing Co. files for bankruptcy protection alongside owner's real estate firm
Penn Brewery and owner Stefan Nitsch's Arkham Realty file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh health systems plan for increased care needs during NFL Draft
Allegheny Health Network and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center both say they are working with the NFL and city leaders to make sure visitors and residents will be able to access care when needed.
Steelers 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: QB Cade Klubnik
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, here is a scouting report for quarterback Cade Klubnik of Clemson.
Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins 3/31/2026
Who: Detroit Red Wings (39-26-8, 86 points, 6th place Atlantic Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (37-21-16, 90 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) When: 7:00 p.m. eastern How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and FanDuel Sportsnet Detroit, streaming on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: The Pens are headed to Tampa Bay to pay the Lightning on Thursday before returning […]
Student launches culinary business with help from fellow Gorilla, SBDC
A Pittsburg State University student who dreams of owning her own business is getting support and mentorship from a two-time Pitt State graduate with a business of her own.
Pittsburgh black-owned businesses express frustration over NFL draft selection process
B. Marshall, Juneteenth promoter, said, "They are contracting businesses to work for the NFL to do certain functions."
Steelers 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: WR Chris Brazzell II
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, here is a scouting report for wide receiver Chris Brazzell of Tennessee.
University of Pittsburgh commits $5 million to the city for parks, business districts and public safety
The University of Pittsburgh has committed $5 million over the next five years to support city parks, business corridor upgrades and public safety initiatives. The...
Pitt commits $5M in new investments to city parks, neighborhood business corridors and public safety
The University’s most recent commitment builds on decades of collaboration and support between the City of Pittsburgh and its premier anchor institution.
Colts' Irsay-Gordon addresses decisions to trade Franklin, Pittman
Colts' owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon addressed the decisions to trade Zaire Franklin and Michael Pittman.
Basketball tournament makes space for trans athletes amid international sports bans
The court, split into competitive and recreational sides, pitted players of all genders against each other for 15-minute matchups less than a week after transgender female athletes were banned from women’s events at the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee agreed to a new eligibility policy.
Penguins are ‘furious’ over string of disputed NHL decisions
Frustration is building inside the Pittsburgh Penguins organization after a series of disputed NHL decisions against them during a critical stretch. The Penguins are pushing for a playoff spot after a three-season drought. The issue gained attention after comments from…
Game #3: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets
The Pirates are on the road looking to grab a win today.
Stars visit the Flyers after Bourque's 2-goal performance
Dallas Stars (44-18-11, in the Central Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (36-24-12, in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Stars -154, Flyers +129; over/under is 5.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars visit the Philadelphia Flyers after Mavrik Bourque's two-goal game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stars' 6-3 win. Philadelphia has a 16-12-8 record at home and a 36-24-12 record overall.
Market Square momentum builds as crews work to push project over goal line before NFL Draft
In the middle of 2010, the owners of Costanzo’s restaurant — then a mainstay in Downtown Pittsburgh — faced a choice: pay their electric...
Where to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Saturday, March 28
The Mets hope to build off their Opening Day win against the Pirates.
Game Preview: Dallas Stars @ Pittsburgh Penguins 3/28/2026
Who: Dallas Stars (43-18-11, 97 points, 2nd place Central Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (36-20-16, 88 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) When: 5:00 p.m. eastern How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and Victory+, streaming on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins have a back-to-back coming up that will have a major impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race. […]
'The best of both worlds': New prostate cancer treatment arrives in Pittsburgh
When George Dorkhom found out that his prostate cancer had advanced, he researched his best option for treatment. He was drawn to a new ultrasound procedure...
Something Is Happening Around Earth: Inside 2026’s Massive Fireball Surge
Earth is facing an unexplained surge of massive, booming daytime fireballs in early 2026.
Mixed Sidney Crosby injury update emerges amid Penguins’ playoff push
Sidney Crosby’s injury update has left the Pittsburgh Penguins with mixed emotions during a crucial playoff push. The captain exited Thursday’s NHL game against the Ottawa Senators with a lower-body issue, and the team quickly ruled him out for the…
Post-Gazette wins four national business journalism awards
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s work on coverage involving the sale of U.S. Steel, the dangers that coal miners face from inhaling silica, the state...
Mark Nordenberg to step down from his leadership roles with the Institute of Politics and Dick Thornburgh Forum
The chancellor emeritus, who has long been a driving force behind the wide-ranging civic initiatives, will also serve as the University’s 2026 spring commencement speaker.
Introducing Pitt’s newest American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows
Jill Millstone and Ora Weisz join nearly 500 scientists recognized this year by the world’s largest scientific society.
Steelers 2026 scouting report tracker: Latest on draft prospects
Here is a look at the scouting report tracker for the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
O'Connor touts business opportunities at latest tech summit held in Pittsburgh
Mayor Corey O’Connor sees himself as Pittsburgh’s biggest promoter, which is why he’s been making dozens of calls to sell people on settling...
Criminology, political science student turns resilience into leadership
Through mentorship, leadership in the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, and service to her Pittsburgh community, Trinidy Manison, a Penn State College of the Liberal Arts student, has committed to uplifting others while preparing for a future in law.
'The Pitt' Star Noah Wyle Talks Universal Health Coverage, Season 3
The hit drama took the London spotlight ahead of the U.K. launch of HBO Max, as Wyle shared how his years of TV doc experience helped when the producer of 'KPop Demon Hunters' needed a medical hand this awards season.
‘R U OK?’ Day bringing awareness to mental health resources in Pitt County
One county in eastern North Carolina is using that question to encourage greater awareness of mental health resources.
Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox
Alinea Analytics estimates show that Marathon has generated gross revenues of $55M via 1.2M copies sold on Steam, PS5, and Xbox: Looking at the split between Steam, PS5, and Xbox, Steam is clearly the main platform for Marathon, accounting for a little under 70% of the audience (800K copies sold). Meanwhile, PS5 takes about 19% (217K) and Xbox (including console, PC, and cloud) accounts for a bit over 11% or 133K. Marathon is technically a first-party Sony title, so seeing the home console struggle to break 20% of the volume is a notable data point for the ongoing platform-agnostic debate. PlayStation Studios online games will almost certainly continue being multiplatform (despite Sony reportedly pulling back on PC releases). Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe As for Marathon, the consensus among hardcore players who pushed through the awkward onboarding phase – myself included – is that it’s fantastic. The gunplay, aesthetic, and presentation are among the best in the shooter genre. A great game doesn’t always equal an immediate hit, though, as shown by our estimates. Things are looking lukewarm right now. But this might be one of those marathon-not-a-sprint situations. Had to, didn’t I? Why wasn’t Marathon a hit on the same level as Arc Raiders? One topic that came up in a lot of conversations at GDC this year was why Marathon hasn’t hit the same stratosphere as Arc Raiders. On paper, they’re both extraction shooters, and Marathon has the Bungie pedigree – the house that built the gold standard for gunplay in Halo and Destiny. Marathon’s neon-futuristic aesthetic also distinguishes itself from the gritty realism of Tarkov or the post-apocalyptic hope of ARC Raiders. But vibes can only get you so far for first impressions if the onboarding feels like a brick wall. Marathon is a sweaty PvP-focused experience with a first-time user experience and UI that I can only describe as dreadful. Players are dropped into a complex ecosystem where the UI, though visually striking, is functionally uninformative, forcing users to manually hover over nondescript, identical icons just to identify basic gear or weapon mods. This lack of clarity is compounded by punishing mechanics like a severe heat gauge for movement and a scarcity of vital resources, all without a clear tutorial or a low-stakes mode to learn the ropes. Most people – even top streamers and veteran shooter players – have no idea what’s going on in Marathon at first. Arc is on the complete other end of the spectrum. As we covered here and here, Arc Raiders offers a more collaborative, approachable loop where players often work together toward shared goals. And the objectives are instantly clear. To many players, this contrast only emphasised Marathon’s issues, especially during the testing period. Players understand the Arc Raiders loop within 30 minutes, while Marathon acts as a massive filter, chewing up newcomers and spitting them out before they can experience the depth of Bungie’s signature gunplay. What I’m getting at here is that the poor first-time user experience of Marathon’s Server Slam likely stifled launch sales, while the opposite was true for Arc. Let’s look at the pre-launch copies sold for each game during their respective Server Slams (launch-aligned) : Looking at the trajectory: Arc Raiders saw a massive 80% jump in copies sold during its three-day Server Slam (day -13 to -11). Players jumped in, realised the water was fine, and immediately opened their wallets. Marathon, meanwhile, saw a 49% increase in the four days following its Slam (Day -7 to -3). At the time of each game’s respective launch, Arc Raiders had nearly double the Steam footprint of Marathon – and word of mouth only continued to grow. Bungie could have had more time to fix the onboarding process had the beta happened earlier. But Marathon launched three days after the beta finished. These factors limited the launch sales quite a bit, I reckon. Marathon has found a niche audience, though Despite the friction-heavy start, the data suggests that those who survived Marathon’s onboarding are loving life. We’ve been tracking cross-platform DAUs, and while there’s the expected post-launch leakage, many players are sticking with it. After peaking at 478K total DAUs on its first Saturday, Marathon has settled into a respectable rhythm, holding 345K DAUs as of yesterday and averaging 380K DAUs across the weekend. Steam continues to do the heavy lifting here, consistently accounting for the lion’s share of the daily players. Players have been putting in the hours, too: On Steam, Marathon’s average playtime has climbed to 27.8 hours, significantly outpacing the console averages on PS5 (16.5h) and Xbox (17.3h). Even more telling than the averages: 22% of the Steam audience has surged past the 50-hour mark, and nearly 7% have already logged over 100 hours. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe This data suggests that once the Bungie magic clicks, it hooks players deeper than the average extraction shooter. There’s also started to be a shift in the game’s discourse. Marathon launched as one of those games that’s cool to hate. But as Marathon’s 100-hour club grows, we’re seeing conversations around its mechanical merit outweigh the negativity. Several high-profile creators, who were initially vocal critics, have spent the last week coming around on the mechanical depth of the endgame. It’s a subtle but positive signal; the hate train is losing steam, and a new narrative about the game is emerging. Bungie faithfuls unite Another interesting metric in Marathon’s first few weeks is who, exactly, is playing. Bungie leans heavily on its prestige as the “makers of Halo and Destiny,” in its marketing, and that message has clearly hit the mark. On Steam, the gravity (hammer) of Bungie’s previous work is unavoidable. A staggering 78.2% of Marathon players also played Destiny 2. The trend carries across other platforms, with 74.2% of PS5 players and 82.7% of Xbox players also having played Destiny 2. The Halo legacy lives on, it seems. More on that in a bit. While Destiny 2 went free to play, these numbers still represent a high-intent migration of a fanbase that trusts Bungie’s specific brand of kinetic gunplay and cryptic world-building. The Xbox data adds another layer of legacy. About 85.7% of Marathon players on Xbox have played Halo Infinite, while over half of the Steam audience has spent time in Halo Infinite and 36.1% in the Master Chief Collection (a paid collection of the old Bungie-made legacy games). Interestingly, we see a 55.9% overlap with ARC Raiders on Steam. Overlap is even higher there on PlayStation (60.5%) and Xbox (66.5%). And there’s also significant crossover with Helldivers 2 on all platforms, too. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe Bungie has found some of its fans with Marathon, and the challenge now is keeping this engaged in a high-stakes PvP environment when they’ve spent the last decade primarily enjoying the power fantasies of PvE. On that note… Go the full 26 miles? Or cut and run? Time for some could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. These things would have improved Marathon’s performance at launch: A more robust onboarding process, perhaps in the form of a short single-player/PvE campaign. We know Bungie fans love this stuff. A traditional arena-based mode akin to Destiny’s Crucible could have been a bridge for the cautious players who’d have been otherwise deterred by the Server Slam. It’s also a great palate cleanser after getting merked. Introducing a dedicated PvE environment would have similarly diversified the conversation and lowered the barrier for the Bungie faithful who found the pure PvP extraction loop too abrasive. PvE is safer than PvP these days. There’s an argument that a thin PvE mode would have just felt like a budget Destiny, potentially hurting the brand more. But given how dire the FTUE is, I think it would have been a net positive. Any kind of tutorialised loop that demystifies the stakes, really. While there is merit in a studio sticking firmly to a singular creative vision, and going all in on the hardcore extraction loop. Less forgiving is the technical reality is that the user interface and first-time user experience (FTUE) were not at a commercial standard for launch. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe In a landscape where player time is oversaturated and the most contested currency, a flawed FTUE is a critical failure point. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as Marathon has an incredible, unique gameplay loop, suggesting that financial success is still attainable if Bungie can pivot effectively. Bungie and PlayStation now face a difficult strategic crossroads, though – one within a challenging games market. They could: Double down on Marathon with a long-term Rainbow Six Siege- or No Man’s Sky-style recovery plan, which is something I heard Last Stand Media’s Chris Maldonado mention last week. While this could be a sunk-cost fallacy in action, it could eventually yield the audience the game’s mechanical depth deserves. Shift focus toward the inevitable Destiny 3 or another project, mitigating the escalating opportunity cost and cutting their losses, so to speak. Doing both is an expensive proposition, given the high overhead and burn rate of operating out of Bellevue, Washington. With Sony recently demonstrating a lower threshold for underperforming studios and projects, the margin for error has vanished. Whatever happens, the next six months will determine whether Marathon becomes a cornerstone of Sony’s live-service portfolio or a cautionary tale of vision exceeding accessibility. I’m hoping it’s the former, because Marathon rocks. As always, hit subscribe to get updates on Marathon and other relevant games. Subscribe Want to get your hands on our data for yourself – for free? We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply to this email, and we’ll set you up. The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Candle-Making Business Is the Latest Pop-Up to Join Downtown Revitalization Effort
Visitors on Saturday, March 28 can receive a free gift.