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Scientists found the strength training sweet spot for a longer life
Just 90–120 minutes of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards, according to a study tracking more than 147,000 people for 30 years. That amount was linked to lower risks of death overall, particularly from cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Combining strength workouts with aerobic exercise produced even stronger benefits.
Scientists found the strength training sweet spot for a longer life
Just 90–120 minutes of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards, according to a study tracking more than 147,000 people for 30 years. That amount was linked to lower risks of death overall, particularly from cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Combining strength workouts with aerobic exercise produced even stronger benefits.
One of fall's coolest games has been delayed to October to avoid a September crush
Last Sunday, a trailer that aired during an online Xbox event showed Valor Mortis, an upcoming action game that re-imagines the age of Napoleonic wars as a conflict with the plague-ridden undead. It’s a first-person game that mixes Dark Souls-style combat with parkour—it’s from the developers of the acclaimed, fast-paced cyberpunk wall-running Ghostrunner games—and a setting like nothing else that’s out there. Valor Mortis’ trailer concluded with a release date: September 24. But by the time it aired, the teams behind the game knew that was no longer Valor Mortis’ release date. Days ago, they’d learned the hard way that September 24 would be untenable and that they’d have to change it. Today, they’ve announced a new one, October 13, after speaking to Game File about getting out of the bind they recently found themselves in. “When we picked September 24th, it looked like a very, very clear date,” Blake Rochkind, head of publisher Lyrical Games, told me during an impromptu interview on Monday in Los Angeles. “Very quickly it became not such a clear date.” Lyrical and development studio One More Level had a feeling the deate might need to change, Rochkind recalled. But they had to lock in September 24 “many, many weeks” ago. Really, though, who could know if that was the right call when they made it? “There were so many unknowns,” Rochkind said. “This was before Sony State of Play, before Xbox Showcase, before Nintendo Direct, before Summer Games Fest.” Then on Tuesday, June 2, during a PlayStation showcase held just five days before their planned release date reveal, things changed. “As soon as Control announced September 24th, we knew we were moving the date.” It wasn’t just the PlayStation showcase reveal of the release date for Remedy’s upcoming third-person thriller. There were others. And changing their own trailer this close to its airing, Rochkind would later tell me, wasn’t possible.
Get to know: '27 kicker commitment Rocco DePrima
Arkansas kicker commitment Rocco DePrima is not hurting for leg strength and has a 67-yard field goal during a workout in January to prove it.
watchOS 27 Introduces Workout Buddy Upgrades, Better Sleep Tracking, and More
watchOS 27 contains a series of enhancements to fitness and sleep tracking, including new Workout Buddy insights, improved indoor run tracking, and more. Workout Buddy is gaining new data-driven motivation features, delivering progress updates for pace, distance, and workout duration based on a user's fitness history. Apple is also enabling Workout Buddy to function without an iPhone nearby, allowing users to stay motivated during workouts without needing a phone in their pocket or hand.
UCLA Women’s Basketball Adds Second Freshman to Roster
UCLA women’s basketball signed Slovenian freshman guard Lina Jerkovic for the 2026-27 season, the team announced on Sunday. Jerkovic is just the second incoming freshman to join the squad alongside Spanish guard Somto Okafor. UCLA is entering a rebuilding phase after winning the national championship last season. Part of that rebuild involved signing five players […] The post UCLA Women’s Basketball Adds Second Freshman to Roster appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Kayshon Boutte confirms status for Patriots minicamp
The fourth-year wide receiver was absent from voluntary offseason workouts.
Charlotte Hornets host former top prospect for pre-draft workout
The Charlotte Hornets hosted Koa Peat for a pre-draft workout earlier this week, despite draft boards regarding him as a late first-round pick.
Utah State's Drake Allen had predraft workout with OKC Thunder
Utah State's Drake Allen had predraft workout with Oklahoma City Thunder.
Four Senate Republicans again unite with Dems to block Trump's SAVE America Act
Four Senate Republicans joined Democrats to kill the SAVE Act voter ID amendment for a second time, blocking it from the budget reconciliation package.
Millions of Women Are Syncing Workouts to Their Cycle, but Has the Trend Raced Ahead of Science?
Women everywhere are syncing workouts to their cycle— but has the trend raced ahead of the research? Here’s what we know.
Bowers & Wilkins’ new flagship floorstander is yours for €50,000/pair
Yes, Bowers & Wilkins has announced the fifth-generation 800 Series Diamond.
Joe Burrow backs BODYARMOR FIT launch as sparkling sports drink targets everyday active hydration
BODYARMOR FIT launched as a sparkling sports drink with electrolytes, caffeine, and zero sugar for everyday active hydration beyond workouts, championed by Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
One Common Food Can Fuel Your Workouts And Aid Recovery. Here's The Science.
As effective as energy drinks and gels – but natural.
Report: Indiana's Sam Alexis had predraft workout with OKC Thunder
Report: Indiana's Sam Alexis had predraft workout with Oklahoma City Thunder.
Big takeaways from Steelers voluntary OTAs
The Steelers wrapped up voluntary OTAs and mandatory workouts kick off this week and here are our takeaways.
Short bursts of exercise can add up to big health benefits, study finds
If you don't have time for a full 30-minute workout, that's OK.
Two names that stand out as 'Draft Day Steals' after 2026 OTA's
Through the NFL voluntary workouts and OTAs, we take a look at two players who are already looking like draft day steals from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Nebraska guard works out for NBA team ahead of draft
Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg had a pre-draft workout for the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
3 Giants Players Have Torn Their Achilles During Spring Workouts
Three players on the New York Giants have now torn their Achilles during spring workouts this offseason. Here's the latest.
Science Museum Oklahoma brings Barbie experience to kids
KOKH Fox 25 provides, news, sports, weather and local event coverage in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, including McLoud, Shawnee, Tecumseh, Seminole, Wewoka, Maud, Asher, Wanetted, Goldsby, Norman, Blanchard, Chickasha, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Andarko, Bridgeport, Lawton, Duncan, Okarche, Kingfisher, Guthrie Stillwater and Cushing, Oklahoma.
Jaylon Johnson in attendance at Bears voluntary OTAs
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that cornerback Jaylon Johnson is in attendance at voluntary OTA workouts.
Detroit Lions May 2026 Offseason Workout Medical Update: Penei Sewell
Injury updates from the Detroit Lions 2026 offseason workouts in late April and early May. Medical recap and outlook for Penei Sewell.
Jets OTAs are set to begin
The Jets will start the third and final phase of their offseason program this week. These are called organized team activities (OTAs). What is the offseason program? The NFL players and owners agreed to allow players to go to the team facility for a set number of workouts/practices over the course of the offseason. What […]
Detroit Lions May 2026 Offseason Workout Medical Update: Alim McNeill
Injury updates from the Detroit Lions 2026 offseason workouts in late April and early May. Medical recap and outlook for Alim McNeill.
Detroit Lions May 2026 Offseason Workout Medical Update: Dan Jackson
Injury updates from the Detroit Lions 2026 offseason workouts in late April and early May. Medical recap and outlook for Dan Jackson.
Detroit Lions Offseason Workout Medical Update: Christian Mahogany
Injury updates from the Detroit Lions 2026 offseason workouts in late April and early May. Medical recap and outlook for Christian Mahogany.
Detroit Lions May Offseason Workout Medical Update: Terrion Arnold
Injury updates from the Detroit Lions 2026 offseason workouts in late April and early May. Medical recap and outlook for Terrion Arnold.
Los Angeles Rams players participate in offseason workouts for Phase 2 of OTAs
Browse through photos capturing the best moments from this week's offseason workouts at the Los Angeles Rams' training facility.
Who won 'Survivor 50'? Champion claims $2m prize after Jeff Probst accidentally spoils major reveal.
Five castaways entered the finale with $2 million on the line after a season packed with blindsides, surprise twists and celebrity cameos.
4 young Titans players to watch at OTAs
The Tennessee Titans are conducting OTA workouts, and we’ve identified four sophomore players we should be monitoring.
Asia’s Maternal Health Story Is Changing — And Young People Are Asking Bigger Questions
From Tokyo to rural villages, maternal health in Asia is rapidly changing.
Panthers reportedly signing rookie RB after workout
The Panthers are reportedly set to sign RB Miles Davis.
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte isn't participating in offseason workouts
The real reason exercise makes you stronger isn’t what you think
Exercise may be training your brain just as much as your body. Researchers discovered that certain brain cells stay highly active even after a workout ends, and those lingering signals appear to help the body build endurance over time. In experiments with mice, blocking these brain cells prevented improvements in stamina, even when the animals still exercised normally.
Scientists say this simple music trick can boost workout endurance by 20%
A new study shows that listening to your own favorite workout music can dramatically boost endurance. Cyclists exercising with self-selected songs lasted nearly 20% longer than when riding in silence, yet they didn’t feel more exhausted at the end. Researchers say music may help people stay in the “pain zone” longer without increasing perceived strain.
Multi-use clinic River City Health & Wellness finds its solo space in Scott's Addition
“People can do their workout, do their recovery aspect, and they’ve got their providers all on-site,” owner Helen Robertson said. “I do think this model’s going to really start taking off…I know we’re the first ones in Virginia doing all of the things under one roof.”
NYT Crossword Answers for May 07, 2026
John Guzzetta and Jeff Chen reunite to give us a Thursday workout.
Lancers Set for UTR Sports NIT Championship Battle with North Alabama
The Longwood men's tennis team is set for its semifinal match at the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship against second-seeded North Alabama on Thursday at 11:30 a.m., at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Has Plenty of Blood After All — and a Gameplay Mechanic Borrowed From Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft has released a deep dive look at the parkour, stealth and combat features found in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — and most importantly, given fans a look at the game with its blood effects enabled.
Report: Readily available Colts QB reports for voluntary offseason workouts
Despite being on the trade block, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. reported for the team’s voluntary offseason workouts.
Methane emissions are accelerating warming. Scientists say this plan can help
As G7 discussions turn to methane emissions, more than 250 scientists have issued a plan to accelerate action on one of the fastest ways to slow warming.
How Perimenopause Became America's New Health Scare
If you’re a woman who speaks English, it sometimes feels like you can’t spend time on the internet without being bombarded with all the ways in which your body or your mind could be just a little broken. A few years ago, Instagram was full of women talking about attention deficit disorder, and lo and behold: From 2020 to 2022, the percentage of women (between the ages of 23 and 49) newly diagnosed with it nearly doubled. Not long ago, premenstrual syndrome was all the rage, with the algorithm pushing videos that explained why it’s okay to fly off the handle once a month. These days, the word perimenopause is everywhere. Perhaps you’ve seen the headlines. “Perimenopause is having a millennial moment. Here are 7 ways to cope,” says The Washington Post. Or perhaps you’ve seen Apple TV’s glossy drama Your Friends & Neighbors, which is back for its second season; the female protagonist Mel is explicitly perimenopausal, and in the first season, she keyed a car for no apparent reason. She’s played by Amanda Peet, who talks about being perimenopausal in real life (“God knows I’ve wanted to key a lot of cars in the last three years,” she’s said.) In fact, it sometimes feels like every celebrity interview with a forty- or fiftysomething woman requires her to open up about what’s going on with her hormones. Drew Barrymore joked on CBS Mornings that when she found out how long perimenopause can last, she thought she’d “never make it 10 years like this.” Katherine Heigl told Business Insider that “whoever designed it so that women would be going through perimenopause while raising teenagers should be sent a strongly worded letter.” At the same time, influencers who talk about perimenopause seem to have cropped up out of nowhere with something to sell you, causing people online to wonder where this all came from. It’s trickled down from Instagram to tchotchke shops, which sell fridge magnets that say “Perimenopause Is Hot.” You can buy a T-shirt that proclaims “Perimenopause Made Me Do It!” My mom, who is 48, started uncontrollably shaking her leg at night a few years ago. “It’s perimenopause,” she told me when I complained about how annoying it was. But what exactly is perimenopause—and why are we all talking about it all of a sudden?
Health expert shares workouts, nutrition tips to feel more beach ready
Beach season has a way of sneaking up fast — but getting stronger, leaner, or simply feeling more confident doesn’t have to start in a gym.Health expert Heather
Casey Means: Murkowski sunk my nomination
The surgeon general nominee is a close ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Photos show pre-race workouts ahead of the Kentucky Derby
Horses and trainers take to the track for workouts ahead of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, set for Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Scientists reveal the best exercise for knee arthritis pain relief
A major review of 217 trials shows that aerobic exercise is the most effective option for managing knee osteoarthritis. Activities like walking, cycling, and swimming outperformed other exercise types in reducing pain and improving movement. While alternatives like strength training and mind-body exercises help, they are best used alongside aerobic workouts. The findings also confirm that exercise is a safe and essential part of treatment.
Expert Workout Plan, Diet Tips to Boost Energy and Combat Stress
Stressed and tired? A dietitian and personal trainer share small daily habits that boost energy and mood and help combat anxiety.
How UTC’s Mocs Wellness Initiative is reshaping health on campus
On a weekday afternoon inside the Aquatic and Recreation Center, a group of UTC employees moves through a workout they didn’t design on their own. They’re not guessing at exercises. They’re not following a generic plan. And they’re not doing it alone. Instead, they’re working with a team.
This one change to your exercise routine could add years to your life
Mixing up your workouts might be the real secret to a longer life. Long-term research tracking over 100,000 people for more than three decades suggests that doing a variety of physical activities—rather than just more of the same—can significantly lower the risk of death. Interestingly, the benefits don’t keep rising endlessly; they seem to level off after a certain point, hinting at a “sweet spot” of activity.
The best way to sleep on a plane, according to science
An eye mask, earplugs, and a same-day workout can all increase your odds.
Republicans fail to attach SAVE America Act to party-line funding package
Senate Republicans Tom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell voted against a voter ID amendment to the GOP immigration enforcement funding bill.
Lane Johnson's recent workout video is reason for continued optimism
A new workout clip shows the Eagles’ All-Pro tackle still looks like himself, and maybe then some.
U.S. Senate votes to advance $70 billion funding plan for ICE, Border Patrol
Two Republicans - Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski - opposed the measure.
Watch: Panthers arrive for 1st day of offseason program
Panthers players were greeted with a little surprise when returning to the building for the start of the offseason workout program.
A.J. Brown reportedly not expected to attend Eagles' voluntary offseason workouts amid trade speculation
Patriots start 2026 offseason workout program on Monday
The Patriots players will return to Gillette Stadium for Phase 1 of voluntary workouts.
Emerging Business: FITBENCH
Ixonia-based FITBENCH, a fitness equipment wholesaler making multifaceted workout benches, was recognized as Thrive Economic Development’s Emerging
Davidson Community Players stage contemporary plays
'The Lifespan of a Fact,' and 'Actually' at Armour Street Theatre
Washington baseball falls 6-4 to Michigan State in opener
The Washington Huskies fell behind early and couldn't muster a comeback in a 6-4 loss to the Michigan State Spartans on Friday.
Two star quants at HFT giant Jump Trading have exited
Yiming Zhang and Darko Kirovski were foundational leaders in the vaunted Jump Core Strategies trading group.
Los Angeles Chargers get health update on their starting offensive tackles
The NFL offseason continues to build momentum as the league approaches the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams have already made key free-agent signings, begun offseason workouts, and are now finalizing their draft boards. The Los Angeles Chargers spent much of last…
Report: Jacoby Brissett not at Cardinals workouts, wants new contract
The Cardinals haven't named Jacoby Brissett their starting quarterback, but he reportedly would like a contractual commitment from the team that reflects the chance that he'll be under center in Week 1.
What trainers actually think about the 12-3-30 workout
Have we finally unlocked exercise’s biggest secret? Or is this yet another lie perpetrated Big Treadmill?
Philippine president does jumping jacks to disprove health rumors
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 68, said the impromptu workout was meant to ease worries about his health as the Southeast Asian nation struggles with fallout from the Iran war.
What are the odds? CMU sports betting class explores statistical, cognitive sides of gambling
In 2018, Ron Yurko was researching sports analytics as a Ph.D. student at Carnegie Mellon University when the Supreme Court legalized sports betting. Suddenly,...
How long does a workout need to be to see health benefits?
Mystery Tarkov-Marathon Extraction Blend, ‘Fragmentary Order,’ Raises Questions
Fragmentary Order, already being called “Starkov” by many, debuted a seven-minute cinematic trailer yesterday, dropping from new studio Rant Gaming and publisher Cor3,
GameThread: Tigers vs. Marlins, 1:40 p.m.
Detroit Tigers (6-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-7) Time/Place: 1:40 p.m., Comerica ParkOpponent Site: Fish On FirstMedia: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio NetworkPitching Matchup: LHP Tarik Skubal (1-2, 2.55 ERA) vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 0.74 ERA) Lineups MARLINS TIGERS Austin Slater – RF Kevin McGonigle – SS Agustin Ramirez – C Gleyber Torres – 2B Jakob Marsee – CF Colt Keith […]
'Tarkov in Space' Revealed as Fragmentary Order, a Sci-Fi 'Combat Simulator'
Rant Gaming has unveiled Fragmentary Order, a new first-person shooter that many have dubbed Escape from Tarkov in space.
Manipulating Science, Manipulating Us
Four decades ago, I and Gerald Markowitz published an article in the American Journal of Public Health that attracted a fair amount of attention. The article was about the history of the introduction of tetraethyl lead into gasoline in the 1920s. The article detailed the controversy over putting lead, even then a known industrial poison and neurotoxin, into the gasoline that was powering the new automobile, particularly those that were produced by the General Motors Company.
Netflix's 'Thrash' is junk-food entertaining to roast, mock and enjoy
From the director of “Violent Night” (Tommy Wirkola), “Thrash” is Netflix’s first summery film of the year. In 2026, you can’t simply have a natural disaster movie or a predator
2026 NFL Draft: First-round prospect Jordyn Tyson to host teams for workout amid injury concerns, per report
Tyson is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year's class
NFL analyst says Steelers feel good about Aaron Rodgers returning
Rodgers has yet to tell the Steelers his plans at the start of volunteer workouts for the second consecutive season.
$9M 24-acre Jay park renovation will include sports complex, disaster hub
A $9.1 million upgrade of Jay park will include full-scale sports complex, playground, outdoor workout area and a disaster response hub.
New York Giants’ star defender Dexter Lawrence salary demands revealed
The NFL is not only preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft—it has already begun voluntary workouts. Teams are now seeing players report for workouts, recovery plans, and general wellness checks. One notable name is absent from the New York Giants’…
Buccaneers' OTAs Kick Off April 20
Buccaneers' offseason workouts begin April 20. Dive into the phased program, from conditioning to team drills, as the Bucs prepare for the season.
Ravens' 56-man roster as off-season workouts begin
The Baltimore Ravens are set to begin their nine-week offseason workout program on Monday. Here’s a full look at the current 55-man roster
Luca Langoni sparks Revolution to 3-0 victory over Montreal
Luca Langoni scored early before notching his league-high fifth assist on defender Mamadou Fofana's first career goal, and the New England Revolution beat CF Montreal 3-0 on Saturday. New England (2-3-0) has lost all three of its road matches under first-year coach Marko Mitrović, but the Revolution have won their two home matches by a combined 9-1 score. Montreal falls to 1-5-0 as ends a six-match road trip to begin the season.
March Madness Final Four live updates: How to watch, time, channel for Illinois vs. UConn, Arizona vs. Michigan
Get live updates from the men’s NCAA Final Four as March Madness continues. Follow the latest as UConn faces Illinois and Arizona plays Michigan.
49ers 2026 offseason workout dates revealed
The 49ers' path to the playoffs and the Super Bowl is beginning to take shape.
Chiefs’ offseason workout dates announced
Kansas City’s offseason training program consists of three phases.
Cardiologist Reveals Favorite Exercise Class For Workout Variety
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a cardiologist reveals how she unexpectedly discovered a "really intense workout" and why a variety of workouts boosts longevity.
Alaska politics + Winston College of Law + Blotter ++
In Alaska, when politicians talk about the NPR, it’s not National Public Radio. It’s the National Petroleum Reserve. And on March 18, 2026, Alaska’s Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, issued a press release taking credit for the “most successful oil and gas lease sale ever held in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).” It […]
30-Day Strength and Stretch Workout for Walkers, Plus Nutrition Tips
This strength and stretch plan will improve balance, build muscle and increase flexibility. Plus, learn simple diet tips to fuel your walks.
Mets’ Sean Manaea prioritizing health over velocity concerns in wait for 1st 2026 outing
QUEENS, NY — Sean Manaea is still waiting for his first opportunity to get into a game out of the bullpen this season, but remains adamant that his lagging
'Bridal arms' are trending: This simple 3-move Pilates workout sculpts your shoulders, back and biceps
Here's a short routine with only 3 movements to try
Titans scheduled private workout with top Big 10 kicker
The Tennessee Titans are turning over every stone to add talent, and reportedly scheduled a private workout with Iowa kicker Drew Stevens.
Latest Escape from Tarkov Update Makes The Game 'Easier'
Battlestate Games has released the 1.0.4.0 update in Escape from Tarkov, and in many ways, it makes the game much easier.
PlayStation Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games A Year After Its Formation
PlayStation is shutting down first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games just one year after it was announced, and before it shipped a game.
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!]
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