Player Reaches Level 45 in Marathon Without Understanding Game Mechanics, Goes Viral

A recent tale from the gaming community highlights a player named Steve who hit level 45 by exclusively taking down robots, showcasing a unique way to experience a game. Steve dove into Bungie’s latest shooter without ever extracting, looting, completing contracts, or engaging with other players, not even upgrading his gear.

Some skeptics argue that the story of “MarathonSteve” seems too outlandish to be true. However, the video evidence shared supports his existence, and he embodies a truth that game developers know well: no tutorial can cover every player’s approach. There’s always a “MarathonSteve” out there, enjoying the game in their own way.

On June 29, a Reddit user shared the story of their friend Steve, a 46-year-old who picked up Bungie’s online extraction FPS, Marathon, after trying it during a free weekend. Previously, Steve was mostly into Madden and some Call of Duty. Having played the original Marathon games on Mac, he assumed the goal of the new title was simply to kill robots, and that’s precisely what he did.

After teaming up for their first session, Steve’s friend discovered that Steve had never extracted, “at least to his knowledge.” He hadn’t completed any quests or contracts, collected rewards, or even claimed a codex entry. He had only used free kits and played as the Destroyer, unaware of its rocket capabilities. Steve wasn’t even sure if he had been killed by another player or if he had taken anyone down himself. He thought his vault was a trophy case filled with robot loot and had never created a loadout.

Steve’s friend described how amazed Steve was as they spent about an hour exploring the various menus and features of Marathon, repeatedly exclaiming, “Are you kidding me?”

Now, after gaining some insight into the game’s mechanics, Steve is “at least aware of” most systems. He’s switched to playing Thief and has reached level 52. With his friend’s help, he’s extracted a few times, taken down some runners, and is genuinely enjoying the game. He’s even managed to extract solo.

Despite some online doubters, even after video proof was shared, anyone who has spent enough time with games knows Steve is a real player. He reminds me of a friend who once played an RPG—maybe Oblivion?—without realizing you could level up, spending his time collecting items and battling low-level enemies because the tougher ones were “too hard.” It sounds frustrating, but he found joy in being a level 1 character in a fantasy realm. You’d think a tutorial would have set him straight, but like Steve, some players just find their own path, and that’s perfectly fine.

I recall playing a shooter in my youth, not realizing until much later that you could cook grenades, stealth kill, or hold your breath while aiming. Sometimes you know a Steve; sometimes you are Steve.

In a way, I envy MarathonSteve. My recent experiences with the game have been less enjoyable, as the player base dwindles and the remaining players are highly skilled. My sessions often end in frustration. But Steve? He was having a blast, repeatedly taking down bots and relishing every moment.

I do feel a bit of sympathy for Steve, though. His time as a solo PvE robot-slaying enthusiast is over, and now he’s on the same competitive treadmill as the rest of us. It’s a little bittersweet. However, his friend shared a final text message after their gaming session, revealing that this new phase of Marathon is treating Steve well:

“Bro. Exfilling while I’m mid-firefight with a huge amount of loot and still smoking fools is next to heaven!”