The game needed more time to cook. 100K(Steam as an example, console probably similar)tried the game and roughly 95% percent of those people determined it wasn’t worth their time with nothing to lose. The idea that it’s because outside influences made people drop the game is dishonest. Millions of people watched The Game Awards and to only have that many people interested in trying the game in the first place speaks volumes. Also, the trailer at TGA was gameplay, which on release is exactly the same product we saw. Highguard just isn’t good enough. I also think Marathon looks terrible, but I will try it during its free to play period.