Bungie Is Changing Destiny 2's Approach To Content As It Begins A New "Multi-Year Saga"

As an old-school Destiny 2 player with countless hours under my belt, this latest announcement from Bungie has me both excited and a bit apprehensive. After years of one big expansion per year, I’m looking forward to two expansions in 2025 – more content to explore! However, the shift from annual expansions to four major updates per year does leave me wondering if I’ll have enough time to finish them all.

In 10 years, Destiny 2 will not release a large expansion every year, nor will there be seasonal or episodic content drops in between. Instead, starting from 2025, it will receive two expansions, along with four significant updates annually.

To mark Destiny’s 10-year anniversary, developer Bungie has shared insights about Destiny 2’s future through a series of recent blog posts. These updates detail plans for Destiny 2: Frontiers, the next chapter of the game as the current storyline concludes in The Final Shape expansion and subsequent episodes. According to game director Tyson Green, beginning in 2025, Destiny 2 will feature two medium-sized expansions instead of one large one, following the strategy Bungie has maintained since the launch of the Forsaken expansion in 2018.

Bungie Is Changing Destiny 2's Approach To Content As It Begins A New "Multi-Year Saga"

In a post, Green stated: “Each year, it has been a joy for us to develop our annual Expansions, particularly The Final Shape. However, it’s important to acknowledge that they consume nearly all our development resources.” He continued, “To foster creativity and innovation in the way we deliver Destiny 2 content, we need to lighten our workload in this area so we can focus on aspects of the game that will resonate more with players and provide a greater impact.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that the latest blog post unveiled Destiny 2’s journey into Frontiers. First up, we have “Codename: Apollo” planned for Summer 2025. Following closely is “Codename: Behemoth,” which will be released in Winter 2025. Can’t wait to see what these expansions bring!

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that every expansion will be accompanied by what they’re calling a “season,” but don’t mistake it for the old format. These seasons will span the six-month gap between expansions, providing more content and stories beyond what each expansion offers. However, Bungie hasn’t shared specifics on how these seasons will unfold, so we shouldn’t assume they’re returning to the previous model of four seasons per year, each with its own linear storyline.

As a fervent fan, I’m eagerly anticipating that the seasons for Destiny 2 will unfold with two substantial updates. The initial update, coinciding with the expansion launch, promises to unveil an array of fresh content tailored to complement the expansion. This will be followed by another update, three months later, aimed at revitalizing the core game with a blend of new and reprised content.

Bungie Is Changing Destiny 2's Approach To Content As It Begins A New "Multi-Year Saga"

Bungie’s plan outlines that all significant updates will offer free content for everyone, hinting that, in line with tradition, expansions will require payment.

Regarding future expansions, they might deviate significantly from past versions. Furthermore, these expansions aim to break away from the traditional “one-off” campaign structure associated with Destiny 2. Instead of each expansion telling a separate story, Bungie intends for them to offer distinct experiences and potentially delve into various game genres within Destiny 2 itself.

Green shared that we’re eager to explore fresh concepts that could redefine your perception of what playing Destiny is all about. Currently, we are experimenting with non-linear storylines, adventures reminiscent of the Dreaming City or Metroidvanias, and unconventional formats such as roguelikes or survival shooters. Each expansion will offer a chance to test out something unique.

Bungie Is Changing Destiny 2's Approach To Content As It Begins A New "Multi-Year Saga"

In simpler terms, when Bungie refers to “Non-linear campaign”, they mean it’s a significant change for Destiny 2. As explained by narrative director Alison Lührs, the project codenamed Apollo is an “unconventional character-focused journey”. Instead of following a predetermined sequence of missions, you’ll have the freedom to choose from several interwoven storylines, allowing for a more personalized experience.

As a gamer, I’m here to tell you that even though you didn’t pick some of the options earlier, there’s no need to fret! Those unexplored paths are waiting for you to revisit and explore further down the line. Trust me, it’s essential!

According to Lührs, the project codenamed Apollo marks the beginning of an extended narrative for Destiny 2, akin to the Light and Darkness Saga that recently concluded with The Final Shape. Unlike its predecessor, however, this new storyline won’t follow a strictly linear path like “the Darkness is approaching and we must resist it.” Instead, Lührs refers to interconnected tales, sharing a common theme, and possessing a fundamental concept as vast and profound as the conflict between Light and Dark.

Bungie was vague about the specifics of the new storyline in Destiny 2, but hinted at significant changes coming to the game’s direction, feel, and rewards system. They also mentioned upcoming revisions to how players engage with Destiny 2’s content and earn rewards, which they will elaborate on further in future blog posts. Essentially, Codename: Frontiers seems to represent a significant shift for Destiny 2, given the challenges Bungie has faced over the past two years, including layoffs, that may be necessary to ensure the game’s longevity.

2024-09-09 20:09

Bungie Is Changing Destiny 2’s Approach To Content As It Begins A New “Multi-Year Saga”

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