How Bungie can fix Destiny 2 and bring players back before it’s too late

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Currently, Destiny 2 is facing some tough times, not only due to the conclusion of The Dawning event, but also because of several other factors. Over the past year, Bungie has experienced a series of layoffs and underwhelming episodes, which have been compounded by numerous technical glitches. This has somewhat dimmed the brilliance with which The Final Shape concluded Destiny’s first decade.

As a fan of Destiny 2, it’s natural for you to ponder if there will be more anniversaries to look forward to. The declining player base and persistent chatter about Sony being discontented with the acquisition of the studio give the impression that we might be nearing its conclusion.

As someone who has been a gamer for over two decades, I’ve learned that even the most beloved game developers occasionally stumble and need to course-correct. Bungie, with its long history of creating exceptional experiences in the Halo franchise and more recently Destiny, is no exception. While I appreciate their commitment to delivering two expansions a year and more free updates, I believe there are some immediate improvements they could make to enhance community sentiment.

In my experience, it’s often the small, thoughtful changes that can have the most significant impact on players. For instance, addressing long-standing issues like matchmaking, loot drops, or even minor quality-of-life adjustments can go a long way in rekindling the passion of their dedicated fanbase. By focusing on these areas and demonstrating a commitment to listening to player feedback, Bungie could potentially regain some of the goodwill they’ve lost along the way.

Ultimately, I have faith that Bungie will continue to evolve Destiny 2 into an even better game, but in the meantime, it’s essential for them to address community concerns and show that they’re actively working towards improvement. As a long-time fan, I eagerly await their next steps and hope they find success in striking the right balance between innovation and responsiveness.

Look to new players

If you’ve ever attempted to acquaint a buddy with Destiny 2, you’ll understand the exasperation that comes with it.

Giving it a shot since it’s free seems like a good strategy for expanding the player base, however, it doesn’t take long to notice the shortcomings when such a significant portion of Destiny’s content requires purchasing an expansion to access.

Subsequently, the conversation progresses into a sequence of additional inquiries such as “Which expansion should I choose?”, “Which expansions are essential for me?”, “What is a Season Pass?”, and most perplexingly, “Is a Dungeon key necessary?

For novice gamers, it can be a chaotic and costly hassle, which, given the behavior of my acquaintances, often leads them to switch to a different game altogether.

As a gamer, I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t be a smart move for Bungie to follow the World of Warcraft model by making all expansions (with the exception of The Final Shape) free for everyone. With eight expansions under our belt, half of which have been vaulted, this change could potentially bring more players into the game without any significant loss for the developer. This way, newcomers could dive right in, even if Bungie decides to implement a level limit for free players, similar to World of Warcraft.

Refocus monetization

This leads us to a significant point of debate: Destiny 2 is currently free, yet it offers annual paid expansions (increasing to two per year in 2025). However, at this moment, not much information is available regarding these upcoming expansions.

As a gamer, I find myself navigating through Season Passes, Dungeon Keys, Event Cards, and in-game store purchases. Frankly, it can be overwhelming at times, especially for newcomers. Although it’s not the most egregious example in gaming, it does leave a somewhat rough first impression.

To be honest, I’m not completely certain about the solution, but it does cross my mind whether a paid subscription might be beneficial to consider.

Previously, in 2021, I proposed the concept regarding Dungeon Keys, suggesting that instead of requiring frequent season passes, players should have access to everything Destiny has to offer through a single monthly subscription fee, such as $10 per month. This could be more manageable for some players compared to a $60 expansion and ongoing purchases made individually. Additionally, if you sign up for a year in advance, you might receive a bundle of Silver and a discount.

As a long-time gamer who has seen numerous companies come and go, I firmly believe that a monthly subscription model can be beneficial for both players and developers, such as Bungie and PlayStation. Over the years, I’ve noticed that games with continuous updates tend to offer more value and keep me engaged longer than those without.

The subscription model allows these companies to earn my money consistently, but only if they deliver quality content on a regular basis. This arrangement encourages them to work harder and be creative, which can lead to the introduction of new ideas that might not have been possible otherwise.

In my personal experience, I’ve found that games with constant updates often feel more alive and evolving, which makes them much more enjoyable to play. So, while some may view this model as controversial, I see it as a win-win situation for both gamers and developers alike.

Couldn’t it be intriguing if Bungie had a more consistent revenue source, allowing them to roll out more frequent content updates aside from just expansion packs and seasonal refreshes, similar to how Zero Hour, one of Destiny 2’s delightful surprises, was supported by microtransactions?

The Nuclear Option

Over time, a game like Destiny 2 can seem chaotic due to all the updates it has received. Despite this, many of the new features introduced by Bungie, such as finisher moves, mod overhauls, new weapon types like the Glaive, and numerous other additions, have been impressive even years later. However, with the increasing number of bugs and glitches, Bungie might have considered a drastic solution – possibly creating Destiny 3.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been intrigued by the impact a reboot can have, as we witnessed with the second game. However, a reboot isn’t without its challenges and factors to ponder. Questions such as: Will our previous progress be carried forward? What’s the essential foundation to make it compelling for players? How will monetization play a role in the experience? And does the ‘3’ in the title potentially deter newcomers from joining us on this journey? These are all crucial aspects to consider.

As a long-time fan of Destiny, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and concern when I hear about the recent layoffs at Bungie Studio. Having followed the game since its inception, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows, the triumphs and challenges that come with developing such an ambitious project.

In light of these events, it’s safe to say that any talk of Destiny 3 is still a ways off. The studio needs time to regroup, reassess, and rebuild. And as much as I’d love to see the next installment in the series, I understand that the team can’t just jump right into it. They need to ensure they’re creating the best possible game for us players, and that takes time, resources, and a lot of hard work.

I remain hopeful, though, and will continue to support Bungie as they navigate this difficult period. I believe in their passion for the Destiny universe, and I have no doubt that when the time is right, they’ll deliver another epic adventure for us all to enjoy.

The clarity about Destiny’s future seems more uncertain than ever, even with barely a year elapsing since its peak moment with The Final Shape. It’s surprising, given our experiences after playing Excision, to find ourselves pondering what’s coming next or questioning if the game is being prepared for a hiatus. However, Destiny has experienced such periods of stagnation in the past.

As a long-time player of Destiny, I can attest to its unique allure that keeps me coming back for more. Despite its flaws, there is something truly special about this game that has captured my attention and emotions. It’s been a constant companion in my life, providing countless hours of excitement, frustration, camaraderie, and triumph. I sincerely hope that Bungie can right the ship and continue to nurture this magical experience that we all hold dear.

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2025-01-01 20:01