Destiny 2 has had its fair share of ups and downs over the past year, with delays, layoffs at Bungie, and a constantly shifting content roadmap causing confusion among players. The recent conclusion of The Final Shape marked the end of a 10-year saga, leaving fans wondering what the future holds for the popular game. Bungie has now revealed their plans for the future of Destiny 2, and it’s clear that major changes are on the horizon.
Moving Away from Annual Story Campaigns
One of the biggest revelations from Bungie is that the big, annual story campaigns that players have become accustomed to are a thing of the past. Starting in year 11, Destiny 2 will transition to an annual model featuring two mini expansions and four free content updates. The first of these expansions, Apollo, is set to be released in the summer of 2025, followed by the free “major updates” Arsenal and Surge. The Behemoth expansion will arrive in winter 2025, with two more updates to follow. Additionally, quarterly reward passes will be introduced, similar to the current season passes, allowing players to earn weapons, armor ornaments, upgrade resources, and cosmetics.
Expansions and Seasonal Updates
The new expansions and seasonal updates will include a range of new content to keep players engaged. Expansions will feature new stories, locations, missions, weapons, gear, and raids and dungeons. On the other hand, seasonal updates will offer new and reprised activities, gear and artifact mods, modifiers and challenges, sandbox meta changes, and events. This shift towards more regular content updates aims to provide players with a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.
A New Approach to Storytelling
Game director Tyson Green has hinted at a new approach to storytelling in Destiny 2, moving away from linear campaigns in favor of more replayable and mysterious experiences. Bungie is actively prototyping non-linear campaigns, exploration experiences similar to the Dreaming City or Metroidvanias, and even more unusual formats like roguelikes or survival shooters. The goal is to introduce fresh and innovative storytelling methods that will captivate players and keep them coming back for more.
The Next Era of Destiny 2
With the conclusion of The Final Shape, the next era of Destiny 2, codenamed Frontiers, will focus on new threats and challenges. Narrative director Alison Lührs revealed that this new saga will introduce a host of new characters, factions, twists, and more. The core theme of this era will drive the narrative forward, offering players a multiyear journey filled with excitement and surprises. The shift towards a more character-driven adventure promises to bring a fresh perspective to the Destiny universe and pave the way for new storytelling possibilities.
Innovations in Gameplay
In addition to changes in storytelling, Destiny 2 is set to undergo major overhauls in other areas as well. The traditional cosmic map, known as the Director, will be replaced by a one-screen menu called the Portal, aimed at simplifying the player experience and guiding them towards their next activities and rewards. This new system is designed to make it easier for players to navigate the game world and understand their objectives.
Customizable Challenges and Loot System
Another significant change coming to Destiny 2 is the customization of challenges and modifiers for PvE activities. Instead of a basic set of difficulties with slightly better rewards, players will now have the ability to tailor the challenge level and modifiers to suit their playstyle. This new system aims to encourage players to experiment with different strategies and buildcrafting, while also providing more meaningful rewards for overcoming tougher challenges.
Revamped Loot System
One of the most anticipated changes in Destiny 2’s future is the revamped loot system. Rather than focusing on finding weapons with “god rolls,” players will now encounter loot across various tiers, with higher-tier items offering superior stats, enhanced perks, and other bonuses. This shift aims to make loot more meaningful and rewarding, with higher-tier gear providing a greater sense of accomplishment and progression for players. The development team has assured that the baseline tier of Legendary weapons and armor will be equivalent to current Legendaries, with higher tiers offering enhanced upgrades akin to Adept weapons.
Looking Ahead
As Destiny 2 gears up for its future, Bungie is committed to making the game more engaging, approachable, and sustainable than ever before. The changes in storytelling, gameplay, and loot systems promise to deliver a fresh and exciting experience for both new and returning players. While there are still details to be revealed, such as power leveling, drop rate RNG, and onboarding new players, the overall message from Bungie is clear: Destiny 2 is here to stay, and the best is yet to come. Stay tuned for more updates on the evolution of Destiny 2 as Bungie continues to shape the future of the game.