Why is Destiny 2 so controversial?

Destiny 2’s controversial history is largely defined by the ill-fated “sunsetting” mechanic introduced four years ago. This system, arguably the most unpopular decision in the game’s lifespan, rendered previously earned loot obsolete with each passing season. Players felt betrayed, their investment in time and effort devalued. The backlash was immediate and intense, fueled by the feeling that Bungie was artificially inflating the perceived value of new content by making older, cherished items unusable.

While Bungie eventually reversed course, abandoning sunsetting, the damage was done. The sheer volume of powerful, high-stat weapons and armor rendered useless created a deep sense of resentment. This wasn’t just about losing access to gear; it represented a perceived disrespect for the player base’s dedication. The controversy highlighted a broader issue: the tension between engaging players with fresh content and maintaining a sense of accomplishment and value in previously acquired items. The legacy of sunsetting continues to shape player perception and underlines the ongoing debate surrounding live service game design and the relationship between developers and their community. The key takeaway? Sunsetting served as a potent example of a poorly executed content update that damaged player trust and highlighted the significant risks involved in altering core gameplay loops.

Why is Bungie losing money?

Bungie’s financial woes appear to stem from a disconnect between ambitious promises and actual delivery. Internal sources suggest the studio consistently failed to meet financial projections laid out for Sony, their parent company, following the February 2025 release of Destiny 2’s Lightfall expansion. This isn’t merely a matter of missing sales targets; it points to a deeper issue of overpromising on content and features. The failure to deliver on these promises likely resulted in lower-than-expected player retention and engagement, impacting microtransaction revenue – a crucial income stream for live-service games like Destiny 2. The inherent complexity of maintaining a large-scale, ever-evolving online game, coupled with the pressure to continuously generate new revenue streams, may have contributed to this shortfall. This situation highlights the inherent risks in the live-service model, where sustained player engagement is paramount to financial success. The pressure to constantly meet ambitious targets, often set externally, can lead to unsustainable development practices and ultimately, financial losses.

Is Destiny 2 losing popularity?

Destiny 2’s recent dip in Steam player numbers, hitting a low of 36,896 in December 2024, is a significant red flag. While we lack complete data encompassing Epic, Xbox, and PlayStation, a near 90% drop on Steam alone indicates serious issues. This isn’t just about numbers; it points to underlying problems affecting the game’s overall health.

Potential contributing factors are numerous and interconnected:

Content Drought/Burnout: Extended periods between significant content updates can lead to player burnout. The pacing of new activities and story developments is crucial for retention. We’ve seen this before in other MMOs.
Power Creep/Grind Fatigue: The relentless pursuit of higher power levels can become tedious. If the reward system isn’t properly balanced, the grind feels less rewarding and more like a chore.
Competition: The market is flooded with compelling alternatives. Destiny 2 needs to consistently innovate and deliver unique experiences to stand out from the competition.
Accessibility and Onboarding: New players might find the game overly complex or overwhelming. A streamlined onboarding experience and better tutorialization are key for attracting and retaining new players.
Monetization Concerns: Aggressive monetization practices can alienate players, especially if they feel they’re constantly being pressured to spend money. Finding the right balance is critical for long-term success.

What Bungie needs to address:

Improve Communication: Transparency regarding future content plans and addressing player concerns is essential to build trust and manage expectations.
Revamp the Loop: Refine the gameplay loop to maintain engagement. Introduce new activities and challenges that feel fresh and rewarding.
Streamline Progression: Simplify power progression and reduce grind fatigue. Reward players for their time without requiring endless repetition.
Invest in New Player Experience: Make the game more approachable for new players. Clearer tutorials and a more intuitive user interface would help.

Ultimately, Destiny 2’s future depends on Bungie’s ability to adapt and respond to player feedback. Ignoring these issues could lead to further player attrition and potentially a more drastic decline.

Why did Bungie remove so much content from Destiny 2?

Yo, what’s up Guardians? So, Destiny 2’s content vaulting… yeah, it was a huge deal, and a lot of you are still salty about it. But let’s be real, Bungie wasn’t just randomly deleting stuff for the lulz. The game was getting massive. Think of it like this: imagine trying to run a marathon with 50 pounds of extra weight strapped to you. You’d be slow, clunky, and probably collapse. That’s kind of what D2 was becoming. All those old planets, strikes, and activities were taking up a ton of space and resources, slowing down the game for everyone.

Vaulting allowed them to streamline the whole thing, making room for new content and improving performance. It was a necessary evil, even if it hurt to see some of our favorite stuff go. The goal wasn’t to punish players, but to make the game more sustainable long-term. Think of it as a necessary “spring cleaning” to keep the game healthy and running smoothly for years to come. They had to make space for things like the Witch Queen, Lightfall, and all the other awesome stuff we’ve gotten since then. Removing older content also allowed Bungie to update and improve the remaining game systems without constantly being bogged down in maintaining the older stuff. It wasn’t ideal, but it was a strategic decision made for the long-term health of the game.

Did Destiny 2 used to cost money?

Yeah, Destiny 2 used to be a premium title, a full-price buy-to-play experience when it launched in 2017 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Remember those days? You had to shell out for the base game, and then there were expansions like Curse of Osiris and Warmind, each costing extra. It was a pretty hefty initial investment. The shift to free-to-play, sometime later, was a massive change. It opened the game up to a much larger audience, but it also introduced the in-game Silver currency for microtransactions, mostly cosmetics. While you can play the core game for free, accessing all the content and the most powerful gear still requires a significant investment of time or money – the expansions are now sold as a “Season Pass” and you get some extra perks if you buy the “Deluxe” or “Annual Pass” versions, depending on the current year.

Interestingly, the initial paid model was quite different from the current system. The story campaigns were locked behind the purchase of expansions, which some consider a better way to deliver the narrative. Now, the story missions are free, but many seasonal activities and content require the season pass. There’s a lot more to grind for now, with a constantly evolving meta and seasonal challenges. Overall, it’s a drastically different experience now, in terms of both monetary access and gameplay loop.

Why is Destiny 2 so unpopular?

Destiny 2’s unpopularity, or more accurately, its perceived decline in player engagement, is a multifaceted issue stemming from a confluence of factors. Bungie’s business practices are a major point of contention. Aggressive monetization strategies, including the controversial eververse system and the perceived slow drip-feeding of content behind paywalls, have alienated a significant portion of the player base. This is compounded by a lack of perceived innovation in core gameplay mechanics. While updates have been frequent, many feel these haven’t fundamentally changed the core loop enough to justify the time investment, particularly for veteran players.

Beyond the business model, the game’s accessibility presents a significant hurdle. The steep learning curve overwhelms new players. The sheer volume of systems – from subclasses and builds to intricate weapon crafting and powerful endgame activities – creates a daunting barrier to entry. Tutorials are insufficient, and the in-game information isn’t always intuitive or easily accessible. This results in a frustrating experience for many newcomers who struggle to understand the game’s complexities before giving up.

Furthermore, long-term players experience significant burnout. The cyclical nature of content releases, combined with the removal of older content (the infamous “vaulting”), fuels a sense of loss and frustration. Nostalgia for past iterations, often perceived as simpler or more rewarding, contributes significantly to this dissatisfaction. The constant need to grind for powerful gear and keep up with meta shifts leads to exhaustion and a feeling that the rewards don’t always match the required effort. This is further exacerbated by the power creep, where older builds and activities become less relevant with each expansion.

Was destiny 3 cancelled?

No, Destiny 3 has not been officially cancelled. Bungie has, however, shifted their focus. Instead of large-scale expansions like we saw in Destiny 1 and the initial years of Destiny 2, they’re opting for a more sustainable content delivery model. This means smaller, more frequent content drops—think smaller DLC packs with focused activities and narrative threads instead of massive, sprawling expansions requiring huge development teams and extended development cycles. This approach allows for more consistent updates and potentially quicker response to player feedback, enabling Bungie to address issues and implement changes more efficiently. It also reduces the pressure of meeting the expectations of a massive, highly anticipated expansion every few months. This strategy, while different from the past, is intended to maintain a thriving Destiny 2 ecosystem for years to come.

Consider this: The shift towards smaller content updates is a common trend in the games industry, especially for live-service titles. It allows developers to maintain a steady stream of new content without exhausting resources and potentially compromising the overall quality of the game. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. While individual content drops might be smaller, the cumulative effect over time could be far more substantial than a few large expansions released sporadically. The long-term viability of Destiny 2, rather than a hypothetical Destiny 3, appears to be the current priority.

Why is Destiny 2 so bad for new players?

Destiny 2’s onboarding is brutally inefficient. The sheer volume of loot, each piece often tied to convoluted acquisition methods and numerous currencies, creates an insurmountable wall for new players. You’re not just grinding for gear; you’re grinding for the *right* to grind for gear. This currency system isn’t just confusing; it’s actively punitive. Understanding the nuances of glimmer, legendary shards, enhancement cores, and the ever-shifting seasonal currencies requires significant time investment, often exceeding the fun factor for newcomers.

The problem isn’t the grind itself; it’s the opaque nature of the grind. There’s a lack of clear, concise direction. New players are left to stumble through a system designed for veterans, leading to overwhelming frustration and a feeling of being constantly behind. Even accessing essential content often hinges on acquiring specific items or completing cryptic quests, making the initial learning curve exponentially steeper than it needs to be. Effective tutorials and clear progression paths are sorely lacking. The game throws you into a complex ecosystem without explaining the basic mechanics governing its core loop.

This leads to a vicious cycle: the inability to obtain necessary resources inhibits progress, leading to a sense of powerlessness, which often culminates in new players abandoning the game before understanding its underlying mechanics.

Is Destiny 3 coming out?

So, the Destiny 3 question… the short answer is no. Multiple reputable sources, including industry insider Jeff Grubb and Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, have stated that Destiny 3 was never actively in development. Instead of a full sequel, Bungie focused on expanding Destiny 2 with substantial content updates and expansions, like Witch Queen and Lightfall. The “Payback” project, sometimes mentioned in the context of a potential Destiny 3, was a separate spin-off that’s now been cancelled. Essentially, Bungie opted for a live service model with continuous updates for Destiny 2, rather than the traditional sequel approach. This allows for ongoing engagement and avoids the development hurdles of a complete game relaunch.

How many players did Destiny 2 lose?

The reported 90% player drop on Steam for Destiny 2 within seven months, while a dramatic figure, requires nuanced interpretation. While Steam represents a portion of the player base, it doesn’t reflect the total player count across all platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia). Bungie’s player numbers are likely significantly larger and less volatile than the Steam data suggests.

Factors Contributing to Apparent Decline:

Initial Hype Cycle: Many players likely purchased the game at launch or during initial promotions, leading to inflated early Steam numbers. A post-launch drop-off is common in the gaming industry.
Platform Diversification: Bungie’s focus on cross-save functionality likely encouraged players to migrate to other platforms better suited to their play style or social circles, skewing Steam statistics.
Content Saturation and Player Retention: While Bungie has consistently added content, the quality and engagement of this content may have failed to retain a significant portion of the initial player base. Content updates should not be evaluated solely on quantity, but rather their impact on player activity and overall enjoyment.
Competition: The MMO and looter-shooter genres are highly competitive. The release of rival titles within the seven-month timeframe may have contributed to player attrition.

Further Analysis Needed: A comprehensive analysis requires access to Bungie’s official player count across all platforms, detailed engagement metrics (average playtime, playtime per update, etc.), and qualitative data (player feedback surveys, community sentiment analysis) to understand the reasons behind player departure. Focusing solely on Steam data provides an incomplete and potentially misleading picture.

Steam data alone isn’t a reliable indicator of Destiny 2’s overall health. The game’s longevity and success should be assessed through a broader lens, considering its performance across all platforms and the overall engagement levels of its active players.

Why was Forsaken banned?

Nikhil “forsaken” Kumawat’s six-year ban from Valve-sponsored events, stemming from a high-profile LAN cheating incident, officially expires today. While the ESIC ban, a separate entity, lapsed a year prior, the Valve ban carried significantly more weight, effectively ending his participation in major CS:GO tournaments. This case serves as a stark reminder of the zero-tolerance policy towards cheating at the highest level of professional Counter-Strike. The severity of the ban highlights the damage inflicted on the integrity of competitive gaming by such actions. The incident involved blatant cheating, caught on camera during a LAN event, immediately overshadowing his previous achievements. It’s a cautionary tale for aspiring pros: even fleeting moments of dishonesty can have devastating long-term repercussions, permanently impacting a player’s career trajectory. The difference between the ESIC and Valve bans underscores the fragmented nature of anti-cheat efforts within the esports ecosystem, although the impact of Valve’s decision remains undeniable.

The ban’s expiration doesn’t automatically guarantee a return to the professional scene. The lingering stigma and the need to rebuild trust within the community present significant hurdles. Forsaken’s future remains uncertain, contingent on his ability to demonstrate genuine remorse and a commitment to fair play. His story serves as a complex case study in the ethical dimensions of competitive gaming and the lasting consequences of violating its core principles.

Did Destiny 2 delete the campaign?

Destiny 2’s content vaulting is a significant change impacting the game’s longevity and accessibility. This process, initiated in 2025, involves removing older content to make room for new expansions and to streamline the player experience. This means certain campaigns are no longer available.

Key Content Removed:

Original Destiny 2 Campaign: The base game’s initial story missions were removed.
Forsaken Campaign: Widely considered a pivotal expansion that significantly improved Destiny 2, this campaign was also vaulted in 2025.

Why was the content removed?

Development Resources: Maintaining older content requires significant development resources, which Bungie can reinvest in newer features and expansions.
Player Experience: A large content library can be overwhelming for new players, and vaulting helps streamline the onboarding process.
Game Engine Updates: Vaulting allows Bungie to update the game engine more efficiently without being hindered by legacy code.

Impact on Players:

Loss of Story: Players who joined later miss out on significant parts of the narrative.
Limited Replayability: Removed content can’t be revisited, affecting players’ desire to replay favorite story missions or activities.
Reduced Collector Value: Certain items and achievements tied to the vaulted content become unavailable, diminishing their overall value.

Important Note: While the campaigns are removed, some aspects of their associated lore and some items might still exist within the game.

Is Destiny 2 worth it for new players?

Destiny 2 offers a compelling blend of classic MMORPG elements and modern shooter mechanics, making it a worthwhile experience for new players, especially those seeking a rewarding PvE focus. Its strength lies in its shared-world activities. Think of it as a loot-driven adventure with friends, where completing missions and tackling challenges together is as important as the rewards themselves.

Key reasons for newcomers:

Exceptional Gunplay: Destiny 2 boasts incredibly satisfying shooting mechanics, with a huge variety of weapons each possessing unique feel and strengths.
Engaging PvE Content: The game features a vast array of PvE activities, from story missions and strikes to challenging raids and dungeons, offering diverse gameplay experiences and progressively difficult content.
Rich Loot System: The core loop revolves around acquiring and upgrading powerful weapons and armor. The thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of finding that perfect roll keeps players invested.
Active Community and Support: A large, helpful community provides readily available guides, tutorials, and support, reducing the learning curve.

However, consider these aspects:

High Entry Barrier: The sheer volume of content can be overwhelming initially. Utilizing online resources like YouTube tutorials (many excellent guides exist) is highly recommended for navigating the initial learning curve.
Grindy Aspects: While rewarding, acquiring the best loot often involves repetitive activities. The game’s structure necessitates dedication and consistent playtime.
Ever-Evolving Content: Regular updates introduce new content, which can sometimes leave older content feeling less relevant. Keeping up with expansions and updates requires commitment.

Ultimately, the worth of Destiny 2 depends on individual preferences. If you appreciate cooperative gameplay, rewarding loot systems, and a deep, engaging PvE experience with a relatively high skill ceiling, then it’s likely a fantastic choice. But be prepared for a time investment to fully appreciate all it offers.

Why is Destiny 2 so unstable?

Destiny 2’s instability often stems from conflicts with third-party overlays. Discord, Steam, and GeForce Experience are prime culprits, their in-game features sometimes clashing with Destiny 2’s processes, leading to frustrating lag spikes and performance drops. Disabling these overlays is a crucial first step in troubleshooting. This isn’t just about turning off the display; ensure you’ve fully disabled the overlay functionality within each application’s settings – a simple “hide overlay” option might not be sufficient.

Beyond overlays, outdated graphics drivers are a common culprit. Always keep your drivers updated to the latest versions released by Nvidia or AMD. These updates often include performance optimizations and bug fixes specific to Destiny 2. Check your manufacturer’s website regularly for new releases.

Background applications can also contribute. Resource-intensive programs running concurrently with Destiny 2 can starve the game of necessary CPU or RAM, resulting in instability. Close unnecessary applications before launching the game, particularly those with persistent background processes. A good practice is to restart your computer prior to playing for a clean slate.

Finally, consider your hardware. If your system doesn’t meet the minimum or recommended specifications, you’re likely to experience more instability. Check Bungie’s official specifications and consider upgrading components if necessary. Regularly monitoring your CPU and GPU usage during gameplay can pinpoint hardware bottlenecks.

Why was Forsaken removed from Destiny 2?

Forsaken, a beloved Destiny 2 expansion, was sunset in February 2025 with the launch of The Witch Queen. This was part of Bungie’s Destiny Content Vault initiative, a strategy to streamline the game and focus development on newer content.

What happened to Forsaken? Its campaign and the Tangled Shore destination were removed from the game. However, before its removal, Bungie made the Forsaken campaign free-to-play in December 2025, allowing players a final chance to experience it.

Why was it removed? Bungie needed to manage the sheer volume of content within Destiny 2. Removing older expansions allowed them to allocate resources more efficiently and deliver a smoother, more consistent experience for players. The Content Vault allowed for more frequent updates and new content releases in the long run.

What about my Forsaken gear? Many Forsaken weapons and armor were brought back into the game through other means, such as becoming craftable or appearing in other activities. Some exotics originally introduced in Forsaken remained accessible, though the original acquisition methods were often removed.

In short: While the removal of Forsaken was disappointing for many, it was a necessary step for the long-term health and sustainability of Destiny 2. The decision allowed Bungie to focus on newer content and deliver a more polished experience for the current player base.

Who is the #1 Destiny 2 player?

Determining the “#1 Destiny 2 player” is inherently complex due to the game’s multifaceted nature and the absence of a single, universally accepted metric. The provided leaderboard, showcasing a “Site Score,” likely represents a specific website’s aggregation of various in-game statistics, potentially weighting different activities differently. This makes direct comparison across platforms and game modes challenging. While KiIIzone currently holds the top spot with 30,281 rounds played, this doesn’t necessarily translate to overall skill or dominance across all aspects of Destiny 2.

Consider the limitations: The leaderboard focuses on rounds played, potentially favoring players who engage in repetitive activities like quickplay Crucible matches. It omits crucial aspects of skill like K/D ratio, win rates, and performance in high-stakes activities like Raids and Grandmaster Nightfalls. Furthermore, the data likely doesn’t account for skill differences between various character builds or weapon choices. Biohxzrd and Fragtale EU, though ranked lower in this specific ranking, may excel in other areas not captured here.

Ultimately, ranking players requires a holistic approach, considering numerous factors and potentially employing advanced statistical models to account for variable difficulty and match conditions. Murardor’s high number of rounds played (45,491) suggests dedication, but a lack of context (K/D ratio, win percentage in specific game modes, etc.) prevents a definitive conclusion about his overall skill compared to other top players.

Why is there no destiny 3?

Bungie’s decision to forgo Destiny 3 isn’t about creative bankruptcy; it’s a strategic masterclass in live-service game development. A full sequel would be a monumental resource drain, potentially fragmenting the already established, highly competitive Destiny 2 ecosystem. Think of it like forcing a successful esports title into a full reboot – you’d lose established pro players, sponsorships, and the thriving spectator scene. Destiny 2’s live service model, with its constant content drops, expansions like Witch Queen and Lightfall, and evolving meta, mirrors the ongoing evolution of successful esports titles like League of Legends or Dota 2. The ongoing updates allow for continuous engagement and tournament viability, far surpassing the limited lifespan of a traditional sequel. It’s a smart move, maximizing player retention and maintaining a robust, competitive landscape. The resources poured into continuous updates are effectively reinvesting in the existing, already thriving esports potential instead of risking a costly and potentially disastrous split in the player base.

Is destiny 1 getting shut down?

Destiny 1’s sunsetting is old news, mate. No more updates, no new content. Rise of Iron is the final chapter, and it’s staying on PS4 and Xbox One, but with caveats. Think of it like a museum exhibit – you can visit, but don’t expect any interactive displays. Crucible and Raid matchmaking? Forget it. Limited access means a lot of endgame activities are effectively offline unless you’re rocking a dedicated fireteam. The servers are still up, so you can still play through the story and explore, but the vibrant, ever-evolving world is gone. It’s a ghost of its former self, a testament to time’s passage in the ever-shifting landscape of online gaming. Basically, if you haven’t already experienced everything, you’re missing out on a significant chunk of the experience, especially the endgame which is now significantly crippled.

Is Destiny 3 confirmed?

So, is Destiny 3 a thing? Short answer: Nope. Bungie has never officially announced a Destiny 3. Instead of a full-blown sequel, they’re focusing on constantly expanding Destiny 2 with major expansions like The Witch Queen and Lightfall. Think of it less as a sequel and more as a constantly evolving, living game.

This strategy allows Bungie to deliver consistent content updates and avoid the development hurdles associated with creating an entirely new game from scratch. This means we get regular new content, weapons, story missions, and power level increases within the existing Destiny 2 framework.

While there’s no official word on Destiny 3, the continuous evolution of Destiny 2 suggests that Bungie is committed to the long-term success of the franchise within the current game. Rumors and speculation abound, of course, but all official statements point to a continued focus on expanding Destiny 2. So, for now, keep enjoying the ever-growing universe of Destiny 2!