After months of silence, Bungie has finally announced what’s next for Destiny 2, and as it turns out, it’s the end. Almost nine years since launch, the looter shooter will receive its final content update on June 9th.
“For almost twelve years, we have had the joy and honor to explore the Destiny universe with you all. Through all the ups and downs, surprises and triumphs, building Destiny alongside our players has been a monumental privilege. While our love for Destiny 2 has not changed, it has become clear that after The Final Shape, we have reached the time for our shared worlds, and Destiny, to live beyond Destiny 2.”
What it essentially means is that “active development” on the title is ending. It will remain playable, just like the original Destiny, but you shouldn’t expect any significant new additions (or meaningful bug fixes, by the looks of it). What’s next for the studio? A “new beginning” as it begins “work incubating our next games.”
“We’re proud of Destiny 2, the places it took us, and the legacy it has created. Because of you all, our universe is vast, built on years of shared stories, adventures, and victories. From the Cosmodrome to the Pale Heart to the Lawless Frontier, we have forged lifelong memories and friendships with you all.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made that journey with us. From the deepest part of our hearts, thank you, and we’ll see you in the stars.”
While it may come as a shock for some, it’s also somewhat expected after The Final Shape. Despite strong critical acclaim, the expansion – which marked the end of the decade-long Light and Darkness Saga – reportedly sold less than the more maligned Lightfall.
Bungie would face layoffs and change its content strategy to accommodate two yearly expansions, while shifting focus towards a new narrative about The Nine. The Edge of Fate received some praise for the same, but many of its other additions, including the Portal, gear tiers, Matterspark and whatnot, faced extensive backlash.
Renegades was a better effort, especially with its introduction of the Praxic Blade and better story missions, but it failed to really push the looter shooter to new horizons. Whether this announcement means Bungie is now focusing on Destiny 3 remains to be seen. But for now, it’s good night and good luck to those that remain.
