Since early 2018, Bungie has been making extensive renovations to get its problematic title Destiny 2 back on track. Many changes have already been implemented, and many more will follow. The “roadmap” has been adjusted multiple times. We show how Destiny 2 will change this spring.
There has been turmoil around Destiny 2 for quite some time. Even the most loyal fans are increasingly turning away and looking for alternatives until the struggling game can finally offer an acceptable gaming experience. Many are completely turning their backs on the Destiny series.
Bungie is trying to make the game more attractive by implementing extensive changes. Numerous adjustments have already been made. However, these have yet to initiate a real turnaround. Most Guardians simply feel that the current changes are not enough. The core problems of Destiny 2 have remained largely untouched. Bungie’s roadmap has also been changed multiple times. Important changes have been postponed in part.
A large part of the community wants to give the game another chance only when a fundamental overhaul takes place. However, such profound reforms are still awaited. Therefore, the game continues to struggle with declining player numbers.
We show how Destiny 2 will evolve in the coming months. But will the upcoming changes be enough to win back the fans?
This is how Destiny 2 will change in spring 2018
To save Destiny 2, Bungie presented a roadmap to illustrate to the Guardians how the company intends to get the struggling game back on track. With updates 1.1.2 and 1.1.3, two milestones of the emergency plan have already been implemented. Numerous changes have thus already found their way into the game.
However, two further milestones are still pending. A large part of the Guardians considers these two updates to be Bungie’s last real chance to save Destiny 2. Although a major expansion in the style of “The Taken King” is expected in the fall of 2018, for many players that may already be too late.
This add-on would also no longer be covered by the Season Pass. Should updates 1.1.4 and 1.2.0 fail and not bring about the expected turnaround, large parts of the community may no longer be willing to give this expansion a real chance.
This will change with update 1.1.4 in March
March is all about sandbox and crucible changes. On March 27, the following adjustments will be made to the game:
- Sandbox adjustments for weapons and individual Guardian classes
- The 6vs6 PvP mode returns in Iron Banner
- Weekly rotating PvP playlist with Mayhem/Rumble/Iron Banner
- Ammunition and gameplay tuning in PvP
- Penalties for early quitting in crucible matches
- Protection mechanics against repetitive strikes and crucible maps
- Reduction of exotic duplicates
- Exclusive Nightfall strike-specific rewards
- Vendor view option for the Companion app
The introduction of modifiers for Heroic Strikes originally intended for March 27 has been postponed to May due to a major issue, as deep changes are needed to address this problem. With this step allowing for additional time, Bungie, according to its own words, intends to make this feature even more diverse.
In addition to the upcoming weapon adjustments, the developers noted via Twitter that with the March update, the accuracy of hand cannons will be increased both when shooting from the hip and when using the sights. Also, weapon accuracy in the air will be increased at the same time.
This is changing with the May update
The May update does not have a specific date yet, but it is speculated that it will coincide with the second expansion. Rumors suggest that the second DLC will be released on May 8 and will be called “The Fallen Warmind”. The following changes will be brought by update 1.2.0:
- The Prestige mode for the “World Eater” section of the raid will be introduced
- Seasonal ranking system for the crucible
- Private matches known from the predecessor will return
- The vault capacity will be increased
- A multi-emote function will be introduced
- Masterwork versions of exotic weapons will enter the game
- Seasonal progress with vendors will be introduced
- Fireteams will return improved from their break
- Massive sandbox adjustments for exotic weapons and armor pieces
- Modifiers for Heroic Strikes
In addition to the second expansion, the community’s main focus is on the already delayed overhaul of exotic items. While many fans are also looking forward to private matches and the prestige mode of the raid section, a large part of the Guardians is anxiously anticipating the rework of the Exotics.
Because exotic items, in their current state, symbolically represent one of the most serious problems of the game – the loot is mostly boring, if not insignificant.
Many exotic items do not live up to their name and serve merely as dust collectors in the vault or for infusing. This is a significant opportunity for Bungie to restore lost trust and revitalize the dwindling hope of the Guardian community.
Will the changes this spring be enough to win back the fans?
Bungie is backed against the wall. Players are leaving in droves, and previous changes have not been able to counteract that. Moreover, the troubled second series installment will have formidable competition in the foreseeable future.
For most fans, one thing is clear: for the game to even have a chance, the upcoming two updates at least must not fail.
Even considering that the two remaining update milestones will still hardly change anything regarding the core issues of the game: If the upcoming two updates are well-received by the community, at least the next big expansion, expected in fall 2018, will have another opportunity to tackle the core problems and implement fundamental changes.
There is not much room for experimentation and potential failures. If the updates fail, the remaining patience and the last shred of understanding of even the most loyal Destiny fans will be exhausted.
Then it will be extremely difficult for Bungie to turn things around again – even with a large expansion. Because the studio would not have really convincing arguments for a renewed investment from the players. And the goodwill from the days of the predecessor is long gone.
What do you think of the remaining two updates? Can Destiny 2 buy itself more time for changes?
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