Bungie has designed the largest Destiny map ever with the European Dead Zone region in Destiny 2. But where is the EDZ (European Dead Zone) located exactly? In Germany? A detective story.
Anyone who has carefully watched the recently released video footage may have experienced a sense of déjà vu. The extensive forays through the EDZ bear a great resemblance to the Destiny Crucible map Widow’s Court.
In addition to the gothic architecture, as predominantly found in Central Europe, the signs placed in German script all over the map testify to the origin from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
What geographical features does the EDZ have?
The gameplay material for Destiny 2 clearly shows similarities to the map Widow’s Court. But what features really stand out?
- The EDZ region is heavily forested – just a sign that nature has reclaimed lost terrain over the centuries? Or has the area always been heavily forested?
- Ruins in the style of ancient buildings in Central Europe
- Mountains!
To correctly geographically locate the EDZ, all these peculiarities must be considered. Additionally, a mysterious salt mine provides clues, which a Guardian passes by:
Where is the mysterious salt mine?
A screenshot shows the salt mine. But where is it located? We are looking for a forested area with gothic buildings and mountains. Our search leads us to southern Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, there is a salt mine near Stetten.
Here there is plenty of greenery, but few mountains. A false lead. However, there is another salt mine in southern Germany. Our virtual tour takes us further into Bavaria, near the Austrian border – specifically to Berchtesgaden.
Here is one of the largest and most visited salt mines in Germany. A look at Google Maps reveals lots of nature – and a river that flows close to the salt mine:
It is also mountainous. The area around Bad Reichenhall in the Berchtesgadener Land could indeed be the model for the EDZ in Destiny 2. So is the Guardian’s journey leading to southeastern Bavaria?
Possible, but this area is not the only option.
Austria – Home of the EDZ?
In Austria, I also find a match – in Hallein.
There is also a salt mine, mountains, and forests. Everything that was also shown in the EDZ gameplay sessions. We could also discover a few historical buildings.
Conclusion:
- If the EDZ in Destiny has a real counterpart, it is Bad Reichenhall in Bavaria or Hallein in Austria.
- Alternatively: There is no true real counterpart to the EDZ, but it is a construct that is only inspired by the real world.
Update 27.08.2017, 19:30:
A new screenshot has surfaced showing a sign of the A5 motorway, reading Graubünden:
Graubünden is located in Switzerland, relatively close to the Italian border. The A5 motorway itself leads up to just before Basel. Graubünden itself lies on the Swiss A13 motorway. For a sign on the A5 to mention Graubünden, one must be in Baden-Württemberg, as the motorway signs in Switzerland are green.
The fact that a place from Switzerland appears on a German motorway sign that is also a good 2.5 hours drive from the German border suggests that Bungie intended to depict a mountainous landscape in the DACH region. Similarities to real locations are probably just coincidences. We could not find any salt mines in the area in question (the well-known salt mine Bad Friedrichshall is quite far away).
