In Destiny 2 the transition to a free-to-play model is set for September 17. However, the new free model is not like that of Warframe, says our author Schuhmann. Destiny 2 New Light is more aligned with the model of Guild Wars 2.
When will Destiny 2 be free? On September 17, the base game of Destiny 2 and all content from Year 1 will be available for free. This free game will be called “Destiny 2 New Light.” It fully includes:
- Vanilla Destiny 2 with the campaign against Ghaul and the Leviathan raid
- The first DLC Curse of Osiris
- The second DLC Warmind
How will this proceed? Every player can create a Guardian on PS4, Xbox One, or PC and then start a new “starting mission” set in the Cosmodrome. It is supposed to be a remastered version of the first mission from Destiny 1, where the Ghost finds the Guardian, and together they fight their way out of the Cosmodrome.
After that, they arrive at the Tower, and the world will gradually open up to them.
Years 2 and 3 are explorable – with limitations
What about the other content? The special twist is that players can explore all locations in the game with “Destiny 2 New Light,” even the new region that comes with Shadowkeep.
It is said that players can “explore every location and do bounties there, play every cooperative strike, and participate in every PvP activity.” Also, Gambit is open to players, as Eric Osborne explained in the stream.
Gambit is a mode that actually only came with Year 2, Forsaken. The fact that “all cooperative strikes” are free is also noteworthy.
What are the limitations? It appears that players will not have access to special activities, so not to exotic quests, campaigns, or raids.
The exact restrictions on what Free2Play players can play from Year 2 and Year 3 in Destiny 2 are still a bit uncertain.
In the stream, Bungie employees mainly emphasized the advantages and did not go much into the disadvantages.
It seems clear: Players can move freely in Destiny 2, but if they want to “really” participate, they will need to purchase additional content.
They should be able to purchase it “à la carte” – so it is possible that they will buy “only” Shadowkeep or “only” Season 9.
What kind of model is this? This free-to-play model corresponds to the model of the MMORPG Guild Wars 2, but is even more lenient:
- The base game is free-to-play – like a gigantic free trial version, which you can certainly play for 40 to 50 hours
- Additionally, there is limited access to further content from Years 2 and 3
- However, those who want more and want to dive fully will have to purchase the additional content individually
Destiny 2 will thus become a hybrid of free-to-play and buy-to-play – you can either see it as a free-to-play game with purchasable additional content or as a buy-to-play game with a very extended free trial phase.
A game like Warframe comes from a different direction. Everything is free-to-play there, and the game finances itself through the cash shop. Destiny 2 won’t take such a step.
This is behind it: This is a major step for Destiny 2 to make the entire Year 1 available for free without restrictions. Many expected this step, especially after Destiny 2 has already been free with PS Plus and for a while on PC after BlizzCon 2018.
With this step, Bungie apparently wants to increase the player base for Shadowkeep and also direct more customers to the redesigned Eververse, the cash shop.
It is also quite possible that the new deal with Google Stadia plays a role here – because with Google Stadia, Destiny 2 is available with the subscription at no additional cost – here even the “complete version without restrictions.”
Destiny 2 is likely to experience an influx of new players. Bungie will be hoping that as many of those who check it out for free will stick around and purchase more Destiny 2 content.
