Destiny 2 thrives on its loyal fans who continuously support it. Unfortunately, things do not look good at the moment. Bungie is experiencing one of its highest player losses for its loot shooter on Steam. Can the shooter recover from this?
How high is the player loss? Paul Tassi, a well-known figure from the Destiny community and a journalist at the news site “Forbes,” has looked at the significant player losses from the recent DLC releases on Steam and summarized the following (Source: forbes.com):
- The Witch Queen lost 61% of its peak player count after its release.
- Lightfall, one of the lesser DLCs, initially lost 19% and then subsequently 44% of its peak player count.
- The Final Shape, one of the best DLCs ever, lost up to 67% after its release.
Although there are still up to 44,503 players playing during the last 24-hour peak, and the average number is 63,464 players, the numbers are bleak. Normally, player counts gradually decline as the season approaches its end, but in this case, it seems that a large portion of the fans played the DLC and then dropped off.
Fans want no fillers, but real content
Why have so many players disappeared? It is hard to say exactly, as every player has their own opinion on this matter. However, if one had to identify reasons, it could be the end of the Light and Darkness saga mixed with the lost trust of players in the future of Destiny 2.
Many fans have been invested in the story for almost 10 years. By defeating the Witness, the long chapter has largely concluded. Many fans can now safely set aside the loot shooter as they no longer have a reason to play.
Additionally, the current stories surrounding the layoffs at Bungie have shaken the trust of the fans. It is unclear where the developers’ focus lies and whether Destiny 2 is being kept alive artificially until the new big hit “Marathon” is released.
Lastly, the current content feels like filler. The episodes tell the stories after the Witness has been defeated, but they do not convey a sense of ultimate conclusion. It feels as though Guardians are wrapping up side stories until the next big thing appears. Unfortunately, there are currently few reasons to check back into the loot shooter.
Can Destiny 2 recover from this? This is very difficult to assess. Bungie has been known for crafting one of the best stories ever with Destiny 1 & 2. Now that this story is concluded, it is uncertain whether Bungie can spark that exciting feeling again that many Guardians have been chasing for years.
Moreover, fans do not know if Destiny 2 will continue and whether Bungie will pursue the secret project “Frontiers.” If developers aim to bring the loot shooter back to a golden age, they would need to create something that reignites excitement even among veterans – with 6-month seasons without any DLC, this is highly unlikely to happen.
What do you think? Can Destiny 2 still recover, or has the shooter long passed its prime? Let us know in the comments! After all, Bungie has planned a new event that players had randomly discovered: Players discover a new event in Destiny 2 for the 10th anniversary – here’s what to expect
