In Destiny 2, the content plan is set until Fall 2019. But especially after the separation from Bungie and Activision, many are asking: What comes next?
Here is the current status of future content for Destiny 2: At the end of last year, Bungie openly and clearly communicated what contents can be expected by players until August 2019. But recently, Bungie surprisingly separated from its previous publisher Activision and announced that it would continue the Destiny franchise alone in the future. This caused quite a stir and uncertainty.
Therefore, numerous fans are now wondering more than ever what the future of Destiny 2 will look like. Bungie has already confirmed that the planned annual pass contents will be maintained. However, regarding the plans beyond that, fans are still in the dark.
This is what the future of Destiny 2 could look like
With the annual pass for Forsaken, fans will be supported until August 2019. Season 7 ends then, marking the conclusion of the last planned content for Destiny 2. We present some possibilities for what could happen in Fall 2019.
The next major expansion
The case for it: Initially, a major expansion like Forsaken would be a logical step. This would keep Bungie true to its previous “tradition”. The historical release pattern within the Destiny franchise supports this idea. Destiny was released in 2014, followed by major expansions in 2015 and 2016.
Destiny 2 was launched in 2017 and also received a major expansion in Fall 2018 – Forsaken. If Bungie adheres to this release pattern, a second major expansion is quite likely.
This is also in line with predictions from analysts and some experts who forecast a Destiny 3 for the year 2020 – despite the separation from Activision. This would also align with the previous release pattern.
Moreover, the internal plans for Fall would likely have been in place before the separation. Due to the divorce, these plans might not necessarily be discarded if work had already commenced on this content.
It is unknown to what extent Bungie and Activision reached a contractual agreement regarding their “divorce”. It is quite conceivable that they committed to completing ongoing projects before going their separate ways. Such agreements are common in the business world.
Prominent leaker AnonTheNine has also mentioned that a Destiny 3 is already in development, which aligns with the analysts’ views. The Redditor is highly regarded and trusted within the community. All his previous leaks about Destiny 2 have proven to be accurate thus far. However, this statement was made before the separation from Activision.
What speaks against it: One of the biggest factors against this scenario is the loss of key resources – specifically the two Activision studios, Vicarious Visions and High Moon Studios. Bungie was no longer solely responsible for content supply and development work.
If both development studios were planned for future content, it would likely be quite difficult for Bungie to compensate for that loss. An expansion might still be conceivable, but whether the Fall timeline could still be adhered to remains questionable.
Additionally, the pressure and obligation to the publisher are gone, so Bungie would no longer be forced to adhere to the previous release pattern.
More content with the Annual Pass model
The case for it: After the separation, losing important manpower, more content with the Annual Pass would probably be the simplest solution for Bungie. They could easily connect with a fourth season to the previous content or continue the entire third year of Destiny 2 with the Annual Pass.
This is not so unlikely. The leaker AnonTheNine, who is rumored to have an insider at Bungie, has already stated that the third year will also get an Annual Pass. While this does not rule out an expansion or a DLC at the start of the third year, Bungie may need to settle with this if they lack the necessary resources.
What speaks against it: Even now, many fans argue that the Annual Pass does not provide sufficient content to keep the Guardians engaged over such a long period. If Bungie were to extend the model for another year, more players could turn away from Destiny 2.
The assumption that Bungie could deliver more content with an Annual Pass for year 3 seems rather unlikely due to the trimmed resources. This step would likely only occur if Bungie sees no other options to supply Destiny 2 with fresh content.
A classic DLC
The case for it: A further plausible solution could be a classic DLC like Kriegsgeist. This way, Bungie wouldn’t have to conjure up a major expansion, yet would still be able to delight fans with a new content package when the third year starts. Many fans would likely be satisfied with a DLC the size of Kriegsgeist.
Especially in conjunction with a season pass for year 3, such a step could be possible, as long as Bungie has the necessary resources, which would not suffice for a full-fledged expansion.
What speaks against it: Actually, Bungie has already moved away from this model. The studio has repeatedly emphasized that the Annual Pass is now the new way to deliver content.
However, whether the separation from Activision and the resulting situation will cause the studio to rethink remains to be seen. In Bungie’s current position, it could indeed be a plausible option.
No new content
The case for it: Even though this may indeed be the least likely option – it is not unthinkable.
The pressure from the publisher and the contractual obligation to deliver at specific times is now gone. Bungie could thus fully focus on realizing its own unrestricted vision of Destiny without compromises, possibly even in a new Destiny title.
Destiny 2 would then only be supported with some seasonal events like Anbruch or Festival der Verlorenen and would otherwise be kept at a minimum. Meanwhile, the studio could focus entirely on creating new content for Destiny 2 or even the next Destiny title without any pressure, and then deliver high quality.
It may happen that Destiny 2 is therefore “sacrificed” or at least neglected, yet fans have often stated that Bungie should not rush, but rather deliver good content. If the studio communicates this properly, many fans would forgive them for a longer dry spell, provided that in the end, they are compensated with great content.
What speaks against it: However, this could also pose the risk that Destiny 2 loses a lot of players during this time who do not know how to occupy themselves any longer.
Whether they could ever win these players back remains questionable. Because even content that is celebrated by critics and fans finds it difficult to retain and attract sufficient players, as proven by the Forsaken expansion.
The likelihood that Bungie might choose this path is rather low, unless they have not yet given up on Destiny 2 and see no other way out.
What do you think? How will Destiny 2 continue in the Fall? Do you see another possibility as likely?
