Why is Year 1 of Destiny 2 actually free with the base game? In an interview, Bungie spoke about the reasons for making Year 1 of the shooter free in September. The community was an inspiration, as well as the previous approach to expansions.
What is New Light? With the upcoming expansion Shadowkeep, there is also an exciting change for all Destiny 2 enthusiasts who have not yet dared to try the game.
Year 1 of Destiny 2 will be released for free as “New Light”. The free content includes among other things:
- The base game Destiny 2 with the campaign and the Leviathan raid
- The first DLC Curse of Osiris
- The second DLC Warmind
Moreover, players should be able to travel to all locations, including those that came into the game with an expansion they do not own. This includes the upcoming expansion Shadowkeep.
However, there will also be restrictions, such as on specific activities like exotic quests, the respective campaigns, or the raids from Forsaken and Shadowkeep.
Why is it free? In an interview with VG247, Bungie’s Project Lead Scott Taylor explained why the studio chose the free-to-play route.
After Bungie separated from Activision, they began engaging in discussions with players and the team. They wanted to discover what they could do to realize Bungie’s vision of a global community for Destiny. They aimed to tear down barriers, and Destiny 2 was meant to be the game that helps with that.
Taylor further explains that the team was frustrated that players had to play all previous content of Destiny 2 to be able to purchase the first expansion, Forsaken.
Players can easily download New Light for free on all platforms. If Guardians then show interest in additional content, they can simply purchase it.
It is the way in which players and the industry have evolved that led Bungie to pursue this new path.
What was it like with Forsaken? At the launch of the first expansion to Destiny 2, Forsaken, players were forced to purchase the two previously released DLCs. DLC I Curse of Osiris and DLC II Warmind were mandatory for Forsaken.
Bungie only changed this about a month later. Starting from October 16, the expansion was offered along with the two DLCs. Players who had played the expansion before this date received a bundle of cosmetic items as a thank you.
