Destiny 2 is in an extraordinary situation. Many fans have actually given up on the game since December, but they want to return in May because they have already purchased the 2nd DLC “Warmind”. However, Bungie seems to already have its thoughts in September. Is Destiny 2 ready to seize this seemingly last chance that the fans are giving them?
The mood around Destiny 2 has shifted from “ecstatic” to “devastated” within 8 months. It is a crazy situation in which Bungie now finds itself: Criticism of the game has been pouring in for months, yet the next DLC “Warmind” has certainly already been sold hundreds of thousands of times.
This unusual situation is the result of a rollercoaster ride that has been steadily declining since September 2015.
With Destiny 1 and the great expansion “The Taken King,” the studio had built a trust with the fans.
Activision rejoices: Season Pass and special edition sold massively
Players always saw Destiny as a game with incredible potential. They dreamed that the MMO shooter would continue to grow and improve with the sequel. Fans were also willing to endure the tired years of 2016 and 2017, in which they were just waiting for Destiny 2.
Then Destiny 2 was finally announced.
In the belief of the good in Bungie, many players not only bought the “Standard Edition” of Destiny 2 but also Deluxe and Collector’s Editions, which included a Season Pass.
The Season Pass included: The first expansion “Curse of Osiris” from December 2017 and “Warmind” in May 2018. Before the launch of Destiny 2, this seemed like a super plan to many.
Activision has likely taken note of this positively: The 1st DLC sold better than “The Dark Below” in Destiny 1.
Many fans regret purchasing the Season Pass
But Destiny 2 was not the hoped-for continuation of Destiny, but in many respects a step back. While Destiny 2 offered a story and greater accessibility compared to its predecessor, there were setbacks in game depth, long-term motivation, and PvP.
Destiny 2 was made more for casual players who would go for the Standard Edition, and not for the veterans who bought the Season Pass right away.
After the disappointing development of Destiny 2 in the months following the launch and a DLC “Curse of Osiris” that did not bring much reason to spend time on it, many fans turned their backs on the shooter in 2018.
In the first months of 2018, Bungie began to rebuild Destiny 2, but the successes are not yet really visible.
More on the topic: March Update for Destiny 2 in review – Is it worth returning?
Destiny 2 is actually only ready to convince veterans again in September
The major changes, it is clear, will only enter Destiny 2 in the autumn. Only then will Bungie have prepared itself to convince players of Destiny again.
The problem is now:
- Fans say: “Okay, I’ll check back in May with Destiny 2, I’ve already paid for the DLC” – This is the last chance.
- Bungie, however, seems to already have its thoughts in September and on the major expansion that is supposed to bring “real changes” – Bungie is apparently not yet ready to seize the last chance with “Warmind” right now.
Already in recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear: The actual upheaval that players are waiting for will not come in May with “Warmind,” but only in September with the larger Comet expansion.
The roadmap for September features treats like “Changes to weapon slots” or “random rolls on weapons.”
Bungie also seems to already have its mind in September, has invited streamers and YouTubers, to talk with them about the changes in September.
The catch here: Players have already paid for the May DLC. For Comet, Bungie will likely charge the fans again.
Spring updates have always been the weakest time for Destiny
The DLC “Warmind” is therefore in the impossible situation of convincing fans to trust Bungie enough to consider returning to Destiny 2 in September.
The 2nd DLC of Destiny 2 must prepare the stage for Bungie to present the September expansion without disappointed fans storming their E3 booth with pitchforks and blasters.
How this can succeed amidst the current sentiment among players seems questionable.
Traditionally, the spring DLCs (House of Wolves 2015) or the spring updates (The Taken Spring 2016) or “Age of Triumph” (2017) have been more or less stopgap solutions to give players something to do before the longer content pause in the summer.
The highlights always came in September for Destiny with “The Taken King” or “Rise of Iron.”
Could “Warmind” still become a positive surprise?
Currently, we know little about “Warmind” and what awaits players there.
There are many indications that “Warmind” is not primarily being developed by Bungie, but by another Activision studio that has been working on this DLC since 2015. Whether this has a positive or negative effect is yet to be seen.
What is clear is that players have immense expectations for “Warmind.” Many have not engaged with Destiny 2 for months, have purchased the DLC but see it as “Bungie’s last chance.”
These high expectations are likely to far exceed what the DLC can fulfill.
However, “Warmind” at least needs to send a clear signal in the right direction, otherwise it will be immensely difficult for Bungie to launch the Comet expansion to Destiny 2 properly in the autumn.
Already now, Bungie will face a headwind that they are not accustomed to.
On April 24, Bungie will present the DLC “Warmind” in a livestream. We will report on Mein MMO with a live ticker.
It will be exciting.
More about Destiny 2:
Destiny 2 is now in crisis, which Destiny 1 escaped three years ago
