In The Division, we compile the current information, tips, and rumors for Year 2. Will there be free DLCs?
After Update 1.6 and “Last Stand”, all content from the “Year 1” plan has been exhausted. The roadmap that Ubisoft presented to us at the beginning of 2016 can be found at the end.
Many fans are therefore asking: What does the future hold for the shared-world shooter – will there be a Year 2 or a full sequel, a “The Division 2”?
Even though we are already in 2017, we know surprisingly little about future plans. There is even an official confirmation pending as to whether new game content will come at all. Ubisoft and Massive have so far refrained from making a statement like: “This content will come in 2017 and these months can be expected.”
Ubisoft: Successful game will be expanded
All previous hints, leaks, and rumors indicate that no full sequel, a “The Division 2”, will be released. Instead, a “Year 2” plan for the current The Division seems likely. We summarize the reasons for this.
Just two weeks ago, Ubisoft made the vague statement that they will expand a successful game rather than releasing a new title in the franchise, as was originally planned.
We do not know if this really refers to The Division, but we strongly assume it does. One might speculate that Ubisoft once planned to release a “The Division 2” in 2017 or 2018. However, it seems that we will continue with “Year 2” – if the statement refers to The Division.
That the developers will not close the shutters after 1.6 and “Last Stand” was announced a few days ago by Massive during a livestream. Further updates will come, but they cannot say more about it yet. Community Developer Hamish Bode joked that he would probably keep his job for a while longer.
Leaks and surveys point to “Year 2”
As early as the end of 2016, surveys from Ubisoft caused a stir: These were sent via email to selected agents and asked specific questions about the possible future of The Division.
Especially interesting: Ubisoft was very interested in Destiny – and its recipe for success. They asked specific questions about this MMO shooter and wanted to know why people are still playing Destiny, what holds their interest in the game.
Furthermore, they asked what players wish for The Division in the future. Whether they want to experience a completely new city or further adventures in New York. Many users were already confident back then: Ubisoft has not given up on The Division; instead, they are planning future content.
In mid-December 2016, a leak in the form of a resume appeared: This belonged to an environment artist, a developer who deals with the environment of The Division. On his website, he mentioned, alongside his completed work on the main game, a “Year 2 DLC” that is currently in development. There grew the hope: “An environment artist? New areas are finally coming!”
Will Ubisoft focus on free DLCs?
Also, considering the efforts that Massive put into Updates 1.4, 1.5, and now 1.6 in The Division, it seems unlikely that there would be an end after 1.6. Fundamentally, a solid foundation has only just been established upon which future content can be built.
However, some users are unsettled by the recent statements from Massive: The developers only spoke of new updates coming. There was no mention of DLCs and large-scale expansions. Will there be no new game content anymore?
A statement from Massive a few weeks ago seems to shout: Yes! And possibly even in a player-friendly form – namely, free.
In mid-January, Massive introduced microtransactions: Update 1.6 introduces an in-game store for cosmetics with “premium credits,” which you can purchase with real money. And Massive has already commented on the question of why you are charged for additional cosmetic items: Weapon skins and outfits are popular in the community, and they want to make more available.
However, these items are not supposed to burden the resources that the developers want to devote to the main game. Through the monetization, they can bring new “vanity options” into the game independently, without compromising the production of the rest of the game, according to Massive. Here, too, the statement implies: The developers are working on future content.
It is speculated that The Division could take a similar path based on these microtransactions as Rainbow Six: Siege or For Honor (both Ubisoft games): That all future game content will be delivered for free, and there will only be optional offers to spend real money. Ubisoft has repeatedly emphasized with these games that they do not want to split the community with DLCs.
The “Year 1” of The Division was the exact opposite: Here, the community was often divided in many ways: DLC or no DLC, Xbox One, PC, or PS4 – only in the first months after release were all players on the same level. A topic that was heavily criticized in 2016. Offering free future game content would be a step in the right direction.
But note at this point: This is purely speculation. As soon as Ubisoft and Massive lift the veil of silence, you will find out about it with us.
All information, guides, and news about the game can be found on our “The Division” page.
