Eyes up, Guardians.
If you are interested in game development, community, and preserving the legacy of Destiny 2, please take just a moment to read about my project, GMTOG. #GuardiansMakeTheirOwnGames
Alright, so now that we can confirm Bungie leadership was indeed involved in every step of deciding to end Destiny, I’ve got some unfiltered thoughts.
-The content vault was the sole destroyer of all positive momentum and sentiment for the game when players now had to spend money on new expansions every year or two with an inherent fear that content would be vaulted anyways. “Pay for access” is the death of player investment and the DCV highlighted itself as the most destructive decision ever made in any game to-date.
-Destiny 3 should’ve been green-lit immediately after the Witch Queen, Lightfall, and Final Shape reveals in 2020 and 2021. It would’ve been the perfect lead-in for concluding Destiny 2. They knew the saga was concluding with Final Shape and the game was becoming too bloated. Had they decided to do so, they could’ve announced Destiny 3’s release at this very moment 5-6yrs later. It also would’ve been the perfect bargaining chip to PlayStation for the acquisition by showing longevity of an established and secure IP with a clear title release forthcoming.
-I can guarantee a very large base of players will decide to avoid this “new journey” in Bungie if it isn’t Destiny 3. This demographic of players over the last 10yrs are Destiny fans who spent the last decade exclusively in Destiny - even bringing their kids to enjoy. For sure, you’ll have many who will try whatever comes next, but if it isn’t Destiny, you’re going to have a very large gap.
-Marathon’s “strong foundation” is grossly over-exaggerated. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good game that plays unbelievably well and perfectly emanates the identity of Bungie, but its retention concerns are so evident that to deny its existence is damaging. An extremely large portion of marathon players migrated from Destiny and are the core audience to consider here. To Shut down their original game with no plan in sight while saying “we have this instead” will not produce positive results. If marathon wants to succeed beyond its extraction mode, it needs a world built like Destiny, told like Destiny, and world-shaped from the marathon lore that’s been build since the 1990’s.
-If Destiny 3 is not in development and they have no plans to continue the franchise, sell the rights to another reputable studio who believes in the IP and will keep it alive. Destiny is arguably the best looter shooter that defined a literal genre and to abandon development of one of the biggest established IP’s in history is a terrible business decision.
-All of this stems from terrible decision making from the top-down. The game went from creating one of the greatest gaming worlds and stories ever made over the last decade to dollar signs and spreadsheets first. Game success comes from building a full experience that players cannot help but be immersed in.
Blaming “industry shifts” for a game struggling is code for “we aren’t getting it right on our end because we’re making the wrong decisions at the wrong time.”
The players haven’t changed; the reason for developing a game did.
I’m angry. I’m frustrated. I’m sad. I’m hurt. I’m lost. Destiny was home for over 10yrs.
I’ll see y’all in the tower.
We cannot consider #AI to be morally neutral. In reality, every technical tool embodies choices and priorities through what it measures, ignores, and optimizes, and how it classifies people and situations. Ethical discernment cannot be limited to asking whether we are using a system for good or bad purposes. It must also examine how that system is designed and what vision of the human person and society is embedded in the data and models that guide it. #MagnificaHumanitas
To the Destiny 2 community,
Thank you.
As artists, our goal has always been to create worlds filled with wonder, mystery, beauty, and adventure. But what brings those worlds to life is you. You take our designs, our napkin sketches, our "wouldn't it be cool if..." ideas and transform them into something real. Your creativity, your passion, and your love for the game give our work purpose.
We've always believed Destiny could be a place where expression is celebrated, where players can see themselves and each other in the worlds we build, where every Guardian can forge their own legend—and you proved it.
Watching your Guardians grow, embrace new allies, take down bigger and badder bosses, solve mind-bending puzzles, dodge death traps, avoid Taken boopers, and overcome every Raid challenge we throw at you—all while looking incredible—has been a constant reminder of why this universe matters.
You shaped it. You made it matter. You are the light of Destiny.
With Monument of Triumph, we set out to create a series of love letters to Guardians, new and old. We shared a preview last week of armor inspired by early designs from the original Destiny but have also sprinkled some winks and nods throughout the rewards releasing tomorrow. We hope they feel like a small thank you for everything you’ve given us.
From all of us on the Destiny 2 art team, thank you for supporting us, inspiring us, and continuing to bring this world to life in ways we could never have imagined. You give our art meaning.
With gratitude,
The Destiny 2 Art Team
It's 2012. You just got home from school around 3:30. You toss your backpack on the floor, grab a snack, and head straight to your room. You turn on your Xbox 360, hear that startup sound, sign into Xbox, and join your friend's party chat. No responsibilities, and nothing but time.