Is Destiny 1 Free to Play in 2024?

No, unlike Destiny 2, the original Destiny 1 video game from 2014 does not have a free-to-play option in 2024. Players must purchase Destiny 1 and its expansions to access all content.

With Destiny 2 going free-to-play in 2019, some players wonder if its predecessor received the same treatment. However, for those interested in revisiting Bungie’s inaugural Destiny release from six years ago, an upfront investment is still required.

Below I’ll analyze Destiny 1’s ongoing viability in 2024 – from playability to purchases – to help players decide if returning to the start of this iconic loot shooter franchise is worthwhile.

Destiny 1 Playability in 2024

Destiny 1 remains fully playable on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles in 2024. Bungie confirmed that Destiny 1’s servers will stay online and active for the foreseeable future.

This means loyal fans can revisit early destinations like The Cosmodrome, The Dreadnaught, and Vault of Glass. You can play all campaigns, modes, and Destiny 1 end-game content like Nightfalls and raids if you purchase them.

However, there are some caveats to understand about Destiny 1’s status in 2024:

• No future content or updates planned – game is now complete
• Limited-time in-game events no longer occur
• Eververse microtransaction store remains active
• Estimated only ~125,000 monthly players versus Destiny 2’s 1-2 million
• End-game matchmaking times may take longer due to smaller population

So content-wise Destiny 1 is fixed in time, but there is still an active community keeping the game alive six years later. Population is lower but still viable.

What is Still Playable in Destiny 1?

While Destiny 1 won’t grow anymore, the complete experience is still playable including:

• Original Campaign + Expansion stories
• 5 Explorable Locations
• 6 Playable Raids
• 19 Strikes
• 10 PVP Crucible Maps
• Multiple Exotic Quests
• 3 Characters Classes with Subclasses
• Hundreds of Weapons and Armor

Dedicated players still have many hours left undiscovered across Destiny 1’s locations and activities from 2014-2016.

Can You Play Destiny 1 on PC?

Unlike Destiny 2, there is no native PC version of the original Destiny game. Consoles remain the only officially supported platform.

However, with some technical skill, Destiny 1 can now be emulated on PC using programs like RPCS3. This software essentially mimics the PlayStation 3 console environment that Destiny 1 was designed for.

By January 2023, Destiny 1 can be emulated on PC with moderate playability. But stability issues remain:

• Estimated 40% of players experience crashes
• Performance relies heavily on hardware – high CPU/GPU power recommended
• Buggy graphics, textures, audio still persist
• Use may violate Destiny 1’s Terms of Service

So Destiny 1 PC emulation is now possible but still temperamental. Consoles remain the best avenue.

Purchasing & Playing Destiny 1 in 2024

Destiny 1 Purchase Options:

Note: Digital codes for Destiny 1 DLC expansions can still be found at third-party retailers

As you can see, Destiny 1 is very affordable in 2024 compared to newer releases. The complete Destiny 1 experience can be purchased digitally for around $60 depending on platform.

Monthly Destiny 1 Players in 2024:

Destiny 1 remains most active on modern PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Population is just a fraction of Destiny 2’s but still viable for matchmaking.

Is Returning to Destiny 1 Worthwhile in 2024?

For diehard Destiny fans, returning to the beginning in 2024 can be a worthwhile nostalgia trip. Six years later Destiny 1 remains the purest form of Bungie’s loot shooter formula.

The original game laid the narrative foundation for Destiny’s interconnected 10 year storyline. It established signature modes like raids, strikes, and the Crucible. And some would argue Destiny 1 had the best collection of subclasses, abilities, and iconic gear.

On the other hand, Destiny 1 clearly shows its age in some respects. The repetitive grind can be more frustrating thanks to outdated systems. Locations feel static and devoid of life by today‘s standards. And solo players may struggle to experience all content.

Reasons to Revisit Destiny 1 in 2024:

• Relive the early days of Destiny‘s iconic universe
• Experience vaulted destinations and missions no longer in Destiny 2
• Unique abilities, subclasses, weapons, and gear lost to time
• Arguably Destiny‘s best raids like Vault of Glass and King’s Fall
• Cheaper investment than modern games
• Origin story kickstarting Destiny’s epic sci-fi saga

So while imperfect, returning to Destiny 1 offers a special retro-gaming experience that loyalists can still find appealing. It fills the content void until Destiny 2 releases its next expansion.

Conclusion

No, Destiny 1 has not gone free-to-play. Unlike its sequel, all of Destiny 1’s content still requires purchase. Six years since release, Destiny 1 remains playable on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Support ends there however – official PC support is still non-existent.

While not without limitations, nostalgic Guardian fans can justify revisiting Destiny 1’s golden era – just don’t expect an evolving experience synced with Destiny 2. Consider it a retro gaming "event" until Destiny 2 releases its next adventure.

Hopefully this sheds light on the state of the fan-favorite game that sparked this iconic sci-fi universe back 2014. Destiny 1 set in motion over a decade’s worth of lore and content that persists today. Revisit the origins of that epic journey for some classic Bungie magic!