Is Destiny 2 Shadowkeep being removed?

As a long-time Destiny gamer and content creator, I was thrilled when Bungie announced that Destiny 2 expansions will no longer be placed in the Destiny Content Vault (DCV). This reversal of their previous vaulting policy means 2019‘s Shadowkeep expansion will persist in Destiny 2 indefinitely!

Bungie‘s Official Expansion Vaulting Announcement

In August 2022, Bungie stunned Guardians everywhere when they stated:

"We have no current plans to remove any Expansions from the game. We’re committed to ensuring Destiny 2 remains a vibrant world that tells the continuing story of Guardians for years to come."

This message on a Bungie Help article was huge news for veterans like myself who‘ve purchased every Destiny 2 expansion to date.

The Destiny community exploded with excitement about this vaulting policy reversal. Long-asked questions around the fate of our purchased expansions finally had some clarity.

Why Reversing Vaulting is Crucial for Destiny 2

As an avid Destiny 2 gamer, I cannot state enough how critical this vaulting reversal is for Destiny 2‘s growth and longevity.

When Bungie first announced vaulting seasons and expansions years ago, many fans feared for our investments in Destiny 2. Would the content and gear we worked hard to unlock be ripped away someday?

Now with vaulting off the table for expansions, Destiny 2 finally feels like a persistent online world we can continually return to and pick up where we left off. All our expansion purchases will remain intact in one evolving universe.

This renewed confidence in Destiny 2‘s future is already paying dividends. Based on DestinyTracker population data, the 30-day player population is over 1.6 million as of February 2023. Engagement remains incredibly strong entering Destiny 2‘s sixth year!

How Does Shadowkeep Fit into All This?

So what does Bungie allowing expansions to persist mean for 2019‘s Shadowkeep specifically?

Well as a passionate Destiny 2 gamer, I couldn‘t be more thrilled that Shadowkeep will continue to be playable and relevant for years to come!

When stacked against newer expansions like Beyond Light or The Witch Queen, Shadowkeep admittedly shows its age at times. The Moon destination lacks some quality-of-life improvements introduced later in Destiny 2‘s lifecycle.

However, Shadowkeep features an eerie campaign centered around Nightmares of past enemies haunting Guardians. It also includes one of Destiny‘s mechanically richest raids in Garden of Salvation, which shines brighter now with raid loot crafting in 2024.

Overall while I personally consider The Witch Queen Destiny 2‘s best expansion, I anticipate revisiting Shadowkeep often even four years after its launch.

What Shadowkeep Content Will Remain Available?

Thanks to Bungie‘s reversal of previous vaulting plans, Shadowkeep will continue granting access to all of its signature content indefinitely. This includes:

• Shadowkeep‘s story campaign and post-campaign missions
• The Moon destination with lost sectors, public events, and more
• Exotic weapons like Xenophage, Divinity, and Deathbringer
• Legendary weapons and armor to collect or craft
• Endgame Nightmare Hunts and Garden of Salvation raid challenges

I know I speak for many Destiny players when I say it‘s incredibly relieving to know legitimate pieces of Destiny 2 like Shadowkeep expansions will persist unvaulted.

Closing Thoughts on Destiny 2‘s Future

While seasonal activities will still be cycled in and out of Destiny 2 each year, core expansions look to remain integral parts of Destiny 2 moving forward.

By allowing Shadowkeep to persist indefinitely alongside newer expansions, Bungie keeps Destiny 2 feeling like an evolving universe veterans can continually revisit rather than a game left behind by newcomers.

This is amazing news for the game‘s stability that veteran players like myself celebrate. And it‘s a reassuring signal for Destiny 2‘s future longevity.

So once again, is Shadowkeep being removed? Thankfully no – the haunting memories it added to Destiny 2 are here to stay!