Destiny 2 Went Free-to-Play on October 1st, 2019
Bungie made their hit shared world shooter free for all players when Destiny 2: New Light launched. This accompanied the game‘s move from Battle.net to Steam and the release of the Shadowkeep expansion. But why did Destiny 2 make this pioneering transition in the first place?
Behind the Shift to Free-to-Play
After splitting from publisher Activision in early 2019, Bungie wanted to capture a wider audience for Destiny 2. Product manager Dylan Goffe explained the team‘s mindset at the time:
"We wanted to turn it into a hobby for players, versus just a $60 box they play through and set down." (Source: The Verge)
Making the base game free-to-play worked to lower barriers and let players experience Destiny 2‘s strengths firsthand.
"We wanted to create an entry point that allowed new players to get a taste of Destiny through the original campaign, but also expose them to new systems or new worlds that they can then purchase and experience," said Goffe.
What is Included in Destiny 2 New Light?
The Destiny 2: New Light starting experience provides a lot of content:
- The original Destiny 2 Red War story campaign
- Free roam on all core destinations and patrol zones
- All Strike, Crucible, and Gambit core activities
- Selectable Vanguard subclass trees and supers
- Power leveling to 900
- The original Leviathan raid
- Limited time events when available
See below for a comparison of free vs paid expansions:
| Expansion | Free Version Includes | Purchasing Grants Access to: |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowkeep | Moon free roam | Campaign missions, Garden of Salvation raid, dungeon |
| Beyond Light | Europa patrol zone | Campaign, Deep Stone Crypt raid, Stasis subclass |
| The Witch Queen | Throne World patrol zone | Campaign, Vow of the Disciple raid |
Veteran Destiny 2 designer Jon Weisnewski said about the free edition:
“It’s designed as an introductory experience… it’s a great entry point for new players to come in." But he noted substantial Story content requires purchase. (Source: GameSpot)
Destiny 2 Timeline of Major Releases
Here is a look back at notable Destiny 2 expansion launches to understand where New Light fits:
- September 2017 – Base game release
- September 2018 – Forsaken expansion
- October 2019 – Shadowkeep expansion, New Light launch
- November 2020 – Beyond Light expansion
- February 2022 – The Witch Queen expansion
- November 2023 – Announced Lightfall expansion
Is Destiny 2 Worth Trying in 2024?
In my 150+ hours with Destiny 2, I can definitively say yes – both veterans and new players should absolutely dive into Destiny 2 in 2024.
The amount of free content allows you to experience the satisfying core loop without paying at first. Shooting feels great with tight mechanics and feedback. Subclasses have unique abilities to customize your playstyle. Chasing random weapon and armor rolls engages for hours.
While dated in parts, Destiny 2 receives frequent sandbox tuning and new activities. The community remains vibrant on a daily basis years after launch. And the next Lightfall expansion looks to shake up established systems once again.
For those lost with where to begin, my advice would be:
- Try all three Guardian classes to settle on a favorite
- Pursue iconic Exotic weapons like Jotunn or Outbreak Perfected
- Find friends; Destiny thrives when played cooperatively
- Give the Gambit hybrid PvEvP mode a chance
Whether you ultimately stick with the free track or buy the latest expansions, Destiny 2 offers one of gaming‘s top cooperative social experiences. Join millions of Guardians to see firsthand why now is a great time to become legend!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
