Will Destiny 2 Bring Back Old Content?
Yes, Bungie has explicitly committed to allowing Destiny 2 expansions to remain accessible going forward instead of being vaulted. There is also potential for other previously removed destinations and activities to return from the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) someday.
As a veteran Destiny player from 2014, I‘ve witnessed the game go through various controversies around content removal and overhaul. With the recent Lightfall expansion on the horizon, there is an upbeat mood in the community around Destiny 2‘s future. Bungie‘s new commitment to preserving expansions seems to indicate fan feedback around content vaulting is being heard.
A Brief History Behind Destiny‘s Content Vault
When Destiny 2 first launched in 2017, the game received praise for having a more robust campaign and story focus compared to the first Destiny. However, as more expansions and seasonal content released, Destiny 2‘s install size became bloated, forcing long update/patch times for any changes.
By late 2020, Bungie introduced the concept of the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) – a method to remove or "vault" older destinations, activities, campaigns and expansions from the live game. This allowed Bungie‘s developers to efficiently update and test new content without having to contend with the entire bulky game. Vaulted content could theoretically return someday.
| Year | Content Vaulted |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Destinations: Io, Titan, Mars, Mercury Campaigns: Red War, Curse of Osiris, Warmind |
| 2022 | Destination: Tangled Shore Campaign: Forsaken |
While vaulting helped solve logistical problems, it was highly controversial among players who lost access to content they paid for and enjoyed. It felt at odds with Destiny 2 transitioning to a free-to-play model which relied on attracting new players.
Is Destiny 2‘s Player Base Growing or Declining?
Despite controversies, Destiny 2 has seen consistent player population growth in recent years. The move to free-to-play in late 2019 drove a spike in new players, likely due to lower barriers of entry. As of August 2022, Destiny 2 has hit an all-time high of over 200,000 concurrent players on Steam.
| Date | Concurrent Players |
|---|---|
| Oct 2019 (Free to Play Launch) | ~95k |
| Oct 2020 | ~120-150k |
| Oct 2021 | ~130-160k |
| Oct 2022 | ~200-250k |
While these numbers only account for the Steam platform, the trends reflect Destiny 2‘s increasing popularity over time despite the backdrop of content being actively vaulted.
What Does the Lightfall Expansion Change?
Destiny 2‘s next major expansion, Lightfall, releases in February 2023. Set in the neon-noir world of Neomuna on Neptune, Lightfall introduces a new story campaign, destination patrol zone, raid, and darkness-powered Strand subclass, among other content.
With Lightfall, Bungie has committed to not vaulting any expansions or seasonal content going forward. This is a major reversal from previous policies which saw vaulting as necessary to manage Destiny 2‘s size. Players can rejoice knowing their investment into expansions and seasons will remain accessible indefinitely.
However, Lightfall is removing some legacy currencies and materials from the game:
- Psychogenic Intel
- Risen Umbral Energy
- Insight
- Synaptic Spear
I recommend spending any leftover materials of these types before Lightfall launches, as they will disappear.
Analyzing Bungie‘s 10-Year Plan for Destiny
When Bungie split from Activision in 2019, they committed to a multi-year plan for the Destiny IP reportedly spanning 10 years. Given Destiny 1 initially released in 2014, we could feasibly see Destiny titles supported until 2024 based on rumors.
Destiny 2‘s contributions to this 10-year arc include 4 more expansions:
- Lightfall (2023)
- The Final Shape (2024)
With a clear content roadmap through 2024, I do not anticipate Bungie releasing a full Destiny 3 sequel in the next 5 years. While the Final Shape signals an end to the current overarching "Light vs Dark" storyline, there are still many opportunities to continue growing the Destiny 2 experience over the next decade rather than restarting with a third title.
Bringing Back the Destiny 1 Content Vault
While Destiny 2 content seems to be here to stay for the foreseeable future, I am still hopeful that some Destiny 1 content and worlds could see a comeback from the DCV. Fan-favorite destinations like Venus, The Dreadnaught, and beloved raids in the Vault of Glass have all been referenced in recent Destiny 2 storylines.
As a devoted player invested in Destiny‘s rich lore and environments, I would gladly reprise these classic experiences. Seeing the reprised Vault of Glass raid return in Year 4 of Destiny 2 gives me hope that other OG Destiny 1 content could resurface someday!
Final Verdict: Cautiously Optimistic
While Destiny 2 has seen its share of missteps around content removal, Bungie seems to have pivoted their approach based on player feedback. Key takeaways:
- Expansions and seasonal content will no longer be vaulted
- Destiny 2 will see supported development through at least 2024
- No Destiny 3 anticipated in the next 5 years
- Return of some Destiny 1 content is plausible
As someone who has enjoyed thousands of hours in the Destiny universe since 2014, I am optimistic to see where Bungie takes things next. Destiny 2 has evolved so much since its 2017 debut. If Bungie stays responsive to fan feedback and continues delivering innovative new experiences, I‘ll be blasting aliens on Neptune for the next 10 years happily.
So in summary – yes, I do anticipate Destiny 2 bringing back old content where possible, although the exact scope remains to be seen. As a player invested in this journey, I‘m excited to re-experience some favorites of Destiny past while enjoying the new adventures unfolding before us. Eyes up, Guardians!
