Bungie's Future: Destiny 2's 'Frontiers', Marathon & The Fallout from Layoffs

Following Bungie's recent restructuring and transfer of some roles to Sony, questions remain about the future of Destiny 2 and other projects. While the official statement claims no changes to previously announced plans, further reporting paints a more nuanced picture. This article offers insights into the future of Destiny, cancelled projects, internal dynamics at Bungie, and the impact of the recent layoffs.

Destiny 2: Moving Forward with 'Frontiers'

Future content for Destiny 2 will focus on smaller, more manageable "content packs," rather than large-scale expansions. These packs will introduce new destinations, raids, and campaigns, but on a scale comparable to Shadowkeep, though with a different format. The focus will shift towards more replayable activities, similar to the success of The Coil, with an emphasis on "hobby" aspects of the game.

The main release each year, starting with 'Frontiers,' will be accompanied by a smaller, free content pack six months later, akin to "Into the Light." Additional, smaller content updates may be released throughout the year, though the scale and schedule remain unclear.

This shift signifies a move away from sprawling, one-off campaigns and a greater emphasis on replayable content. While the content may be smaller in scale, it will still offer new experiences for players to engage with.

Cancelled Projects and the Fate of Destiny 3

Several projects have been cancelled in the wake of the layoffs, including the third-person adventure shooter 'Payback' and the mobile Destiny game from NetEase. While 'Payback' was met with mixed reception, the MOBA-inspired fighting game 'Gummybears' was reportedly showing promise and is expected to be transferred to Sony under the new team.

The development of Destiny 3 was deemed too risky in the current market. The initial plan was to split the Destiny IP into smaller, more manageable components, including the existing PvE content in Destiny 2, a mobile game, and a separate Crucible game focused on 3v3 combat. These plans have been abandoned, and Destiny 3 remains in the realm of speculation.

However, there are currently no plans to shut down Destiny 2 completely. The long-term rebranding of the franchise remains unclear, but for the foreseeable future, content will continue to be released under the 'Frontiers' banner, with Marathon serving as the next major project.

A significant concern for Bungie leadership is the ageing player base of Destiny 2. To appeal to a younger audience, the focus has shifted towards new projects like Marathon and 'Gummybears,' explaining the absence of Destiny 3.

Internal Dynamics at Bungie

Following the layoffs, morale remains low at Bungie, with many employees expressing distrust in leadership. Despite this, the development team remains confident in their ability to create high-quality content, hoping for community support as they continue their work.

The recent changes have also resulted in a restructuring of the development process, with individual missions and activities now organised into 'strike teams'. This system, while seen as a positive by some, is viewed by others as a chaotic and inefficient way to manage development.

Despite these challenges, the team is committed to creating compelling content for Destiny 2, with future plans including a potential revamp of the new player onboarding experience. However, the continued reliance on live-service games and the outsourcing of quality assurance work raises concerns about the future of Bungie and its ability to deliver consistently high-quality content.

Looking Ahead

Bungie faces an uncertain future, with questions surrounding leadership, morale, and the long-term direction of the Destiny franchise. While the focus has shifted away from large-scale expansions, the team remains committed to delivering new and engaging content for Destiny 2. Ultimately, the success of these efforts will depend on the ability of the studio to navigate these challenges and retain the trust and support of its community.