Bungie has announced that it will refrain from interacting with Destiny 2 players on Reddit in order to ensure the safety of its employees. This decision comes as a direct result of the recent incidents of harassment faced by Destiny 2 developers, some of whom have received serious threats.
The occurrence of developer harassment in the gaming industry is disheartening yet unfortunately common. Numerous instances have arisen where developers from various studios have been subjected to toxic behavior by fans, some of whom have crossed boundaries. For example, a Destiny 2 player was recently held responsible for harassing and threatening a developer and their partner, resulting in Bungie being awarded $500,000 in damages. This incident contributed to Bungie's decision to limit communication related to Destiny 2 last year, as the level of harassment had become rampant and dangerous. In response to a player's post, Bungie has now provided an explanation for their continued absence from engaging with fans on Reddit.
User Cruggles30 posted on the Destiny 2 subreddit, urging Bungie to utilize their team account for the protection of their community managers. In response, Bungie acknowledged the feedback, but highlighted that their developers who are not community managers are still facing harassment. Bungie emphasized that harassment should not be normalized and they will not jeopardize their safety for a video game. Bungie also mentioned that due to the current situation, they anticipate reduced responses on the subreddit for the foreseeable future until everyone can feel safe again. Despite this, Bungie assured fans that they are actively reviewing player feedback and encouraged fans to continue providing it.
The harassment extended beyond Reddit to the Destiny 2: Lightfall video, prompting Bungie to disable comments. While Bungie has always valued player input, such behavior has necessitated drastic measures. It is hoped that this communication will help fans grasp the seriousness of the situation and lead to improvements in the future.
In its efforts to combat cheat sellers, Bungie is actively engaging in legal battles, securing victories in at least three lawsuits and receiving substantial monetary compensations. The developer's lawyer acknowledges the profitability of suing cheat sellers, indicating the likelihood of further actions taken against other sellers. Destiny 2 can be played on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
