Article Key Points
Destiny 2 players are canceling their preorders for the expansion, The Final Shape, in protest of recent news about Bungie.
Bungie management, independent of the company's acquisition by Sony, made the decision to lay off staff members and postpone the release of The Final Shape. This move has resulted in Bungie's fans feeling betrayed, leading to a decrease in preorders and creating an unclear future for Destiny 2.
In response to recent news about Bungie, players of Destiny 2 are requesting refunds for their preorders of The Final Shape. The company recently laid off multiple staff members from various departments and announced a delay in the release of the concluding chapter of the Light vs. Darkness saga. This news led fans to speculate that the layoffs and delay were a result of Sony's acquisition of Bungie, considering recent downsizing in other Sony studios. However, Forbes confirmed that it was actually a decision made by Bungie management. This announcement surprised players, especially since it affected prominent employees such as composer Michael Salvatori, Community Manager and Co-Lead of Accessibility Liana Ruppert, and Bungie veteran Lorraine Mclees. Fans were particularly concerned about the timing of the terminations, as they would result in the loss of certain benefits for the affected employees, aside from healthcare which would last for three months. Furthermore, Forbes reported that some roles may now be outsourced.
Following the emergence of multiple reports, players took to social media to announce that they had cancelled their orders for The Final Shape. One user with the username Eigenspace posted on the Destiny subreddit, stating that they had received a refund from Steam for the expansion due to both its delayed release and potential failure to meet the expected quality standard. Meanwhile, on Twitter, DTM, a well-known Destiny 2 meme account, tweeted that several fans had allegedly cancelled their preorders, with additional users in the comments section confirming this and sharing screenshots of their refunded orders.
According to IGN, the low number of preorders for The Final Shape played a role in the company's decision to lay off employees, along with the overall decrease in the player count of Destiny 2 over the past few months. Furthermore, Valentine's article revealed that employees had been requesting management to implement various changes to Destiny 2 for months, with the aim of attracting fans back to the game and improving player sentiment.
Following recent reports from IGN, Bloomberg, and Forbes, fans have taken to social media expressing a sense of betrayal towards Bungie management. By opting to cancel their preorders for The Final Shape, they are aiming to send a clear message to the company's top executives that their dissatisfaction cannot be ignored.
The unfortunate delay of The Final Shape signifies that Season 23 of Destiny 2 will now be extended by approximately 6-7 months. In the past, such extensions have left players feeling exhausted due to the lack of content. However, considering the already dwindling player base and the discontent among fans, a longer season does not bode well for the future of Destiny 2, despite the various planned improvements.
Destiny 2 is an online first-person shooter (FPS) developed by Bungie. Combining elements of both single-player and multiplayer gameplay, this game has garnered a dedicated fan base since its initial release in 2017. With regular updates and constant evolution, Destiny 2 has firmly secured its place in the gaming community.
Platform(s): PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
Released: August 28, 2017
Developer(s): Bungie
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter
Publisher(s): Bungie
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
ESRB Rating: T for TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
Metascore: 85
Crossplay Supported Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Number of Players: 1-6 (Co-Op)
PS Plus Availability: Extra & Premium
Editor's P/S
As a passionate Destiny 2 fan, I am deeply disappointed by Bungie's recent decisions to lay off staff members and delay the release of The Final Shape expansion. These moves have seriously undermined my confidence in the game's future, and I am considering canceling my preorder for The Final Shape.
Bungie's decision to lay off staff members is particularly concerning. These employees were integral to the development of Destiny 2, and their departure will undoubtedly impact the quality of the game. I am also worried about the delay of The Final Shape expansion. This expansion was supposed to be the culmination of the Light vs. Darkness saga, and its delay is a major setback. I am concerned that Bungie will not be able to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story.
Overall, I am very disappointed with the recent direction of Destiny 2. Bungie's decisions have made me question whether I want to continue investing time and money into the game. I hope that Bungie will take steps to address the concerns of fans and get Destiny 2 back on track.
