Bungie has announced that the release date for Destiny 2's next expansion, The Final Shape, has been pushed back from February 27 to June 4. This expansion is highly anticipated as it marks the conclusion of the 10-year narrative that began with the first Destiny game.
In a blog update, Bungie stated, "The Final Shape represents the culmination of a decade of storytelling in the Destiny universe and countless hours of shared experiences for Guardians everywhere. We are committed to honoring this journey by taking the necessary time to deliver a grander and more ambitious vision that we hope will be cherished for years to come."
Bungie announced that the Season of the Wish in Destiny 2 will run from November 28 to June 4, making it the longest season in the game's history. The narrative content for this season will largely conclude in February. In addition, new weekly progression-based quests called Wishes will be introduced in February, along with the Moments of Triumph. These activities will offer unique rewards for participating players. The annual Guardian Games event will be moved up to March, with a renewed emphasis on competition between the three Guardian subclasses.
In April, Destiny 2: Into the Light, a two-month content update for all players, will be launched to prepare them for their journey into the Traveler in The Final Shape. Additionally, new PvP maps will be added in May.
This announcement follows a recent round of layoffs at the company, with a Bloomberg report stating that approximately 8% of the workforce, nearly 100 employees, were impacted due to declining player retention following the release of the Lightfall expansion earlier this year. Revenue is said to be 45% below Bungie's projections, with all departments, including QA and social, being affected.
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons expressed his sadness today as the studio bids farewell to colleagues who have all made a significant impact. In a widely criticized Twitter post, Parsons acknowledged the enormous contributions of these exceptional individuals to their games and the Bungie culture, stating that their influence will continue long into the future.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of Destiny 2, I have mixed feelings about the delay of The Final Shape expansion. On one hand, I am disappointed that I will have to wait longer to experience the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga. On the other hand, I understand that Bungie is committed to delivering a high-quality and polished experience, and I am confident that the extra development time will be worth it.
I am particularly excited about the upcoming Season of the Wish, which will be the longest season in Destiny 2 history. This gives me hope that Bungie is planning something truly special for the conclusion of the game's narrative. I am also looking forward to the new weekly progression-based quests called Wishes, which should provide some much-needed variety to the game's endgame content.
Overall, I am optimistic about the future of Destiny 2. While the delay of The Final Shape is disappointing, I believe that it is the right decision in the long run. I am confident that Bungie will deliver an expansion that is both satisfying and memorable, and I can't wait to experience it when it finally releases in June.