Destiny 2 to Ditch Linear Campaigns After The Final Shape
As Destiny approaches its 10th anniversary, Bungie has announced significant changes for Destiny 2, marking a shift away from the traditional linear campaigns. Following the conclusion of The Final Shape, Bungie will transition to releasing two “medium-sized” expansions per year, each accompanied by four “major updates” that will be free for all players.
Historically, Destiny 2 expansions have featured major, resource-intensive campaigns that push the narrative forward, but these campaigns often fall short in terms of player engagement, with committed players completing them in just a day or two. Post-Final Shape, Bungie aims to offer new formats such as “non-linear campaigns, exploration experiences akin to the Dreaming City, Metroidvania-style gameplay, and even more experimental formats like roguelikes and survival shooters.” These expansions will revolve around core themes but on a smaller, more flexible scale.
Game director Tyson Green explained the shift: “Instead of one big expansion, we are going to deliver two medium-sized expansions, one every six months. Each of these will depart from the one-shot campaign structure and be an opportunity to explore exciting new formats.”
Despite the shift in structure, Green emphasized that Bungie’s commitment to “great storytelling” remains. Bungie aims to recapture the mystery and wonder that was a hallmark of the original Destiny, focusing on exploration and discovery.
In addition to the expansions, Bungie is scrapping the episodic model in favor of four free “Major Updates” each year, set to launch with every expansion and another three months later. These updates will bring new activities, rewards, events, and balance changes, aiming to refresh the core game for all players.
The first of the new bi-annual expansions, codenamed Apollo, is expected to arrive in summer 2025 after The Final Shape. Apollo will introduce a non-linear, character-driven story that allows players to explore different narrative threads at their own pace. Destiny 2 narrative director Alison Lührs described it as a story that starts at “A,” but players can choose to explore paths “B,” “C,” or “D” in any order, with progression based on exploration rather than time-gating.
Teasers of Apollo will be scattered throughout the second and third episodes of The Final Shape. Episode two, Revenant, is set to launch on October 8, following the ongoing first episode, Echoes.
With the conclusion of the decade-long “Light and Dark” saga, Destiny 2 is at a crossroads. Many players have taken this opportunity to exit the series, raising concerns about its future. Adding to the pressure, Bungie’s other major project, Marathon, is facing development challenges, and the studio is under increasing scrutiny following layoffs and pressure from Sony. How Bungie navigates this period will define the next chapter in the Destiny franchise.
