Destiny 2's Edge of Fate Approach May Be a Double-Edged…

Summary

Destiny 2's Edge of Fate starts the Fate Saga with four expansions, but may leave players with more questions than answers.
The slow-burn storytelling strategy may keep veterans engaged, but risk alienating newcomers seeking immediate payoff.
Destiny 2's focus on mystery and long-term commitment may not appeal to newcomers, potentially impacting audience growth.

Destiny 2 has finally unveiled the next major chapter in its life — The Edge of Fate. Destiny 2's upcoming Edge of Fate expansion isn't just a massive content update either, as it signals the start of Destiny 2's Fate Saga, which will unfold over multiple years and across several expansions. This isn't necessarily new territory for Destiny 2, as even its Light and Darkness Saga took ten years to conclude. However, while the length of the saga itself is understandable, Destiny 2's approach to The Edge of Fate may end up being a bit of a double-edged sword.

Destiny 2 has proven over time to be an expert at making its fans wait for what comes next, in a similar fashion to shows with endless cliffhangers, like Lost. Unfortunately, this approach hasn't always sat well with its most dedicated players, who have been known to finish content so quickly that they are then left with very little to do for weeks and sometimes even months on end. Well, Destiny 2 isn't backing down on this approach, even with the start of a brand-new saga alongside the launch of The Edge of Fate, as Bungie has already divulged what players can expect from the end of the expansion's narrative.

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By Josh Cotts

Destiny 2's Edge of Fate Approach May Win Some and Lose Others

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate Will Leave More Questions Than Answers

The Edge of Fate will be introducing a new multi-year story for players to experience across several Destiny 2 expansions, and while that might sound great from a longevity standpoint, Bungie has confirmed that The Edge of Fate's conclusion will end up leaving players with more questions than answers. What this ultimately means is that the story's biggest plot points could end up feeling very anticlimactic if the pacing isn't perfect. It could be that The Edge of Fate's story is so shrouded in mystery that players are left with absolutely nothing by its conclusion.

Renegades is a Star Wars-themed expansion coming to Destiny 2 later this year.

That being said, this shouldn't be too much of a problem for Destiny 2 veterans who plan to stick with the new saga for the long haul, regardless of what questions The Edge of Fate might leave them with. Despite the criticism these methods have faced over the years, Destiny 2's biggest fans have continued to come back for more, and that means they'll come back for the next chapter once The Edge of Fate has reached its end. If there's anyone Destiny 2 should be concerned about with this approach, however, it's a group of people it has long alienated — newcomers.

Destiny 2 May Alienate Newcomers With Its Edge of Fate Approach

Those who may be joining the Destiny 2 community with the launch of The Edge of Fate will undoubtedly need something from the game that will put its hooks in them to keep them around. It's possible that The Edge of Fate's pacing will be good enough to maintain their attention, but if the entire narrative is littered with questions that have no answers, it could lose that audience rather quickly. Again, this ultimately comes down to how The Edge of Fate will end and where Destiny 2 will be taking the Fate Saga after that, but the odds of keeping newcomers around don't currently look to be in the game's favor.

Despite the criticism these methods have faced over the years, Destiny 2's biggest fans have continued to come back for more, and that means they'll come back for the next chapter once The Edge of Fate has reached its end.

Destiny 2 has always played the long game, and The Edge of Fate looks like it’s doubling down on that strategy. For longtime players, the promise of another sprawling saga filled with mystery, lore, and slow-burn payoffs is probably enough to keep them invested. Unfortunately, for newcomers, the risk is much higher. If The Edge of Fate builds tension without giving new Destiny 2 players something solid to hold onto, they may not stick around to see where the story goes. Destiny 2 doesn't need to give away everything up front, but if it wants to grow its audience, it might need to show a few more of its cards before asking players to commit for the next several years.

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