Summary
- Destiny 2 has faced numerous problems and disappointments, such as gameplay and narrative issues, microtransactions, and recent layoffs, which have negatively impacted the community and developer teams.
- The recent report reveals that Bungie laid off developers due to both revenue projections falling short and the risk of Sony taking over the company if certain thresholds were not met.
- The Final Shape expansion is crucial for Bungie's future, as it not only needs to be a financial success to retain control of the company but also to keep loyal players engaged and prevent them from leaving for other games after the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga.
Destiny 2 has been in a rough spot for a long while now, with the launch of Lightfall being the first of a series of problems with Bungie's looter-shooter. Lightfall didn't meet players' expectations in terms of gameplay and narrative, with the story failing to deliver answers to long-standing questions, which were only tackled starting with Season of the Deep - over three months later. Issues started piling up, with players becoming well aware of the many microtransactions in Destiny 2, with the recent Bungie layoffs and The Final Shape delay exacerbating negative feelings within the community - and apparently within the remaining developer teams, too. Based on all this and a recent report on Bungie's situation, The Final Shape has a whole lot riding on its shoulders.
According to information that surfaced after the layoffs at Bungie, one of the reasons why this happened is that Destiny 2's revenue projections were placing it at minus 45% compared to expectations, which likely was a byproduct of many great games coming in 2023 as well as Lightfall disappointing fans who were then less inclined to pre-order The Final Shape. A new report from IGN, however, highlights that another major reason why Bungie laid off so many developers is that not meeting certain revenue thresholds could allow Sony to take over, dissolve the board, and acquire full control of the company.
Destiny 2's Game Awards Nomination Comes at the Worst Time Possible
Destiny 2 is being nominated at The Game Awards, but this is a controversy waiting to happen given recent events at Bungie.
Destiny 2's The Final Shape is Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Why Destiny 2's The Final Shape is in a Bad Spot
This is no small thing, as it would be a total takeover that would allow Sony to handle any Bungie game as it pleases, as well as retain or lay off any number of developers, and the Bungie that players know would be entirely gone. However, it could be argued that this has already happened with the layoffs and the lack of trust and goodwill towards the studio after all the issues that arose in the past year, including the recent Destiny 2 Starter Pack that stirred a huge controversy.
The fact that there's a chance of Sony taking over Bungie is not only hanging over the studio's metaphorical head as a Damocles' sword, but it also puts The Final Shape between a rock and a hard place, especially with everything else going on. In fact, The Final Shape is the culmination of a 10-year saga that started with Destiny 2's predecessor and was more recently propelled toward a conclusion with the game's narrative.
The problem is that The Final Shape wouldn't be a great time to pick up the game for newcomers as much as it would be a good time for veterans to jump ship after the story they've been caring for ends.
The Final Shape Needs to be a Huge Success to Avoid Sony's Takeover
This puts a lot of pressure on the expansion's performance, as Bungie needs a financial win to keep things rolling and retain full control of the company, but The Final Shape's release might do just the opposite. Even if The Final Shape performs very well, it's likely that some Destiny 2 players will be leaving for greener pastures after the Light and Darkness saga ends, and a four-month episode can only keep them engaged for so long.
So not only does The Final Shape need to deliver and become a huge success, but it needs to keep those loyal fans invested enough not to abandon the game and instead keep playing for the next few months before a major expansion is revealed - if it's in the pipeline, that is. Destiny 2's new episodic model could make or break the game's future, and with it, the studio's too. The Final Shape is not about "winning back players" anymore, but it could be Bungie's only shot at survival.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.
An Immersive Story
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.
Guardian Classes
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
- Expansions
- Destiny 2: Forsaken, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall
- Number of Players
- 1-6 (Co-Op)
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- How Long To Beat
- 100+
- Metascore
- 85
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- Essential, Extra, & Premium (The Witch Queen)
