Bungie is gearing up to change the way Destiny 2 releases expansions, moving towards a twice-yearly model with medium-sized updates. Assistant game director Robbie Stevens compared these new expansions to the size of Rise of Iron from Destiny 1, but happening twice a year. Each expansion will offer a unique campaign and post-game experience for players to delve deep into, similar to the Dreaming City or Beyond Light.
The first expansion under this new model, Codename: Apollo, will kickstart a new saga and take players to a Metroidvania-inspired destination. This means that players will have a nonlinear campaign where they can explore the world and story in their own way. Narrative director Alison Luhrs explained that players can choose different paths and uncover between 25 and 30 different story threads.
This shift in expansion size and structure allows Bungie to focus on telling a more focused story with pacing that matches fan expectations. The new expansions will move the plot along at a quicker pace and eliminate the need for filler content. Luhrs also mentioned that Bungie is looking to shake up the storytelling delivery in Destiny 2, moving away from the scattered NPC structure.
The new destination in Apollo will offer players powerful abilities to uncover secrets and solve the mysteries at the heart of the planet. This change in expansion style reflects Bungie’s commitment to delivering content more efficiently and engagingly.
In addition to the changes in Destiny 2’s expansion model, former Bungie lawyer suggests that Sony’s influence may have pushed the studio to reevaluate their roadmap and make necessary adjustments. This external pressure could have contributed to Bungie’s shift in focus and commitment to a different kind of storytelling and gameplay experience in Destiny 2.
Overall, fans can look forward to a new era of Destiny 2 expansions that offer more depth, exploration, and storytelling, all while maintaining the core elements that make the game unique and engaging. With a Metroidvania-inspired destination on the horizon, players can expect a fresh and exciting experience in the world of Destiny 2.