Destiny 2 developer Bungie navigates a wave of layoffs, with players wondering how this may affect plans for the game’s future. With The Final Shape expansion in the works behind closed doors after a divisive reception to Lightfall, a new statement from the studio discusses what the future of the game looks like for players.
“This has been one of the most difficult weeks in our studio’s history, as we’ve parted ways with people we respect and admire […] we want to acknowledge the feedback and concerns you have about Lightfall and recent seasons, as well as your responses to the reveal of The Final Shape,” says Bungie on the current state of Destiny 2. Following Bungie CEO Pete Parsons expressing his thoughts on the situation, the former Halo developer explains that “we know we have lost a lot of your trust. Destiny needs to surprise and delight. We haven’t done this enough, and that’s going to change.”
Though Destiny 2 is often cited as one of the best multiplayer games around, recent expansions like Lightfall haven’t garnered the same critical appeal of DLCs like The Witch Queen. Other rumors purport that The Final Shape isn’t much of an improvement over Lightfall, casting doubt on what The Final Shape release date will bring in terms of quality.
Furthermore, Bungie says the “path forward is clear” for delivering solid expansions, adding that “we need to make The Final Shape an unforgettable Destiny experience. We want to build something that will be regarded alongside the best games we’ve ever made” Citing past expansions as a benchmark to strive for, Bungie expresses that “Forsaken, The Witch Queen, and The Taken King, these are the standard-bearers we aim to live up to.”
While the total amount of employees affected by layoffs is unclear, the statement reports that “Destiny 2 has more than 650 dedicated teammates pouring all their energy and expertise into delivering this epic moment and its subsequent episodes.”
The Final Shape’s reveal sees fan-favorite character Cayde return from the grave, but there is a danger of cheapening his demise to consider, and fans are aware of this. Players like ‘soupyyylol‘ are amid the chorus of complaints levied at The Finale Shape reveal, commenting on social media that “my problem with The Final Shape reveal was that it just wasn’t anything mind-blowing.”
The statement doesn’t address the rumored delays for The Final Shape, which Bloomberg reports is on the horizon, alongside a middling reception within early Marathon play tests – the next major project from Bungie. In the near future, though, Bungie clarifies that players can expect to hear “more from us about what’s next on the short-term horizon, beginning with our next Season in late November. Afterward, we’ll begin to unpack our team’s bigger, bolder, and brighter vision for The Final Shape.”
Whether The Final Shape will meet fan expectations, well, we’ll have to wait and see on that one. In the meantime, you can refine your builds with the best Destiny 2 Hunter build, Warlock build, or Titan build currently in the game.