Destiny 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Destiny 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Does anyone know how to drive this thing?
The article critiques the current state of the video game industry, highlighting a perceived lack of direction and a focus on short-term profits over sustainable development. It points to Sony's struggles with live-service games and Microsoft's costly acquisition spree and subsequent layoffs as examples of poor management. The author argues that this trend of layoffs and uncertainty is detrimental to game development and player experience, contrasting it with companies like Capcom and Larian that have maintained stability and achieved success.
Bungie talks up Marathon’s Mid-Season 2 update, but players are far more interested in Destiny 2 these days
Bungie is preparing to release a significant update for its extraction shooter Marathon, featuring a new PvE mode and various improvements. However, player interest appears to be heavily focused on Destiny 2, which has seen a substantial surge in its player count, reaching over 167,000 peak players on Steam in June.
Marathon just lost its game director: Joe Ziegler is Bungie's latest high-profile departure
Marathon game director Joe Ziegler has left Bungie, with Del Chafe III taking over as game director alongside creative director Julia Nardin. Ziegler's departure follows a significant drop in Marathon's player count since its March launch and comes amidst recent layoffs at Bungie. Despite these challenges, Bungie and PlayStation have stated Marathon remains an important part of their portfolio.
Marathon Director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
Joe Ziegler, the director of Bungie's Marathon, has announced his departure from the studio, with Del Chafe III taking over as the new game director. Ziegler expressed gratitude to the team and players for their support during the game's development and release. He also mentioned having a new role lined up at another company.
Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: 'I'll be heading to something new, somewhere…
Joe Ziegler, the game director for Bungie's recently released Marathon, has announced his departure from the company just four months after the game's launch. Del Chafe III will take over as game director, with Ziegler stating he is moving on to a new opportunity. Ziegler's exit, along with that of design lead Lars Bakken, comes at a critical time for Marathon, which is struggling with player counts and is undergoing significant changes including the introduction of PvE gameplay.
What We Played – Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok, The Mound & Black Flag. Again.
Several individuals shared their recent gaming experiences, including playing Granblue Fantasy: Relink on Nintendo Switch, Sonic Battle on Game Boy Advance SP, and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Other titles mentioned include Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, God of War: Ascension, The Mound, Moonlight Peak, XCOM 2, Balatro, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Red Dead Redemption 2, Echoes of Aincrad, Destiny 2, Split Fiction, Heave Ho 2, and 33 Immortals.
Grieving Destiny 2 players on Steam boosted the game from 32nd place all the way up to 5th for US active users last…
Destiny 2 experienced a significant surge in player engagement on Steam, climbing from 32nd to 5th place in monthly active US users according to data from Mat Piscatella. This boost occurred following Bungie's final update for the game, despite recent layoffs impacting the Destiny 2 team as Bungie shifts focus to Marathon.
Marathon’s Game Director Announces Departure From Bungie
Joe Ziegler, the game director for Bungie's upcoming title Marathon, has announced his departure from the studio. Del Chafe III will be taking over as Game Director, with Creative Director Julia Nardin also assisting in guiding the game forward. Ziegler's departure comes as Marathon faces challenges with player numbers and ongoing development.
After Destiny 2's death, Warframe head's advice for anyone in live services is to "make a good game…
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford advises live-service game developers to focus on creating a good game, citing the recent closure of Destiny 2 as a cautionary tale. She emphasizes that despite developer efforts, business decisions can ultimately dictate a game's fate, a reality she faces daily. Ford highlights Digital Extremes' long-standing success with Warframe, attributing it to a strong internal team and a well-balanced free-to-play model.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Duke Nukem special anniversary celebration
PC Gamer magazine's latest issue celebrates the 30th anniversary of Duke Nukem 3D and the 15th anniversary of Duke Nukem Forever with a special feature including interviews with key developers. The issue also includes a look at the best modern retro-style FPS games, previews of Soulframe and other titles, and reviews of Gothic Remake and more.
Sarpedon-D PvE and PvP god rolls - Destiny 2
This guide details the optimal PvE and PvP god rolls for the Sarpedon-D Hand Cannon in Destiny 2. It highlights recommended perks and masterwork choices for both gameplay modes, with a specific PvE roll focusing on stability and handling, and a PvP roll emphasizing range and damage bonuses.
Choose My Adventure: Taking up a big purple shield and punching every face I see in Destiny 2
This article details the author's experience playing a Void Titan in Destiny 2, focusing on the shield throw ability and melee cooldown reduction. The author discusses the class fantasy, weapon loadout choices, and seeks community input on optimal builds and activities after completing early game tutorials.
Destiny 2 has over 10x more players than Marathon on Steam, despite end of service
Despite Destiny 2 no longer receiving new content updates, it maintains over ten times the concurrent player count on Steam compared to Bungie's newer FPS, Marathon. Destiny 2 currently sees around 47,000 concurrent players, while Marathon has dropped to approximately 2,800, a significant difference from Marathon's launch peak of over 77,000 players.
Destiny 2 Return or Retire Guide 2026 | TAG
This guide helps lapsed Destiny 2 players decide whether to return or retire permanently in 2026, considering the game's changes since late 2024. It advises that retirement is often the best choice for adults with limited time, unless they still love the gunplay, have a dedicated crew, and can commit 8+ hours per week. The article details changes like the episode model, player base decline, and content sunsetting, offering a structured plan for those who choose to return and alternatives for those who don't.
Warframe creative director says Destiny 2's end is tragic, because even with hard work 'the business side of this industry always gets the last remark'
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford expressed that the recent layoffs at Bungie and cessation of updates for Destiny 2 are tragic, highlighting how the business side of the industry often dictates outcomes despite developers' hard work. She noted that such decisions are existentially threatening to developers, as seen with Microsoft's closure of Tango Gameworks and other industry-wide cuts.
MMO Week in Review: 213
Microsoft's significant layoffs have heavily impacted the Elder Scrolls Online live team, reducing its size to that of 2015-2018. This week also saw Warframe's TennoCon, Aion 2 previewing its monetization, Tencent acquiring the PlanetSide franchise, Star Trek Online launching Undiscovered, and Gamigo porting Fiesta Online to consoles.
Former PlayStation Executive Says Single-Player, Narrative-Driven Games “Sustain” the Business
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment America president Shawn Layden believes that single-player, narrative-driven games are essential for sustaining the gaming business. He argues that these immersive experiences are more fundamental to the industry's success than multiplayer-focused titles. Layden highlighted upcoming PlayStation titles like Marvel's Wolverine, God of War Laufey, and Intergalactic as examples of this continued investment.
Warframe lead Rebecca Ford says Destiny 2's death is "horrible news" for everyone: "Not the first time it's happened, and it'll happen again"
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford expressed concern over the halt of active development for Destiny 2, viewing it as a negative sign for the live-service game industry. She highlighted how business decisions can override developer passion, even for established titles. Ford also touched upon the broader industry anxieties surrounding layoffs and studio closures, referencing the impact on games like The Elder Scrolls 6.
"Single-player, narrative-driven gaming is here to stay," ex-PlayStation boss says: "It's how we built this business. That's what sustains it"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden asserts that single-player, narrative-driven gaming is essential for the industry's sustainability, citing PlayStation's most successful titles. While acknowledging the place for live-service games like Helldivers 2, he points to failures like Concord and Destiny 2's decline as cautionary tales.
Battle Pass Rule for Adult Gamers 2026 | TAG
This article provides a guide for adult gamers on managing battle passes in live service games, emphasizing that most players cannot realistically complete them due to time constraints. It advises against purchasing passes unless completion is guaranteed, discusses the psychological tactics used in their design, and offers strategies for engaging with games without the pressure of battle pass progression.