The Forsaken Truth: Was Destiny 2’s Beloved Expansion Really Removed?
Yes, the Forsaken campaign and the Tangled Shore destination were indeed removed from Destiny 2 in February 2022, coinciding with the release of The Witch Queen expansion. This was part of Bungie’s initiative known as the Destiny Content Vault (DCV). While a “Forsaken Pack” remains available, it no longer grants access to the original campaign or destination but instead offers access to certain Forsaken-era content. Let’s delve deeper into the details surrounding this controversial decision and what it means for Destiny 2 players.
Understanding the Destiny Content Vault
The Destiny Content Vault was introduced to address the growing size and complexity of Destiny 2. As Bungie continued to add new expansions and seasonal content, the game’s codebase became increasingly difficult to manage, impacting performance and hindering the development of future content. The DCV allowed Bungie to remove older, less-played content, effectively streamlining the game and freeing up resources for new experiences.
The initial implementation of the DCV saw the removal of the original Destiny 2 campaign, as well as the Curse of Osiris and Warmind expansions. The Forsaken campaign and Tangled Shore followed suit with the launch of The Witch Queen. This decision was met with significant backlash from the community, particularly given that players had paid for this content.
The Forsaken Pack: A Limited Legacy
While the campaign and destination are gone, a Forsaken Pack remains available for purchase. However, it’s crucial to understand what this pack actually contains. It does not unlock access to the vaulted campaign or the Tangled Shore. Instead, it provides access to the following:
- The Shattered Throne dungeon: A challenging end-game activity set in the Dreaming City.
- The Last Wish raid: A sprawling, intricate raid also set in the Dreaming City.
- Over 20 Forsaken Exotic weapons: Powerful and unique weapons from the Forsaken era.
The Forsaken Pack essentially offers a curated selection of some of the best end-game content and iconic weapons from the Forsaken expansion, providing a taste of what made it so memorable.
Bungie’s Stance on Vaulting and the Future of Destiny 2
Following the outcry over the removal of Forsaken, Bungie has stated that they are no longer planning to vault any more expansions going forward. This commitment was announced during the Showcase 2022 livestream. They have also stated that Seasonal content will continue to stay throughout the current expansion Year and then move to the Destiny Content Vault when a new Expansion launches. This decision marks a significant shift in Bungie’s content strategy and offers a measure of reassurance to players who are concerned about losing access to their purchased content.
Bungie has also affirmed its commitment to Destiny 2’s long-term future. While the current saga, the Light and Darkness Saga, will conclude with The Final Shape expansion in 2024, the game will continue to be supported with new content and experiences. Bungie has explicitly stated that they are not developing a Destiny 3 and will instead focus on evolving and expanding Destiny 2. This is a welcome relief for many players, as starting over in a new game would have meant losing all of their progress and hard-earned gear.
The Legacy of Forsaken
Despite its removal from the core game, Forsaken remains a pivotal chapter in Destiny 2’s history. It introduced iconic characters like Cayde-6 and the Scorn, revamped the subclass system, and delivered a compelling narrative focused on revenge and redemption. Many players consider Forsaken to be one of the best expansions in the franchise, and its impact on the game is still felt today.
The Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into how games like Destiny 2 can foster communities and drive engagement, even amidst controversial decisions like content vaulting. You can explore their research and publications at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Destiny 2: Lightfall and Beyond
Currently, Destiny 2: Lightfall is the latest major expansion. Lightfall does not affect the availability of the Forsaken Pack or the content it provides. With Lightfall, seasonal activities from The Witch Queen year were vaulted. The Destiny 2 community can look forward to an incredible new storyline and challenges with Lightfall and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Forsaken and the Destiny Content Vault
1. Can I still play the Forsaken campaign?
No, the Forsaken campaign was removed from Destiny 2 in February 2022 and is no longer playable.
2. What is the Destiny Content Vault?
The Destiny Content Vault (DCV) is Bungie’s initiative to remove older, less-played content from Destiny 2 to improve performance and facilitate future development.
3. What does the Forsaken Pack include?
The Forsaken Pack includes access to The Shattered Throne dungeon, The Last Wish raid, and over 20 Forsaken Exotic weapons. It does not include the Forsaken campaign or the Tangled Shore destination.
4. Is the Tangled Shore still accessible?
No, the Tangled Shore destination was removed from Destiny 2 in February 2022.
5. Will Bungie vault any more expansions?
Bungie has stated that they are not planning to vault any more expansions going forward. Seasonal content, however, will be placed in the DCV as new expansions launch.
6. What other content has been vaulted in Destiny 2?
Other vaulted content includes the original Destiny 2 campaign, the Curse of Osiris expansion, and the Warmind expansion.
7. Will vaulted content ever return to Destiny 2?
While Bungie has not ruled out the possibility of bringing back vaulted content, there are no immediate plans to do so. The Leviathan raid was brought back temporarily.
8. What happens if I bought Forsaken before it was vaulted?
Players who purchased Forsaken before its removal received access to the Forsaken Pack content as compensation.
9. Is Destiny 3 in development?
Bungie has stated that they are not developing a Destiny 3 and will instead focus on evolving and expanding Destiny 2.
10. What is the future of Destiny 2?
Destiny 2 will continue to be supported with new content and experiences after The Final Shape expansion in 2024.
11. What seasonal content was vaulted with the release of Lightfall?
With the release of Lightfall, the seasonal activities from The Witch Queen year were vaulted.
12. Why was Forsaken removed from Destiny 2?
Forsaken was removed as part of the Destiny Content Vault initiative to reduce the game’s size and improve performance.
13. Can I still get Forsaken Exotics?
Yes, you can obtain many Forsaken Exotics through the Forsaken Pack and associated activities. Some Forsaken exotics were added to the general exotic loot pool.
14. Is Destiny 2 ending after Lightfall?
No, Destiny 2 is not ending after Lightfall. Bungie is working on at least one more DLC, which will be released in 2024.
15. Are Destiny 2 bans permanent?
In Destiny 2, bans can be permanent, depending on the severity of the violation.
Conclusion
While the removal of the Forsaken campaign and Tangled Shore was a controversial decision, it was ultimately part of Bungie’s effort to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Destiny 2. Although the original experience is gone, the Forsaken Pack offers a way to revisit some of the expansion’s best content, and Bungie’s commitment to no longer vaulting expansions provides a more stable future for the game. Destiny 2’s journey is far from over, and Guardians can look forward to many more adventures in the years to come. The ongoing evolution of Destiny 2 presents fascinating case studies for understanding player engagement and content management in long-running games, which are areas of focus for organizations like the Games Learning Society studying the intersections of games and education.