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Is Forsaken banned?

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Is Forsaken Banned? Untangling the Threads of Two Gaming Controversies

The answer to whether “Forsaken” is banned depends entirely on which Forsaken you’re referring to. There are two distinct subjects connected to the name “Forsaken” in the gaming world, each with its own story of bans and removals. Let’s break it down:

  • Nikhil “forsaken⁠” Kumawat (CS:GO): Yes, this professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) player was banned from competitive play. His ban, issued by the Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) for cheating during the eXTREMESLAND 2018 Finals, was for a period of five years. This ban has since expired, meaning Nikhil “forsaken” Kumawat is now eligible to compete again.

  • Destiny 2: Forsaken (Expansion): The content of the Destiny 2 expansion “Forsaken” was removed from the game, a process referred to as being “vaulted” or “sunset”. This is not a ban; it’s a decision by the game developer, Bungie, to manage the game’s size and content pool. The “Forsaken” campaign and the Tangled Shore destination were removed in February 2022 as part of the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) initiative.

Therefore, while the CS:GO player “forsaken” was banned, his ban has ended. The Destiny 2 “Forsaken” expansion, however, was removed from the game, not banned, and is no longer playable unless Bungie decides to reintroduce it in the future.

Unpacking the CS:GO Forsaken Scandal

The Cheating Incident

Nikhil “forsaken⁠” Kumawat’s reputation will forever be linked to the eXTREMESLAND 2018 Finals. Playing for OpTic India, he was caught red-handed using cheating software during the tournament. This discovery led to immediate outrage, the disbandment of OpTic India, and a significant stain on the Indian esports scene.

The specific cheat detected was an aimbot, which automatically locks the player’s crosshair onto enemies, providing an unfair advantage. This clear violation of competitive integrity led to the ESIC’s five-year ban. ESL India later confirmed that forsaken had used the same cheats during the ESL India Premiership 2018 Fall Finals as well.

Life After the Ban

The ban effectively ended forsaken’s professional CS:GO career for those five years. While he could still play the game casually, he was prohibited from participating in any officially sanctioned tournaments or leagues. Now that the ban has expired, it remains to be seen if he will attempt to revive his esports career. The stigma associated with his past actions will undoubtedly make it challenging to find a team willing to take a chance on him.

The Destiny 2: Forsaken Vaulting

Why Was Forsaken Removed?

The Destiny Content Vault (DCV) is a system Bungie implemented to manage the increasing size and complexity of Destiny 2. Over time, adding new content without removing older content can lead to several issues:

  • Game Size: The game file size becomes excessively large, making it difficult for players to download and store.
  • Development Burden: Maintaining and updating a massive amount of content requires significant resources.
  • Technical Debt: Older content may not be compatible with new features or game mechanics.
  • Onboarding Challenges: New players can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content available.

By removing older, less-played content, Bungie aims to keep Destiny 2 streamlined and accessible, allowing them to focus on creating and maintaining a more cohesive and optimized experience. This can be seen in many games, for example, you can learn more about the design decisions for games and learning on the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

What Was Lost?

The removal of the Forsaken campaign and the Tangled Shore destination meant the loss of several key elements:

  • The Forsaken Story: The narrative focused on the death of Cayde-6 and the player’s quest for revenge, a pivotal moment in Destiny 2’s storyline.
  • The Tangled Shore: A lawless frontier filled with unique activities, enemies, and secrets.
  • Certain Strikes and Missions: Specific missions and strikes tied to the Forsaken campaign were also removed.

What Remains?

While much of Forsaken was vaulted, certain elements remain accessible:

  • The Dreaming City: This location, introduced with Forsaken, remains in the game and features endgame content like the Last Wish raid and the Shattered Throne dungeon.
  • Forsaken Exotics: Players can still acquire many of the Exotic weapons and armor introduced with Forsaken, although the acquisition methods may have changed.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Forsaken Saga

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about both the CS:GO forsaken and the Destiny 2 Forsaken expansion, providing further clarity on their respective situations:

  1. When was Nikhil “forsaken” Kumawat banned from CS:GO? He was banned in October 2018, following the eXTREMESLAND 2018 Finals.

  2. How long was forsaken’s ESIC ban? The ban was for five years.

  3. Is forsaken still banned from CS:GO? No, his ban has expired.

  4. What cheat did forsaken use? He used an aimbot.

  5. What team was forsaken playing for when he was caught cheating? He was playing for OpTic India.

  6. What happened to OpTic India after the cheating incident? The team was disbanded.

  7. When was the Destiny 2: Forsaken expansion released? It was released on September 4, 2018.

  8. When was Destiny 2: Forsaken removed from the game? It was removed in February 2022 with the launch of The Witch Queen expansion.

  9. What is the Destiny Content Vault (DCV)? It’s a system Bungie uses to remove older content from Destiny 2 to manage game size and complexity.

  10. Why was Forsaken put in the DCV? To reduce game size, ease development burdens, and improve the onboarding experience for new players.

  11. What parts of Forsaken were removed? The Forsaken campaign and the Tangled Shore destination.

  12. Can you still play the Forsaken campaign? No, it has been vaulted and is no longer accessible.

  13. What Forsaken content is still available in Destiny 2? The Dreaming City, the Last Wish raid, the Shattered Throne dungeon, and many of the Forsaken-era Exotic weapons and armor.

  14. Will the Forsaken campaign ever return to Destiny 2? Bungie has not ruled out the possibility, but there are currently no plans to bring it back.

  15. Is it worth buying the Destiny 2: Forsaken Pack in 2023? The Destiny 2: Forsaken Pack includes access to over 20 Forsaken Exotic weapons, The Shattered Throne dungeon, and Last Wish raid. Whether it is worth buying depends on your interest in these specific items.

Conclusion

The term “Forsaken” carries two distinct meanings in the gaming world. In the context of CS:GO, it refers to a player who faced a justified ban for cheating, a ban that has now ended. In the context of Destiny 2, it refers to a beloved expansion that was ultimately removed from the game to ensure its long-term health and viability. Understanding this distinction is crucial when discussing the legacy of “Forsaken” in gaming.

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