What Has Been Removed from Destiny 2? A Deep Dive into the Destiny Content Vault

Destiny 2, like many evolving online games, has undergone significant changes since its release. One of the most controversial aspects of this evolution has been the removal of content, often referred to as “vaulting.” The following content has been removed from Destiny 2 and placed in the Destiny Content Vault (DCV):

• Original Base Campaign (The Red War): The initial story campaign that introduced players to Destiny 2 has been completely removed. It told the story of the Red Legion’s attack on the Last City and your Guardian’s quest to reclaim their Light.

• Curse of Osiris Expansion: This expansion, centered around the Vex and the Infinite Forest, is no longer accessible. It added Mercury as a destination.

• Warmind Expansion: Focused on the Warmind Rasputin and the Hive on Mars, this expansion has also been vaulted. It brought Mars into the game.

• Year Two Annual Pass Content (Partial): While Gambit Prime survived (though somewhat altered), much of the content from the Year Two Annual Pass, including activities and story elements tied to forges and the Reckoning, are gone.

• Forsaken Campaign and Tangled Shore: With the launch of The Witch Queen, the Forsaken campaign, which was set on the Tangled Shore and introduced the Scorn enemy faction, was removed from the game along with the Tangled Shore destination. The Dreaming City, however, remains.

These removals have impacted the overall narrative flow of Destiny 2, sometimes making it difficult for new players to understand past events and character motivations. Bungie cited several reasons for these changes, primarily technical limitations and the need to reduce the game’s overall size. They have also stated their intention to streamline the player experience and focus on the ongoing “Light and Darkness” saga, which they believe begins properly with the Shadowkeep expansion. While expansions Shadowkeep and onwards will remain accessible, seasonal content will stay in the game until the next major expansion releases.

Why Was Content Removed?

The primary reasons cited for content vaulting are:

• Technical Constraints: Maintaining and updating older content became increasingly difficult as the game grew more complex. Bug fixes and optimization became harder, and the technical debt started to impact development.

• Game Size: Destiny 2’s file size was becoming excessively large, making it difficult for players to download and store the game. Removing content helped alleviate this issue.

• Streamlining the Player Experience: Bungie felt that the sheer volume of available content was overwhelming new players and diluting the focus on the main narrative. By removing older content, they aimed to create a more focused and engaging experience.

The Impact on Players

The removal of content has been a contentious issue within the Destiny 2 community. Some players understand the technical reasons behind the decision, while others lament the loss of beloved stories, locations, and activities.

• Loss of Story: The removal of campaigns like The Red War and Forsaken has created gaps in the game’s narrative. New players entering the game may miss crucial backstory and character development.

• Limited Access to Past Activities: Many players enjoyed replaying older missions and exploring vaulted locations. The removal of this content has reduced the overall replayability of the game.

• Concerns about Future Vaulting: The initial announcement of the DCV raised concerns that more content would be removed in the future. While Bungie has stated that full expansions from Shadowkeep onwards will not be vaulted, the fate of seasonal content remains a point of discussion.

The Destiny Content Vault Moving Forward

Bungie has adjusted their approach to the Destiny Content Vault over time. While major expansions from Shadowkeep onward are planned to stay, seasonal content will still be removed at the end of each expansion year. This means that seasonal activities, quests, and rewards will only be available for a limited time. Bungie has stated that they may bring back vaulted content in the future, either in its original form or as part of new activities and events. This allows them to reintroduce popular elements from the past while keeping the game fresh and engaging.

Destiny 2 has evolved significantly over the years, and the Destiny Content Vault has played a major role in shaping the game’s current state. While the removal of content has been a controversial decision, Bungie continues to refine its approach to content management and strives to deliver a compelling and engaging experience for players. Understanding the history of the DCV and its impact on Destiny 2 is essential for any player looking to fully appreciate the game’s current state and future direction. The changes in Destiny 2 reflect the complexities of maintaining a live service game, as explored by researchers at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Destiny 2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to content removal in Destiny 2, designed to provide further clarity and address common concerns:

1. Is Destiny 2 still removing content?

Yes, but not full expansions. Seasonal content will continue to be removed at the end of each expansion year and placed in the Destiny Content Vault. Expansions from Shadowkeep onward will remain.

2. Why did Destiny 2 remove the Red War campaign?

It was removed primarily due to technical limitations, the increasing size of the game, and the desire to streamline the player experience for new players.

3. What exactly got vaulted in Destiny 2?

The Red War campaign, the Curse of Osiris and Warmind expansions, a portion of the Year Two Annual Pass content, and the Forsaken campaign along with the Tangled Shore destination were removed.

4. Is it possible to play the removed campaigns again?

No. Content that has been placed in the Destiny Content Vault is currently not accessible within the game. Bungie has hinted at the possibility of bringing back vaulted content in the future, but there are no guarantees.

5. Did Destiny 2 remove any planets?

Yes. Destinations like Mars, Mercury, and The Tangled Shore were removed from the game.

6. What happens to items and gear acquired from vaulted content?

Generally, players can keep and use gear acquired from vaulted content. However, some activities or quests tied to that gear may no longer be available.

7. How does content vaulting affect the storyline?

The removal of story campaigns has created gaps in the narrative. New players may miss important backstory and character development. Bungie has attempted to mitigate this by introducing new introductory quests and lore entries.

8. Is Shadowkeep going to be vaulted?

No. Bungie has stated that expansions from Shadowkeep onward will not be vaulted.

9. What about the Dreaming City? Is that going away?

No, The Dreaming City is still accessible. Only the Tangled Shore and its associated activities were vaulted with the release of The Witch Queen.

10. What happens to seasonal content after it’s vaulted?

Seasonal activities, quests, and rewards are no longer accessible. However, Bungie may reintroduce elements of past seasons in future content.

11. Is Beyond Light now free?

Beyond Light has sometimes been offered as part of subscription services like PlayStation Plus, but is not always free to play.

12. Will old Destiny 2 content ever come back?

Bungie has expressed interest in potentially bringing back vaulted content in the future, either in its original form or as part of new activities.

13. Is Destiny 2 deleting characters?

No, Destiny 2 is not deleting characters. If characters appear to be missing, it is usually a temporary server issue that can be resolved with a game restart.

14. What content is leaving Destiny 2 in 2023?

Activities from The Witch Queen’s year (Season of the Risen, Season of the Haunted, Season of Plunder, and Season of the Seraph) will be vaulted when Lightfall comes out.

15. Is Destiny 2 ending in 2024?

Destiny 2 is not ending in 2024. The Final Shape expansion will conclude the current “Light and Darkness” saga, but Bungie has confirmed that the game will continue beyond that point.