Will Bungie’s 30th Anniversary Content Pack Be Sunset? The Definitive Answer and Everything You Need to Know

No, the Bungie 30th Anniversary Content Pack will not be sunset. Bungie has explicitly stated that they are no longer sunsetting expansion content, and the 30th Anniversary Pack falls under this umbrella. You can breathe easy, Guardians, your Gjallarhorn and Marathon armor are safe!

Understanding Sunsetting and Destiny 2’s Content Strategy

For years, the term “sunsetting” has been met with a mix of frustration and understanding within the Destiny 2 community. It refers to the practice of removing content from the game, making it inaccessible to players. This could include entire destinations, story campaigns, strikes, and even specific weapons and armor. Bungie initially implemented sunsetting as a way to manage the growing size and complexity of Destiny 2. As new content was added, older content was removed to keep the game’s file size manageable, reduce strain on servers, and allow developers to focus on maintaining and improving the core experience.

However, the community pushback was significant. Players invest time and effort into acquiring weapons, leveling up gear, and exploring the world. Having that content abruptly removed felt like a loss of progress and value. In response, Bungie listened to the community and announced a shift away from sunsetting expansion content. This decision was a welcome relief for many players, ensuring that their investments would have lasting value.

The shift in strategy was cemented with the release of the Lightfall expansion, where Bungie confirmed they would no longer sunset expansion content. This means locales like the Moon, Europa, and Neomuna will remain accessible. While seasonal content continues to be removed at the end of each year, expansion content is now considered permanent.

The 30th Anniversary Pack: A Lasting Celebration

The 30th Anniversary Pack was released in December 2021 to commemorate Bungie’s 30th year as a game developer. It includes a new dungeon, the Grasp of Avarice, a unique activity called the “Dare of Eternity”, iconic weapons like the Gjallarhorn rocket launcher, and armor inspired by classic Bungie games like Marathon and Myth. Given Bungie’s current content strategy, the 30th Anniversary Pack falls under the umbrella of expansion content, and therefore will not be removed from the game. This means you can continue to enjoy its content and rewards for the foreseeable future.

This permanency aligns with Bungie’s commitment to preserving the core experience of Destiny 2. While seasonal content will continue to cycle out to make way for new experiences, significant content packs like the 30th Anniversary are here to stay. This approach allows Bungie to maintain a manageable game size while still offering players a rich and diverse world to explore.

Destiny 2 Beyond The Final Shape

With The Final Shape expansion having been released, Destiny 2 is entering a new era. Bungie is moving away from the seasonal model and transitioning to an episodic approach. While the specifics of this new model are still unfolding, the overall direction emphasizes continuous content updates and engaging narratives.

The fact that Destiny 2 is evolving beyond the “Light and Darkness Saga” and will be adopting an episodic model, means that certain elements within the game can and will change. However, Expansion content will remain available for players to enjoy.

The key takeaway is that your access to the 30th Anniversary Pack content is safe. You can continue to delve into the Grasp of Avarice dungeon, earn the coveted Gjallarhorn, and complete the Dares of Eternity challenges without worrying about it disappearing in a future update.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Bungie done with sunsetting in Destiny 2?

Yes, Bungie is done with sunsetting expansion content. They will still remove seasonal content at the end of each year.

Will dungeons like Duality and Spire of the Watcher be sunset?

No, dungeons sold separately from seasons through a dungeon pass, like Duality and Spire of the Watcher, will not be vaulted because they are not seasonal content.

What content is considered expansion content and not seasonal content?

Generally, expansion content includes major story campaigns, destinations, raids, and dungeons released as part of a larger expansion package. Seasonal content includes activities, quests, and rewards tied to a specific season within a given expansion year.

Why did Bungie sunset content in the first place?

Bungie initially sunsetted content to reduce bloat in Destiny 2, manage the game’s file size, and allow developers to focus on maintaining and improving the core experience.

Will old weapons that were sunset ever return to Destiny 2?

Bungie has brought back some previously sunset weapons with updated perks and stats. There is always a possibility that more sunset weapons will return in the future.

What happens to seasonal content when it is removed from Destiny 2?

When seasonal content is removed, the associated activities, quests, and rewards become unavailable. Players can no longer access that content within the game.

Are Bungie bans permanent?

Bungie reserves the right to permanently ban Destiny accounts or player hardware for egregious violations of their Terms of Use.

Will there ever be a Destiny 3?

Currently, Bungie has not announced any plans for a Destiny 3. Their focus remains on expanding and evolving Destiny 2.

Why was the Red War campaign removed from Destiny 2?

The Red War, along with the Osiris and Warmind campaigns, was removed to reduce the amount of free-to-play content and streamline the game experience.

Is Shadowkeep going away?

No, expansions from Shadowkeep onward will remain in the game, including their story content, quests, and areas.

Can you still play The Witch Queen campaign after The Final Shape?

Yes, the story campaign of The Witch Queen expansion will remain in Destiny 2, as this expansion will not be sunset.

Will the Grasp of Avarice dungeon ever be vaulted?

No, the Grasp of Avarice dungeon is part of the 30th Anniversary Pack, which will not be sunset.

What is the future of Destiny 2 after The Final Shape?

Destiny 2 is transitioning to an episodic model after The Final Shape, offering players a fresh content experience with ongoing narrative updates.

Are all dungeons safe from sunsetting?

All dungeons released after the start of the expansion sunsetting reversal should be safe. Seasonal dungeons are exceptions to this.

Where can I learn more about game development and design principles?

You can explore resources and connect with other enthusiasts at the Games Learning Society and their website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion: Embrace the Content, Guardians!

The 30th Anniversary Pack is here to stay. Bungie’s shift away from sunsetting means you can continue to enjoy the Grasp of Avarice dungeon, wield the Gjallarhorn, and celebrate Bungie’s legacy without worrying about your progress being wiped away. So dive in, Guardians, and embrace the content! The future of Destiny 2 is bright, and your adventures await.