The Ghost of Forsaken: Will Destiny 2 Ever Resurrect Its Beloved Expansion?
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The short answer is, and I deliver this with a heavy heart: highly unlikely. While Bungie has explicitly stated they will not vault entire expansions moving forward, bringing back Forsaken in its original form is a complex logistical and narrative hurdle that, realistically, isn’t worth the resources for them. Let’s delve into why, exploring the legacy of Forsaken and the future of Destiny 2.
The Vault: A Necessary Evil, or Just Evil?
The infamous Destiny Content Vault (DCV) is the crux of this issue. Bungie, faced with an ever-expanding game and technical limitations, decided to prune content to maintain performance and make way for new experiences. This included the original Red War campaign, Curse of Osiris, Warmind, and, most controversially, the Forsaken campaign and its associated destination, the Tangled Shore.
The community uproar was deafening. Players had paid for this content, and suddenly it was inaccessible. While Bungie attempted to soften the blow by making the campaign temporarily free before its removal and offering the Forsaken Pack (containing the Last Wish raid, Shattered Throne dungeon, and Forsaken Exotics), the sting remained.
Why Forsaken Fell
Several factors contributed to Forsaken’s demise:
- Technical Debt: The sheer volume of content in Destiny 2 was becoming unsustainable. Maintaining older, less-used content was diverting resources from developing new content.
- Narrative Shift: Forsaken marked a darker turn in Destiny 2’s storyline, with the death of Cayde-6. Bungie may have wanted to move away from this tone or felt it no longer aligned with their long-term narrative plans.
- Resource Allocation: Reintegrating Forsaken would require significant development effort, potentially diverting resources from future expansions and seasonal content.
- Bundling Strategy: By removing the Forsaken campaign, Bungie could offer a more streamlined “legacy content” bundle of older expansions without raising the price.
The Future is Not Necessarily Bright
Bungie’s promise to not vault full expansions going forward is a welcome change. However, this doesn’t mean content is safe forever. Seasonal content will still cycle out, moving into the DCV at the end of each expansion year. This approach attempts to strike a balance between maintaining a manageable game size and providing players with a continuous stream of fresh experiences.
The real question now is: how can Bungie learn from the Forsaken debacle and better preserve its history while also ensuring the game’s future? The answer likely lies in smarter design, more efficient content management, and better communication with the community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Forsaken and the Destiny Content Vault
1. What exactly was included in the Forsaken DLC?
Forsaken was a massive expansion that added a new campaign centered around avenging Cayde-6, a new destination (the Tangled Shore), the Dreaming City endgame area, new subclasses, the Last Wish raid, the Shattered Throne dungeon, a host of new weapons and armor (including numerous Exotics), and the Gambit game mode.
2. Why did Bungie remove paid content in the first place?
Bungie cited technical limitations and the need to streamline the game as the primary reasons for implementing the Destiny Content Vault. The increasing size of Destiny 2 was causing performance issues and making it difficult to introduce new content.
3. If Bungie is not vaulting expansions anymore, why not bring back Forsaken?
While Bungie is committed to not vaulting future expansions, bringing back Forsaken would still require significant resources. The game has moved on narratively and mechanically, and reintegrating Forsaken in its original form might feel disjointed.
4. Is there any way to experience the Forsaken story now?
Not the full campaign. While the Forsaken Pack grants access to the Last Wish raid and Shattered Throne dungeon, the core story missions are gone. There are lore summaries and video recaps available online, but they don’t replicate the in-game experience.
5. What is the Forsaken Pack?
The Forsaken Pack is a DLC bundle that provides access to the Last Wish raid, the Shattered Throne dungeon, and a collection of Forsaken Exotics. It’s available for purchase and allows players to access some of the best content from the Forsaken era.
6. Will Last Wish and Shattered Throne ever be removed from the game?
Bungie has not indicated any plans to remove Last Wish or Shattered Throne. As part of the Forsaken Pack, they are likely to remain accessible for the foreseeable future.
7. What Exotics are still available from the Forsaken era?
Many iconic Forsaken Exotics, such as Ace of Spades, The Last Word, Le Monarque, Izanagi’s Burden, and Thorn, are still available through various means, including the Forsaken Pack, Monument to Lost Lights, and world drops.
8. How can I get the Forsaken Exotics now?
Some Forsaken Exotics can be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower, using various currencies and resources. Others are available as random drops from Exotic engrams or specific activities.
9. Is Gambit going to be removed from Destiny 2?
While Gambit’s future is uncertain, Bungie has not announced plans to remove it entirely. However, they have acknowledged that they are producing less content for the playlist, leading some to believe it may eventually be phased out.
10. Will Destiny 2 end after The Final Shape expansion?
No, Destiny 2 is not ending with The Final Shape. While it will conclude the Light and Darkness saga, Bungie has confirmed that the game will continue with new stories and conflicts.
11. Is Destiny 3 in development?
Currently, Bungie has no announced plans for Destiny 3. They are focused on expanding and evolving Destiny 2.
12. What is the Destiny Content Vault?
The Destiny Content Vault (DCV) is a system implemented by Bungie to remove older, less-used content from Destiny 2 in order to improve performance and make room for new content.
13. How does the vaulting of seasonal content work?
Seasonal content introduced during an expansion year will remain available throughout that year. However, when a new expansion launches, that seasonal content is typically moved to the DCV.
14. What are the implications of content vaulting for player retention?
Content vaulting has been a contentious issue, with some players feeling that it diminishes their investment in the game. However, Bungie argues that it is necessary for the long-term health of Destiny 2. Finding the right balance between preserving content and managing game size is an ongoing challenge. The Games Learning Society could perhaps even lend some insight into how these design choices impact player engagement!
15. What lessons can Bungie learn from the Forsaken situation?
The Forsaken situation highlights the importance of clear communication with the community, providing alternative ways to access legacy content, and exploring more sustainable content management strategies. It’s a complex balancing act, but addressing player concerns and finding creative solutions are crucial for maintaining player trust and loyalty. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for related research on games and education.