Destiny 2 will abandon linear campaigns and big annual expansions in favor of more frequent releases, which are'mysterious and weird' and 'not afraid to try out new things'

Destiny 2 will undergo some major changes as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. After The Final Shape, the linear campaign will be completely abandoned in favor of two "medium" expansions each year and four "major updates", which will be available for free to all players.

Bungie's previous Destiny 2 expansions were built around major campaigns which moved the story forward in a big way. The problem is that these campaigns require a lot of resources to create but committed players can get through them within 1-2 days. Post-Final Shape will instead focus on non-linear campaigns and exploration experiences like Dreaming City, Metroidvanias or even more unusual formats such as survival shooters or roguelikes.

Game director Tyson Green announced that, starting next year, two medium-sized extensions will be released every six months, instead of a single large expansion. "Each will depart from the one shot campaign structure we have been using essentially unchanged ever since Shadowkeep and each will be a chance to explore exciting new format instead."

Green said that while it's a major change in structure, Bungie's commitment "to great storytelling" will not be affected. "We want to bring back the mystery and the wonder that was woven in the fabric of Destiny's early days, when the story felt ripe for possibilities and an epic feeling of exploration and discovery."

The episodic structure, which replaced Destiny 2’s seasonal model last season, is also being scrapped, in favor of four "Major updates" that will happen, well, according to the seasons: Each expansion will launch alongside a major update, followed by a follow-up three months later. Major Updates will feature new and updated rewards, weekly events, and activities, as well as the usual arrays of fixed and balanced updates.

Green said that each update would be a significant refresh of the core gameplay, bringing with it new activities and reward-content. "We're also excited to announce, like Destiny 2 Into the Light: these updates and their contents will be free for all players." This is a potentially important change as well: Currently, Destiny 2, the episodes that are being replaced by Major Updates, are not free.

The first Destiny 2 bi-annual expansion, currently codenamed Apollo is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2025. This will likely be not long after The Final Shape's conclusion. It will be a non-linear, character-driven experience.

"In stories like The Final Shape, the story was told in a straight line from A to B to then C to D. In Codename Apollo, the story is spread over dozens threads that you will explore and discover. When you land in our brand-new location the story begins at A. You can then choose to explore C, or get into B or investigate D," Destiny 2's narrative director Alison Luhrs explained.

"The more you explore and play, the more the plot progresses. So, a certain number threads will open up the next part of story. You can choose the order in which you play, but we've designed Codename: Apollo so that the story flows smoothly from beginning to end. The story of Codename: Apollo is based on the player's progress. There's no time-gating or waiting for the next drop.

Luhrs said that "teases" about Apollo will be shared in the second and third episodes. The first episode, Echoes is currently in production, while episode 2, Revenant, will be released on October 8.

The long-term fate of Destiny 2 was a major topic of discussion in the Destiny Community as the glow of The Final Shape expanded faded. The end of the ten-year-old 'Light and Dark saga' has left a narrative vacuum that has led to a mass exodus. Bungie's biggest remaining project, Marathon, is slowly turning into a nightmare. Destiny 3 has become a fantasy, and the studio's other major project, Destiny 3, is a mere dream. Bungie has been forced to make significant layoffs in the last year, and Sony is increasing pressure on them to sort themselves out.

"We all still love Destiny. It is a unique, challenging game for both you and us. Green wrote: "I've been working on Destiny personally for 15 years, and it still excites my creativity." "But we also recognize that it's become too rigid." The expansions are too formulaic, and they end too quickly. They have little replay value. The seasons and episodes keep getting bigger, but it can still feel as if you are just going through motions.

"We think it's time to evolve Destiny, and our community also wants to see this game grow and innovate." To do that, we have to start breaking some of those molds.

Bungie is facing two challenges. First, it's difficult to maintain a twice-yearly update cadence for Destiny 2. Bungie has been working at full capacity, but that is not the case anymore. Previous Destiny 2 updates Shadowkeep, Beyond Light and The Witch Queen were all delayed. It might sound easier to manage if future expansions are referred to as "medium-sized," but what has really changed if Bungie now has to produce two instead of one?

The real question is whether or not this new approach can satisfy the restless Destiny 2 Community. Bungie's reputation is at an all time high, and player numbers are at an historic low. It's impossible for anyone to predict how Apollo will perform, but summer 2025 seems a long time away, especially for a game that is clearly struggling and a studio in the same boat.