Hey everyone! As a Guardian who's been at this since the early days, I've seen Destiny 2 weather some serious storms 😅. Let's be real, 2024 was a tough year for the community with all the news about Bungie. But even with all that noise, when I log in, I'm reminded why I keep coming back. The gunplay? Still the best feeling shooter out there, hands down. And the way the story has evolved, especially with the recent episodes, it's like being part of a living, breathing sci-fi epic. It's a weird time though, right? The future feels… uncertain. Between the studio changes, the new mobile game on the horizon, and Sony now being in charge, it's hard to know what's next. But you know what? I'm not convinced we need a classic "Destiny 3" anymore. The game has already changed so much from what it was at launch.
It's wild to think back to the original Destiny in 2014. The whole "live-service" thing wasn't really a defined concept like it is now. That first game felt more like a spiritual successor to Halo's campaign with some MMO-lite elements sprinkled on top. It was Destiny 2's shift a few years later that truly locked in the model we know today—free-to-play, seasonal content, annual expansions. The game I play now is almost a different beast entirely from the one I first downloaded. It's evolved in place, and that's kind of the norm now.
This is where the idea of a sequel gets tricky. We've all seen what happened with games like Overwatch 2. When a developer slaps a "2" on the box, we players expect a revolution, not just an iteration. If it feels like a glorified patch, the backlash is instant and brutal. Destiny 2 is in a similar spot. We expect our live-service games to grow and change constantly. So where do you draw the line between a massive, transformative expansion like The Final Shape and a whole new numbered sequel? A "Destiny 3" would be a huge deal—a fresh start, a chance to bring in new players, a symbol of a new era. But it would also mean leaving behind years of progress, loot, and memories. That's a tough sell for a veteran like me.
I think other games are showing us a potential path forward. The creative director for Helldivers 2 recently said their game will "grow" into Helldivers 3 over time. Isn't that what's already happening all around us? Look at Fortnite. The 2025 version is unrecognizable from its launch version. Through a thousand updates, new mechanics, and visual overhauls, it has effectively become its own sequel without ever changing its name. The core game is the same, but everything around it has transformed.
So, what could this mean for Destiny? Here's my personal wishlist for how a "Destiny 3" transition could work:
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A Phased Evolution, Not a Hard Reset: Bungie could announce a multi-year "Path to the Next Age" roadmap. Instead of one giant, risky launch, they'd roll out foundational changes over several seasons.
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Core Gameplay Revolution: This is where a new number means something. We're talking a potential engine overhaul for better visuals and performance, a complete rework of the RPG systems like a new subclass or a deeper weapon crafting framework.
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The Symbolic Moment: After all these foundational updates are in place, one final patch drops. You log in, and the title screen now reads Destiny 3. Your character, your vault, your triumphs—they all come with you. The world has been remade around you.
This approach is the best of both worlds. It gives us that exciting, tangible sense of a new beginning we crave from a sequel. But it also respects the thousands of hours we've all invested. Our Guardians' legacies aren't erased; they're the foundation for the next chapter.
| Traditional Sequel (Destiny 3) | Evolutionary Path (Destiny 2 -> 3) |
|---|---|
| ❌ Fresh install, new client | ✅ Seamless update within existing game |
| ❌ Potential loss of progress/vault | ✅ All achievements and loot carry forward |
| ❌ Risk of splitting the player base | ✅ Unified community from day one |
| ✅ Clean slate for tech/engine | ✅ Can gradually update systems over time |
| ✅ Major marketing & hype moment | ✅ Builds hype through a transparent roadmap |
At the end of the day, the label matters less than the experience. Whether it's called Destiny 2: The Second Golden Age or just Destiny 3, what I want as a player is to feel that the universe is moving forward in a meaningful way. I want to be surprised. I want the combat to feel even crisper, the worlds to feel more alive, and the stories to keep pulling me in. If Bungie can deliver that through a series of bold, interconnected updates that culminate in a new era, then sign me up. My Ghost is ready for whatever comes next, no matter what it's called. The Light—and the fight—must go on. 💫