The Current Status of Bungie and Destiny 3

Destiny 2, long considered a gold standard for the modern live-service model, is set to receive its final update on June 9. With Bungie officially winding down active development on its iconic multiplayer shooter, the community is left wondering: is a successor currently in the works?

The hunger for a new installment is undeniable. Following the news, a fan-driven petition calling on Bungie to commit to Destiny 3 has surged to 220,000 signatures. Meanwhile, several voice actors from the Destiny 2 cast have been actively encouraging fans to keep the pressure on the studio.

“The appetite for fresh adventures, evolving narratives, and groundbreaking gameplay is immense,” the petition states. “Destiny 3 would not only satisfy these cravings but also push the boundaries of what’s achievable within this rich universe.”

The announcement of the game’s sunsetting has ironically triggered a resurgence in the player base. Steam has recorded a 46% increase in active players over the past week. While exact console metrics remain private, it is widely believed that the majority of the game’s population resides on platforms outside of PC, suggesting a significant surge in activity across the board.

Bungie/Activision

Undoubtedly, many of these players are either returning veterans or curious newcomers hoping to experience the game before the curtain closes. Outside of major content drops, industry data had shown Destiny 2 steadily losing its monthly player count. However, as seen with Overwatch, a massive overhaul or a definitive sequel can be the catalyst needed to bring a community back into the fold.

Nevertheless, launching Destiny 3 remains a complicated endeavor for Bungie. Reports from Bloomberg indicate the studio is grappling with significant staff layoffs. While developers are reportedly exploring new concepts, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier clarified that “Destiny 3 is NOT in active production. Some Bungie staff are pitching and prototyping new ideas including Destiny games, but none are yet greenlit.” According to industry insiders, the primary barrier is the massive financial investment required to build a third entry from scratch.

Compounding these challenges is the release of Marathon, Bungie’s latest foray into the extraction shooter space, which has thus far struggled to find its footing. While the two titles offer distinct gameplay loops, they target overlapping audiences. Launching a major Destiny sequel could inadvertently cannibalize the player base Marathon desperately needs to survive.

Furthermore, the live-service landscape has evolved drastically since Destiny 2 debuted in 2017. While the original launch was a massive commercial success, the industry is now dominated by behemoths like Fortnite and Roblox. Today’s players demand a more aggressive update cadence and a greater emphasis on user-generated content, making the market significantly more cutthroat.

Bungie/Activision

Expectations for a sequel would be astronomical. For fans, Destiny 3 wouldn’t just be another shooter; it would need to redefine the industry’s standards for monetization and engagement, just as its predecessors once did. From a business perspective, Sony is still looking for a return on its $3.6 billion acquisition of the studio in 2022. Destiny remains the most valuable asset in Bungie’s portfolio, making it a critical piece of the puzzle for Sony’s future.

Then again, there is a prevailing sentiment among the fanbase that Destiny 2 suffered following Sony’s intervention, with reports suggesting that the studio’s independence is directly tied to meeting strict financial targets. With Sony already attributing a $565 million loss to Bungie’s recent performance, the pressure to produce a hit has never been higher. If Destiny 3 does eventually materialize, it will likely bear the heavy fingerprints of corporate strategy more than ever before.

Despite the uphill battle, a potential sequel offers a unique opportunity for a “fresh start.” Much of the negativity surrounding Destiny 2 in recent years has stemmed from the weight of its own history—cluttered mechanics, complex narratives, and a decade of technical baggage. A new game would allow Bungie to clear the slate and rebuild the franchise’s foundation without the constraints of its past.

For now, Destiny 2 remains functional. In its final chapter, the game is even being added to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, providing players with access to the core experience, major expansions, and weapon packs as the journey draws to a close.

Source: Polygon