What Happens to Destiny 2 PvP Now with Marathon?
by A Maria | Updated Jun 15, 2023
Destiny 2
Bungie created the free-to-play first-person shooter video game Destiny 2. It was first made available in 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows as a pay-to-play title. On October 1, 2019, it adopted the games as a service model and went free-to-play under the name New Light. The game was subsequently released on Stadia the following month, then on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms in December 2020.
Activision had been the publisher of the game up until December 31, 2018, when Bungie bought the franchise's publishing rights. It is the follow-up to Destiny from 2014 and its later expansions.
What Happens To Destiny 2 PvP Now with Marathon?
It is now obvious where a sizable portion of Destiny's PvP-based staff moved once the game was over. Marathon, the recently unveiled extraction shooter that Bungie and Sony have great expectations for, would then take over.
In recent years, PvP (Player versus Player) in Destiny has faced significant challenges. The lack of new maps for an extended period became a noticeable issue, with only a slow release pace of one fully new map per year, and occasionally the return of one or two maps from the vaulted content in addition to a few maps from the original Destiny game.
Lobby balancing, especially for events like Iron Banner, has been inconsistent and problematic. Trials, a competitive PvP mode, has undergone numerous changes in an attempt to increase player engagement. The introduction of a new ladder system aimed at providing a more competitive environment has yielded mixed results. Despite these issues, it is crucial not to overlook the fact that PvP remains a substantial and integral part of Destiny 2, even after all this time.
On any given day, PvP can make up 30-40% of the player population, with hundreds of thousands of players participating. Despite Bungie's decreased support, PvP continues to attract a considerable number of players, and its player base surpasses that of many other games. However, with the full launch of Marathon, Bungie's new project, it is difficult not to speculate that it will require additional developers to sustain and produce content for it, as well as ensure balance and overall maintenance.
We have already witnessed several developers transitioning from Destiny to Marathon. Even years after the departure of much of the PvP team, recent departures like Senior Design Lead Kevin Yanes, who contributed to impressive additions in Destiny such as Strand, have been noted. It has been revealed that Yanes will be joining the development of Marathon, which comes as no surprise.
While Destiny's PvP may have faced challenges and a decline in support, it still maintains a significant player base and garners impressive numbers compared to many other games. However, the shift of developers and resources towards Marathon raises concerns about the future of Destiny's PvP and its ability to continue delivering new content and maintaining balance in the long run.
Destiny 2 Gameplay
Destiny 2 continues the legacy of its predecessor as a captivating first-person shooter game, blending elements of role-playing and massively multiplayer online (MMO) gameplay. Similar to the original Destiny, the game introduces a matchmaking system that dynamically connects players based on their preferences and activities. However, Destiny 2 takes this a step further with its innovative "Guided Games" feature, offering a more streamlined matchmaking experience.
In the original Destiny, players had limited communication options with others in the game world and primarily relied on their console's messaging system to interact. Destiny 2 enhances the social aspect by introducing Guided Games, a feature that enables players to search for clans or groups seeking additional players to join them in challenging raids and activities.
This new matchmaking system allows players to connect with like-minded individuals and embark on cooperative adventures together, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the Destiny 2 community. Destiny 2 maintains the division of activities into two primary game types: player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP). PvE activities encompass a vast array of missions, quests, strikes, and raids that immerse players in a rich and expansive game world.
Engaging in PvE content allows players to progress their characters, unlock powerful gear, and unravel the game's captivating narrative. On the other hand, PvP gameplay in Destiny 2 delivers exhilarating competitive encounters where players face off against each other in intense battles. Whether it's engaging in traditional team-based matches or participating in specialized modes, players can put their skills to the test and vie for supremacy against other Guardians from around the world.
Destiny 2 strikes a delicate balance between PvE and PvP gameplay, offering players a diverse range of activities to suit their preferred playstyle. Whether they enjoy teaming up with friends to overcome formidable AI-controlled enemies or prefer the thrill of facing off against other skilled players, Destiny 2 provides a comprehensive and immersive gaming experience that caters to a variety of preferences.
By combining the fast-paced action of a first-person shooter with the depth and progression of an RPG, Destiny 2 continues to captivate players with its engaging gameplay, rich lore, and vibrant community. Whether embarking on epic PvE quests or engaging in thrilling PvP battles, Destiny 2 offers an ever-expanding universe filled with adventure, challenge, and camaraderie for Guardians to explore and conquer.
About Destiny 2
Developer
Bungie
Publishers
Directors
Producer
Patrick O'Kelly
Designers
Artists
Writers
Composers
Platforms
Release
Genres
First-person shooter, MMOG
Mode
Multiplayer
What Happens To Destiny 2 PvP Now with Marathon - FAQs
Destiny 2 was initially released in 2017 as a pay-to-play title for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. It transitioned to a free-to-play model called New Light on October 1, 2019. The game was later made available on Stadia in November 2019 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms in December 2020.
Activision served as the publisher of Destiny 2 until December 31, 2018. After that, Bungie, the game's developer, acquired the publishing rights for the franchise.
With Bungie shifting its focus to the development of Marathon, Destiny 2's PvP may face some uncertainties. In recent years, PvP in Destiny has encountered challenges in terms of gameplay balance and resource allocation. The release of new maps has been infrequent, with only one fully new map per year and occasional returns of vaulted maps and ones from the original Destiny. The balance of lobbies, particularly during events like Iron Banner, has been inconsistent. Trials, a competitive PvP mode, has undergone changes to increase player engagement, and the introduction of a new ladder system has yielded mixed results.
Yes, despite its challenges, PvP remains a substantial and integral part of Destiny 2. On any given day, PvP can make up 30-40% of the player population, with hundreds of thousands of players participating. Destiny 2's PvP continues to attract a considerable number of players, surpassing the player base of many other games.
The future of Destiny 2's PvP and its ability to deliver new content and maintain balance in the long run may be uncertain due to Bungie's focus on Marathon. The departure of developers from the PvP team to work on Marathon raises concerns about the level of ongoing support and content updates for Destiny 2's PvP.