Destiny 2, following the launch of its latest major expansion, is witnessing a noticeable decline in its player count, particularly among PC users. This month, the active player numbers are significantly lower compared to the launch of the previous expansion, The Final Shape, which debuted in June last year.
Throughout its decade-long existence, the Destiny series has experienced numerous fluctuations in player engagement, but many Guardians may have chosen to conclude their journeys with Destiny 2 after the conclusion of the Light and Darkness Saga in The Final Shape. Despite the declining player base, Bungie is not finished with Destiny 2.
The studio has ambitious plans as the latest expansion, Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, ushers in a new chapter known as the Fate Saga. This expansion is the first of two expected releases this year, with a second expansion themed distinctly around Star Wars set to arrive on December 2.
Bungie is also revamping many of Destiny 2’s fundamental mechanics with the Edge of Fate expansion, affecting everything from the activity director to armor and character stats. The Edge of Fate centers on a fresh narrative involving the Nine and introduces a new location called Kepler.
However, statistics from Steam Charts indicate that there are far fewer Guardians to explore this expansion. On launch day, the peak player count on Steam was just 99,131, which is less than a third of the peak achieved during The Final Shape’s release, marking a concerning trend for the franchise.
It’s essential to note that these statistics pertain solely to Destiny 2’s Steam player base, but they likely mirror diminishing popularity across other platforms. Last year, around this time, player morale was notably higher, driven by the promise of a thrilling conclusion to Destiny 2’s narrative.
Today, the game’s decline can be attributed to players feeling dissatisfied for their investment of time, alongside a complex UI that tends to alienate newcomers. As the year progresses, it remains uncertain how Destiny 2 will navigate its lower player count.