Destiny 2 is currently embroiled in its most significant controversy regarding endgame activities, as Bungie investigates accusations of cheating during the Contest mode raid race for The Desert Perpetual. Players were first able to explore The Desert Perpetual on July 19 at 10:00 a.m. PDT when the World First race commenced. This raid, part of the expansion Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, follows Bungie’s tradition of unveiling new content alongside a raid and World First competition within the first week of a new expansion.
After completing the initial encounter in the Desert Perpetual raid, players learned that the raid structure is nonlinear. They can engage with various spheres in the hub area, granting access to three distinct boss encounters that can be tackled in any order. Contest Mode, which officiated the race for the first 48 hours post-launch, rewarded players completing the raid during this time with a unique emblem and additional rewards.
Unfortunately, the well-known cheating issue in Destiny 2 has resurfaced. On July 25, Bungie’s official Twitter account acknowledged the cheating allegations concerning fireteams that completed The Desert Perpetual during Contest mode. They stressed that violating the game’s Code of Conduct to cheat is a bannable offense.
Players who unknowingly benefited from teaming with cheaters also face potential repercussions, including bans. This announcement generated controversy within the community, leading many to reevaluate their raid clear status and leaderboard positions. For instance, one player, T1Khan_, reported a significant jump in their leaderboard ranking, suggesting possible cheater involvement among multiple teams.
This scandal has raised questions about the effectiveness of Battleye as an anti-cheat solution, particularly since The Desert Perpetual has seen considerable cheating issues. Some players estimate that approximately 400 out of 600 Contest mode clears involve cheating. The outcry has led to demands for stricter penalties on cheaters to ensure future raid races remain fair.
Cheating has plagued Destiny 2’s PvP in recent years, and coupled with the lackluster launch of Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, this cheating issue casts a shadow over the game’s immediate future.