Bungie has laid out a protracted plan to address the current state of Destiny 2, aiming to restore its legacy content and rebuild the game into what the studio calls "a new, forever Destiny." This ambitious undertaking acknowledges a difficult period for the company, characterized as a "true reset moment" by head of product Josh Deane. The path forward involves significant effort to reintegrate older campaigns and activities, with the full restoration of much of this content not expected until 2028.
Deane admitted that Bungie is "playing from behind with the cards we have" following recent mass layoffs, a situation that necessitates difficult decisions. The studio faces the challenge of rebuilding extensive legacy content within the modern framework of Destiny 2, a task that requires a substantial team. A smaller group is ideal for incubating new ideas, but a larger workforce is needed to tackle the complex work of porting older content.
Unvaulting Destiny 2's Legacy Content
The initial phase of this restoration effort is already in pre-production, focusing on unvaulting the Red War campaign and other legacy content. Bungie aims for full production to begin by February 2027, with an estimated 12-month timeline for completing the porting process. Confirmed content slated for return includes the Red War, Forsaken, Curse of Osiris, and Warmind campaigns, along with their associated Strikes, Raids, and Raid Lairs. The Menagerie activity is also set to return with reprised rewards.
A subsequent phase will concentrate on restoring and refreshing more of the game's connective tissue. This includes Free Roam Destinations, seasonal activities from Season 9 (Sundial) to Season 23 (The Coil), and updates to Raid and Raid Lair weapons. PvP maps will also be brought back into the fold.
Further content, while not currently on the roadmap, has the potential for unvaulting. This includes overhauling the New Light experience, reintroducing seasonal story missions and seasonal hubs, and bringing back the Kell's Grave Gambit map from the Forsaken expansion. Bungie likens the process to renovating an old house, emphasizing the need to preserve the past while integrating it seamlessly with the present.
Beyond Restoration: The Future of Destiny
Before the extensive unvaulting is complete, Bungie plans to introduce new content and events. The studio is considering "celebrations" that will offer players new updates and experiences beyond the typical year-end Monument of Triumph event. A concept referred to as "Destiny Legacy" is also mentioned, promising to serve the entire journey that began with Destiny 1 to players in the current game. A third, "Redacted" project is also in development.
Bungie intends to provide updated timelines for these initiatives around February 2027. The precise nature of these future plans—whether they represent distinct games or a unified experience—remains unclear. However, the announcement offers a hopeful outlook for the continuation of the Destiny franchise, addressing player desires for new content and a more complete game world.