Destiny is and always has been a yearly expansion game since its release in 2014, with smaller expansions (House of Wolves, Warmind, etc.) releasing in between. However, with the release of Destiny 2’s first major expansion, Forsaken, Bungie changed the model from two smaller expansions to seasons, releasing a total of four seasons per year. And now, it seems that the developer is experimenting with a premium subscription service for the game, as some references are found in the game files.
It looks like Bungie was testing a monthly subscription model (similar to games like Final Fantasy XIV) for the upcoming Destiny 2. Lightfall expansion and season 20 which was later scrapped(?) for some reason, discovered in the game files. Elliott in the D2 Datamines Discord Server shared some file chains with TGP that have four types of subscriptions for the game.
- \season_20\data\subscription_upsell_month1_ad_banner_000_004.v2.tif
- \season_20\data\subscription_upsell_month3_ad_banner_000_005.v2.tif
- \season_20\data\subscription_upsell_month6_ad_banner_000_006.v2.tif
- \season_20\data\subscription_upsell_month12_ad_banner_000_007.v2.tif
As we can see, this clearly suggests that at some point there was a subscription service planned for Lightfall and Season 20. The file description says that the subscription model would include “Lightfall, two new dungeons and raids, 1 month of premium content on fate 2 Year 6, a new Exotic Sparrow, Quicksilver Storm Catalyst and Ornament, and Rahool’s Secret Stash: Four Exotic Attachments and a Premium Material Pack delivered throughout Year 6.
“Enhance your journey as a New Light with a premium subscription to Destiny 2. Try the first Destiny 2 quests and destinations for free: Lightfall, The Witch Queen, Beyond Light, and Shadowkeep.”
“Prevent the apocalypse by racing Emperor Calus to the edge of the solar system. Take on a new campaign and master the Strand, a new subclass. Pre-order now to instantly unlock the Quicksilver Storm Exotic weapon and exclusive bonuses.”
Placeholder for Destiny 2 Lightfall Premium. Image: Bungie via Elliott
We don’t know when this was added in the game files, but considering it’s for Lightfall and Season 20, the best guess is with the release of Season of Plunder, after the Lightfall reveal event.
Now, even with some direct references to a Destiny 2 subscription service in the game files, we don’t know if this will come to fruition. the final formor if this is something bungie plans to add to the next Destiny saga. In short, take it with a grain of salt.
As of yet, Bungie hasn’t announced any kind of Destiny 2 premium subscription model for Lightfall or Year 6 in general. The community has been calling for a season renewal in Destiny 2 due to its repetitive level, power increase, and vendor updates for months.
Destiny 2’s Season of the Seraph is in full swing right now, with its third zero exotic reviewnow available as part of the new exotic quest that went live earlier this week.
