Destiny 2, Bungie’s space fantasy looter shooter, is experiencing a steep decline in player count on Steam. In the last 30 days, the average concurrent player count is just 34,829, with a peak of 59,076. This marks the lowest player count since the game arrived on the platform in 2019. The decline can be attributed to the poor reception of the Lightfall DLC, core problems within the game, and the competition from other highly acclaimed games released in 2023.
The Lightfall expansion of Destiny 2 has faced intense backlash for its poorly written campaign and lackluster new content. Issues with the game’s new player experience, technical stability, and aggressive monetization have also contributed to the dissatisfaction among the player base. Additionally, the lack of meaningful updates to core playlists has further dampened player interest.
2023 saw several major game releases, including Baldur’s Gate 3, Diablo 4, and Mortal Kombat 1, competing for players’ attention. With an array of new games available, Destiny 2 has struggled to retain its fan base. While the current Season of the Witch has been solid, it may not be enough to reignite lasting interest in the game.
Looking to the future, the upcoming Season of the Wish presents an opportunity for improvement. However, the game may need a substantial new expansion to revitalize the core experience. Rumored delays in the release of The Final Shape may further exacerbate Destiny 2’s woes. Only time will tell if the game can recover and regain its player base.
Despite its current challenges, Destiny 2: Lightfall remains available on various platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PCs, PS5, and PS4. The game’s Annual Pass edition offers access to all content in Year 6.
