Will The Final Shape Mark the End of Destiny 2?

The upcoming Destiny 2 expansion, The Final Shape, has led to much speculation about the future of the popular sci-fi shooter franchise. Slated to conclude the overarching Light vs. Darkness saga that has driven Destiny’s narrative for years, some wonder if The Final Shape will also spell the end of Destiny 2 itself. But Bungie has confirmed this is not the case – Destiny 2 will carry on past The Final Shape, even as this expansion wraps up the game’s core storyline so far.

The Final Shape and the Light vs. Darkness Saga

Scheduled for release in early 2023, The Final Shape will see Guardians finally confront The Witness, the main antagonist commanding the menacing Black Fleet. This is the culmination of the eternal struggle between the forces of Light and Darkness that has been at the heart of Destiny since the original game launched in 2014.

Over the years, Guardians have battled minions of the Darkness like Crota, Oryx, and Rhulk across expansions and seasons. Now the time has come for the ultimate showdown with the Witness itself on its ship. This long-running saga has kept players enthralled through Destiny’s evolution from game to franchise. Now, what did Bungie said about final chapter of Destiny 2?

Bungie Confirms Destiny 2 Will Continue

With the Light and Darkness saga seemingly reaching its climax, speculation surfaced that The Final Shape might be Destiny 2’s swan song. But Bungie has firmly denied this is the case. At the recent Destiny 2 Showcase event on August 23, 2023, the developer unambiguously stated that Destiny 2 will carry on after The Final Shape launches.

Bungie’s current focus remains on delivering a satisfying conclusion to the core story. But the studio has already outlined plans for “Episodes” of new Destiny 2 content throughout 2024, with fresh narratives unconnected to the Light and Darkness conflict. So while one chapter may end with The Final Shape, the franchise will live on.

The Future Beyond the First Saga

While Bungie understandably isn’t ready to detail everything that comes next for Destiny 2, the developer’s comments make one thing clear – The Final Shape is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end. It will close out the first grand saga, but Destiny’s next era is still waiting to be written.

The Case for Destiny 2 Ending

There are a few compelling reasons to think The Final Shape could be Destiny 2’s last hurrah. Most notably, Bungie has touted this expansion as bringing the Light and Darkness saga—the overarching narrative since 2014’s Destiny 1 – to its ultimate culmination.

The “Final Shape” title itself implies finality. Creative director Joe Blackburn called it “the most core thing we’ve ever shipped” and the conclusion to the franchise’s foundational conflict. After a decade building to this moment, it would be understandable for Bungie to view this as the natural end point for Destiny 2.

The original Destiny was designed as a multipart saga, not an endless, open-ended game. While scope may have expanded over time, The Final Shape still promises to be a definitive denouement. With resolution finally at hand, continuing the game could feel unnecessary or even undermine the impact of this ending.

The Case for Destiny 2 Continuing

However, signs point to The Final Shape kickstarting Destiny 2’s future, not closing the book. Bungie has expressly stated they have no plans to end Destiny 2 or stop supporting it as an evolving, long-term project.

While The Final Shape concludes the overarching Light and Darkness tale, Destiny’s universe has endless stories left to tell outside this central conflict. With Bungie now partnered with Sony for the long haul, abandoning Destiny 2 makes little business sense either.

Rather than an endpoint, The Final Shape seems primed to pave the way for a new saga. Bungie’s subsequent episodic structure indicates they aim to build upon this expansion, not leave players hanging. Destiny 2’s world is too rich and fanbase too dedicated for Bungie to walk away at the moment of the Witness’ downfall.

The Light and Darkness arc may end, but the franchise’s future is still bright.

The Final Verdict on Destiny 2’s Future

The question around whether The Final Shape will mark the end of Destiny 2 has sparked much debate within the game’s passionate community. This hotly anticipated expansion promises to finally resolve the epochal clash between Light and Darkness that has electrified the franchise from the start.

On one hand, The Final Shape seemingly delivers the crescendo fans have awaited, with Bungie framing it as the ultimate culmination of Destiny’s first saga. Yet, signs also point to Destiny 2 living on past this expansion to explore new frontiers. Bungie has expressly stated continued support for the game, with fresh episodes already mapped out.

While no one can say definitively what comes next, my take is that The Final Shape represents not a full stop, but a bold exclamation point. This promises to be a momentous expansion, concluding the sprawling Light versus Dark storyline in climactic fashion.

But with Bungie’s dedication and Destiny’s endless horizons, the stage is set for another riveting saga. The Witness may fall, but Guardians’ watch continues. Destiny 2’s future burns bright. The Final Shape is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.

FAQs