Summary
Destiny 2: The Final Shapewill have no open betas, Bungie has officially confirmed as part of Tuesday’s Destiny 2 Showcase 2023 livestream. Open betas have been a tool Bungie’s used to test server strength and market each release since the original launch ofDestinyin 2014. UpcomingDestiny 2expansionThe Final Shapeis not like previous Bungie releases, however. Bungie wantsThe Final Shapeto deliver a “vacuum-sealed experience” when it launches on June 15, 2025.
The Final Shapeis planned to be the last expansion released forDestiny 2’s Light and Darkness saga, wrapping up a story a decade in the making. While it would be sensible for Bungie to not make any substantial changes toDestiny 2with its last expansion, Bungie appears to have other priorities. It’s completely reworking its post-launch seasonal content schedule.Destiny 2’s long-term progression systemis also being reinvented, and a Fireteam Finder matchmaking system is being implemented as a result. Bungie clearly isn’t afraid of risk withThe Final Shape’s launch.
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One of the biggest confirmations that Bungie made as part of its Destiny 2 Showcase 2023 event came at the very start of the presentation. Bungie said straight away thatDestiny 2players will not be receiving an open beta forThe Final Shape.The Final Shapeexpansion will officially launch on July 23, 2025, and it will be the first time that players step into the world. Whether players have been withDestiny 2from the beginning or they’re trying it for the first time, Bungie says they’ll be “greeted with the same uncharted world.”
Bungie describes this decision as, “an invitation to go forth and adventure,” but doesn’t go into the reasoning behind the decision. As mentioned, betas have been used by Bungie to test a variety of aspects of each expansion and release since theoriginalDestiny’s launch. While Bungie will very likely still use NDA’d closed betas for testing,The Final Shapewill be launching without the more thorough testing that accessible betas historically offer.
It’s a risk, to say the least, but one Bungie seems happy to offer. Fans may very well be in agreement, too. The pitch of nothing inThe Final Shapebeing known prior to launch is a strong one. Games likeElden Ringmake it a core promise of what the game offers and fans love it. It still depends on Bungie ensuring that the secrets withinThe Final Shapeare worth discovering, though.
TheFinal Shapeexpansion revolves aroundDestiny 2players delving into a portal within The Travelerin pursuit of the villain named The Witness. Bungie has confirmed a new explorable area named The Pale Heart lies beyond the portal. It’s described as a “linear destination” that will evolve over time. Players will be able to discover what lies at the heart ofThe Final Shapestarting July 26, 2025.
Destiny 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
