Destiny 2’s Struggles Signal a Make-or-Break Moment for Bungie and Sony
When Destiny 2 launched, it felt like the kind of forever-game that would print money indefinitely. A gorgeous sci-fi universe, punchy gunplay, a loyal player base stretching back a decade, it seemed unstoppable. But now? Sony just reported a $24 million impairment tied to Bungie’s assets after Destiny 2 fell short of expectations, and the situation is starting to look a lot more complicated.
Let’s break down what’s going on, why the community feels frustrated, and why the pressure on Bungie’s next big release—Marathon—is reaching critical levels.
Destiny 2: A Game People Love… in Small Doses
Even longtime fans are feeling the fatigue. Destiny 2 is still beautiful, still sounds incredible, and still delivers satisfying power-fantasy moments. But it’s telling that even its supporters often say the same thing:
They jump in when an expansion drops…
…then bounce right back out.
Why? Because the content doesn’t hold people long-term, and the excitement just isn’t there anymore. The last expansion—the one with the “morph ball” mechanic—landed with a thud. And when the hype disappears, the revenue follows.
Monetization Has Become a Major Turn-Off
Destiny’s monetization has always been a point of contention, but the shift in recent years has pushed things too far for many players.
Buying the expansion? Not enough.
Want access to dungeons? That’s another purchase.
Dungeon keys never go on sale.
Seasonal content stacks extra costs on top.
It’s fragmentation on top of fragmentation.
Even committed players are starting to feel priced out, and once your whales stop spending, your revenue tanks. That alone might explain why a game that feels “huge” can still fall short financially.
The Star Wars Crossover Might Be Destiny’s Last Big Test
Destiny is gearing up for a massive crossover with Star Wars this winter. Honestly? If that doesn’t bring lapsed Guardians back, nothing will.
Star Wars is one of the biggest brands on the planet. If the crossover doesn’t move the needle, Sony and Bungie will have to accept a hard truth: the Destiny 2 audience is shrinking, and no amount of licensed cosmetics will save it.
Marathon: The Pressure Is Cranked to 11
Before all this, Marathon was already carrying huge expectations, especially after Bungie pulled it back for retooling. But now? It’s basically the studio’s do-or-die moment. If the extraction-shooter revival doesn’t land commercially, headlines in early 2026 could be ugly. People are already quietly whispering about “restructuring,” “sell-offs,” and “major consequences” if things don’t turn around.
Is It Time for Destiny 3? A growing chunk of the community thinks so. Destiny 2 feels weighed down by old systems, old monetization decisions, and a decade of patches. A fresh start, one built on lessons from D1 and D2, might be exactly what the franchise needs.
But Destiny 3 isn’t cheap. And Sony, after a $3 billion acquisition of Bungie, is likely weighing every option very carefully.
It’s Wild That Destiny Looks “Fine” From the Outside
What’s most surprising in all this is how normal Destiny 2 looks to the average outsider. Tons of players. Tons of discussion. Tons of Twitch streams.
It feels like a healthy, thriving live-service game—so seeing Sony take a $24 million hit feels surreal.
But these numbers don’t lie. Something behind the scenes isn’t adding up.
The Future Feels More Uncertain Than Ever
Nobody thinks Bungie is going “under”—big studios like this get sold or restructured, not shuttered. But the vibes are… uneasy. Destiny 2’s trajectory isn’t great. Marathon’s pressure is sky-high. And Sony’s investment has yet to justify itself.
This winter may end up being one of the most important inflection points in Bungie’s entire history.
What Do You Think?
Is Destiny 2 salvageable with better monetization? Should Bungie go all-in on Destiny 3? And will Marathon actually hit the way Sony hopes?
Drop your thoughts and predictions in the comments—let’s get a real community discussion going.