In a noteworthy development for Destiny 2, game director Joe Blackburn has announced his departure from Bungie.
His decision comes after the completion of the internal playtest for the upcoming expansion, Destiny 2: The Final Shape.
Destiny 2 players are eagerly anticipating The Final Shape as the last expansion in the game’s seasonal model before it transitions to an episodic format. This shift raises questions about the future of Destiny 2, as Bungie has not revealed plans for a sequel, hinting at various other projects in development, including the revival of Marathon, a team-based action game, and an unnamed multiplayer title. Blackburn’s departure, particularly after a crucial internal playtest, has stirred discussions within the Destiny 2 community.
In a series of Twitter posts, Joe Blackburn shared his decision to leave Bungie following the completion of the “End-to-End playtest” for The Final Shape, scheduled for February 2024. Describing the playtest as a vital internal milestone integral to development since Forsaken,
Blackburn expressed pride in having played multiple hours of the delayed expansion. Tyson Green, a Bungie veteran with experience in projects like Myth 2 and Destiny 1’s Exotic Weapons, will step into the role of Destiny 2’s game director.
Bungie currently faces challenges, with community disappointment over the 2023 Lightfall expansion and a subsequent decline in Destiny 2’s popularity. The situation worsened with layoffs affecting around 100 team members, including high-profile departures like music composer Michael Salvatori. Blackburn’s departure adds to the challenges,
potentially impacting Bungie’s trajectory during this crucial period.
As Destiny 2 undergoes a significant transition, players can engage in new weekly missions named Wishes, offering rewards like exotics and raid weapons. Additionally, Bungie plans to introduce “Into the Light,” providing additional content in the lead-up to The Final Shape to address concerns about a content drought. The departure of Blackburn raises questions about the potential impact on Destiny 2’s ongoing development and the studio’s ability to navigate the current challenges it faces.