Destiny 2: Edge of Fate Was a Disappointment

While Destiny 2: Edge of Fate ushered in a new era with a smooth launch, its first-day player numbers fell well short of expectations. While the expansion’s story was well-received, Steam data suggests this wasn’t reflected in player interest.

Destiny 2: Edge of Fate Player Counts Fall Short of Expectations

According to SteamDB data, Edge of Fate reached only 99,193 concurrent players on its launch day. This marks the lowest first-day peak for an expansion since Destiny 2’s launch on Steam in 2019. For comparison, Lightfall reached 316,750 players, and The Final Shape reached 314,634. Edge of Fate fell short of a third of those figures.

There are several reasons for this decline in player numbers. First, Edge of Fate begins a new saga after The Final Shape, which concluded a 10-year story. This may have been a natural departure for some players. Furthermore, Bungie’s recent layoffs and poor communication with the community have eroded player trust.

Reviews of the story have been quite positive. The new characters and tonal shift have been hailed as a “fresh start” by many players. However, this appreciation hasn’t translated into widespread support. Steam player numbers and emblem tracking data reveal 50% fewer pre-orders compared to The Final Shape.

Still, hope is not lost. This weekend, the new raid, The Desert Perpetual, awaits players with a 48-hour special mode for the “World First” title. Whether Bungie can revitalize its player base with this new content remains to be seen.

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