Bungie has been uncharacteristically beneficiant as of late. At first look, it appears that evidently Future 2 gamers are consuming nicely. However Bungie’s change of tempo doesn’t learn like its ordinary alternate for goodwill — one thing that particularly rings true when wanting on the state of the studio. 

Bungie is in a traditionally unhealthy spot. Following an acquisition by Sony, there’s stress on the studio to carry out. As IGN’s Rebekah Valentine beforehand reported, staff referred to as the ambiance “soul-crushing” following a spherical of layoffs and delay for The Ultimate Form, with each reportedly as a result of Future 2 lacking its income objectives by 45%. 

The studio wants The Ultimate Form to do exceedingly nicely. The one drawback is Bungie has created a participant retention nightmare with blows to morale and mistrust. It’s exhausting sufficient to maintain gamers engaged all through a complete yr, even below ‘regular’ circumstances. With a prolonged delay and no large-scale deliberate content material to tide gamers over in between, Future 2’s inhabitants has had a few of its worst days ever. And whereas the inhabitants information solely accounts for PC gamers on Steam, dependable numbers aren’t out there for different platforms.

There’s the standard, free pattern strategy in reside service ways, however this has by no means been Bungie’s fashion of “generosity.” As a substitute of the standard content material that has appeared between expansions, just like the $25 Bungie thirtieth Anniversary Pack or the purely beauty Armor Synthesis characteristic, Future 2 gamers at the moment are seeing extra complimentary rewards and long-requested options like free weekly Vibrant Mud, the profitable Riven’s Needs questline, new pinnacle weapons, character edits, and extra. Bungie is aware of it must hold followers invested, and in what looks as if a mad sprint for participant retention, the studio is pulling out all the stops.

A frantic scramble

In November 2023, I wrote about how Future 2 had obtained a blow that appeared inconceivable to get better from. The concept was that Future 2 depends on steady engagement as a reside service sport. The breadth of content material Bungie provides to the sport is barely financially justified if it could actually hold gamers spending. It’s not sufficient to take a look at an enlargement’s story and be in your merry means; Bungie wants gamers to spend cash all year long. And, for essentially the most half, Future 2 is well-designed round this monetization. 

Need to take a look at the brand new seasonal story? Purchase the season. Need to do the brand new Dungeon? Purchase a Dungeon Key. Need to appear to be Garrus from Mass Impact? You’ll be able to wager your backside greenback that you simply’ll be shelling out for Future’s Silver premium forex. Whereas there’s definitely an argument to be made relating to the over-monetization of Future 2, the entire idea solely works if gamers are, nicely, taking part in.

So, when a delay extends Lightfall for one more three months amid above-average participant drop-off and adverse group sentiment, what can Bungie do? The plan, it seems, is to make a proposal too good to refuse. Bungie isn’t able to set a workforce upon cobbling collectively new content material to fill the void, however what about free stuff each week? What about that character customization characteristic devs pleaded with Bungie so as to add? That will be manageable. Don’t get me mistaken, I’ve nothing in opposition to Bungie’s atypical parade of goodwill, and it’s a standard reside service strategy. However in Bungie’s case, it looks like a reactionary ploy to get gamers invested now that Season 23 is all however concluded and the lengthy look ahead to The Ultimate Form begins in earnest.

The opposite aspect of the coin

So, what does Bungie get out of being beneficiant? Effectively, the apparent prize is successful again a number of the group’s goodwill. In any other case, it’s all about giving gamers a style of the excessive life to entice future purchases. For instance, free Vibrant Mud is incredible. It lets gamers purchase a beauty or two they wouldn’t have the ability to in any other case. Nevertheless it additionally forces gamers to peruse the shop, dangling Future’s different cool choices solely obtainable utilizing Silver. Certain, everybody received’t give in to temptation and add premium forex to their cart, nevertheless it’s exhausting to withstand the endorphin rush after you’ve had a style without spending a dime. 

All of those current openhanded additions result in the same loop. Gamers can get somewhat as long as they make investments somewhat. Now, I’m not outright in opposition to what’s occurring right here. Regardless of the way it would possibly generally sound, I need Future 2 to succeed. It must rekindle some success, and if these hooks are the highway there, then I’m for it. Admittedly, there’s additionally the brand new Recreation Director, Tyson Inexperienced, to contemplate as a variable. Although Inexperienced’s enter definitely might have been concerned, it might stand to motive that a lot of this content material, like Riven’s Needs quests, was being labored on or accomplished lengthy earlier than Joe Blackburn introduced the change in management.

As at all times, I received’t look a present horse within the mouth. I’d love for these strikes to sign a extra vital change in course for the studio as a complete. And I don’t suppose many gamers will ever complain about having extra to do in Future 2. However, for now, I can’t assist however really feel like weekly Riven’s Needs quests, Vibrant Mud presents, and rotating new weapons are a intelligent option to hold individuals taking part in till the massive present hits through The Ultimate Form in June.