Why make this blog?

I started playing Destiny 2 in the Summer of 2024 and instantly enjoyed its crisp, minute-to-minute gameplay, tight controls, amazing weapons and rich narrative universe.

I immediately started building out my vault, grinding for rolls, invested countless hours into learning the game’s many systems and diving head first into its looter-shooter ‘loop’.

Like many fellow Guardians - I fell in love with Destiny 2.

I also want to say I have huge admiration and respect for the Bungie team dedicating themselves to the Destiny 2 game and community.

There was, however, one sadness that I couldn't escape - how poorly a job the game did at helping new players navigate around and understand its many systems and interfaces.

I would jump into LFG groups seeking guidance on starting my journey. From a mix of often resigned and cynical long time players I’d head the same thing - over and over:

• “You gotta Google it”

• “Confusing is the Bungie way.”

• “Bungie really does’t care about new players.”

• “If Bungie cared about that stuff they would have fixed it years ago.”

• “You need to use a third-party app to do that.”

Like all of those still playing Destiny 2, after investing a ton of time and patience in the game I eventually kinda sorta figured most of it out.

It shouldn’t be this way.

Many (I would argue most) gamers don’t have the time and patience to go outside the game to figure out the basics.

While there are many gamers who find enjoyment investing time and effort on the internet and Youtube learning the nuances and strategies of their favorite games, that shouldn’t be a requirement for average gamers wanting to experience Destiny 2.

As Bungie sharpens their focus on their business, in my opinion, they should feel pressure to set aside (precious, yes) team resources and revisit and refocus on Destiny 2’s new player experience and UX across a handful of interaction points that deeply impact the a new player’s experience.

Making tactical investments in the New Player Experience and overall User Experience of Destiny 2 would help:

• Increase player engagement

• Improve player retention (i.e. reducing churn)

• Increase player referrals / recommendations / word-of-mouth (i.e. decrease player acquisition cost)

• Increase player investment in in-game currency / micro-transactions

One of the most cost effective ways to increase LTV is thoughtful execution of User Experience.

My hope is that this blog and some of these suggestions get traction with the Destiny 2 community and make their way back to Bungie — where they are considered and hopefully implemented such that the Destiny community can enjoy Destiny universe for for another 10 years.

Why all Destiny 2 players should care?

While many of these suggestions are aimed at improving the new player experience, all Destiny 2 players rely on Bungie remaining financially successful.

Keeping as many players (new and old) in the Destiny 2 community is in the interest of the entire Destiny 2 community.

Getting (and keeping) as many new Destiny 2 players is in the interest of the entire Destiny 2 community.

Updates and improvements that make the game easier to play are in the interest of the entire Destiny 2 community.