Destiny 2’s PC player count has plummeted, dropping from its peak of 316,651 players to an average of 34,829. This marks a significant decline of almost 90% in 2023 alone.
The decline in players can be attributed to several factors. The Lightfall expansion received heavy criticism for its lackluster story and mediocre content delivery. Players also find the game to be expensive and grindy compared to other free-to-play options. Additionally, the recent staff layoffs at Bungie have not helped in boosting the player population.
Steam players are not surprised by the drop in player count, as Destiny 2 has evolved significantly since its launch in 2017. Many feel that Bungie is prioritizing monetization over delivering quality content.
Another reason for the stagnant player count is the difficulty new players face in getting into the game. While the base game is free-to-play, there are numerous paid DLCs and expansions that unlock content. The lack of a comprehensive bundle including all DLCs confuses new players.
Although 30,000 concurrent players may seem like a substantial number, it pales in comparison to other free-to-play games like Warframe. It remains to be seen whether the Destiny 2 developers will make efforts to update the game and attract new players.
| Date | Player Count |
|---|---|
| Jan. 30, 2023 | 316,651 |
| Nov. 19, 2023 | 34,829 |
Source: DOTESPORTS
