Destiny 2 – Bungie Offers Tone-Deaf Explanation for Starter Pack Removal

When Season of the Wish launched this week for Destiny 2, it was with the Starter Pack, a $15 bundle containing three Exotics, some upgrade materials, cosmetics and Glimmer. After negative feedback from the community, it was pulled. Bungie has issued a statement explaining the same, and it’s not quite what fans are expecting.

“We launched Season of the Wish yesterday and have been monitoring the conversation around what you’ve been enjoying and what you haven’t. We’ll start things off with the Starter Pack, which is not something bringing joy. Which is why we’ve pulled it from stores.

“We’ve heard your concerns and agreed that there are other parts of Destiny 2 that new players should want to dive into before chasing these Exotic weapons, cosmetics, and upgrade materials.”

As many comments pointed out, the Starter Pack was panned for preying on new players. All three Exotics – Traveller’s Chosen, Ruinous Effigy and Sleeper Simulant – are far from top-tier, and the amount of materials is far from ideal for those jumping in for the first time (which a new player wouldn’t know until they were deep enough).

Aside from doing nothing to address the high barrier to entry, they should be given to new players for free, perhaps bundled with an expansion. Bungie hasn’t acknowledged these complaints or other pay-to-win concerns.

Destiny 2 is currently under fire for different reasons, from the layoffs (reportedly from the game underperforming due to Lightfall’s failure) to pre-orders for The Final Shape reportedly tracking below expectations. The expansion has been delayed and will launch on June 4th, 2024, with new gameplay and details coming in April.