Bungie continues to navigate a system that seems fundamentally flawed.

In the past month, I have discussed the many issues surrounding the Edge of Fate expansion’s new Portal, which serves as a problematic substitute for the game’s seasonal update model. Recent updates have not prompted my return, and the situation is not unique to me—Bungie’s recent decisions have not curbed the departure of players, evidenced by Steam’s concurrent player counts.

Yesterday, Destiny 2 recorded its lowest daily peak concurrent player number ever: 16,067 players. This figure is notably below the previous low of 18,023, recorded during what was considered the lowest point of the last expansion cycle, Revenant.

Peak concurrent player counts provide only a limited view—showing the number simultaneously online at the busiest times and not how many played throughout the day or on other platforms. However, these figures illustrate a significant decline in player engagement.

In response to dwindling player morale, Bungie announced it will not reset seasonal power at the start of the next season. Players will retain their seasonal power momentum, avoiding the frustrating grind of starting from minimal levels.

“Seasonal Power will now carry over into Season 28 in December. There will not be a Seasonal Power reset as in past seasons.” — Destiny 2 team, source

Previously, players were concerned about losing all progress, which required them to slog through much of the game just to regain their footing.

Recent attempts by Bungie to implement changes to the Portal system have been met with skepticism, as many view the changes as superficial solutions to deeper systemic issues affecting Destiny 2’s longevity. Each week introduces more alterations and attempts to rebuild goodwill within the community, yet discontent remains prevalent and unresolved.