As part of today’s Xbox Games Showcase Microsoft revealed an upcoming addition to the Xbox Game Pass line up in the form of expansion content for Destiny 2. Subscribers to Game Pass will get access to the base version of all the pre-existing Destiny 2 expansions as well as the new Beyond Light campaign when that launches on November 10. Game Pass users will not, however, get access to Season Pass content for the game.
Since Destiny 2 now operates with three levels of buy-in from players, some explanation of how good this deal is is necessary. Destiny 2 is available free-to-play. In this version all the content from Destiny 2 up until the Forsaken expansion is available. The two expansions released since the game went free to play, Forsaken and Shadowkeep must be purchased to play. The expansions cost $25 and $35 respectively and are often available as a bundle for $50. This is the content that Game Pass Users will get access to along with the upcoming Beyond Light expansion which is available for preorder at $40.
Above and beyond this, Bungie, Destiny 2’s developer, sells season pass content which gives players access to a variety of in-game items including experience boosts, cosmetic items, weapons, and armor. This content will not be free to Game Pass users. Game Pass subscribers are effectively getting $90-$100 worth of content but will miss out on some features that ease the grindy aspects of playing Destiny 2.
Alongside the Game Pass announcement, Microsoft revealed that the Xbox Series X will be capable of streaming Destiny 2 to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The feature was not demonstrated but examples of its use were limited to simple activities like visiting vendors. Since going free-to-play Destiny 2 has had some ups and downs. Forsaken was one of the best expansions for the game but was released before the changeover so most fans had already played it. Shadowkeep was very popular at the very beginning of the expansion but more recent seasons of the expansion have struggled.
Who can say if this Game Pass partnership will bring in the new players Destiny 2 needs?
