Destiny 2 Unveils 'Codename: Frontiers' With Two Expansions Per Year

Destiny 2's Revolutionary New Content Model

In what might be the most significant structural change since Destiny 2's launch, Bungie is abandoning the traditional annual expansion model that has defined the franchise since Shadowkeep. Starting in 2025, Guardians can expect:

• Two medium-sized expansions released every six months
• Four major updates of FREE content throughout the year (one every three months)
• Each expansion launching alongside a major update, with another update following three months later

This new approach aims to deliver more consistent content while giving Bungie's creative teams freedom to experiment with different gameplay formats and storytelling approaches.

Introducing "Codename: Apollo" – The First New-Era Expansion

The first expansion under this revolutionary model is codenamed "Apollo," which Bungie describes as a nonlinear character-driven adventure. Apollo marks the beginning of a brand new multi-year saga with a fresh core theme, officially moving beyond the Light and Darkness saga that concludes with The Final Shape.

Game Director Tyson Green explained the motivation behind these changes: "We want to break away from the formulaic expansion model to create space for innovation." This means future expansions could experiment with:

• Non-linear campaign structures
• Exploration experiences similar to the beloved Dreaming City
• Metroidvania-inspired progression systems
• Experimental formats like roguelikes or survival shooters

What's Changing in Destiny 2's Storytelling?

Narrative Director Alison Lührs revealed that Apollo will feature a significant departure from recent storytelling methods. Players can expect:

• Nonlinear storytelling where Guardians choose which narrative threads to explore first
• Player-driven progression based on discovery rather than time-gated content
• A more mysterious approach to world-building
• New characters and factions as part of the fresh saga

"We want players to feel like they're truly exploring the unknown again," said Lührs. "The days of predictable weekly story beats are giving way to something more dynamic and player-directed."

Core Game Improvements: Simplicity and Meaningful Rewards

Beyond the content model changes, Bungie is addressing two fundamental areas of Destiny 2 that have grown increasingly complex over the years:

The Portal: Modernizing the User Interface

A complete UI overhaul dubbed "The Portal" aims to simplify Destiny 2's notoriously complex activity structure. This new interface will make it easier for both new and returning players to discover activities and understand progression paths.

Challenge and Rewards That Matter

Bungie is implementing an enhanced Challenge Customization system with gameplay modifiers that allow players to tailor difficulty levels. Importantly, higher challenge activities will provide access to premium legendary gear like:

• Adept weapons with enhanced perk pools
• Artifice armor with additional mod slots
• New reward types yet to be revealed

"We want your gear choices and challenge preferences to feel meaningful again," explained the development team. "The higher the risk, the better the rewards."

A New Era for Guardians

With "Codename: Frontiers," Bungie is clearly responding to player feedback about content pacing while also giving their creative teams more flexibility. The shift to two medium-sized expansions per year addresses the common complaint of content droughts between major releases.

For veteran Guardians who've been around since Destiny 2's launch in 2017 (or even the original Destiny in 2014), these changes represent perhaps the most significant evolution in how the game delivers content and storytelling.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment as Destiny 2 prepares to conclude its decade-long Light and Darkness saga with The Final Shape, setting the stage for this new frontier in 2025. Whether these ambitious changes will successfully reinvigorate the franchise remains to be seen, but Bungie's willingness to dramatically reimagine their approach shows a commitment to Destiny 2's long-term future.