Destiny 2 Player Count Declines During Controversial Season

As 2024 draws to a close, the player base for Destiny 2 continues to diminish, particularly on PC. Following a significant surge in popularity with the release of The Final Shape in June, which saw over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam, the game’s audience has sharply decreased.

The recent launch of Episode Revenant in October did lead to a minor resurgence, yet peak player counts on Steam have remained below the five-figure mark since July 2024. Various issues, including persistent bugs like incorrect perk weightings and malfunctioning events, have contributed to growing discontent among the community. Additionally, many players have voiced their frustration over the removal of seasonal weapon crafting options.

Declining PC Population for Destiny 2

According to Steam Charts, Destiny 2 recorded a mere 11,700 concurrent players on December 19, 2024. This is a stark indicator of the game’s downward trajectory.

destiny 2 steamcharts player count — SteamCharts

The player count on that date fell below 15,000, marking it as one of the lowest recorded numbers for the game. While Steam Charts lacks comprehensive historical data, it is evident that December 2024 is shaping up to be the most challenging month for Destiny 2 on Steam, with a peak of 36,896 players. This figure stands in stark contrast to October and November’s peak player counts of 89,512 and 53,135, respectively.

destiny 2 steamcharts all time — SteamCharts

If December’s peak does not surpass September’s count of 41,373, it will be officially recorded as the lowest player count in the game’s history.

These statistics only account for Steam players, as detailed player counts for console versions remain unavailable due to the policies of Microsoft and Sony. Nonetheless, console player numbers are expected to be higher, given that Destiny 2 originated as a console-exclusive title.

The Future of Destiny 2

Experiencing fluctuations in player counts between substantial updates is not new to Destiny 2. All live-service games typically endure lulls between major expansions. However, as Bungie shifts away from the conventional expansion model, introducing Episodes that do not provide the anticipated overhaul of seasonal content, players are left in a state of uncertainty.

Looking ahead, fans are aware that Bungie has ambitious plans for 2025, particularly with the upcoming Frontiers, which promises a new approach to content delivery. Yet, without clear details on what this strategy entails, the gaming community is left speculating about the future of Destiny 2.

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