Warframe Devs on Destiny 2 Shutdown: 'No One Is Celebrating'
It is common in the gaming industry to see fierce rivalries between developers, but for the team behind Warframe, the end of Destiny 2 brings no sense of relief or professional victory. Following Bungie's announcement that it would cease live service support for its flagship shooter, the developers at Digital Extremes have expressed deep disappointment, labeling the news as “earth-shattering.”
The final major update for Destiny 2, the Monument of Triumph, arrived on June 9. While players have flocked back to the game for one last experience, the sentiment at Digital Extremes remains somber. Megan Everett, Community Director and Live Ops Lead at Digital Extremes, spoke candidly about the industry impact, stating that “no one is celebrating” the conclusion of Bungie’s title.
“I’m speaking personally, but I know people would echo it as well,” Everett told Eurogamer. “No one is celebrating the fact that this has happened to Destiny, and its players, and that story. I know people have obviously compared us in terms of being ‘direct competitors’ and stuff like that, but I think a game is healthy when you have competitors.”
Competition as a Catalyst for Growth
For the Warframe development team, the presence of a giant like Destiny 2 served as a benchmark that pushed them to refine their own work. Everett noted that the constant comparison between the two games was often beneficial, as each title occupied a unique space and catered to different player expectations.
“I think we’re so used to seeing a Warframe and Destiny comparison almost every single day working on the community team,” Everett said. “This can be a conversation that’s beneficial, seeing two games that are similar but are so different elsewhere, catering to two very different crowds.”
Everett also addressed the perception that the end of a rival is a boon for the remaining titles in the genre. “I think I would never say that what has happened to Destiny is a good thing, even though it 'eliminates a competitor.' I think competition is healthy. I’ve said forever, I never expect anyone to only play Warframe. You would burn out so fast if you did. So having other games that scratch a similar itch is healthy for our genre.”
Industry Impact
The personal connection to the Destiny community is also a factor in the team's reaction. Digital Extremes has gone as far as creating a special tribute to the game, and Everett emphasized that the loss is felt on a human level, noting that she has close friends who play Destiny over Warframe.
“Overall, I hate to see that happen to them,” she said. “We have friends over there; to see this happen to them is devastating to the industry. To live in a reality where they’re gone isn’t a positive one.”
Despite the end of one of its most prominent competitors, Warframe continues its own development cycle. The team recently launched the Jade Shadows: Constellations update on June 17, marking the game's continued path forward even as the broader gaming landscape faces the loss of a major title.