Destiny 2 Player Count Has Now Fallen Below Curse of Osiris Lows

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Destiny 2's daily online player population has fallen below the levels seen during the 2017 Curse of Osiris expansion, a period previously identified by Bungie as a critical point where the game was weeks away from shutting down.
02
Between late September and October 11, 2025, the game's total daily online population fluctuated between approximately 284,000 and 377,000 players.
03
While the game continues to attract new players at a consistent rate, it is failing to retain them, resulting in a stagnant or declining overall player base.
04
Community sentiment has been negatively impacted by recent updates, specifically the 'Ash & Iron' release, which players criticized for prioritizing paid Eververse armor sets over earnable content, including the reuse of seven-year-old armor assets for Iron Banner.
05
High-profile content creators are increasingly stepping away from the game, citing ongoing issues with community toxicity, burnout, and frustration regarding the game's current direction.
06
The long-term stability of the franchise is under increased scrutiny as the studio faces pressure to successfully launch its next title, Marathon, following a period of internal challenges and project delays.

Summary

Destiny 2 has reached a critical inflection point, with active player counts falling below the historic lows recorded during the 2018 Curse of Osiris expansion. This decline is particularly concerning given that Bungie previously identified the 2018 period as a moment when the franchise was nearing total closure. Current data reveals record-low Steam averages of approximately 17,400 players, while total daily active users across all platforms have frequently dipped below 300,000. These figures represent the most significant contraction in the title’s history, signaling a profound struggle to maintain long-term engagement.

The erosion of the player base is compounded by a perceived shift in corporate strategy, as Bungie appears to be prioritizing the development of its upcoming title, Marathon. This pivot has fostered a sense of abandonment among the core community, further exacerbated by recent content updates. The Ash & Iron release has become a focal point for this dissatisfaction, as players express frustration over a widening disparity between premium Eververse offerings and the lack of meaningful, earnable rewards. The reliance on reskinned, legacy gear for core activities like the Iron Banner has intensified criticisms regarding the game’s value proposition.

Ultimately, the combination of stagnant retention rates, declining participation, and deteriorating community trust places the franchise in a state of significant uncertainty. While the game continues to attract new users, the inability to convert these players into a stable, long-term base suggests that the current live-service model is failing to meet expectations. Without a strategic realignment to address content quality and player sentiment, the title faces an increasingly difficult path toward stabilization.