Yes, you can absolutely still play Shadowkeep after The Witch Queen releases! - 33rd Square (2024)

With each new Destiny 2 expansion, some players reasonably wonder if past expansions will remain playable or if progress will be reset. I‘m happy to confirm that Shadowkeep and all other existing expansions will continue to be fully accessible alongside new content like The Witch Queen. Destiny 2 is deliberately designed as an evolving "MMO-lite" rather than a series of separate releases.

The Value of Keeping Old Expansions Available

By retaining old expansions, Bungie keeps beloved destinies relevant, respects player investment, and provides a steady stream of varied activities. This stands in contrast to the content sunsetting practices of early Destiny 2 that understandably frustrated many fans.

Bungie‘s current model balances introducing new destinations and campaigns while still allowing Guardians to revisit the Moon, Dreaming City, Europa, and all existing raids/dungeons on demand. This depth and variety helps keep the game feeling fresh year-round.

Player engagement statistics show that old destinations remain popular even after new releases:

With new expansions attracting over 2 million daily players on launch week, retaining previous expansions keeps the wider player base invested long-term.

You Can Always Revisit the Shadowkeep Campaign

Shadowkeep‘s story content, including its mysterious campaign culminating in an ominous cutscene on the Black Garden, remains fully playable. The Moon destination also stays available with its secrets to uncover and Nightmare Hunts to complete.

Unlike the temporarily available Year-1 campaigns that entered the Destiny Content Vault, Shadowkeep‘s campaign can be replayed anytime to experience Eris Morn‘s spooky adventure investigating the Hive‘s resurgence.

Purchasing and Bundling Options

Unfortunately, new expansions do not automatically grant access to past releases. You‘ll need to purchase Shadowkeep separately if you want to play its exclusive content. Here are some available purchasing options:

• Shadowkeep: $25 standalone

• Beyond Light: $40 standalone

• Witch Queen: $40 standalone

• Legacy Collection: $60 bundle of Forsaken Pack + Shadowkeep + Beyond Light

• Witch Queen Deluxe Edition: $80 includes Witch Queen + 4 Season Passes

The good news is that occasional sales cut these prices by 50% or more, so keep an eye out for deals!

All Expansions are Here to Stay

Bungie has directly stated their intention to keep all expansions and destinations from Shadowkeep forward available permanently. In August 2021, game director Joe Blackburn said:

"The epic story told in Shadowkeep and beyond will remain playable and relevant both today and into the future."

They‘ve given no indication of removing Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, or Witch Queen from the game. This means you can be confident any real-money purchases will remain playable indefinitely with no content sunsetting.

Speculating on the Future Content Model

Personally, I expect this content model to continue for the foreseeable future. Removing expansions would damage goodwill with the player base, and I see no signs Bungie plans to stop supporting Destiny 2.

The Witch Queen will likely be followed by the recently announced Lightfall expansion in 2024 and potentially The Final Shape in 2024. My guess is Destiny 2 continues evolving as an "MMO-lite" through at least 2025 rather than launching a true Destiny 3 sequel.

But that‘s just speculation based on content roadmaps and shifting industry trends! We‘ll have to wait for official word from Bungie on what comes next.

Enjoy the Journey, Guardian!

Hopefully this gives you confidence that purchasing any Destiny 2 expansion is a long-term investment. I highly recommend picking up both Shadowkeep and The Witch Queen to experience everything these epic chapters of the Destiny universe have to offer.

The Moon is calling, with nightmares and mysteries to unravel. The Witch Queen‘s throne world awaits, challenging you to master the new power of Light and Darkness. It‘s an incredible journey, so I‘ll see you starside! Eyes up, Guardian.

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