Rumor: Destiny 2 is going free-to-play on September 17, coming to Steam

Bungie is preparing a revolution for Destiny 2. Rumors are now floating around concerning a business model change for the game, which is going free-to-play on September 17, 2019.

The date isn't a coincidence either; it's the day when the upcoming expansion Shadowkeep launches. The free-to-play release will feature a new name as well, Destiny 2: New Light, offering the core game for free along with all year one content, including “foundational modes, activities and rewards.” This should be effective for all platforms where Destiny 2 is available.

The new business model for Destiny 2 sounds awfully similar to the one seen in games such as Guild Wars 2. You get the core game for free – in this case, with the extra content from year one – and purchase additional expansions such as the upcoming Shadowkeep.

This rumor spread like wildfire when Engadget broke the news earlier today. However, the post was quickly deleted, not before readers captured it for posterity in images. Normally I would say to take this with a grain of salt, but it sounds so real that my mind is already getting used to the concept of free-to-play Destiny 2.

Destiny 2 will also find a new home on Steam. PC gamers will be able to migrate their progress and purchases over to Steam for free. Destiny 2 is set to appear on Google Stadia as well, when the cloud gaming service launches in November. A new cross-save feature should seal the deal, although this is only for PC and Xbox One for now, with PS4 eventually joining the fray later on.

We should learn more about this rumor later today, as Bungie reveals more about the Shadowkeep expansion.

What do you think of this move of making Destiny 2 free-to-play, in a time when we've discussed the rumors about Electronic Arts' Anthem going free-to-play as well? Is it a good move for the franchise, now that it is free from Activision's clutches?