Destiny 2 Final Shape release TIME, downtime, update 8.0.0.1 pre-load, early patch notes
The good news is that Destiny 2 expansion The Final Shape is about to launch on all platforms. The bad news is that the game will offline for server maintenance for quite some time.
After a few ups and downs over the past couple of years, Destiny 2 developer Bungie will be looking to put things right with the release of the Final Shape expansion on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. The new Destiny 2 add-on has a June 4 release date on all platforms. Unfortunately, however, fans won't actually be able to experience the new content until the conclusion of server downtime. Destiny 1 and 2 servers will be taken offline for maintenance at 5.30pm BST UK time on the afternoon of June 3. Servers will be offline until 6pm BST UK time on June 4, at which point you should be able to login and queue for matchmaking. Maintenance won't fully come to an end until 8pm BST UK time, which is when everything should be back to normal. While it's a long time to be without Destiny 2, fans can use the time to download update 8.0.0.1, which will be required to access the new content and any associated gameplay changes.
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Remarkably, The Final Shape kicks off the seventh year of content for Destiny 2, which made its debut back in 2017.
Obviously lots has changed in the seven years since launch, including the core game becoming free-to-play. Not all changes have been as well received, however, such as the decision to completely remove content from the game.
Fortunately, The Final Shape will introduce new content, including a brand new area to explore as part of the updated campaign.
According to the early patch notes, players will embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the Traveler.
The Pale Heart is described as an impossible place with an unraveling landscape. Players will face new enemies such as dual-wielding Husks, flying monsters known as the Grim, as well as fearsome duos with co-ordinated attacks.
Players will also be able to try the new Prismatic subclass, which can combine Arc, Solar, Void, Stasis, and Strand abilities.
That's on top of new weapons and Supers, not to mention unlockable armour, a new way of tracking objectives, and a new Raid.
Bungie is also replacing the traditional Season system with Episodes taking place over the course of the year.
The Final Shape year will begin with the Echoes story arc, followed by new Episodes titled Revenant and Heresy.
Bungie explains more: "Each Episode will contain new story content and rewards, including a new Exotic mission, Exotic weapon and armor.
Episodes will be split into three Acts, with a new Act releasing every six weeks—containing new stories, quests, activities, weapons, artifact mods, pass ranks, and rewards."
Needless to say, the launch of the content will be accompanied by a big new update, which will make alterations for players, whether you purchase The Final Shape or not.
Available to download now, update 8.0.0.1 will make balance changes and bug fixes, all the while adding universal new features and stability improvements.
Daily Express will be back with a full list of patch notes soon.
