Destiny 2: The Final Shape, the long-awaited expansion that brought the Light and Darkness saga to a close, finally landed on June 4, 2024, following a four-month delay. While the expansion has been universally praised for its gripping narrative and emotional depth, it turns out that the original ending cutscene was a far cry from what players experienced in the final release.
Bungie recently lifted the curtain on the development process of The Final Shape, revealing a wealth of concept art, visual effects, and animations that offer an intriguing look into the creative journey behind the expansion.
Among these revelations was a pre-delay version of the ending cutscene that has left many players breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that the changes made during the delay were for the best.
The Cutscene That Almost Was
The pre-delay ending cutscene, titled “Ghost shipping cut,” was uploaded by Jacob Saunderson, a VFX artist at Bungie, to his YouTube channel as an unlisted video. The video, which has since been taken down, can still be viewed on the Destiny Bulletin YouTube channel:
In this version of the cutscene, which takes place after the 12-player Excision mission, the Guardian uses a combination of Light and Darkness to revive their dead Ghost. While still impactful, this ending obviously lacks the emotional gut-punch that made it to the final cut!
The cutscene that made it into the final version of The Final Shape, also courtesy of Saunderson, takes a very different approach. In this version, Cayde-6, the fan-favorite Exo who has been missing in action since his untimely demise in Forsaken, makes a surprise appearance to sacrifice himself and bring the Guardian’s Ghost back to life.
This emotional farewell to Cayde-6, as he dissipates into the Light, adds a layer of depth and resonance to the ending that was missing in the pre-delay version. The final cutscene is, undoubtedly, a powerful conclusion to the Light and Darkness saga, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the Destiny universe.
The Power of Delays (If Done Right)
The significant differences between the pre-delay and final release versions of The Final Shape’s ending cutscene highlight the significance of Bungie’s announced four-month delay in 2023. While delays can be frustrating for players eagerly awaiting new content, they often result in a more polished and impactful final product.
In the case of The Final Shape, the delay allowed Bungie’s developers to fine-tune the story further, inject greater emotional depth, and deliver a more satisfying conclusion to the Light and Darkness saga. The decision to bring back Cayde-6 for a final, heart-wrenching appearance is proof of the creative vision and dedication of the team at Bungie.
While it’s fascinating to see what could have been, most Destiny 2 players will likely agree that the final version of The Final Shape‘s ending cutscene was well worth the wait. As the Destiny community looks forward to the future of the franchise, they can take comfort in knowing that Bungie is dedicated to crafting powerful, emotionally engaging stories that will continue to captivate players for years to come.
For the complete collection of The Final Shape artwork, check out the official ArtStation Magazine post here.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape is now available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
