Destiny 2 Saved by Fans: New Update 9.7.0.5 Details and Changes

The Revival of Destiny 2

Following a tumultuous period marked by massive layoffs at Bungie—largely driven by Sony's shifting priorities and the underwhelming reception of Marathon—the future of Destiny 2 seemed uncertain. Sony's heavy-handed restructuring heavily impacted the division dedicated to Bungie's premier MMO FPS, pushing resources away from the beloved sci-fi shooter in favor of extraction-based gameplay. However, the passionate community quickly made their voices heard, demonstrating overwhelming support for Destiny 2 over the studio's newer endeavors. This powerful show of loyalty successfully compelled Bungie and its publisher to realign their strategic focus, breathing new life into the franchise and promising fresh content.

What Does Update 9.7.0.5 Change?

As players eagerly await larger content drops and the potential horizon of a true sequel, Bungie has rolled out a preliminary update to signal its recommitment to the game. Designated as patch 9.7.0.5, this update primarily targets the game's backend infrastructure rather than introducing sweeping gameplay overhauls. Instead of new weapons, raids, or activities, the patch focuses heavily on economy integrity and anti-cheat measures.

Specifically, the update tackles a prominent exploit where malicious cheaters were able to flood innocent players with unearned rewards and experience points. With the new backend code in place, Bungie can now accurately distinguish between perpetrators and unwitting victims. Accounts actively utilizing these exploits for malicious gains will face strict penalties, while innocent players caught in the crossfire will remain unpunished.

Patch Notes 9.7.0.5 Overview

According to the official communication released by the Destiny 2 team, the general updates included in this patch are:

• Backend Code Optimization: Addressed vulnerabilities allowing exploiters to distribute unearned XP and rewards to other players.
• Account Enforcement: Implemented disciplinary actions strictly targeting malicious exploit users while ensuring innocent bystanders are protected from false bans.
• Reporting Systems: Encouraged the community to continue utilizing official support channels to report suspicious behavior and gameplay exploits.

While patch 9.7.0.5 may not shake up the meta or introduce dazzling new arenas, it represents a crucial first step in cleaning up the game's ecosystem. As Bungie transitions back to prioritizing its flagship universe, fans can look forward to a healthier, more secure gaming environment while anticipating major updates ahead.