Bungie details Destiny 2's open beta for PC after console test

Update 2: For the first time, Destiny 2 will be available for PC on October 24 through Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service. Beginning August 29, players worldwide are invited to experience Destiny 2 on PC, including the opening story mission, Homecoming, along with cooperative and competitive modes. All who preorder Destiny 2 can jump into the action with early access to the beta on August 28.

Bungie and Activision announced the early launch date for Destiny 2 on Xbox One scheduled for September 6.  The PC version launch date is scheduled for October 24 and is now available to preorder via Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service. For those wondering, Bungie confirmed that the game would be upgraded for Xbox One X.

Debuted during the Sony E3 briefing was Destiny 2’s latest cinematic story trailer Our Darkest Hour featuring the ominous villain, Dominus Ghaul. The Destiny 2 console beta early access period for Xbox One players who preordered will begin on July 19 at 6 PM BST. Following the preorder early access period, the Destiny 2 console beta will open up to all Xbox One players on July 21 at 6 PM BST and will conclude at 5 AM BST on July 23. The PC beta kick off is planned for late August.

“Everyone always says that they can’t wait for fans to get their hands on their game. But we really mean it. Destiny 2 looks so awesome, I’m thrilled to announce that we are moving the release date up to September 6”, said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision. “We are also hard at work with our friends at Bungie optimising Destiny 2 for the PC, which we will be releasing in all its glory on October 24. And tonight, we are taking a deeper look at Ghaul, our villain in Destiny 2, who the world is going to love to hate. It’s going to be a big week for Destiny fans.”

Bungie CEO Pete Parsons said, “For all of us at the studio, this is a humbling year to see the vision of the Destiny universe welcome its sequel, and for us, the most exciting part is to see what stories this amazing community will tell once it is in their hands.”  He added, “We had an industry-defining moment at our Destiny 2 gameplay reveal in May, and at E3, the team is expanding hands-on to showcase a new subclass and will continue to highlight the vast variety of hands-on experiences that appeal to both solo and multiplayer gamers.”

For those who don’t know, Destiny 2 is the sequel to the internationally-acclaimed Destiny, a first-person action game that takes the player on an epic journey to defend humanity from annihilation. In the story of Destiny 2, the last safe city on Earth has fallen and lies in ruins, occupied by a powerful new enemy Dominus Ghaul and his elite army, the Red Legion. Every player creates their own character called a Guardian, humanity’s chosen protectors. As a Guardian in Destiny 2, players must master new abilities and weapons to reunite the city’s forces, stand together and fight back to reclaim their home. The game will offer a fresh start to all players with no previous knowledge or background needed.

Update 1: Instead of ending today, The Destiny 2 open beta has been extended until July 25.