Destiny 2 developer Bungie has pulled a controversial $15 "starter pack" from their in-game store following a significant player backlash over its "pay-to-win" contents. The pack, introduced with the new Season of the Wish, contained powerful weapons and resources that would typically require extensive gameplay to acquire, marking a departure from Destiny 2's usual cosmetic and time-saving microtransactions. This move was heavily criticized by the game's community and content creators alike, signalling that it crossed a line into pay-to-win territory.

The reaction was swift, with players taking to the Steam reviews to tag the game with phrases like "Capitalism," "Crime," and "Psychological Horror" to express their displeasure. Bungie responded by removing the pack from the store, although they have declined to comment on the issue when approached. The controversy comes at a difficult time for Bungie, having recently laid off 8% of their staff due to lower than expected revenue and facing a challenge of revitalizing player interest ahead of Destiny 2's final chapters.

Destiny 2, a long-standing live-service shooter, has been through various monetization strategies, with a mix of paid expansions and microtransactions supporting the game. This latest incident has highlighted the ongoing tension between maintaining a fair play environment and generating revenue through additional content sales.