Bungie, the developer behind the popular game Destiny 2, has addressed player concerns regarding the close proximity of the raid date to the campaign launch for the upcoming expansion "The Final Shape." Project Lead Catarina Macedo took to Twitter to provide some context and explain the reasoning behind this decision.

Macedo explained that the raid, titled "The Final Shape," will go live shortly after the expansion's release on June 7. Bungie had previously stated that completing the campaign would not serve as the grand finale of the ongoing Light and Darkness saga. Instead, players will have the opportunity to face off against the Witness, a significant character in the story, during the raid. For those who do not participate in raids, there will be an alternative way to experience the conclusion of the saga after the raid is completed.

According to Macedo, the additional content in the post-campaign phase, known as "Pale Heart," and unlocking the raid for all players is crucial for providing a cohesive and satisfying story experience. The raiders, who are considered the vanguard of the community, are expected to lead the charge in this endeavor. Macedo emphasized that in order to fully comprehend and follow the story as intended, players must complete the campaign and finish the "Wild Card" quest. These elements will ensure a linear and immersive narrative experience.

Bungie's decision to schedule the raid close to the expansion's launch is driven by the need to deliver the final fate of the Witness and the Traveler without any significant delays that may hamper the expansion's momentum. The studio wants to avoid the scenario where only a small percentage of players, known as day one raiders, would have the opportunity to experience the story through a world's first race.

A timeline for the launch of "The Final Shape" was also confirmed by Bungie. The expansion will start with seven campaign missions, followed by the raid launching three days after the release. Macedo mentioned that players will start making artifact progress from day one. The eighth and final campaign story mission will take place after the raid and is expected to serve as the ultimate showdown against the Witness.

Beyond the raid, Bungie revealed that the first episode of the Vex-focused storyline, titled "Echoes," will launch the following week at reset. This storyline will be divided into three parts and unfold over a period of four months. It remains unclear if there will be any additional quests from "The Final Shape" itself.

In summary, Bungie's decision to schedule the raid close to the expansion's launch is driven by the need to seamlessly conclude the story of "The Final Shape" within a reasonable timeframe. This approach ensures that players can experience the final fate of key characters by the end of the opening weekend. The clarification provided by Macedo has shed light on the developer's intentions, allowing players to plan accordingly in preparation for the highly anticipated expansion, set to release in a month and a half.