Destiny 2 players are again dealing with frustrating technical issues as Bungie is forced to disable the Destiny API for maintenance. Players have been sharing news of technical issues in Destiny 2 this December in surprising quantity. Whether it's server connection issues or strange in-game glitches affecting matchmaking and loot, Destiny 2 players are having a rough time of it. Disabling the Destiny API, however, is especially troubling.
In early December, Bungie was forced to disable the Destiny API following a set of unfortunate circumstances. Glitches in the API were leading to an increased number of disconnects and in-game errors. With the API down, users were unable to use the official Destiny 2 app and third-party websites and applications. On paper, that may not sound too serious, but Destiny 2 is in many ways built around third-party applications and websites for key functionality that Bungie has refused to add to Destiny 2 itself.
While Bungie assumedly addressed those initial issues, the problems have come back with a vengeance. As a result, Bungie has once again disabled the Destiny API for maintenance, confirming in a message on Twitter that web, mobile, and third-party apps will not be available for some time. Bungie will use this time to seek out the cause of various in-game errors that have led to disconnections and other in-game oddities. Destiny 2 itself remains available and playable in the meantime.
Perhaps the most significant issue with the Destiny API being down is that Destiny 2 players do not have access to an item manager. Both DIM, the Destiny Item Manager, and Ishtar Commander won't work while the API is disabled. It makes swapping gear between characters tedious and unmanageable without preparation. Group finders, including Bungie's own website, are also going to be disabled during this downtime.
What makes this such an unfortunate situation is that the holidays are typically a time when game developers like Bungie take time off. Live service game development can be especially harsh due to firm deadlines. Though with Lightfall launching in February, Bungie may not be getting much time off in the first place. Regardless, the holidays could definitely be playing a part in why these issues persist.
No timetable has been provided for when the Destiny API will be back live. Bungie says it will provide updates on the subject when it's able, but online game players know that it's difficult to guess when communications will be sent. What's important is that these connection problems are being investigated, and Destiny 2 will hopefully be the better for it soon.
Destiny 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.