A Decade Ago, The Taken King Saved Destiny--And Then Cursed It

Here is a 170-word summary of the news article: Ten years ago, Bungie's Destiny was struggling until the release of its first major expansion, The Taken King, in September 2015. The Taken King revolutionized the game, adding a worthy antagonist, enriching the characters and world, and providing a clear narrative direction. It was a comeback that saved Destiny and set it on an upward trajectory. However, The Taken King also invoked a curse. Destiny has never been able to maintain the stability and quality that The Taken King achieved. The live-service model has led to a cycle of highs and lows, with Bungie constantly having to patch issues and reinvent the game. This has taken a toll on the development team, leading to burnout, mismanagement, and an uneven release schedule. While The Taken King represented the best of what Destiny could be, it also set an unrealistic standard that the studio has struggled to consistently meet. The expansion's success has both elevated and cursed the long-running franchise.