Destiny 1 and 2 have always featured social spaces that act as hubs for players to gather, relax, and prepare for their next adventure. While these spaces were primarily functional, they also had a lot of potential for fun, social, and engaging activities. Here’s a list of neat or fun activities that could have been included to make these spaces more lively and interactive:
1. Mini-Games
• Target Practice: Shooting galleries or holographic shooting challenges with leaderboard rankings.
• Sparrow Racing Arena: A small, looped Sparrow racing track within the social space.
• Chess or Checkers: Simple board games players could sit down and play with each other.
• Dancing Competitions: Interactive dance-offs with emotes, judged by nearby players or a randomized AI.
2. Exploration and Interaction
• Scavenger Hunts: Weekly or seasonal hidden items to find within the Tower or Farm.
• Hidden Lore Rooms: Secret areas unlocked through puzzles or exploration that contain lore items or Easter eggs.
• Petting Zoo: Areas to interact with wildlife, like the chickens in the Farm or space animals unique to Destiny’s world.
3. Skill-Based Activities
• Obstacle Courses: Timed parkour or jumping puzzles where players compete or try to beat their own records.
• Holo-Training: A simulation area where players could practice abilities against harmless holographic enemies.
• Weapon Testing Range: An area where players could test weapons on moving targets, with advanced analytics on their performance.
4. Seasonal and Festive Events
• Snowball Fights: During the Dawning event, snowball fights could be a playful addition to the Tower.
• Costume Contests: Temporary displays or voting booths for players to show off their Transmog designs during events like Festival of the Lost.
• Fireworks Displays: A feature for players to contribute materials to build community-wide fireworks celebrations.
5. Social and Community Features
• Musical Instruments: Playable instruments (like drums or keyboards) to jam out with friends.
• Photo Booths: Stations for taking group photos with themed backdrops.
• Shared Spaceships: Docked ships or vehicles players could board to chill together or explore.
• Player-Run Stalls: Temporary kiosks where players could “sell” shaders, emblems, or trade materials in limited exchanges.
6. Rewards and Customization
• Customization Zones: Stations to tweak weapon and armor looks with expanded options.
• Seasonal Badges or Titles: Display areas to show off special achievements or collect badges from activities in the social spaces.
7. Live Events
• Arena Matches: Live broadcasts of Crucible or Gambit matches on holographic screens.
• Parades or Rallies: NPC-led or player-influenced events to celebrate seasonal or story milestones.
8. Cooperative or Role-Playing Activities
• Cooking Stations: Players could cook themed meals or treats together using materials gathered in-game.
• Lore Theater: Performances or reenactments of major story moments by NPCs or even players.
• Mentor Systems: Areas where veterans could guide new players through game mechanics with incentives.
9. Community Progression Projects
• Building Projects: Community-driven efforts to construct monuments or upgrade features in the social space over time.
• Faction Challenges: Weekly faction-based competitions that directly alter the social space’s visuals or ambiance based on the winning faction.
Adding these elements could have made Destiny’s social spaces more than just a functional hub, turning them into vibrant places where players could spend time even when not actively chasing loot or story progression.