Although Halo Infinite's delay left the Xbox Series X launch lineup looking a bit worse for wear, it appears that Destiny 2: Beyond Light on Xbox Game Pass has quickly become one of Microsoft's most enticing next-gen prospects.
It was recently revealed that the Xbox Series X is due to launch on November 10, 2020. Microsoft's smaller, more affordable console, the Xbox Series S, is scheduled to debut the same day. Both versions have one thing in common: Xbox Game Pass, through which Destiny 2: Beyond Light will be available free of charge.
A recent piece published over at Forbes noted something particularly interesting linking Destiny 2: Beyond Light to the newly confirmed Xbox Series X launch - they have the exact same release date.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light wasn't actually supposed to launch on November 10 - it was delayed earlier this year as a result of the coronavirus. So now, thanks to the expansion's availability via Xbox Game Pass, Destiny 2: Beyond Light has become an Xbox Series X launch title.
When you break it down, the fact that Destiny has replaced Halo - almost entirely by coincidence - is pretty funny.
Bungie originally left Microsoft and Halo behind in order to go indie and work on Destiny. Six years later, they're coming back to replace their old series with their new one as Microsoft's next-gen flagship launch title.
While the November launch window is swamped with major next-gen releases - from Cyberpunk 2077 to Assassin's Creed Valhalla - the Beyond Light expansion is the only one launching on Xbox Game Pass. On top of that, Xbox Series X is launching approximately a week before PS5, meaning that Game Pass has afforded Xbox Series X players a totally accidental timed-exclusivity window - for free!
It's likely just a coincidence, but it's a pretty happy one.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light launches on November 10, 2020. As mentioned above, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S arrive the same day.