A recent Destiny 2 update inadvertently wiped out a significant number of players' Bungie Names due to a malfunction in the game's moderation system. This article details the developers' response and steps players can take.
Destiny 2's Bungie Name Glitch: A Mass Username Overwrite
Bungie to Issue Name Change Tokens
Following a recent update (around August 14th), many Destiny 2 players discovered their account names replaced with "Guardian" followed by a random number sequence. This widespread issue stemmed from a glitch in Bungie's name moderation tool, designed to automatically change names violating the terms of service. However, numerous players, some with unchanged names since 2015, were affected despite adhering to the guidelines.
Bungie swiftly acknowledged the problem via Twitter (X), stating they were investigating the "high number" of affected accounts and promised further information, including a free name change token for all players.
The developers subsequently identified and resolved the underlying server-side issue, preventing further accidental name changes. While the root cause has been addressed, Bungie confirmed plans to distribute the promised name change tokens to all players at a future date. They encouraged players to remain patient and await further announcements.
Affected players can anticipate receiving a name change token and additional updates from Bungie shortly. The situation highlights the unexpected consequences of even seemingly minor game updates and underscores Bungie's commitment to resolving the issue for all affected players.