Activision and Bungie have today announced that the very first expansion pack for Destiny, titled The Dark Below, will launch on December 9th with a relatively hefty price-tag of £19.99. If you own the Destiny Expansion Pass you’ll be able to download it at no extra cost.

o   New weapons, armour and gear to earn, including Legendary and Exotic items

o   Light Level cap raised to 32 and five additional Bounty slots added

o   New story quests and missions – after years hiding amongst the Hive shadows, a new character, Eris, has come forth bearing an ominous warning: The Hive seek to summon a god, Crota, to destroy the Earth. Find Eris in the Tower to take on special quests that include three new missions where you will increase your Light and earn new rewards

o   New co-operative Strike, The Will of Crota, pits you and your Fireteam against Omnigul as she works to expand the Hive army at the command of her master, Crota

o   Three new competitive multiplayer arenas

• Pantheon – set deep within the Black Garden in an ancient Vex temple that features Vex-designed landscapes and tight corridors
• Skyshock – an old interplanetary defence array that offers both vehicle and infantry engagements
• The Cauldron – an abandoned Hive ritual site that offers close-quarter combat

o   New six-player Raid, Crota’s End, set deep within the depths of the Hellmouth

o   PlayStation platforms will also get access to an exclusive co-operative Strike, The Undying Mind and an exotic weapon, and more (timed exclusive until at least Autumn 2015)

In an interview with Eurogamer Bungie noted the criticism toward Destiny’s lackluster story and were keen to point out that this new expansion would be attempting a new form of storytelling.

“What you’ll see in this expansion, it’s going to be a very different approach to telling a new story to players than the thematically-driven story from the original launch of the game. It’s going to feel much more loot driven and story driven in that it’s going to feel faster-paced with more action as you go through it, and with exposition. The important thing about Eris is, this story is going to be her story, and she’s going to send you on a mission that’s a lot of fun.”