Forged in Fire – Chapter Three: Destiny: More Than Just a Game

“We weren’t just grinding raids. We were building trust, timing, and the kind of camaraderie that doesn’t respawn — it endures.”

Destiny: More Than Just a Game

And then there was Destiny. Yes, we absolutely loved the visceral thrill of shooting other guardians in the face in the Crucible, that chaotic dance of competitive player-vs-player combat. But for our core group, the true magic lay in the teamwork, the shared objective. We started with the foundational Strikes, learning the ropes, synchronising our abilities. As our “holy trinity” of players progressed, tackling the more challenging Nightfalls, more people from the Aircraft Weapons Bay started joining our fireteam. Soon, we moved into the epic, meticulously designed Raids, demanding intricate coordination and hours of dedication. We chased the ultimate competitive high in Trials of Osiris, racing to get a passage from Brother Vance and attempting to hit that elusive seven-win streak for the coveted loot. Together, we slayed Atheon, vanquished Crota, overcame Oryx, and smashed the final raid boss in Wrath of the Machine. We frenzied the Wolves, worshipped the unstoppable power of Gjallarhorn, revered the precision of Ice Breaker, and painstakingly solved the riddle of Outbreak Prime.

I vividly recall one particular Sunday, deep in the Prison of Elders. Myself and Jonny Clatworthy were tirelessly running around the Prison, trying to finally put an end to Skolas on the notoriously difficult Level 35. We had never managed to finish it, and complicating matters, we only ever ran Titans and Hunters – the undisputed master race, naturally. Then, a random Warlock joined our fireteam. To our absolute disbelief, this Warlock was running Self-Resurrection. Their Super ability allowed them to revive themselves when downed, essentially granting them an extra life. It was unbelievable. He single-handedly saved us on that run, allowing us to finally cross the finish line, earn some sweet loot, and claim the undisputed kudos of being the first in the bay to complete it.

Through every raid boss, every flawless run, every shared triumph and frustrated wipe, we weren’t just playing a game; we were forging friendships that have stood the test of time, continuing through its sequel, Destiny 2, and well beyond.

I finally finished my tour of Iraq and returned home about eight weeks later. Predictably, I’d heard absolutely nothing back about the funding bids or the room applications. Was I surprised? Not really. In many corners, esports and gaming still suffered from a lot of negative press, often seen by some of the elder generation in the Service as an activity responsible for wilful social exclusion. Perhaps apathetic. This might sound a little controversial, but it’s not intended to be. These same ‘dinosaurs’ hailed from a mentality that suggested you should be going to the pub every night, drinking your feelings until you passed out. It was simply a different era, a different mindset. I distinctly remember speaking with my Weapons Trade Manager at the time, telling him, “One day, I’ll be participating in Esports for the RAF.” His response? A definitive, “Not in my Air Force!”

Next time on Forged in Fire…

The waiting game ends, and the hustle begins.

In Chapter Four: Bureaucracy and Battle Plans, we return home from Iraq with zero responses and a pile of silence — but that’s not where this ends. If Destiny taught us anything, it’s how to handle a grind. From admin walls to door-watching diplomacy, we take our first real steps toward making RAF Esports a reality.