Destiny's competitive 4v4 player-vs-player mode Trials of the Nine, which is currently on an unspecified hiatus from rotational play, celebrates its birthday this week.

First released as the Trials of Osiris in Bungie's first title release, and initially 3v3 in Destiny, the game mode was seen as the pinnacle of competitive play in the science fiction looter-shooter. Many Guardians grinded through all aspects of the game simply to collect the weapons and equipment best suited for Trials, and based their prestige in the game on whether or not they had "reached the lighthouse", which meant they had remained undefeated through seven straight matches.

While the game mode is on hiatus, Bungie's community manager Dylan "dmg04" Gafner still took to social media to celebrate its birthday. He shared stories about his adventures in the competitive playlist, from when he first started playing it regularly four years ago.

"I was living on a friend's couch, and was entering my first weekend after starting at Bungie," Gafner said. "I had no idea of what Trials of Osiris would be. I spent 36 hours over the course of the first Trials weekend playing with friends and managed to go flawless three times. The Messenger was my first flawless reward."

"My final run was shared with a good friend," he continued. "We'd been in the same clan for seven years, were from the same city, and still talk to this day. After originally meeting at PAX in Seattle, I told him that I'd love to work for Bungie some day. That last weekend, we celebrated by going flawless.

"Tuesday came and I went into work a bit tired from all the games. At the time I was going through training. My manager asked me why my eyes were so bloodshot, and I showed him my flawless rewards. He nodded silently, with a tinge of jealousy, and gave me a pat on the back in understanding.

"Trials will always have a special place in my heart. I love seeing all the videos being shared."

Destiny's competitive Trials of Osiris mode is currently still on hiatus. There is no indication that Bungie plans to bring the weekly 4v4 mode back in this current game release.