Is Bungie’s Destiny the MMOFPS you have been waiting for?
Its not very often that we here at Gamebreaker get to talk about console games. Often seen by many of our PC loving brethren to be the inferior species. But after all, we are GAMEbreaker, we like to talk about GAMES and there’s something about this upcoming reveal that has got us a little bit excited.
Destiny is the working title for a game that is hot on peoples lips at the moment and its world reveal is coming very, very soon. According to both the developers, Bungie, and those playing the ARG (alternate reality game) the reveal is coming as soon as Sunday, February 17th. Dun dun dunnnnn…
But what is Destiny I hear you cry? Well for the uninitiated we thought we’d provide you a run down of everything we know about the mysterious game. Read on to learn more…
What is Destiny?
Project Destiny was the original codename (Alongside Project Tiger) for the up and coming sci-fi game under developed by the independent studio, Bungie, in partnership with Activision. So whats the big deal there? Bungie are of course the studio that brought the world Halo for the original Xbox console back in 2001. In 10 short years Bungie created one of the most enthralling sci-fi universes that spanned 5 games and produced two of the highest grossing video game launch events in history. From a business perspective that’s quite an achievement.
In 2010 Bungie cast away the shackles of Halo onto the newly formed 343 Industries, in order to work on a new IP which had app
arently originally started its development cycle a year after the launch of Halo 3 in 2007. This IP is of course what we now know to be Destiny
The studio itself has been keeping its cards close to its chest in regards to any information on Destiny. We know that at some point along the development cycle, the codename became the working title for the game, however what this means in regards to the story is yet to be determined. The problem being in this industry, no matter how close you hold things leaks do happen. Back in May and November 2012, information was rife on a few of the games elements.
The sci-fi nature of the game was confirmed when story information was leaked to IGN back in November; “Our story begins seven hundred years from now in the Last City on Earth, in a Solar System littered with the ruins of man’s Golden Age. A massive, mysterious alien ship hangs overhead like a second Moon. No one knows where it came from or what it’s here for, but only that it’s our protector. Meanwhile, strange, alien monsters creep in from the edge of the universe, determined to take Earth and the Last City. We are young ‘knights’ tasked with defending the remains of humanity, discovering the source of these monsters and – eventually – overcoming it”
Other details in the document hint that the game might not be as ‘hardcore’ as some people view Halo, with Destiny described as “fun and accessible to all,” aiming “to create a universe as deep, tangible and relatable as that of the Star Wars franchise.”
In terms 
of game play, again this is something we do not have any information on and can only provide speculation. Game play is apparently ”social at its core,” offering “a world to explore with friends, both old and new.” Bungie’s past endeavours would indicate it is likely to be a first person shooter akin to Halo and Marathon. However, it has long been speculated and hinted that Destiny could well be an MMO, which seems to be reinforced further by the above statement. Information back in May from a leaked Activision court document dated 2010, suggest that Destiny is to be an MMOFPS, something which had long been speculated as far back as 2008. However Bungie retracted the statements stating that any reference was simply a “Joke”. Would you really include a “Joke” in documents that were not suppose to be seen publicly? Maybe to throw competition off…but I highly doubt it.
As for Platform we have confirmation that the title was meant for the Xbox 360 and the PS3. What is more interesting is that the title has several sequels already confirmed for the as-of-yet announced PS4 and Xbox 720. There is no information on a PC release, which isn’t too unusual, but the fact that dates have been set for 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019, leads to questions, is this the format of a console MMO? Sure, each title after the original could end up being “expansions” – however a switch of consoles mid cycle? Seems a little odd to 
me.
With the recent Activision Blizzard Q4 earnings call (that we covered here), there is no mention of Destiny on the 2013 slate, which could generally indicate that the game could well be delayed into 2014 and potentially the next cycle of consoles .
Destiny in your future?
So needless to say we’re all excited to know whats going to be coming out of the studios that brought us a much loved series. Its sad that sticky grenades probably won’t make it, but out with the old and in with the new! We’ll be sure to keep you updated after the reveal on Sunday, February 17th
What are your thoughts on Destiny? Any insight of your own? Thoughts and opinions on console MMO’s? Drop us a line in the comments below!
