BitSnark

That was a mouthful wasn’t it?

Yep, it would seem that the current hot topic right now on a number of sites is the reveal of new details pertaining to ‘Destiny’; the codename for the next franchise from Halo developer Bungie.

These details were actually brought to light as a result of the now apparently closed litigation between EA and Activision over that whole sordid Infinity Ward business.  Specifically, the deets were contained in an Bungie/Activision contract which can be seen courtesy of the L.A Times at the link here: http://documents.latimes.com/bungie-activision-contract/

If you can’t be arsed to trawl through all that the details basically boil down to this:

– The codenamed ‘Destiny’ IP is being positioned as a sprawling franchise which encompasses “sci-fi fantasy, action shooter” mechanics with additional MMO stylings which lend itself to “client based mission structures with persistent elements”.

– The franchise is supposed to kick off next year (likely Q4) and will arrive on both the 360 AND the next Xbox as timed exclusive.  Timed exclusive releases eh? They never get old.

– In 2014, the game will finally arrive on the PS3 once the timed exclusivity period has expired for Microsoft.

– A second Destiny game is then apparently due to arrive  on ‘Xbox consoles’ (presumably they would be holding out to see if a 360 release remains feasible), PS4 and PC in 2016.  A PC release of the second game, but not the first? Um, what?

– Essentially the plan is to release a Destiny title every other year from 2014 (excluding the early period of exclusivity that MS would have for the first game in late 2013), resulting in Destiny titles all the way up to 2020.  2020!

– DLC is naturally a big part of the strategem for getting this franchise embedded in the hearts and minds of us ordinary folk and as a result, DLC expansions (codenamed – ‘Comet’), are set for staggered releases between each major Destiny instalment.

– Microtransactions are also revealed to be part of the deal; although in what capacity is yet to be known.

Now comes the great bit, usually when leaks like this happen you get a huge fucking stonewalling from the official sources.

Not this time.

None other than Bungie themselves have confirmed the leak saying:

“Well, that just happened…”

“So, yeah. While we’re not ready to show you what we’ve been working on, we can reconfirm that we are hard at work on our new universe. We can’t wait for you to see it.

“See you starside in 2013.”

Brilliant stuff.  I imagine this will make a sodding huge splash at E3 this year.

A Destiny Prototype Logo. Yesterday.