DESTINY ViDoc and Details From GamesCom
During GamesCom we have been inundated with information about a huge range of games, some more interesting than others. A particularly interesting nugget of information is about Destiny, Bungie’s latest game-changer. What we already knew about Destiny is that is was going to be a multiplayer, FPS-RPG, think a more serious Borderlands with significantly more online content. A few of the early trailers and interviews seemed to suggest it would end up as an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online game, think World of Warcraft), but Bungie denied that it would be, and the latest GamesCom news backs up that sentiment. The following is a trailer Bungie debuted at GamesCom and a fact sheet Activision released.
Key Features:
Brave New Worlds – Destiny will instantly draw players into a universe of heroes and legends, with worlds and storytelling crafted by Bungie, the creators of Halo – one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed entertainment franchises of all time.
Your Legend – In Destiny you create your own legend as you and your friends venture out into the solar system to reclaim the treasures and secrets lost after the collapse of our Golden Age. Over the course of your adventures you become more powerful, able to wield rare and exotic weapons, gear, and powers.
A Connected Universe – Destiny is more than a disc in a drive, it is a persistent online universe filled with other players. As the story grows and expands over time, so do the destinations you can access, the activities you experience, and the rewards you can earn.
A Social Experience – Destiny’s many destinations will feature areas called Public Spaces where players journeying solo or with friends will seamlessly cross paths with other players and Fireteams, some on similar missions, others engaging in completely different activities.
– Public Events – Contained within some of Destiny’s public spaces are realtime dynamic events that players and Fireteams in the area can choose to engage in. These Public Events are short skirmishes where multiple players work together to defeat their common enemies and collect awesome loot.
Classes: Destiny features three unique classes to choose from, each with their own custom looks and abilities. Players will be able to crush their enemies as a Titan, vanquish foes as a crafty Hunter, or unleash incredible arcane energies on any adversary as a Warlock.
– Titan – The first Titans built the Wall, and gave their lives to defend it. Now, you stand in the same high place, steadfast and sure, protecting all who shelter in your shadow. You hail from a long line of heroes, forged from strength and sacrifice. Our enemies may be deadly and merciless, but so are you.
– Hunter – Hunters once prowled the wilderness and wastelands, taking big risks for even bigger rewards. You’re no outlaw—at least, not anymore—but making your own luck has always meant bending the rules. Your unique brand of daring and ingenuity is needed now more than ever.
– Warlock – Warlocks have long studied the Traveler, mastering some of its arcane energies. Its true purpose still remains a great mystery, but discovering truth has always driven you into the unknown. Now, our enemies are the only thing that stands between you and the lost wonders of our Golden Age.
Adventure Awaits – Personalize and upgrade every aspect of how you look and fight with an expansive combination of armor, weapons, and visual customizations. Take it all with you into every mode, including Destiny’s story, competitive multiplayer, and public combat destinations. Return to The City, Destiny’s third person social space to rearm and repair before going out on your next adventure.
(Thanks to vg247.com for the info.)
The public already knew quite a bit of this information and Bungie loves to reuse the same game footage in every video they release, but there are some very intriguing tidbits. The trailer talks about character race, something which has been mentioned in passing in previous development videos, but has never been officially announced. The possibility of multiple player races is even missing from the factsheet, which just talks about classes. This could mean that either Bungie is trying to keep the player races under wraps, or it is a feature that was scrapped early on, yet the developers keep talking about it (or the footage that mentions races was filed a long time ago).
The main feature that is compelling to me is the seamless multiplayer experience. The way it is described in the new trailer, with the ability to suddenly walk into public events or group up with friends or strangers with no matchmaking, definitely sounds like an MMO, but Bungie insists it is different. I am glad they point out that it is possible to play solo as well, because as much as I enjoy co-op gaming, sometimes you want to just take off on your own.
So far Destiny is announced for the PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in 2014, but there are rumors floating around that it may see a PC release later. I hope so, because I prefer to play FPS games on my PC rather than a console.