Destiny -Bungie's new game with Activision

[denoginizer]

Reach is the last bungie game i buy. AWESOME

Do you really make buying decisions based the publisher over the developer?


I think Activision has done a better job advertising and promoting their big releases than EA has.  Despite all of the internet hate for Activision for the most part their franchises have done better sales wise than EA's.  It remains to be seen how well a Bungie game can sell without the Halo name attached to it.

[raydude]

sweet! Can't wait for Guitar Hero: Halo

[Purge]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2011734631_kirklands_bungie_signs_huge_po.html

The Seattle Times excellent tech writer blogs about the deal above.  Basically, it's a single IP deal and Bungie retains ownership of the IP.  Activision is publishing and providing support in return for a share of the profits.  Sony and MS were also in the hunt for this deal but Bungie chose Activision so that the IP wouldn't be a platform exclusive.

I hate to say it, but I think they should have gone with EA.

Why EA instead of Activision? Despite how things went with IW, for the most part I think Activision has been as good as could be expected from a billion-dollar publisher.

EA has, as of late, been working on getting some new IP's out there. Granted they have sequels too, but Activision? Yeesh. I'd be concerned with Activision not being around for the next 10 years.

You mean Prototype, Singularity, and Blur aren't original IP's?  I don't know if you'd consider War for Cybertron an original IP, but it's not a movie tie-in.  It definitely has a feel more like an original IP.

EA has definitely more new IPs, but I wouldn't be surprised if Activision has a few more up their sleeve that we don't know about.

For me:

Mirrors Edge
Dante's Inferno
Army of Two
Dead Space
Brutal Legend
Bloom Box
Dragon Age
Rock Band

are more in line with my tastes. That's not to say they all don't have sequels coming out, but in the past two years EA has taken some risks. I'd like to see MORE games that were original IP, but we're about two months too early to get into who's doing what with the new.

I'm just surprised that Bungie went with Activision ... perhaps Activision is the best fit for them, and Bungie may help them out of their funk. We all know EA needs to get kicked in the pants from time to time.

[Purge]

Reach is the last bungie game i buy. AWESOME

Do you really make buying decisions based the publisher over the developer?


I think Activision has done a better job advertising and promoting their big releases than EA has.  Despite all of the internet hate for Activision for the most part their franchises have done better sales wise than EA's.  It remains to be seen how well a Bungie game can sell without the Halo name attached to it.

He could also be commenting on preferring PS3 - till now, PC or 360 have been your only choices for Bungie.

[Purge]

sweet! Can't wait for Guitar Hero: Halo

They're going to brand it Guitar Hero: Bungie Chords

[CeeKay]

Reach is the last bungie game i buy. AWESOME

Do you really make buying decisions based the publisher over the developer?

if it's Ubisoft then yes.  never really did it before their DRM boondoggle.

[denoginizer]

Reach is the last bungie game i buy. AWESOME

Do you really make buying decisions based the publisher over the developer?

if it's Ubisoft then yes.  never really did it before their DRM boondoggle.

Does that apply to console games or just PC?

[CeeKay]

Reach is the last bungie game i buy. AWESOME

Do you really make buying decisions based the publisher over the developer?

if it's Ubisoft then yes.  never really did it before their DRM boondoggle.

Does that apply to console games or just PC?

they pissed me off enough it's both.  I'll play them eventually via rental but I won't be sending any money Ubi's way by buying them new.

[morlac]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2011734631_kirklands_bungie_signs_huge_po.html

The Seattle Times excellent tech writer blogs about the deal above.  Basically, it's a single IP deal and Bungie retains ownership of the IP.  Activision is publishing and providing support in return for a share of the profits.  Sony and MS were also in the hunt for this deal but Bungie chose Activision so that the IP wouldn't be a platform exclusive.

Ok this comment and the ones above to mine make me feel better about it.  I think Bungie is pretty stellar so the thought of them gettting in bed naked with Activision made me nervous.  It would appear that this is a one night stand and Bungie even said 'no kissing'.

[CeeKay]

Bungie talks.   seems like they're totally torn up over jersocs decision.  I think one of them even cries.

[Graham]

For me:

Mirrors Edge
Dante's Inferno
Army of Two
Dead Space
Brutal Legend
Bloom Box
Dragon Age
Rock Band

are more in line with my tastes. That's not to say they all don't have sequels coming out, but in the past two years EA has taken some risks. I'd like to see MORE games that were original IP, but we're about two months too early to get into who's doing what with the new.

I'm just surprised that Bungie went with Activision ... perhaps Activision is the best fit for them, and Bungie may help them out of their funk. We all know EA needs to get kicked in the pants from time to time.

Mirror's Edge -- About a year and a half old
Army of Two -- Sequel out already
Dead Space -- Sequel coming out this year
Brutal Legend -- Almost published by Activision
Boom Blox -- Sequel out already
Rock Band -- Two sequels out, not much different from Guitar Hero

While I'm not saying that they aren't great games, I am saying that the EA current releases aren't really new IP from what you've pointed out.

[CeeKay]

you should change Brutal Legend to 'almost killed by Activision' 

[CeeKay]

looks like this deal was almost made with EA.

[CeeKay]

Bungies been busy registering domain names and copyrights.    I wonder if we'll hear anything at E3.

[metallicorphan]

Bungies been busy registering domain names and copyrights.    I wonder if we'll hear anything at E3.

LOL,i love that (currently)last comment on there,by Altitude

   

fps_d0minat0r wrote:why do i get a feeling its gonna have a subsciption fee?

Activision?

looking forward however to see what Bungie can do,i have made it no secret that Reach was a borefest for me,and glad that Bungie got away from the series(both for the series sake and their own)

[kronovan]

Umm...let me guess...the IP will be a Sci-Fi themed military shooter.    I wouldn't mind if it was a big Publisher that encouraged some inovation and originality, but I don't see much of that from Activision. Here's hoping Bungie maintains a good arms length relationship with Kotick and his $ hungry empire.

[CeeKay]

Hey, it could be......  THIRD PERSON!!!!! Huh?  How about that?

[Pyperkub]

Rock Band -- Two sequels out, not much different from Guitar Hero

Very Different from GH, though RB AC/DC and Green Day are very Activision-esque.

[leo8877]

So Bungie announced at GDC today that their next game is an MMO, to no one's surprise.  They said "It's not WoW in space".

[CeeKay]

Bungie is doing another beta applicant survey.

[CeeKay]

some more details:

The 27-page agreement calls for Bungie to develop four "sci-fantasy, action shooter games," code-named "Destiny," released every other year, beginning in the fall of 2013. Bungie also agreed to put out four downloadable expansion packs code-named "Comet," every other year beginning in the fall of 2014. Activision has never disclosed release plans for Bungie's titles.

The first Destiny game will initially only be available on Microsoft's Xbox 360 consoles, as well as its potential successor, which the contract refers to as the "Xbox 720." Later games would be made for Xbox consoles as well as Sony Corp.'s expected successor to the PlayStation 3, and on personal computers.

I take 'initially only be available' to mean 'timed exclusive'.

[Harpua3]

some more details:

The 27-page agreement calls for Bungie to develop four "sci-fantasy, action shooter games," code-named "Destiny," released every other year, beginning in the fall of 2013. Bungie also agreed to put out four downloadable expansion packs code-named "Comet," every other year beginning in the fall of 2014. Activision has never disclosed release plans for Bungie's titles.

The first Destiny game will initially only be available on Microsoft's Xbox 360 consoles, as well as its potential successor, which the contract refers to as the "Xbox 720." Later games would be made for Xbox consoles as well as Sony Corp.'s expected successor to the PlayStation 3, and on personal computers.

I take 'initially only be available' to mean 'timed exclusive'.

That what I read as well.

[kronovan]

Hey I missed this thread earlier - its an interesting development. I'll certainly buy any game Bungie produces, but I won't enjoy paying an extra $10 for it now. Despite Bungie negotiating a favorable deal with Activision, how much do you want to bet CEO Kold-tick is now looking for every means possible to burrow in and suck the blood out of some unprotected Bungie appendage. He probably has a team of ninja ticks going over that contract night and day. Glad some others have some faith in his publishing empire, but I personally consider him the closest thing in the gaming biz to a corporate sociopath. Bungie's gotten good at packing up the house and fleeing the spouse though, so I'll give this marriage 3 years - maybe 5 max. Oh well, they'll probably get all the Coke they can drink during the honeymoon.  

[metallicorphan]

February 17th Reveal

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/390836/bungie-confirms-destiny-reveal-for-february-17/

It's called Destiny

"So, our game is called Destiny," reads a message on Bungie's site.
"In a matter of days, we're going to give you your first glimpse into the vision and ambition that's driving the creation of our brave new world," it adds.

The developer is a little more specific with a reveal date on its Destiny Facebook page: "You can be the first to see the reveal of Destiny right here on Feb. 17 (T-Minus 5 days)," it says.

[Turtle]

Actually looking forward to this.

However, I think that Bungie's ability to tell a story within a game is pretty poor.

Maybe back in the days of Marathon with EVGA graphics could they get away with terminal text, but 343's handling of the Halo 4 story outdid Bungie in almost every way, well, except for the absolutely essential Terminal videos being hidden away, and then in an external website once acquired.

Their gameplay formula (the halo style) has also been cracked by other developers, so they'll really have to pull out the stops for this.

[CeeKay]

Actually looking forward to this.

However, I think that Bungie's ability to tell a story within a game is pretty poor.

same.  if this is basically not-Halo v2.0 then I'll either rent it or wait for a heck of a sale on it.

[metallicorphan]

Everything we know about Bungie's next epic

and when they say they KNOW...it means they are guessing and assuming on some points

they reckon it'll be an MMO shooter


details on why they think these things are in the link,the link also provides quite a few pictures

1. It's about defending Earth from aliens 700 years from now
2. It's likely an MMO shooter that still plays like Halo
3. There will be four games in the series
4. It might be set in the Philippines
5. Each game will receive a massive DLC expansion
6. It was teased way back in 2009
7. Bungie wants it to be as big as Star Wars
8. Paul McCartney is helping write the music for it
9. It may be an Xbox exclusive... for a while, at least
10. It's likely to feature five different factions
11. We'll know much more on Sunday, then again in March

[Soulchilde]

More Destiny info

If they can pull this off then I'm in

Seems like Hellgate: London 

[EngineNo9]

Doesn't seem like they really revealed much, but I guess what can you expect for a game that won't be out for at least a year.  High level story, concept art and music.  Oh joy.

This sort of drop-in drop-out multiplayer experience is going to be much bigger in the coming years.  Things like Watch Dogs and the next generation of games where other real people are seemlessly popping up in your single player world similar to Test Drive Unlimited and Journey will be pretty wide spread.  I'm not sure how much I really want that, but we'll see how they handle the inherent problems.

[metallicorphan]

The 'always needing an internet connection/always play online' has a lot of people asking if Xbox Live Gold is needed for the 360 version


FWIW,Final Fantasy 11 MMO does not need an Xbox Live Gold subscription on the 360,however,you do still need to pay a subscription to Square Enix...so with this not being a subscription based game it will be interesting to see Microsoft's stand on this

[Turtle]

That's pretty situational, honestly. I see them requiring Gold, but that's assuming the Gold paid service acts the same way on the Durango as the 360.

Anyway, I'm all for the kind of gameplay they're touting. Basically Guild Wars 2 the FPS.

I very much like the whole two ships passing in the night style of multiplayer matchmaking, if used well. I've had ideas in that area for a long time but the feature is very difficult to get right.

[metallicorphan]

That's pretty situational, honestly. I see them requiring Gold, but that's assuming the Gold paid service acts the same way on the Durango as the 360.

Anyway, I'm all for the kind of gameplay they're touting. Basically Guild Wars 2 the FPS.

I very much like the whole two ships passing in the night style of multiplayer matchmaking, if used well. I've had ideas in that area for a long time but the feature is very difficult to get right.

Actually now i come to think of it,it could be just like Fable II(and III  I guess),and that needed Gold for the orbs to be seen...only no orbs this time with this game,but you didn't need to be online to play though

[CeeKay]

was kinda hoping they might include the PC on this.  maybe they still will since it sounds like it may be a while.

[Turtle]

To be honest, those graphics looked like current gen PC graphics.

They released a video with some actual in-game footage.

[Jumangi]

Every bullet point is something that's been done before. Frankly it sounds like take the Halo franchise bullet points, remove the name...NEW FRANCHISE! Plus its a 360/ps3 game that will ship after the next gen consoles come out?? ok...

Gonna take allot more than this to get me interested...

[CeeKay]

was kinda hoping they might include the PC on this.  maybe they still will since it sounds like it may be a while.

or not.

“We did a bunch of ambitious things on Halo deliberately to reach out to people. We limited players to two weapons, we gave them recharging health, we automatically saved and restored the game – almost heretical things to first-person shooters at the time. We made the game run without a mouse and keyboard. And now nobody plays shooters the way they used to play them before Halo ’cause nobody wants to.”

to break it down:

We limited players to two weapons

didn't Counter-strike do that?

we gave them recharging health

so you're the ones that turned many into pussies.

we automatically saved and restored the game – almost heretical things to first-person shooters at the time.

possibly, I'm feeling too lazy to look this up.

We made the game run without a mouse and keyboard.

so wait, you made the first console game EVAR?

And now nobody plays shooters the way they used to play them before Halo ’cause nobody wants to.

Spoiler for Hiden:

[rshetts2]

Some things that got my attention were that you will be able to have ships, that all the planets on our system are in the game and that there will likely be ship combat. 

Its way too early to judge this game yet but it sounds like they may have some fun ideas here.

[Turtle]

If I recall, Halo Reach actually had decent space fighter combat, and good looking space gameplay. I didn't play it myself, others can chime in on that. So Bungie is no stranger to space combat gameplay.

[metallicorphan]

Every bullet point is something that's been done before. Frankly it sounds like take the Halo franchise bullet points, remove the name...NEW FRANCHISE! Plus its a 360/ps3 game that will ship after the next gen consoles come out?? ok...

Gonna take allot more than this to get me interested...

yeah Activision pretty much say that Destiny has No Chance of being released in 2013
360a.org

Activision has confirmed that Destiny is not included in the publisher’s “2013 outlook.” They’re pretty adamant about it too, adding “there should be no speculation or expectation of a different result”.

so 360 and PS3 is a bit strange..although it is going to launch on those machines,Activision sent the box art to my local GAME shop to put on their sites(GAME's twitter confirmed)

[Bullwinkle]

I may try to resist the hype for this, but already the chant is starting to build.