Major Details Revealed On Bungie’s New Activision-Published Series - Polidicks

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/avrDJ.png[/IMG][QUOTE=EGMNOW.com]As part of Activision’s lawsuit against previous Infinity Ward heads West and Zampella, details of the company’s massive deal with [I]Halo[/I] developer Bungie have been revealed—including information on the games the developer will be making for Activision.From the LA Times comes the 27-page four-game contract that Bungie signed with Activision. In it, it details four “sci-fantasy, action shooter games” to be made by the developer. The series is given the codename “Destiny”, and is listed as having one chapter released every other year, starting in Fall of 2013. During the off years (starting in Fall 2014) will come four downloadable expansion packs, which have been given the code name “Comet”. Ah, but [I]Destiny[/I] won’t just be sci-fantasy action shooters—they’ll be “massively-multiplayer-style” as well! Here’s the first interesting bit of info pulled from the released contract: “…a series of interactive entertainment software products being developed by Licensor based on the Destiny Property, planned to be massively-multiplayer-style (i.e., client-based mission structures with persistent elements), sci-fantasy, action-shooter games…” Also of high interest is this note: “…[I]Destiny[/I] Game #1, along with any related DLC Releases as well as [I]Comet[/I] #1, shall be initially developed by Licensor to operate on and be compatible with the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game console (“Xbox 360″) and the next successor console platform releases by Microsoft configured for both the NTSC and PAL television/video system standards (“Xbox 720″).” Now, obviously, the “Xbox 720″ part probably isn’t the official name of the console—it’s just used to give the next Xbox some sort of name at this point. The interesting part is that the first [I]Destiny[/I] game is being targeted exclusively (at first) for Microsoft’s consoles. The contract notes that a PS3 version of the game is currently being contemplated for a Fall 2014 release if both Bungie and Activision decide that the first [I]Destiny[/I] title “is able to be developed for the PS3 at quality and feature parity to the Xbox 360 version of the game”. But wait, there’s more! “…[I]Destiny[/I] Game #2, along with any related DLC Releases as well as [I]Comet[/I] #2, shall be initially developed by Licensor to operate on and be compatible with the Xbox 360, Xbox 720, and the Sony PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system (i.e., the next successor platform released by Sony after PlayStation 3) … and personal computer with Windows-based operating systes…” So, the second [I]Destiny[/I] game (which would hit, under this timeframe, in Fall 2015) keeps its Xbox exclusivity—again, at least at first—in terms of current-generation consoles, but will hit for both the next Xbox and next PlayStation for sure. What isn’t mentioned, however, is any potential PS3 release at any point—that may hinge on sales of the first [I]Destiny[/I]game for the PS3, should such a version indeed be released. [B][I]What do you think? Are you excited to see what Destiny turns out to be? Do you like the idea of Bungie having a control for a bi-yearly “sci-fantasy action shooter” series with Activision? [/I][/B][URL]http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/bungies-activision-contract-published-destiny-games-next-gen-plans-revealed/[/URL] [/QUOTE] I am very excited to learn more! New news on it! [QUOTE=EGMNOW]Earlier this week, details of Bungie’s new shooter leaked via a 27 page contract between the developer and Activision. Now more bizarre details have been discovered in the contract.The contract revealed that a series of action-shooter titles, codenamed [I]Destiny,[/I] will be Bungie’s next project – this includes four games and four expansion packs (codenamed [I]Comet[/I]) covering eight years. Develop has taken a close look at the contract and made some interesting discoveries. Bungie has agreed to create a game that fits perfectly into a ‘Teen’ rating and the developer is locked into working exclusively on [I]Destiny[/I]-based shooters until at least 2018. Valve, Gearbox and Epic have been “banned from developing any [I]Destiny[/I] or [I]Comet[/I] conversions or adaptations.” The developer will also have to wait until 2022, before being ”given the rights to publish [I]Destiny[/I] projects for itself, or with a publisher other than Activision,” even after this date Activision still has first dibs at publication. An odd stipulation in the contract states that ”before commercial release of all games in the contract, Bungie must provide Activision with all Easter eggs it has spliced into the game. Activision, following certification process, must provide Bungie with the same list.” Activision is also giving Bungie ”1000 [I]Destiny[/I] games after its release to keep, play, share and promote the game.” Some seriously odd stipulations have been written into this contact, but that’s business, Activision obviously has a reason for writing them all in. The publisher definitely has high hopes for the [I]Destiny[/I] franchise, considering that it’s ordered four games spanning the next eight years, with Bungie at the helm we’re expecting big things. We’re expecting the project to be something completely different than [I]Halo[/I] as Bungie wouldn’t want to step on the toes of their baby or it’s new parents – 343 Industries.[URL]http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/weird-details-discovered-in-bungie-activision-destiny-contract/[/URL] [/QUOTE]

Knowing bungie they won't fuck up but I hope this is more than just an xbox exclusive title, PC, wii u (?) and the new playstation should get this as well.

[QUOTE]planned to be massively-multiplayer-style[/QUOTE] well there goes my interest I like Bungie and I'm sure they can do some cool stuff with this but I am [I]not[/I] a team player

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;36046537]Knowing bungie they won't fuck up but I hope this is more than just an xbox exclusive title, PC, wii u (?) and the new playstation should get this as well.[/QUOTE] If you read the article, you would have already learned that this is a Multi-plat project.

Snip-need to read more thoroughly

[QUOTE=Cone;36046540]well there goes my interest I like Bungie and I'm sure they can do some cool stuff with this but I am [I]not[/I] a team player[/QUOTE] That doesn't mean it will be MM focused. Don't lose interest until we know exactly what style game it is. :)

[QUOTE=Delta616;36046548]If you read the article, you would have already learned that this is a Multi-plat project.[/QUOTE] Just looked, I don't mind Activision, would of been a different story for EA though.

[QUOTE=Delta616;36046558]That doesn't mean it will be MM focused. Don't lose interest until we know exactly what style game it is. :)[/QUOTE] I guess, but I generally avoid multiplayer to begin with I guess I just hope it won't be too big of an aspect

Could be really good, or really bad.

The only thing I am worried about is Activision being an active hand in development.

[QUOTE=ThePinkPanzer;36046617]The only thing I am worried about is Activision being an active hand in development.[/QUOTE] Put a sniper red dot acog scope with a flame thrower nade launcher on a rifle and also charge 30$ for 2 maps

Admit, Activision is way better than EA

[QUOTE=LoLWaT?;36046633]Oh god it's Activision. I don't want to jump to conclusions just yet, but I can probably guess where this is going to end up.[/QUOTE] 1 This project is a Bungie owned IP. 2. Bungie is a Privately held company, which is in no way owned by Activision. 3 Activision is simply the publisher of this IP, and has no control of the development aspect the project.So if you are expecting COD, or this game to be bad, you are misinformed.

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;36046662]Admit, Activision is way better than EA[/QUOTE] a megaton kick to the testicles from a galaxy-eating robot is better than EA, that isn't really saying much

Oh bad reading. Bungie still deserves better than Activision.

[QUOTE=ThePinkPanzer;36046617]The only thing I am worried about is Activision being an active hand in development.[/QUOTE] Publisher, This IP is 100% Owned by Bungie, which means Activision does not have an active hand in it's development.

[QUOTE=Delta616;36046743]Publisher, This IP is 100% Owned by Bungie, which means Activision does not have an active hand in it's development.[/QUOTE] Publishers can demand things.

[QUOTE=The Un-Men;36046709]Oh bad reading. Bungie still deserves better than Activision.[/QUOTE] Activision: A very successful Multi Billion Dollar Cashcow [B]publisher[/B] that produces milked games through the [B]developers they own.[/B] Bungie is not owned by Activision. [editline]21st May 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=ThePinkPanzer;36046783]Publishers can demand things.[/QUOTE] Doesn't mean Bungie will let them do anything shitty to their IP.

Can Bungie do a not sci-fi game? I'm interested in what they can do [i]outside[/i] of such a lofty zone.

[QUOTE=Tacosheller;36047257]Can Bungie do a not sci-fi game? I'm interested in what they can do [i]outside[/i] of such a lofty zone.[/QUOTE] [img_thumb]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/63/Myth_-_The_Fallen_Lords.jpg[/img_thumb] They already have.

[QUOTE=Tacosheller;36047257]Can Bungie do a not sci-fi game? I'm interested in what they can do [I]outside[/I] of such a lofty zone.[/QUOTE] [URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fantasy[/URL] Besides that Bungie has developed other IP's not inthe Sci-Fi genre.

[QUOTE=Tacosheller;36047257]Can Bungie do a not sci-fi game? I'm interested in what they can do [i]outside[/i] of such a lofty zone.[/QUOTE] [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Pathways_into_darkness-93_box_art.png[/img] Adventure/puzzle/shooter set in the modern day against monsters in an ancient pyramid. Bungie has done more than just Halo.

I wish people did research. [url]http://www.bungie.net/Projects/default.aspx[/url]

Generic call of halo FPS. oh wow I'm...so excited...

[QUOTE=Aman VII;36047781]Generic call of halo FPS. oh wow I'm...so excited...[/QUOTE] “massively-multiplayer-style sci-fantasy action shooters" Keep the moronic negativity out of this tread, and read before you post something so moronic. Did you see the "Science Fiction" anywhere in that article? Guess some people need to learn the difference between Sci-Fi and Sci-Fantasy.

I'm not concerned with the genre, but the demands of the publisher could be worrisome. A game every two years, with no less than four expansion DLCs for each? That's a lot of content and it runs the risk of burning out the dev team or forcing them to create shovelware to meet deadlines. [editline]22nd May 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Delta616;36047797]Did you see the "Science Fiction" anywhere in that article? Guess some people need to learn the difference between Sci-Fi and Sci-Fantasy.[/QUOTE] That's not much of a distinction. Star Wars is usually considered space fantasy, and a dev team going from working on Star Trek to working on Star Wars wouldn't be a very big stylistic change. What I would love to see would be for Bungie to go back to one of their older titles, like Pathways or Minotaur, and re-make it, or go in a totally new and different direction altogether. Instead it seems they're being kept to the same general style of game, which is a shame because the company has such a diverse array of talent.

I am glad that its a new game every other year. Get game, 12 months later get dlc, 12 months later next installment, and repeat. A lot better than Activisions releasing a CoD game every year with around 3 dlc being released the same year as the next CoD. [editline]21st May 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=catbarf;36047989]I'm not concerned with the genre, but the demands of the publisher could be worrisome. A game every two years, with no less than four expansion DLCs for each? That's a lot of content and it runs the risk of burning out the dev team or forcing them to create shovelware to meet deadlines. [editline]22nd May 2012[/editline] That's not much of a distinction. Star Wars is usually considered space fantasy, and a dev team going from working on Star Trek to working on Star Wars wouldn't be a very big stylistic change. What I would love to see would be for Bungie to go back to one of their older titles, like Pathways or Minotaur, and re-make it, or go in a totally new and different direction altogether. Instead it seems they're being kept to the same general style of game, which is a shame because the company has such a diverse array of talent.[/QUOTE] Well they are not supposed to use more than 5% of their staff for the development of a new Marathon game. So I am assuming that there is a Marathon in development. They are releasing 4 games starting every other year in 2013, then they are releasing 4 dlcs starting every other year in 2014. Each game gets 1 dlc. Destiny #1 2013 Destiny #1 DLC Comet #1 2014 Destiny #2 2015 Destiny #2 DLC Comet #2 2016 Destiny #3 2017 Destiny #3 DLC Comet #3 2018 Destiny #4 2019 Destiny #4 DLC Comet #4 2020

[QUOTE=assassin_Raptor;36048036]I am glad that its a new game every other year. Get game, 12 months later get dlc, 12 months later next installment, and repeat. A lot better than Activisions releasing a CoD game every year with around 3 dlc being released the same year as the next CoD. [editline]21st May 2012[/editline] Well they are not supposed to use more than 5% of their staff for the development of a new Marathon game. So I am assuming that there is a Marathon in development. They are releasing 4 games starting every other year in 2013, then they are releasing 4 dlcs starting every other year in 2014. Each game gets 1 dlc. Destiny #1 2013 Destiny #1 DLC Comet #1 2014 Destiny #2 2015 Destiny #2 DLC Comet #2 2016 Destiny #3 2017 Destiny #3 DLC Comet #3 2018 Destiny #4 2019 Destiny #4 DLC Comet #4 2020[/QUOTE] Thanks for the clarification, my bad. Still, keep in mind Activision has historically used two teams to spit out a new CoD each year, so each team was still on a strict two-year cycle which is really not a lot of time to make a good game, and we've seen what the constant repetition has done to the CoD franchise. Plus, two years for each game is on top of needing to devote time and resources to making the DLC. I could see them possibly scrambling for content and being forced to release a product not up to their standards. Actually the idea of them making a new Marathon game is pretty funny to me- they already have. It's called Halo. I'm not being flippant, the two franchises are very, VERY similar, even down to setting and gameplay.

[QUOTE=assassin_Raptor;36048036]I am glad that its a new game every other year. Get game, 12 months later get dlc, 12 months later next installment, and repeat. A lot better than Activisions releasing a CoD game every year with around 3 dlc being released the same year as the next CoD.[/QUOTE] In all fairness to Activision, it's two different developers working on Call of Duty, meaning each developer gets a 2 year cycle, just like Bungie is about to get. Also, Call of Duty usually gets four map packs per year, right? So the content cycle for this new Bungie game is a lot like a Call of Duty cycle. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just similarities I noticed. [editline]21st May 2012[/editline] Oh wait, I misunderstood the DLC thing. That's interesting.

so its not Freelancer 2? :(