We have incoming, gentlemen. Bungie has slapped a go-loud date on its colossal, Activision-published Destiny project, revealed to be a timed next gen Xbox exclusive by documents circulated during the publisher's legal bust-up with former Infinity Ward staff.
That date is 17th February - three days before the expected announcement of the PlayStation 4. Coincidence? Or have Activision and Microsoft conspired to whisk the carpet out from under Sony's feet?
What we know about Destiny mostly derives from the aforesaid Activision documents - the short version is that it's a massively multiplayer action game set on an Earth-like planet, while the long version can be read here. Bungie has, however, stepped up Ye Olde Viral Teasing dramatically in the past couple of months, accelerating a campaign that's been on the go for years.
There's a week-long Alternate Reality puzzle bubbling away over at Bungie.net - the sleuths of NeoGAF have managed to crack part of the code. Meanwhile, blogger Daniel Duncan has compiled a list of all currently available hints, clues, nudges and winks over at Misriah Solutions. It's a long but fascinating read, awash with enigma. For starters, did you know there are cars in Forza Motorsport 4 which feature the Destiny logo? And what do you make of this exercise in amateur poetry? Incidentally, how familiar are you with Geomantic symbols?
Leaked images and assets appear to relate to the game's player factions - I've posted one below. Not long now till we know for sure.
7 comments so far...
CunningSmile on 13 Feb '13 said:
Hmmm, assuming for the sake of argument that the Sony conference is them preparing to reveal the new PS than MS would need to respond in order to not let the competition get ahead.
I imagine a console launch announcement takes time to organise, but if you announce a launch title (with solid release date) you get to unofficially announce the console's release date, and show off what it can do without having to quickly put together the full announcement or reveal features or specs.
Sony then get ripped apart because of what they reveal (cos the internet is like that) whilst MS hope to do nothing except inspire awe and mystery.
Clever.
Bezza89 on 13 Feb '13 said:
Wrong link Ed, http://www.oxm.co.uk/41779/bungies-dest ... exclusive/ for the exclusive bit.
I'm not so sure it will be exclusive though. The close dates to me mean that it's all to do with ps4/next gen, as in, someone is finally revealing a console giving bungie a place to say hey look our game is coming out on this console.
Tied into your other article, if released on 360 and gert wont the online component suffer if no backwards compat? There'd be no one online if you separate the networks, and saying your friends aren't going to buy the 360 version because another person is buying a gert version is silly, they'd buy whichever version and they'd play on both because no one will buy a console just to play one game with their one mate who has one, food for thought.
FishyGinger on 13 Feb '13 said:
http://bang-on-wholesale.com/products/CleverGirl_1755.jpeg
OXM ETboy on 13 Feb '13 said:
Editificalised.
Thos. on 13 Feb '13 said:
Damn you to hell Bungie! If it's a Durango 12 month exclusive, you're going to force me to buy another damn Xbox!
Bezza89 on 13 Feb '13 said:
Well, if the contract is true, it will be 360 and gertrude exclusive, so you wouldn't need the gert.
MasterChiefJ117 on 13 Feb '13 said:
Come on Bungie give us the amazing launch title that the 'Next Xbox' needs
For me Halo isn't the console seller it once was 
(Excellent campaign but disappointing online multiplayer and before the fan boys start look at the numbers of people playing compared to Halo reach or Halo 3 after the same time of release). This game needs to be a system seller ala Halo Combat Evolved or Gears of War after all it's not TV or Skype that we buy our consoles for But GOOD GAMES 