Annabelle Stephenson
In a surprising turn of events, game development studio Bungie has announced the cancellation of a highly anticipated third-person perspective spinoff project set in the Destiny universe. The decision was made in order to prioritize the development of their upcoming game, Marathon extraction shooter.
The cancellation of the codenamed project, known as “Payback,” was confirmed by Bungie CEO Pete Parsons in a statement addressing the recent mass layoff of over 200 staff members. Parsons stated that the layoffs were a result of an “overly ambitious” management decision to pursue several incubation projects simultaneously, stretching the development team too thin. Payback was one of these projects and was described as a significant departure from the traditional Destiny gameplay, incorporating elements from games like Warframe and Genshin Impact.
The spinoff aimed to introduce a third-person combat and exploration experience, allowing players to utilize the familiar Destiny characters in a vast open world. However, Bungie made the difficult decision to cancel Payback two months ago to concentrate their resources on the Marathon extraction shooter, which is set to release in 2025.
Contrary to rumors circulating among fans, Payback was never intended to be a full sequel to Destiny 2 but rather a spinoff project. Bungie is committed to supporting Destiny 2 and has no plans for a Destiny 3 at the moment. The studio has also announced a shift in their approach to annual expansions, opting to release smaller-scale content drops as free updates instead.
The recent upheaval at Bungie includes the departure of long-serving senior Destiny creatives Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy. Although they haven’t been actively involved in Destiny 2 for some time, their exit adds to the uncertainties surrounding the studio’s future.
With player sentiment at a low point and the studio facing significant challenges, the long-term viability of the Destiny franchise remains uncertain. However, Bungie has a history of producing their best work under pressure, as seen with the success of previous releases like Into The Light and The Final Shape. Despite the difficulties, loyal players are hopeful for the studio’s ability to bounce back and deliver exceptional gaming experiences in the future.
– Bungie’s Marathon extraction shooter is expected to be released in 2025.
– Bungie has no plans for a Destiny 3 at the moment and is committed to supporting Destiny 2.
– Bungie will now release smaller-scale content drops as free updates instead of annual expansions.
– Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy, long-serving senior Destiny creatives, have departed from Bungie, adding to uncertainties about the studio’s future.
– The cancellation of the spinoff project, Payback, was part of Bungie’s decision to prioritize resources on Marathon extraction shooter.
– Bungie’s previous releases, such as Into The Light and The Final Shape, have been successful under pressure.
Important questions:
1. Why did Bungie cancel the Payback spinoff project?
– Bungie canceled the Payback spinoff project to concentrate their resources on the Marathon extraction shooter and address the issue of stretching the development team too thin with multiple incubation projects.
2. Is Payback intended to be a full sequel to Destiny 2?
– No, Payback was never intended to be a full sequel to Destiny 2. It was a spinoff project that aimed to introduce a third-person combat and exploration experience.
Key challenges or controversies:
– The recent layoff of over 200 staff members raises concerns about the stability and future of the studio.
– The departure of senior Destiny creatives, Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy, adds to uncertainties surrounding Bungie’s future.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Bungie’s decision to prioritize the development of Marathon extraction shooter shows their commitment to delivering a high-quality game.
– The shift to free updates instead of annual expansions in Destiny 2 allows for more frequent content drops and potentially keeps players engaged.
Disadvantages:
– The cancellation of the Payback spinoff project may disappoint fans who were looking forward to a different gameplay experience in the Destiny universe.
– The studio’s recent upheaval and uncertainties may affect player sentiment and the long-term viability of the Destiny franchise.
Suggested related links:
– Bungie Official Website
