Bungie
Bungie business and news from across the web.
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Jason Jones, Co-Creator of Halo and Destiny and Co-Founder of Bungie, Announces New Studio
Jason Jones, a co-founder of Bungie and co-creator of Halo and Destiny, has launched a new studio named Stone Kite. The studio will explore various entertainment mediums, with its first project being a limited-series comic book titled One Zero One, based on a manuscript written by Jones.
Former Halo lead suggests three ways Activision could revive the legendary series, and urges the company to hire laid off Bungie staff
Former Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three potential paths for Activision to revive the Halo series, including hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios. His suggestions range from creating a classic-style Halo to a complete reinvention or a Call of Duty-like annual release model.
Activision Should Hire Former Halo Devs For Next Mainline Game, Former Franchise Director Says
Former Halo franchise creative director Frank O’Connor has advised Activision Blizzard on how to improve the next mainline Halo game. He suggests focusing on sandbox gameplay, avoiding ties to hardware launches, and potentially hiring former developers from Bungie and other laid-off studios. O'Connor also proposed new directions for the franchise, including an action-sandbox game or an action RPG.
Veteran Halo lead has suggestions for how Activision could actually make "the greatest Halo game ever," and they include hiring "Bungie, Halo Studios, and other laid-off folks"
Veteran Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three distinct paths for Activision to create a successful Halo game, including a return to classic gameplay, a radical reinvention, or adapting the IP to modern business models. He specifically suggests hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios, noting the talent pool available after recent Microsoft layoffs.
Naughty Dog’s Secret Project is Not Related to The Last of Us – Rumor
A new report from insider NateTheHate suggests that Naughty Dog's secret project, rumored to be led by Shaun Escayg, is not related to The Last of Us franchise. Escayg, who worked on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and The Last of Us Part 1, previously hinted at a new project possibly tied to the Uncharted series.
How every major character in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment would fare if they had to survive the plot of Halo 1
This article humorously speculates on how major characters from Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment would fare if they were placed into the plot of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. It analyzes their potential strengths and weaknesses against the game's enemies and scenarios, offering a unique crossover perspective.
Vignette vs chromatic aberration - which is worse?
This article discusses which graphical effect, vignette or chromatic aberration, is considered worse in video games. It presents these two effects, along with motion blur and film grain, as the finalists from a reader poll. The piece encourages readers to vote for their preferred option to determine the ultimate winner.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Marathon Studio Explains Future Content Roadmap
Bungie has outlined its content roadmap for the extraction shooter Marathon, detailing upcoming updates in October, December, and March. These updates will introduce new PvE modes, expanded social spaces, and a focus on "connected PvE, PvP, and PvEvP experiences." The studio also confirmed improvements to Destiny 2, including the return of vaulted content.
I need more retro-style sci-fi shooters like Derelikt
Derelikt is a retro-style sci-fi shooter that blends Dead Space and System Shock elements with PlayStation 1-era visuals and a Lovecraftian theme. Developed by solo developer Visuwyg, the game emphasizes exploration, puzzle-solving, and deliberate combat, with a planned release in 2026.
Marathon promises interconnected PvE and PvP, more ways to play, and more player customization
Bungie has announced significant future updates for its extraction shooter, Marathon, addressing early criticisms. The Symbiosis patch in December will introduce dedicated PvE modes and new PvP options, while a March update will bring a refactored Cradle system, new alien combatants including the Pfhor, and an entirely new zone, promising more interconnected PvE, PvP, and PvEvP experiences with enhanced player customization.
Bungie Says Marathon Flopped Because It Was Too Hard
Bungie has acknowledged that their extraction shooter Marathon did not perform well at launch due to its high difficulty, which alienated a mainstream audience. The company cited the game's challenging nature as the primary reason for its lack of broad appeal.
As Marathon's player slump continues, Bungie announces plans to grow it "beyond extraction"
Bungie is implementing significant changes to its shooter Marathon, moving away from its extraction-based gameplay to create more approachable experiences. Updates planned for October and December will introduce new modes, rewards, and a PvE focus, with a major overhaul in March aiming for interconnected PvE, PvP, and PvEvP systems. These shifts come as the game faces dwindling player numbers on PC.
Arc Raiders is testing a PvE mode because "a large and growing group" refuse to hunt each other
Embark Studios is trialing a Player vs Environment (PvE) mode for their extraction shooter Arc Raiders in response to a growing player base that prefers cooperative play over player-versus-player combat. The PvE trial will run from October 13th to 20th, offering a less risky experience with reduced loot value but maintained AI threats to compensate for the lack of PvP tension. This move mirrors similar efforts by other developers, such as Bungie's work on a PvE mode for Marathon.
The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park is Out on November 3rd, Adds Companions and New Endgame
Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is releasing its new paid expansion, Echoes of Central Park, on November 3rd for $20. This expansion, described as twice the size of Battle for Brooklyn, adds new locations like Central Park and the Upper West Side, features a new story with three new companions, six skill variants, a new Exotic weapon, and a replayable endgame experience. The update also includes additional stash space and a level 40 boost.
Bungie’s Payback Was Going to be a Sandbox Game – Rumor
A report indicates that Bungie was developing a Destiny spin-off called Payback, intended as a hero-centric sandbox game with open-world exploration and puzzle-solving elements. Led by Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy, the project was reportedly canceled in Summer 2024 due to concerns about Destiny 2's aging player base and poor onboarding. Despite the cancellation, Bungie has recently announced plans to bring back vaulted Destiny 2 content and is continuing development on its extraction shooter, Marathon.
Marathon devs lay out roadmap leading to 'connected PvE, PvP and PvEvP' in March 2027
Bungie has outlined a roadmap for Marathon, detailing upcoming updates through March 2027. Key additions include a refresh of progression and rewards in October 2026, the introduction of the first PvE experience called Symbiosis in December 2026, and a complete overhaul of the PvP, PvE, and PvEvP ecosystem by March 2027. Game Director Del Chafe III and Creative Director Julia Nardin shared these plans.
The future of Marathon includes a fungus-filled Perimeter, a social hub, and a shift "beyond extraction"
Bungie is shifting the future of Marathon away from a purely extraction-based shooter towards a broader live service model. Upcoming updates will include new PvE modes, a Team Deathmatch PvP option, a visually overhauled Perimeter zone with a fungus infection, and a new social hub. The developer aims to broaden the game's appeal beyond its initial cutthroat PvPvE focus, a move that is met with some frustration given the current market for live service games.
'We all thought we were bringing extraction to the masses, and we didn't'
Bungie is rethinking the design of its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, acknowledging that the initial launch did not resonate with players due to its difficulty and lack of broader appeal. The team plans to incorporate more Bungie-like elements, including dedicated PvE modes, improved onboarding, and a greater emphasis on story, aiming for a more holistic player experience.
March 2027 Could Be Make-Or-Break For Marathon
Bungie is planning a significant update for its extraction shooter Marathon in March 2027, aiming to evolve the experience beyond its initial PvEvP focus. The studio aims to introduce more approachable entry points and deeper challenges, drawing parallels to its successful turnaround of Destiny 2. This comes after a period of internal challenges for Bungie, including layoffs and project cancellations.
