Destiny
News, coverage and analysis tracking Destiny across the outlets.
The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I've gone from 'meh' to believerAfter an initial period of skepticism, the author became a believer in Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon during its server slam test. The game's lethal PvP, satisfying gunplay reminiscent of Halo, and deep progression systems, particularly its gun modding and loot scarcity, were highlighted as key strengths. The author found the methodical pacing and emphasis on positioning and stealth to be a refreshing departure from faster-paced shooters.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says less is often more in game design: 'As a very wise designer once said to me, a…Fallout co-creator Tim Cain emphasizes that less is often more in game design, warning against feature creep and overambition. He advises designers to know when to stop adding elements to a game to maintain focus and clarity of purpose, citing examples from series like Assassin's Creed and God of War.
Ubisoft’s XDefiant Will Shut Down in June 2025Ubisoft has announced that their free-to-play first-person shooter XDefiant will be shut down on June 3, 2025. The game, which launched in May 2024, struggled to compete with established titles like Call of Duty and will not receive further content updates beyond the upcoming Season 3. Players who made in-game purchases will receive refunds.
Marathon Drops Big News, Plus More Gaming UpdatesBungie's extraction shooter Marathon is set to launch on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, featuring familiar gunplay from Halo and Destiny. Recent news also includes leaks about Starfield's potential PS5 release, Grand Theft Auto 6 appearing in PlayStation's database, and Resident Evil Requiem topping Metacritic user scores. Additionally, the Pokémon anime has yet to adapt the Red vs. Gold battle, and the 4X strategy game Old World is receiving a new DLC.- Marathon is good, actually: the Arc Raiders-rivalling extraction shooter proves Bungie has still got what made Halo and Destiny greatMarathon's Server Slam offered a deep dive into Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, revealing that despite a shaky initial inventory experience, the core gunplay is exceptionally strong. The game excels in fast-paced sci-fi combat, with satisfying weapon mechanics reminiscent of Bungie's past successes like Halo and Destiny, and fluid movement that keeps players engaged.
How the video games industry will finally destroy itself - Reader's FeatureThis reader's feature argues that the video game industry is unsustainable due to a financial system that disincentivizes innovation and leads to conservatism and consolidation. The author suggests that increasing costs, reliance on finance capital over productive labor, and the rise of AI threaten the industry's long-term survival, potentially leading to a crisis similar to broader economic issues.
Marathon outsells Arc Raiders in launch week as Bungie's latest is not a flopBungie's Marathon has seen strong interest during its free Server Slam playtest, performing well on Steam's top sellers list and Twitch viewership, surpassing Arc Raiders in concurrent players. Despite a tumultuous development, the extraction shooter's early performance indicates positive player engagement ahead of its March 5 launch.
Ex-Radical Entertainment, Hothead Games devs form new studioVeteran developers from Radical Entertainment and Hothead Games have formed a new studio called New Radical Games. Ian Wilkinson, former CEO of Radical Entertainment, and Tim Bennison, former COO of Hothead Games, are leading the new venture. The studio aims to specialize in remastering classic games for modern hardware.
Nioh 3 review – Forward StanceTeam Ninja's Nioh 3 is a prequel that refines the souls-like combat the series is known for, introducing seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja styles. While the narrative is uneven, the gameplay shines with its razor-sharp combat, a new loot-driven system, and larger explorable spaces. Boss encounters remain a brutal and rewarding highlight, with stunning visuals and smooth performance.- Anthem ReviewBioWare's Anthem excels in its flight mechanics and character customization, but suffers from numerous issues in storytelling, gunplay, and overall structure. The game is plagued by technical problems, including frequent load screens and bugs that can even cause console shutdowns, making the experience tedious and frustrating despite its promising core elements.
- Destiny 2: Forsaken ReviewDestiny 2: Forsaken significantly improves the base game with dramatic enhancements to loot and character progression, a more engaging story, and new areas. The expansion also introduces the Gambit multiplayer mode, blending PvE and PvP elements. Bungie's efforts have made Destiny 2 the best it has been to date, addressing earlier design missteps.
PlayStation Studios: All Sony First-Party Developers and What They're Working OnSony's first-party development teams, known collectively as PlayStation Studios, are working on a variety of new games across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5 and PC. The article details each studio's history, location, and current known projects, ranging from racing simulations and 3D platformers to narrative horror and large-scale multiplayer titles.
Destiny 2 Review | Giant BombDestiny 2 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, refining Bungie's blend of first-person shooting and loot-driven gameplay. While the story and tone have shifted, the sequel offers a more coherent narrative and a vastly improved endgame experience with streamlined progression and numerous activities. Despite some concerns about microtransactions and less memorable locations, the core gameplay, combat variety, and quality-of-life improvements make Destiny 2 a satisfying and rewarding loot shooter.- Destiny 2 ReviewDestiny 2 significantly improves upon its predecessor with a more coherent story, streamlined gameplay, and a rewarding loot system, making it a compelling loot shooter. While the narrative sometimes leans on clichés and the focus on microtransactions, particularly with shaders, is a drawback, the core shooting mechanics, improved subclass design, and robust endgame activities offer a satisfying experience. Bungie has also implemented numerous quality-of-life updates and a strong clan system, setting a positive trajectory for future content.