Was Destiny Supposed to be a Halo Game?
The question that has been on every gamer’s mind since the release of Destiny in 2014: was Destiny supposed to be a Halo game? The answer is a resounding yes, but not exactly. In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Bungie, the developers of Halo, and their journey to create Destiny, a game that shares some striking similarities with the popular Halo franchise.
The Early Days of Bungie
Bungie, the company behind Halo, was founded in 1991 by Alex Seropian and Jason Jones. The company’s early days were marked by the development of several successful games, including Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete and Myth: The Fallen Lords. However, it was their work on the Marathon series that caught the attention of Microsoft, which eventually led to the acquisition of Bungie in 2000.
The Birth of Halo
With Microsoft’s backing, Bungie began working on a new game, which would eventually become Halo: Combat Evolved. Released in 2001, Halo was a massive success, praised for its engaging storyline, addictive gameplay, and innovative multiplayer features. The game’s success cemented Bungie’s status as a leading game developer, and the company went on to create several more Halo games, including Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo: Reach.
The Split and the Birth of Destiny
However, in 2011, Bungie announced that it would be parting ways with Microsoft, citing creative differences and a desire to pursue new projects. This marked the end of the Halo franchise’s development at Bungie, and the company began working on a new project, which would eventually become Destiny.
Destiny: A New Franchise
Destiny, released in 2014, was a first-person shooter with MMO elements, set in a post-apocalyptic world where players took on the role of Guardians, tasked with protecting the last city on Earth from various alien threats. While Destiny shared some similarities with Halo, such as its fast-paced action and cooperative multiplayer, it was a distinctly new franchise, with its own unique story, characters, and gameplay mechanics.
Why Destiny Wasn’t a Halo Game
So, why wasn’t Destiny a Halo game? According to an interview with Bungie’s community manager, David "DeeJ" Dague, the company wanted to create a new franchise that was distinct from Halo, but still shared some similarities with the series. "We wanted to create a game that was a little bit different, but still had some of the same DNA as Halo," Dague said. "We wanted to take some of the things that we loved about Halo and apply them to a new game, but also try some new things and see what worked."
Easter Eggs and Connections
Despite Destiny not being a Halo game, there are still some Easter eggs and connections between the two franchises. For example, the game’s protagonist, Titan, is a reference to the Titan faction from Halo, and the game’s enemies, the Fallen, are similar to the Covenant from Halo. Additionally, some of the game’s characters, such as the Exo, are similar to the Elites from Halo.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Destiny was not a Halo game, it was heavily influenced by the franchise and shares some similarities with it. Bungie’s decision to create a new franchise was driven by a desire to try new things and create a game that was distinct from Halo, but still had some of the same DNA. The game’s Easter eggs and connections to Halo are a testament to the franchise’s enduring influence on the gaming industry.
Table: Comparison of Halo and Destiny
| Halo | Destiny | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | First-person shooter | First-person shooter with MMO elements |
| Setting | Sci-fi | Post-apocalyptic |
| Protagonist | Master Chief | Titan |
| Enemies | Covenant | Fallen |
| Multiplayer | Cooperative | Cooperative |
Bullets List: Key Similarities and Differences
- Similarities:
- Fast-paced action
- Cooperative multiplayer
- Sci-fi setting
- Differences:
- Genre: Halo is a traditional first-person shooter, while Destiny is a first-person shooter with MMO elements
- Setting: Halo is set in a futuristic world, while Destiny is set in a post-apocalyptic world
- Protagonist: Halo features Master Chief, a iconic protagonist, while Destiny features Titan, a new protagonist
- Enemies: Halo features the Covenant, a powerful alien alliance, while Destiny features the Fallen, a group of rogue humans
I hope this article provides a comprehensive answer to the question: was Destiny supposed to be a Halo game?