Planning for the future

Former Halo developer Bungie has been working on a multiplatform title for some years now, but we still don't know much about it. According to a contract released as part of Activision’s ongoing legal battle with former Infinity Ward employees, we'll find out a lot more in 2013.

The contract itself states that Bungie has agreed to create four “sci-fantasy action shooter games” for Activision, in a project code-named Destiny. Strangely, the deal states that the first game will be a timed Xbox exclusive (either 360 or its successor) with a tentative fall 2013 release date touted. That game will then come to PS3 (or PS4) one year later, with subsequent sequels launching day and date on Sony’s system.

The contract has the entire lifespan of the series mapped out, with sequels set to launch right through until 2019, and expansion packs confirmed for off years. Should Bungie miss its deadlines, then Activision reserves the right to take over the Destiny property. The contract does, however, stipulate that the mega publisher cannot control the brand until Bungie has completed its work.

It’s a really strange situation – made even more baffling by the first title’s timed exclusivity. We suppose Microsoft got first refusal on the developer’s debut Activision product, but this doesn’t seem like the best way to build a multiplatform franchise.

[source latimes.com]