Bungie not worried about server woes for Destiny

After the troubled launches of SimCity and Diablo III, it looks like Destiny will be the next game to pick up the 'always-online' mantle. Bungie has announced that the company isn't worried about server issues on launch day.

"This isn't our first rodeo," stated Bungie on its website. "Bungie is no stranger to anxious mobs of players who rush home after a midnight launch and put our best-laid plans to the test."

So far, the game has just been anounced and we don't have a solid release date yet. According to the company, "Since a release date hasn’t even been announced yet, we’ll let our team focus on some less frightening but equally important challenges."

The 'shared world shooter' looks like it will have sci-fi and magic trappings

Bungie's Destiny is set to be what the company calls a “shared-world shooter”, which means that it will have a persistent world, much like you have in MMOs. Owing to this, though, the game will require an active Internet connection to play, even if you’re just playing single player, much like Blizzard’s Diablo III. This would be the first time that a game requires players to be online even for single player on consoles.

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Again, as is usual for Bungie games, Destiny will be a sci-fi shooter where players will get to explore the solar system. As Guardians, players will fight alien species like Sandeaters, War Rhinos and Spider Pirates – which, may I add, sounds totally awesome. Other enemies sound even more awesome and include time-travelling robots and space zombies. The game is expected to have drop-in co-op, hence the always-online requirement, and will also have a slight magical element to it.

Players can pick between one of three classes – Titans (which are the big assault guys that have big weapons), Warlocks (which use magic, presumably to hinder enemies and help friends) and Hunters (who will concentrate on sniping and stealth). There will also be player versus player, if you want to test your mettle against other players. Like any other RPG, this one will also have loot that you will have to find and with which you will have to equip your character.

The company has stressed that players will not be playing a God-like avatar like Halo’s Master Chief. Instead, the players will develop and grow their own characters while affecting the worlds of other players. "Even in story mode, you will encounter other players on their own adventures, inhabiting and affecting the same world," said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg.