The folks over at LA Times recently got their hands on the publishing contract signed by Activision and Bungie, released due to ongoing legal troubles between the Big A and its former golden gooses Jason West and Vincent Zampella. It reveals a breathtaking amount about Activision/Bungie’s plans for the next few years.
The complete work-up is here, and it’s absolutely fascinating, but in case you don’t feel like reading all of that, hit the jump for some bullet points.
A lot of people have been talking about the various contractual parameters of the agreement, or what GameRankings score Bungie needs to hit to get a bonus (90 or better, by the way), but I say we skip to the good stuff you really wanna hear:
-Bungie’s new IP is tentatively called “Destiny,” and will have major retail releases every other year beginning Fall 2013, and continuing in 2015, 2017, and 2019.
-The first “Destiny” game will be built for the 360, as well as Microsoft’s next console, but a PS3/PS4 version will also be pursued for release in 2014, if both parties feel it’s feasible. The second one will be made for both consoles, as well as the PC.
-Something called “Comets,” which are DLC expansion packs that sound quite extensive, will also be released during the off-years: 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.
-“Destiny” will be developed with an eye to a “Teen” rating, but if they don’t hit it, the contract is pretty “meh” about consequences.
-5% of Bungie’s team will be allowed to start early work on whatever they feel like, and the contract names a “Marathon” sequel as a possible candidate. Very exciting!
I strongly suggest you dig into the contract yourself, it’s a fascinating lesson in how these arrangements are worked out between two very elite players.
_AA
i’m just as angry as you are
2 Comments
If this game is any way remotely close to being Armageddon I will boycott it.
Are we talking the Bruce Willis movie or the valley of Megiddo here?