Whispers of significant changes at Bungie have persisted for months, fueled by speculation about a dramatic shift in direction, including the introduction of playable heroes. In a recent Developer Update, Director Joe Ziegler all but officially christened these characters “Runners”, describing them as possessing a “limited yet distinct set of skills”.
Two codenamed runners, known as Thief and Stealth, were recently unveiled through concept art. While Ziegler’s previous endeavors yielded limited data, her central theme is more accurately described as “lurking ominously at the edge of a pivotal moment before making her move,” which imbues her with an air of calculated menace. This character’s unpredictable nature gives rise to both humorous anecdotes and chaotic episodes that significantly impact the game’s trajectory.
The Identify card isn’t always a telltale sign, but Stealth is undoubtedly a Runner with a strong focus on being stealthy. With cunning precision, deception is an integral component of their repertoire. “They possess the tools to survey the battlefield and emerge in ways that enable them to seize an advantage. Ziegler noted it’s currently ‘a bit rough,’ but by the time we bring it to you, I’m confident it will be refined.”
The next-gen upgrade for the iconic game series is now available for pre-order on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, allowing eager fans to add it to their wishlists on participating storefronts. Although no official launch date has been announced, Bungie is planning to conduct playtests next year to engage with their community and gather feedback. Stay informed about potential additional details and watch this space for further developments.