More than a year since announcing its sci-fi extraction shooter, developer Bungie provided a glimpse into its next game on Monday, unveiling details including two playable character classes and confirming plans for targeted player tests in 2025. The latest update was a departure from Bungie’s norm – instead of a polished “ViDoc,” as they like to call them, the new video was a straightforward, camera-conference-style information dump from game director Joe Zeigler. Some methods involve scanning akin to proof-of-life videos from the beleaguered developers behind the project Future.
After announcing its departure from Activision in May 2023, Bungie clarified that it deliberately went “dark” to focus on its new game, pledging to showcase gameplay when it talks about its extraction shooter next time. Despite Zeigler’s reluctance to reveal details, he confirmed that the studio is hesitant to provide a straightforward explanation of gameplay mechanics. Zeigler proposes an “extremely intense” extraction shooter where players compete fiercely for valuable loot, only to struggle to survive and make a daring escape with their spoils. The developer has also confirmed the existence of two distinct forms of Runners, a type of cybernetic mercenary, specifically highlighting the Thief and Stealth varieties.
Zeigler notes that showcasing Thief’s concept art reveals a glimpse into the character’s psyche, saying, “When you catch her creepily peeking across the corner before she makes her move – that’s really like the theme of that character in many ways, giving you a hint as to what kind of gameplay she’ll be driving from.” The [Thief]’s antics have yielded a treasure trove of side-splitting anecdotes, alongside an array of absurd and chaotic events that significantly impact the game.
Zeigler notes that the Stealth Runner will leverage deception as its primary utility feature. “They’re notoriously elusive,” he noted, “and you’ll notice they possess the tools to surveil the battlefield and materialize in ways that permit them to capitalize on their advantage.”
When discussing the game’s current state, Zeigler noted that Bungie is “under close scrutiny” and has been making “aggressive tweaks” based on early player and content creator feedback from testing sessions. Numerous contributors have played a crucial role by sharing their honest opinions on various aspects of the game, effectively aiding diagnosis, analysis, and strategic adjustments to drive positive changes.
Gamers may gain access to the game as early as 2025, when Bungie plans to expand its playtesting to a broader audience, according to Zeigler’s statement. As the 2023 release window for ‘s sequel draws near, speculation about the game’s content has reached a fever pitch. While that doesn’t necessarily imply that we’ll see actual gameplay in 2025, it does seem like Bungie is getting closer to sharing more details with fans and allowing a broader audience to get hands-on experience with its highly anticipated follow-up.
Bradley Zeigler, formerly sport director at Riot Games’ shooter, announced in March that he had assumed the role of sport director for League of Legends. According to reports from Bloomberg, Activision replaced Bungie veteran Christopher Barrett, who had allegedly been terminated due to allegations of misconduct.
will debut on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
