Ever since Bungie split from Activision, many have asked what’s next for the company, specificallyDestiny 2. There’s been some growing pains, as with all adjustment periods, but Bungie answered that question strongly earlier this year.Destiny 2’s Beyond Light expansiondrops in just a few weeks but will be followed by The Witch Queen in 2021 and Lightfall in 2022. Bungie stated that it did not want to put another number on the box, and with such ambitions, there’s no need to.
Combine this with the newDestinycontent vault storing away old stuff and re-vamping older stuff, other changes that are sure to occur, and far more, it’s clear that Bungie is taking the future ofDestiny 2very seriously. This can only bode well for the franchise’s future, but what about Bungie’s future? It’s been made clear that Bungie is interested in being more than a one-trick pony, andDestiny 2’s future would seemingly have some implication for otherBungie games, notablyMatter.
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What is the New Bungie IP Matter?
In September 2019, Bungie made a strong announcement: “We need to build our publishing group, but part of our vision is also to become a multi-franchise entertainment company.” ThisBungie statementmakes it clear that it intends to grow beyondDestiny 2, even going so far as to say its next game (or games) could be out by 2025, which is still 5 years away. This corresponds with its trademarking of “Matter” a year before.
Matterhas the above image going for it, as well as the aforementioned trademark, yet that’s all that’s known about the IP. It’s even possible thatMatterisn’t the full name, as this could be changed. What little can be inferred about it comes from various job postings, one of which indicates thatMatterwill be likeDestiny 2in its business model. That’s not really a surprise, and the image could imply a colorful romp through space (or anything, for that matter) with a similar set up for monetization.
On the other hand, another job listing for an Incubation Art Director asks, “Would you like to work on something comedic with lighthearted and whimsical characters?” This stands in contrast to themore serious nature ofDestiny 2, and it could be that, tone-wise, the two are worlds apart. Many who are aware of the trademark may ask whatDestiny 2’s future means forMatter, if the project has been abandoned or cancelled due to the lack of news. But the answer is much more nuanced and a lot more simple than that.
Does Destiny 2’s Future Impede on Matter?
Growth for Bungie does not mean leaving behindDestiny 2. While Bungie will likely always be synonymous withDestiny, there’s room for more under the Bungie umbrella. It may be worrying that something more concrete aboutMatterhasn’t been revealed, but the simple truth is, it shouldn’t. Many may be attuned to games likeFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandThe Elder Scrolls 6which get official announcements but don’t release for years afterward, but there’s no reason to showMatterbefore Bungie’s ready. And with it potentially coming out in 2025, there’s no need to rush whenDestiny 2has so much to offer in the meantime.
Furthermore, with games likeThe Elder Scrolls, those titles are often synonymous with their creators as well. Bethesda is known forElder ScrollsandFallout, BioWare is known forDragon Age, Mass Effect, and more, and both companies are open to new things.Anthemmay have not went over as intended, andStarfieldisn’t out yet to pass judgment,but both studios are more than one trick ponies. There’s little reason to believe that Bungie, despite being its own publisher, couldn’t have more than one synonymous IP under its belt.
Even if many were concerned about Bungie’s ability to fund and publish another project, it’s worth mentioning that it signed a $100 million deal with NetEase to work on this new IP, which had no bearing at the time on its partnership with Activision. With that now being dissolved but NetEase’s investment still standing, bothDestiny 2and this new IP likely get the appropriate attention required. The future ofDestiny 2seems bright, thefuture ofMatterstill stands, and as a result, Bungie is in a position to make a real splash in the next few years.
Destiny 2is available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions coming on launch day.
