Destiny is a series of science-fiction multiplayer first-person shooter video games created and developed by Bungie; between 2014 and 2019 the games were published by Activision, afterwards publishing rights were reverted to Bungie.
Set in a "mythic science fiction" setting, the Destiny series takes place 700 years into the future where humanity survives in the last safe location on earth, protected by a celestial body called the Traveler. In the franchise's backstory, the Traveler enabled humanity's expansion across the solar system before a catalytic event drove humanity to the brink of extinction while alien invaders and other extraterrestrial threats loom over the City and mankind's remnants. Events portrayed within the games follow the Guardians, the protectors of the Last City and the faction which the players control.
Both titles released so far as of 2022 are multiplayer-only first-person shooters in a "shared world" with a heavy emphasis on role-playing mechanics and player customization through loot-based gameplay loop. Destiny titles offer a wide range of game modes within their setting, including player-versus-environment quests, player-versus-player deathmatches, Raids and other activities. As of 2022, the franchise includes Destiny (2014), Destiny 2 (2017) and their various expansion packs.
Reception to the Destiny series has been largely positive, and the franchise was deemed influential in its design as live-service titles. Publications praised the visuals, art direction, controls, gunplay and general improvement that the series has endured since its respective launch releases, though criticism was focused on lackluster writing, inconsistencies in post-launch game updates and expansions, and creative and technical decisions taken by Bungie following the games' releases. Both games have been significant commercial successes, and Destiny 2 has enjoyed a strong player count after changing to a free-to-play pricing model.
Games[]
| Game title | Release | Platform | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destiny | 2014 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | n / a |
| Destiny 2 | 2017 | PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | Originally a retailed title; relaunched as Destiny 2: New Light in 2019 |
Expansion packs[]
| Game title | Release | Platform | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destiny: The Dark Below | 2014 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | First expansion pack to Destiny |
| Destiny: House of Wolves | 2015 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Second expansion pack to Destiny |
| Destiny: The Taken King | 2015 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | First major and overall third expansion pack to Destiny |
| Destiny: Rise of Iron | 2016 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Second major, overall forth and final expansion pack to Destiny |
| Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris | 2017 | PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One | First expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: Warmind | 2018 | PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One | Second expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: Forsaken | 2018 | PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One | Third expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: Shadowkeep | 2019 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Forth expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: Beyond Light | 2020 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Fifth expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | 2022 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Sixth expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: Lightfall | 2023 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Seventh expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
| Destiny 2: The Final Shape | 2024 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Eighth expansion pack to Destiny 2 |
Cancelled projects[]
| Game title | Platform | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project Payback | Unknown | Destiny spin-off. Cancelled prior to 2024.[1] |