Post 18 February 2011

By DJSADERS

Someone claiming to be a contract worker recently laid off from Bungie has said the studio is working on an online game called Destiny.

Kotaku Australia says the source revealed that the Halo creators are working on a sci-fi MMO called Destiny, codenamed "Tiger." This would be the "original franchise" the studio has agreed to create with Activision, having signed a ten-year publishing deal last year.

According to the site, Destiny will run on a new Bungie-developed graphics engine and feature unique online connectivity and matchmaking technology. It was described as "WoW in space," which fits with previous comments by Bungie that it was interested in creating a world "that was always there for you."

The source also claimed that the studio had recently laid off over 30 people amid budget problems. Bungie flatly denied this, in a public statement posted on its website.

"Bungie has never been asked to lay off any employees or contract employees by our publisher, Activision-Blizzard, for any reason. The talented professionals who grace our offices day in and day out are the lifeblood of Bungie - our most cherished commodity - and the unsubstantiated rumors posted today are in direct opposition to the culture and values that we believe make Bungie an exceptional place to work, and to call home."

It didn't say anything about the game details, though. Make of that what you will.