Bungie Weekly Update - 07/11/2014

This week at Bungie, we hosted more people on our website than we have since the days when our community stopped by to see how much ass they were kicking in Reach. This is an exciting time. Like a rocket with a favorable trajectory, the energy (and the server traffic) rises every day. We're so close to a moment we've been dreaming about for years - some of us more years than others.

Let's recount the countdown: We celebrated yet another Bungie Day. We revealed some collectibles for the Guardian that lurks deep within you, waiting to be released. We opened a window into the Destiny Beta, and started to illuminate the last mile between you and the beginning of your adventure. And the party didn't stop there.

Those retail codes you've been clutching in your hot little hands have a purpose now! The next step between you and the download of the Destiny Beta is to redeem your codes and then choose a console. Have you done that? Now's the time to sign up and be counted.

This is the main event before we unleash this game on the world. We need your help to prepare the frontier for the invasion scheduled for September 9th. You have a chance to be there before we light this candle. You'll be able to tell people who become Guardians forever more that you were there when we were boosting for orbit.

Help is on the Way.

The Destiny Beta is a test. Make no mistake. This isn't some circus stunt. This is science - and you're the lab rat. Just moments ago at a Bungie team meeting, Executive Producer Patrick O'Kelley mentioned the work being done to incorporate the learnings from the Destiny Alpha. Whenever someone touches our game, it makes a difference.

We'd love to tell you that everything will go according to plan, but that wouldn't be any fun. That wouldn't teach us a thing. Even if the Beta is working perfectly, one of the alpha-geeks in the operations center is gonna kick it to see if it still works. Fortunately, we'll be going to great lengths to keep you informed and keep you in the game.

When the games begin, Bungie.net will get a serious facelift. We'll be infusing your volatile homeland in cyberspace with some new services that will let you shine a nova-hot spotlight on just how badass you'll become. The next evolution for Bungie.net is also about support. Or should we say help?

Take note of that URL. Write it down. Bookmark it in advance. If you ever have trouble acquiring orbit over the worlds of Destiny, make that your first stop. We just might have already answered your question. I'd love to tell you we've thought of everything, but we wouldn't be having a Beta if that were true.

Another early warning system is @BungieHelp on Twitter. We'll be chirping updates on the status of the test from moment to moment. We'll also monitor the Twitterverse for signs of trouble.

If all else fails, and you really need to talk to someone, allow us to introduce you to the Mentors on Bungie.net. They rule the #Support forum in these parts with an iron fist in a white glove. When it comes to questions that separate the people in our community from a good experience, we rely on the heart of a volunteer instead of an 800 number and a script.

Sound good? Then, we'll see you in the Tower.

"First!"

This is the part of the weekly update where you ask: "Do we get any new information about the game?"

And then we say "What? It was Bungie Day this week. You got a trailer and some sweet loot to collect!"

And then you say "That was days ago."

Instead of crumpling into a defeated heap, we're calling in reinforcements from our friends at IGN.

All month long, their IGN First coverage of Destiny will cover everything you might not know (or do know, but don't mind having repeated in beautiful HD glory). Check it out. Here's just a sample of the sweetness we've pilfered from their YouTube, in which Ryan McCaffrey and Lars Bakken train you up for the battles that await you in the Destiny Beta Crucible.

Just like the Beta, this coverage will become more elaborate the more time you spend with it.

When you're marshaling thousands of gamers to the front line of a theoretical battle, you don't have to ask questions. They find you. Instead of a proper Mail Sack, we've channeled the loudest and most frequent voices from the community this week. Let's open... this.

Will you release more Ghost editions?

No promises. We wanted to release limited editions that were actually limited. When you play the game, you'll appreciate the appearance of exotic loot because not everyone will have it. The same goes for the editions of Destiny that have been designed for collectors. If you can find one, collect it.

I have a PS4, and I'm in Australia. Which region do I pick?

Sorry for the confusion on that one! You now have two options on our console selection menu. They are "Americas" and "Global." Sorry for the initial confusion. If you are not in North American, choose "Global."

I have a PS4, and I live in Europe. When I go to select my console, I'm being told that codes are not available. What gives?

We should have codes any day now. As soon as we have what you need, we'll post an update wherever you're paying attention to us.

We get three codes?

You get three codes. When your wave for the Beta begins, we'll be equipping you with a Fireteam. Share those codes with your friends. Approach people on the street, and invite them to become legend. Spend some quality time catching up with your Mom in Old Russia.

What if I want to play on more than one console?

You will need more than one Beta code. These are bound to one account on one box. You'll be able to create (how do we say this) more than one Guardian on that account, but you'll need to pre-order separately for Beta, just as you would for the final version of the game.

Why do you hate your Xbox fans?

We don't hate any of our fans. When we look at Bungie.net, we see gamers. We dare say that we see Bungie fans - although that might be assuming too much. Loving a good game and the hard-working developers who create it is not a console exclusive. This is one place where Guardians will truly be equal. You'll each have a chance to become legend on this site. Our hope is that we can use this environment to talk about the amazing experiences we will all have in common. Bungie has embraced many different platforms in our storied history. We have a hard time sitting still. Our goal has been to create amazing worlds and fill them with as many passionate people as possible. What we would tell you is that, if you want to explore the world of Destiny, it was built with you in mind. We make games here at Bungie. We love the people who play them equally.

That's all the news that's fit to blog this week. If you listen carefully, you can hear another Beta code being redeemed. Did it belong to someone you know? Are you ready yourself?

We hope we see you soon, and to enjoy the light of the Traveler as it falls on the face you've chosen for yourself.