Microsoft is a gift that keeps on giving, only that it’s revealing information that isn’t theirs to drop in the first place.
In a fresh development from the recent FTC-Microsoft trial, it was revealed that Bungie, the studio known for Destiny 2 and the forthcoming Marathon revival, is developing a new IP.
According to previously confidential Microsoft documents (courtesy of IGN), the new IP, Matter, is anticipated to come out in 2025.
The Microsoft documents reveal Bungie’s aggressive expansion plans, showcasing the company’s significant growth and its ambition. In 2021, the company more than doubled its headquarters space, with a new studio opening in Amsterdam last year. This space is designed for the continued support of Destiny 2 and the development of Matter.
Since 2020, there have been hints about Bungie’s mysterious new IP. Job listings for Bungie during this period hinted that the new IP would take on a “comedic” tone and feature “whimsical characters”. These advertisements marks a distinct shift from Bungie’s past works, indicating an endeavor to explore different gaming themes and genres.
But what exactly can gamers expect from Matter? Early job advertisements suggest that Matter, much like Destiny, will be a multiplayer action game. With the potential of a live-service framework, the game is likely to have a strong character focus.
These listings also hint at a distinctive gaming atmosphere, with phrases like “lighthearted” and “comedic”. Such descriptors diverge from the more serious and epic narratives of Bungie’s previous projects, suggesting a fresh and new direction for the renowned studio. Words like “sword” and “dungeon” also popped up, leading some to speculate that Matter might also veer toward the fantasy RPG genre.
Moreover, suggestions of a looting dynamic akin to games like Borderlands offer an intriguing potential direction. This may mean that Bungie is aiming to incorporate elements of looter-shooters, possibly making Matter an engaging and fun-filled online experience.
Matter is a pivotal moment for Bungie. It marks a departure from the studio’s known realms, pushing it into an unexplored territory. And while the specifics of Matter remain shrouded in mystery, the whispers of a comedic, whimsical, and potentially fantasy-oriented game are enticing, to say the least.
Judging from what we’ve heard so far, it wouldn’t surprise us if Matter is part of the reason why Sony bought Bungie in the first place.
For what it’s worth, a 2025 release window makes sense, especially as Sony promises to release multiple live-service games by then, all with the help of Bungie.
Ultimately, whatever Matter turns out to be, there’s little doubt that it will leave an indelible mark in gaming, as Bungie’s earlier creations have done.
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt if Bungie tries to clean up its act before then. The studio is currently under serious fire from the Destiny community for its lackadaisical approach to the game, resulting in a decrease in every subsequent update’s quality. The most recent controversy regarding its use of fan art certainly doesn’t help.
