[Largest lore post yet!] What WAS the original meaning of Destiny?

RealCrow · September 24, 2023, 9:23am

Joseph Staten’s initial vision for the Destiny universe, allegedly deteriorated by Jason Jones in the enigmatic Supercut version, aimed to redefine the limits of narrative in video games. His aspirations were grand, crafting a dense network of intricate allusions, metaphors, and meticulously layered complexity, elevating it beyond just a backdrop for an adventurous sci-fi shooter. Staten’s narrative sought to utilize Destiny as a platform to interrogate and challenge prevailing norms and unquestioned dichotomies that we often accept without critical analysis.

His narrative aimed to challenge players to delve not only into, but also beyond the essence of good and evil, light and dark, black and white, right and wrong, saint and sinner, civilized and savage. It urges them to reconsider what is overrated and underrated, developed and undeveloped, progressive or traditional, natural or technological, rich or poor, devout or heretic, Christian or Pagan, Western or Eastern. Symbolically, it scrutinizes the underlying assumptions of these stark dichotomies, along with the historical and cultural contexts that have given rise to such compelling contrasts.

Staten’s original narrative did not simply offer a captivating and detailed lore for the game to merely satisfy lore channels. Instead, it introduced a revolutionary approach to the gaming experience. Players were no longer just observers or executors of predefined actions. They were inspired to delve into the realm of critical thinking and active participation with the game’s themes. This innovative method amplified the player’s connection with the game, infusing depth and significance to the interactions within the game’s universe.

Contrary to the reactions of those who cast the Speaker as a false prophet serving a false god, I don’t believe the narrative is merely a cliched ‘religion is evil’ plot, as many Reddit atheists might assume - akin to what was depicted in the Halo trilogy. Instead, I propose that the narrative was crafted as a nuanced, perhaps postmodern critique on the nature of history itself - illustrating that it’s not just the victors who write history, but also those with hidden agendas or power to gain.

The narrative unfolds as the player’s character, known as the Guardian, is brought back to life by a (or perhaps their) Ghost amongst the eerie ruins of Old Russia. This resurrection signifies a rebirth into a world teeming with enigma, shrouded in amnesia, and filled with perplexing riddles and grisly scenes of literal skeletons. It’s a world that mirrors our own, lost in the aftermath of an apocalypse. Here, the truth is intricately entwined with a multitude of questions, lying in wait, ready to be unraveled.

The narrative echoes Fallout 3, with one key difference: the main storyline centers around uncovering the very catalyst responsible for the collapse and destruction of the society we might have known, rather than merely attempting to restore what was lost.

The narrative bore a striking resemblance to the inaugural Mass Effect game, but was distinctly set within the confines of Earth and its solar system.

It was reminiscent of the 2013 movie Oblivion, but in a video game format and managed to be less nonsensical.

The scene unfolded in a universe steeped in symbolism, primarily from medieval and renaissance Europe; notable examples include the Celestial Spheres, the Epochs of Civilization, and Motifs of Antiquity. This universe also drew heavily from Alchemy, Biblical Judeo-Christian motifs, Occultism, and other cultural, philosophical, religious, and scientific concepts of the said eras.

Sourced examples:

https://esequiel.com/d6ishtar.html

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/aRZmX

When viewed as a morality tale, this narrative might have been a tale of disillusionment, much like Halo. For Destiny 1, the focus would have shifted to exceptionalism derived from the broad ideology known as Modernity, rather than exceptionalism rooted in its individual component known as religion.

I’ve observed numerous internet users readily accepting information they come across as the ultimate truth, without questioning its authenticity or considering potential biases. They often neglect to adopt a critical “behind the scenes” perspective.

An example of demonstrating this POV:

One convincing argument is that the Vex were likely engineered by humans, and not, as some suggest, inexplicably powerful and mysterious extraterrestrials. This theory is substantiated by early concept art where the Vex are depicted wielding weapons reminiscent of presumed human technology. Moreover, the design of the Vex mirrors traditional sci-fi architecture, further suggesting human-origin.

Additional evidence can be found in similarities between goblin units and early tower frame concepts. Furthermore, the image of three Vex goblins being manipulated by a red-eyed dark cloud on Earth could potentially be associated with an unused backstory in which the Traveler exploits human technology, releasing the Darkness upon Earth. This theory, although not widely accepted, provides a plausible explanation for the Vex’s origin, and what role they might have in driving the THEME of the original story’s opinion on the deeply connected term “Destiny.”

The Vex and old future technology:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/PzZeZ

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/QgPg3
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/xB1yY

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/xvwm2
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/dL8kw
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/rwZ0e

The Vex and The Darkness:
https://gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Destiny-Early-Story-Details.jpg

Moreover, why are the Vex referred to as such? What is the original significance of this name? Is this a label intended to be interpreted literally or does it carry an underlying fictional backstory, like Vexx?

Vexx cannon:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/273619608

Staten’s most contentious narrative assertions revolve around the role of the Traveler. Typically, it’s depicted as a beneficent figure, akin to a savior or messiah. However, in Staten’s original concept, the Traveler — also known as the mother of The Darkness — manipulated humanity’s technology, possibly even the Vex, making them instruments in the annihilation of their creators. This depiction provides a more nuanced portrayal of the Traveler than the one-dimensional image we’re accustomed to.

Contrary to what the Speaker may have led us to believe, it is not the darkness that damaged the Traveler. In truth, it was Rasputin who inflicted harm and crippled the Traveler.

Sourced examples:
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-the-traveler
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-mysteries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanomachy
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-the-traveler-3
https://youtu.be/HHFWNwoNRF8

Unraveling the mystery of Rasputin would have been pivotal in the original story. Not only does he hold the truth about what truly transpired during the collapse, but he also knows how to prevent another catastrophe. After emerging victorious over a version of Oryx in the Hive’s Dreadnaught on Saturn, you would have liberated his Exo from a cage in the same boss room, only to learn that he was in fact using the Exo as a host. As players, we would have come to understand that the real savior of humanity was not The Traveler, but Rasputin himself. Moreover, The Crow and Osiris would have emerged as more effective guides than the Speaker.

Sourced examples:
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-exo.jpg
https://youtu.be/y5kYi44yoEw?t=206

Many people have criticized the original story as being “not good”. However, in my opinion, it was far superior to what we ultimately received in the retail version. It’s important to note that portions of the original story was leaked, and therefore it was a mere plot summary that was inherently detached from the surrounding context and the methods used to present it. Therefore, it’s just as unjust to judge Destiny’s original story as it would be to evaluate every movie solely based on their Wikipedia summaries and side notes about their reception. Judgement should be reserved for the fully fleshed out and contextually presented story itself, not a lacking summarization, especially the ones presented in bad faith.

For example, criticizing Halo for existing was considered “cool” back then (pre-Destiny): https://youtu.be/NRM3l68PyJA?t=1970

Even a tired cliche in video game narratives can be overlooked, and perhaps even appreciated, if the storyteller is adept enough to entirely subvert expectations. If they can effectively utilize the cliche so that it interacts with other aspects of the larger narrative, rather than merely relying on familiarity, it can significantly enhance the player’s overall experience to create a very memorable story.

For example: https://youtu.be/r3s0hwehMV4?t=571

The Traveler, with its widely celebrated ostensible historical contributions, might well have been a profound commentary reflecting the dubious history and propaganda of colonizers. These colonizers were often depicted as bringers of prosperity, yet we also know they are bringers of devastation to the regions they colonized, or more accurately, conquered.

Is it possible that, in an earlier draft, the Traveler was conceptualized as a Dyson sphere, home to dormant interstellar conquerors who regarded the human populations as mere nuisances to be managed? Despite their obliviousness, these humans fully believed that all terraforming performed by the Traveler was for their benefit, rather than for the space conquerors.

Sourced example: https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2015/09/destiny-traveler.html

Drawing inspiration from the “Justice” episode of The Next Generation, envision The Traveler as an advanced supercomputer, a sophisticated artificial intelligence, or an automated construct. This entity not only bestows upon humanity the profound knowledge of terraforming, but it also assimilates the prevailing narratives and philosophies of the legendary mankind.

Sourced example: https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/hesperos-type-0-2

In doing so, its objective was to bring to life a utopia - a heaven on earth, an idyllic paradise, a flourishing garden.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/jR0XJUPNx4E?t=443

However, its interpretation was grounded in a deep-seated observation: Light inevitably springs forth from Darkness. This concept is akin to the historical progression where ‘The Enlightenment’ would not have come into existence without the preceding ‘Dark Ages’ serving as its fundamental basis in the writing of European history.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/XO3kiHqJQ_8?t=112

After nearly annihilating the human race, The Traveler, if left intact, would initiate the transformation of the remnants into what we now identify as the Vex, beings from the far-flung future. They might be the potential progeny of our species, or a speculative evolutionary offshoot of our lineage brought to realization. These beings revere the Heart/Darkness as a legitimate deity and have intersected with human history (their own past) on numerous occasions. In essence, they bear a certain resemblance to the Metal Men from the movie Gandahar, also known as Light Years.

Sourced examples:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170219124748/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/destiny-rise-of-iron-how-seventies-scifi-inspired-bungie-online-shooter-20160614
https://youtu.be/TdrCK5TNG6c
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8eWvn
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/615/860/large/frank-capezzuto-iii-fc-vex-time-platform-02.jpg
https://youtu.be/FKCCavXcrFk?t=203

Perhaps the authentic original draft might be a blend of both hypothetical backstories. The Traveler may have journeyed to our solar system through space or time, remained concealed on one of our planets, or it could have even been a creation of humans at some point. This could have been an effort to rival the Warminds. The crux of the matter is that the Speaker is just as deceitful as those “leakers” mentioned in the year late coverup article from Kotaku. He merely elaborates on what he deems necessary for us to hear (to not ask more questions), while keeping the rest obscured or overly simplified.

The Speaker can be likened to a Eurocentric scholar who skillfully veils the Traveler’s exploitative and potentially destructive intentions under the guise of ‘civilization’, ‘progress’, and ‘science’. This facade is maintained throughout a ‘Golden Age’, only to predictably descend into a ‘Dark Age.’ The Speaker propagates a misleading narrative about Light and Darkness, manipulating humanity’s understanding and reinforcing control through these simplified binary constructs. Upon recent reflection, it struck me as peculiar that there is absolutely no concept art for the Speaker available online or in the art book, even a full decade after the game’s release. This is particularly strange considering the Speaker’s iconic status, predominantly due to his distinctive mask and suit.

Perhaps there lies a tantalizing spoiler-worthy twist behind that mask, and the machine he operates as well.

After spending hours scouring Google Images, I’ve managed to find one image that bears the closest resemblance to my quest.

Here’s the link to it: https://cdna.artstation.com/p/users/avatars/000/245/890/large/cd31e48b3a7cb527e5b3a3f5e7c6c685.jpg

If you argue that he wasn’t assigned a significant role in the concept art to be highlighted in his outfit design, then we must ponder over the reason for his existence in the first place. Why was he featured in an unused scene in one of the initial pre-release trailers? What was the rationale behind designing his attire in such a manner? Why did Bungie invest in hiring an accomplished voice actor for a seemingly insignificant role? What is the reason behind the speaker sporadically uttering lines with a seemingly villainous undertone in the base game? Why does the observatory cutscene subtly spotlight the speaker in a red hue, a clever cinematic technique often used to depict villains in a narrative?

When The Darkness and The Exo Stranger were abruptly excluded from the behind-the-scenes of Vanilla Destiny 2, why was the speaker eliminated only to be completely forgotten? What is the function of the machine near the Speaker? Could this ornate decoration have held some significance at one point, perhaps for a particular cutscene? What exactly do the nearby banners symbolize?

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/EQe1DdLrUlk?t=750
https://youtu.be/1H7X67AdZ2g?t=617
https://youtu.be/fXW2FEJ4L4E?t=345
https://youtu.be/HHFWNwoNRF8?t=104

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/7170e3/info_on_destiny_1s_development_from_blood_sweat/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2017/06/15/bungie-has-written-the-darkness-and-the-exo-stranger-out-of-destiny-2/
https://twitter.com/cgbarrett/status/957714872560599040
https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/7tg9ka/according_to_bungie_narrative_director_margaret/

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/277/421/large/1920_jessevandijk_vitalis.jpg
https://youtu.be/wrg1rf91d2c

https://i.imgur.com/7lN20uF.png

While we were initially uncertain about the unveiling of explanations prior to the retail release, the original Destiny did indeed harbor a mystery. However, unlike in the retail version, the major mysteries would have been resolved in Staten’s campaign.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/ZF6mS01WxzM?t=319

In this innovative narrative, the Guardians - Hunter, Titan, and Warlock - were far more than mere classifications. They bore connotations rooted in mythical and malevolent figures. These chosen names served as a critique of our traditional interpretations and redefinition of terms within themes such as villainy, heroism, and commonplace symbolism, scrutinizing their problematic historical counterparts in legends.

Sourced examples:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlock
https://mythipedia.fandom.com/wiki/Warlock
https://mythipedia.fandom.com/wiki/Warlocks_of_Scholomance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Hunt
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HunterOfMonsters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titans
https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/2gd9lr/i_overheard_a_fallen_dreg_say_something_and_now_i/

The Guardians, a title akin to guardian angels, but simplified like The Traveler and the other titles, could also be perceived as conquerors, reminiscent of the “glorious Knights of the Crusades”, the “glorious Explorers of the Age of Discovery”, or even the “glorious Colonizers during the Scramble for Africa.” Despite their controversial objectives and insatiable appetite for loot, such figures have frequently been romanticized as heroes or even legends in historical narratives. These depictions obscure the harsh truths or amplify the half-truths of the history centered around them, presenting yet another reflection of our ongoing struggle with historical memory.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/cPLuCjyQcIM
https://youtu.be/ZSWN-VP0lD8
https://youtu.be/GmkSs0WHey0?t=26
https://youtu.be/ZiDbv7nftM8?t=2226
https://youtu.be/iMGE3B2wsS8?t=45
https://youtu.be/FKCCavXcrFk?t=350
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/mystery-fate-of-skolas

In Greek mythology, the term “heroes” did not necessarily align with our modern understanding of morality. These individuals were considered “good” due to their larger-than-life personas and abilities, yet these very qualities often led to harm for those around them. Who’s to determine that possessing such a grandiose nature automatically qualifies one as a contemporary hero?

This could explain why “Ghosts,” traditionally perceived as supernatural entities charged with the task of selecting their guardians, take considerable time to make their choices. They seek out those who exhibit either utmost subservience or extraordinary power. Guardians like Osiris often fall into disfavor due to a lack of the former trait. Osiris was banished for his quest to gain extensive knowledge by asking questions, the ones that the Speaker and The City deemed ‘heretical’.

In the narrative crafted by Joseph Staten, the concept of the ‘Light’—humorously referred to by Staten himself and then ironically reduced to ‘SPACE MAGIC’ in Retail and subsequent developments—was likely intended to convey a profound meaning in a more tangible manner. The Light might have been envisioned as a sophisticated futuristic technology, comprehensible only to the Speaker. This idea could have served as a religious or philosophical reference, perhaps an allegory to the Holy Flame, the Light of Civilization, or a tangible embodiment of Enlightenment that Guardians wield as a “weapon” just like The Traveler and The Ghosts.

This ‘Light’ could have acted as a potent symbol, blurring the lines between divine intervention and human-engineered miracles. It would have questioned our perceptions of technology and religion, shedding new light on the powers utilized by the Guardians. By blurring the lines between the divine and the human-created, it aligns with the overarching goal of Staten’s narrative to blur moral, cultural, and power boundaries.

Sourced examples:
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/computable-secrets-2
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/azoth-bend-i-3
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/mos-azoth-iv
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-human-4
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/423/105/large/mike-stavrides-d1-028.jpg
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/350/917/large/mike-stavrides-d1-022.jpg
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/423/104/large/mike-stavrides-d1-027.jpg

As suggested by the name references in the Halo trilogy, Staten’s world was abounding with subtle allusions and profound metaphors:
https://youtu.be/RPbAUM7Jbzs?t=159
https://youtu.be/u7D6JLgZneU?t=295
https://youtu.be/_P-uOCKDTAA?t=2437

The Heart in the Black Garden, and possibly The Traveler, seem to be clear allusions to the highly controversial book, “Heart of Darkness”.
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/210/780/large/dorje-bellbrook-db-destiny-198-5.jpg
https://destiny.bungie.org/galleries/gdc2013_concept_art/lg/21.jpg
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/022/198/411/large/francisco-cruz-iii-francisco-cruz-catacombs-2014-07-25-05-44-14-pm-16713822426-o.jpg

https://youtu.be/UZ5BpeHVTWY?t=1100

Gee…
https://youtu.be/EGopmzPQ2Vw

The title ‘Destiny’ subtly suggests grand themes such as ‘Man’s Destiny,’ ‘The Glorious Destiny of Mankind,’ or even ‘Manifest Destiny.’ These themes are deeply intertwined with a wide array of historical concepts, such as predestination, natural hierarchies, and the more modern notions of progressivism and exceptionalism. They also bear the weight of the so-called “Natural Cycle of Civilization,” a concept that emerges from the belief in “The Best of All Possible Worlds” and the use of so-called science to frame an idea as convincing.

However, these ideas are often built on a foundation of half-truths/untruths, perpetuated or misused by biased or self-serving philosophers, scientists, and leaders. Their narratives frame and reframe these untruths, creating a distorted view of history.

Furthermore, these themes are often presented in a Utopian light, suggesting a world of patriotic or virtuous pride. Yet, when tragedy strikes, contradicting what was prophesied or striking without reason, the flaws in these philosophies become evident or even dangerous. Indeed, ‘Destiny’ challenges the notion of “Philosophical Optimism,” revealing the inherent issues in such a worldview.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/TlIUXvAdpcw
https://youtu.be/jR0XJUPNx4E?t=520

The recurring theme present in the standard postmodern classifications leads me to speculate that The Golden Age may not have been intended to represent a true utopian period of rapid progress. Instead, it might have been a time rife with geopolitical turmoil and hidden contradictions. The Traveler, both metaphorically and literally, manipulated nations’ weapons against themselves, challenging the narrative of a peaceful and unified revolutionary age. Moreover, it might have been slower and involving more particular topics than what the Speaker’s opening essentialist and evocative monologue lets on.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/Ny7XhR4URZE?t=99

Similar to how “The Age of Discovery” was actually the “Age of Reconnaissance,” and “The Industrial Revolution” was actually “The Age of Industrialization”; The term ‘Golden Age’ may not be the most accurate description. It might be more fitting to refer to it as the ‘Age of Condescension’, the ‘Era of Power Consolidation’, or even the ‘Epoch of Divided Destiny’. After all, the sight of tanks and the wreckage of countless cars in the Cosmodrome sharply contrasts with the idealized images displayed in the facility’s posters from a time we’re informed was one of unified peace. This contrast prompts us to ask: what narratives are hidden beneath the veneer of this so-called “perfect world”?

Sourced examples:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/14x1Z
https://youtu.be/ETMrFkdWDls?t=115
https://youtu.be/ABmjK2QhdOU?t=306
https://youtu.be/Lcdw3LQAsCg

Prior to Destiny 2 resorting to merely name-dropping when fresh, meaningful names were exhausted, characters such as Osiris and the Crow were not simply audio-emitting objects. Instead, they were interactive characters, intricately layered with motivations and evolving through compelling story arcs. Osiris, initially introduced as a guide, was partnered with a robotic assistant—a design concept that was subsequently repurposed for The Exo Stranger. Osiris would haven be an exiled scholar with a energetic personality reminiscent to Doc Brown. He would have been taking refuge in a vex temple on mercury, known as The Lighthouse, a symbol for guidance or clarification. One of the quests involved with him, would have been uncovering mysteries such as The Vex and The Seven Seraphs faction. The Crow, meanwhile, was portrayed as a charismatic and roguish figure, reminiscent of Cayde-6 from The Taken King expansion. Rather than being a mere bystander dispensing loot and exposition, you were actually able to fight alongside him, fully integrating him into the gameplay experience.

Sourced examples:
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/12/destiny-mercury.html
https://youtu.be/EwOUi4JDC4o?t=215
https://youtu.be/pLvdSdgH1-k
https://youtu.be/3_sPgK1PjMM
https://youtu.be/YeX-n0ksDmA
https://i.imgur.com/Xv02vmU.jpg
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/10/destiny-venus-archive-coolant-pump.html
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/12/destiny-venus-archive-stacks-elevation.html
https://esequiel.com/d4.html
https://advances.realtimerendering.com/s2013/Tatarchuk-Destiny-SIGGRAPH2013.pdf
https://youtu.be/VNMYSRyfpYo?t=269
https://youtu.be/iMGE3B2wsS8?t=119

In the “tutorial mission” of the retail game, the character that occupied the position of The Exo Stranger was originally The Crow.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/JKoP-5qj8eg?t=906

However, the developers repurposed this character, who was initially intended to serve the Queen, and transformed him into the "Queen’s brother.”

Sourced example: https://i.imgur.com/IQFrAmS.jpg

In the original story, after being captured and brought to a secret base on Mars, the guardian would find out more about The Crow than what “The City” was letting on.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/H1AscIFtbp8

The Crow, revered as the leader of a group comprised of some guardians who had lost their ghosts (essentially neglected veterans rendered mortal), was a part of the team that included Osiris and his exo assistant. This group, if my judgement serves me correctly, was known as the Binary Star Cult. However, a writer/editor of the game’s grimoire mistakenly referred to them as the “Trinary Star Cult.” This sect was often regarded as heretical, primarily because, unlike other contrasting groups endorsed by The City, their theories not only questioned the role of the Darkness but also cast a shadow of doubt on the role of The Traveler. Their skepticism, particularly their negative perception of The Traveler, led to them being labeled as ‘Heretical’ by the mainstream. The name probably comes from how The Traveler and Darkness are like Binary Stars or how the group brings two suspects into focus rather than one, unlike the theorists in the city.

Sourced examples:
https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/the-darkness
https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2017/02/12/12-ftc100-exoconceptart-1486908228655.jpg
https://assets1.ignimgs.com/2017/02/12/13-ftc100-exoversionsart-1486908228656.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_star

This emblem, two mirrored semicircles, represents the Binary Star Cult’s beliefs. It could potentially symbolize the core relationship between The Traveler and The Darkness, or it might be a reflection of the very nature of The Traveler itself:
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2012/04/28/18/57/circle-44020_1280.png
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Buffer

RealCrow · September 24, 2023, 9:26am

However, this richly layered narrative landscape, brimming with depth and complexity, was deliberately kept hidden from public view. A contentious article by Jason Schreier, under suspicion of spreading half-truths via suspiciously significant rumors from alleged Bungie employees still in need of employment, hinted at vague concerns within Bungie’s management about the narrative’s intellectual accessibility. From what they indirectly disclosed and consciously avoided revealing, it sparked new suppositions that they were apprehensive the complex themes and mature narrative structure, reminiscent of Halo, might prove challenging to market to a wide audience intended to ensure the game’s financial success.

The article: The Messy, True Story Behind The Making Of Destiny

This could have potentially distanced them from those seeking a more straightforward shooter experience, including casual or maybe even religious demographics.

Sourced examples:

Moreover, as initially hypothesized, the intricate and non-linear structure of the narrative may have posed challenges to seamlessly dividing it into DLC segments. This could have complicated the game’s monetization strategy, which involves converting what is currently expansion or cut content into DLC.

Critical examinations I think ask the right questions:

https://reddit.com/r/xboxone/comments/3pi0gx/comment/cw6qvtc/

In the original version before the reboot, the Guardian would join forces with the Crow to track down Osiris. The storyline would reach a dramatic climax with the unveiling of the truth: the Traveler and the Darkness were not simply binary entities or representations of good and evil. Rather, they were essentially identical entities within a living cosmos, indirectly sustaining each other through their actions, much like the symbiotic relationship between an Acacia tree and an ant colony. After all, a shadow cannot exist without a source of light to cast it, just as there can be no dusk without dawn, no Yin without Yang, no hell without heaven, and no darkness without light. The Traveler brought forth the Darkness after shining its “light” on humanity, mirroring how geometric shapes such as spheres have been historically used by notable inventors to study the properties of shadows.

Sourced examples:

The bond between Traveler and the Darkness mirrors a reimagined version of the mythological relationship between Erebus and Aether, or Hemera. It invites us to understand that the essence of light and darkness is not simply a dichotomy, but rather a unified duality - a collaboration, not a contest. This is similar to the principle of Yin and Yang in Yiguandao, or the binary code in a computer system, where two contrasting elements join to create something far superior than their individual entities.

This concept of harmonious duality, or symbiosis, is vividly encapsulated in the Taken faction and The Garden Heart. Their radiant, luminous glow, set against a backdrop that is traditionally perceived as the embodiment of darkness, serves as a powerful visual representation of the underlying synergy between light and dark, or one and zero.

Sourced examples:

These images subtly suggest the notion that “darkness emerges from or is centered around light”:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/z5gom

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/yEdeR

The concept of Darkness and its perceived role in The Collapse could potentially be interpreted as an allegory for cyclical or ‘light vs. dark’ theories. These theories were often constructed by self-proclaimed “civilization expert scholars” who sought to understand and manage the onset and aftermath of a Great War in their distinguished Europe.

Alternatively, these theories could also represent their efforts to comprehend the prolonged technological decline that characterized the historical period they referred to as the “Dark Ages.” This term was a stark contrast to the label they assigned to their own era, “The Enlightenment.” Their choice of labels demonstrates a tendency to collectively view all history as a single non-crooked line in terms of distinct periods of progress and decline, or ‘light’ and ‘dark.’

Sourced examples:

It’s possible that the Heart in the Black Garden is not simply the heart of any being, but rather, it is THE DARKNESS itself, in its raw, nascent form. This entity could be ensconced within the Traveler, waiting for its moment to awaken.

Our mission, then, is to destroy it, not just to safeguard the universe, but to pacify the Traveler as well. This must be our focus, especially after successfully thwarting the Hive’s superweapon, hidden deep within the Moon.

Sourced examples:

For instance, the Traveler may inherently possess the desire, or rather the hunger, to absolve a planetary culture exclusively for the purpose of broadening their understanding of science and industrialization. Subsequently, the Darkness (its children) would be summoned to annihilate or harvest the impacted culture, so that the culture stops worshiping the Traveler or perhaps fighting over it.

Sourced examples:

(Notice how this looks like the Earth) https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/destinypedia/images/5/53/The_Hunger_perk_icon.png

RealCrow · September 24, 2023, 9:27am

Regrettably, the original in-game plot twist involving these entities, along with the satirical, uncritical acceptance of them, was omitted in the final cut. This is evident in the tonal shift observed in the Cosmodrome introduction, marking a significant deviation from Staten’s original, darker, and more immediate vision of a world that could have been.

E3 2013: https://youtu.be/Od_A3v3a2vs?t=29

Retail 2014: https://youtu.be/j222kz9Aijo?t=201

Whenever current Bungie employees are interviewed, they often describe things in an unusually vague manner, repeatedly mentioning the creation of a “bright and hopeful” world. This recurring theme subtly lends credence to this hypothesis.

Sourced examples:

Before the release of Destiny 1, who was the actual creator of The Taken or The Plague of Darkness?

Sourced examples:
https://conceptframes.design/post/155031811750/storyboard-for-a-video-game-cinematic
https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/2r2r1l/rumor_future_expansions_leaked_comet_vex_forge_of/

Also, “Forge of the Gods?”

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/EOudD5XWn4Q

Rumors from play testers underscore the magnitude of what the original content might have been. I’m inclined to believe that only a handful of the Final Cut scenes remained untouched. Likely, these untouched scenes are the Speaker Observatory scene, the Black Garden Heart scene, and perhaps The Exo Stranger on Venus scene.

Sourced examples:

Regrettably, a significant number of cutscenes in the Final Cut were either altered or entirely removed. The story was reduced from an original two-hour narrative, brimming with intriguing characters and their captivating backstories, to a pared-down 50-minute version. Many of those fascinating aspects we’d only caught glimpses of, and some we’d never seen before, were lost. This philosophical exploration was unfortunately absent in the Final Cut, which instead leaned toward a simplified narrative of good versus evil. This is a stark, and somewhat ironic, departure from Staten’s original vision, which was far more philosophically challenging.

Sourced examples:
https://destiny.bungie.org/galleries/destinycutscenes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/snw3ra/marty_odonnell_explains_peter_dinklage_ghost/

The final cut’s sanitized and fragmented narrative has significantly diminished the philosophical depth and moral intricacy that Staten’s original vision once embodied. The complex, multi-layered storyline was drastically simplified, either resulting in an opaque recounting of the remaining plot or adopting the ubiquitous feel-good cartoon ambiance.

Sourced example:

Moreover, I bet that philosophical and political dialogues from the real world, if incorporated into the game, would likely be presented in a rather straightforward yet blunt manner. Such inherently political or philosophical concepts would likely mirror a specific, mainstream dominant narrative verbatim, while intentionally dismissing alternative perspectives as if it is invisible or unspeakable, instead of considering them as simply uninformed or misguided ideas to be more or less considered. This narrow and overly restrictive portrayal would not only suppresses genuine discourse but would also impede a holistic understanding of the topic at hand for all parties involved.

Sourced example:

This practice fosters a culture that is overly comfortable with the active manipulation of both the medium and the message, sacrificing the inclusion of diverse perspectives and the promotion of maturity. Such an environment could potentially lead to disillusionment of varying degrees, as external audiences become suspicious of or even obsessed with partial truths, blatant absolutism, double standards, euphemistic language, and the pervasive influence of powerful entities.

Sourced examples:

What I am trying to convey is that either the game, Destiny, delves into political themes or it does not. As it stands, there doesn’t seem to be anything within the gameplay or even within a menu screen that sparks a deep curiosity.

The following is something that truly piques said intrigue:

Currently, I feel that Destiny still falls short in exploring substantial political themes or emotionally stirring philosophies, like in Halo.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/LtiOIscUl8o?t=351

It doesn’t employ engaging intrigue or compelling narratives that prompt me to draw parallels with the real world or perceive its universe as something tangible. It continues to give off the impression of once being a vessel for a story far grander than the one we receive as scheduled fragments.

If the game were to grapple with a theme that doesn’t neatly align with the traditional Light versus Dark narrative championed by the Speaker, it tends to either forget it (for instance, Pujari’s vision of the Black Garden), mockingly disregard it (such as the Binary Star Cult), or mention it in passing without establishing a substantial link to the on-screen action…

Sourced examples:

…It often falls into the trap of vaguely stating, “Oh, it’s in the gray area, so let’s not delve into it but act profoundly enlightened for merely acknowledging the potential complexity of the Light and Dark dichotomy.” This approach tends to lean heavily on rhetoric that sounds poetic but ultimately rings hollow, particularly when it’s clear that these are vestiges of the original storyline’s themes, used merely to create an illusion of depth.

Sourced examples:

Although it’s placed there, it doesn’t convey any significant information that’s worth remembering in the long term; Its style and substance are as impactful as uttering “Star Horse” or “The Tiger in Space” in casual communication.

A compelling game narrative that challenges the dangers of rigidly adhering to the ‘Light vs. Dark’ dichotomy, perpetuated by authoritative figures within its universe, while also redefining the oversimplified beliefs promoted by these figures, is undeniably thought-provoking.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/Y5NbEjkkPlI?t=339

It’s hardly surprising that such an inherently challenging and complex storyline might be met with resistance from the executives of a major entertainment company.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/sQufBb2GljI

Speaking of something that redefined a ‘Light’ vs ‘Dark’ narrative in gaming:

A narrative solely centered around “humanity being aided by benevolent aliens” seems like a concept that an individual as technically minded as Joseph Staten may find challenging to pen with sincere conviction.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/T6wp0Qbf4Cw?t=286

Moreover, the existing narrative is woefully inadequate as it portrays the Traveler and their followers as infallible. The expectation, or more appropriately, the presumption is that they are consistently correct in their decisions. We are not only expected, but also encouraged to believe that they are perpetually right. It seems the authors may subconsciously write the protagonists as making the optimal choices, resulting in the creation of the best possible world. This kind of storytelling is disappointingly one-dimensional and lacks depth.

Within the confines of the game, the traveler remains an embodiment of benevolence, despite being shrouded in mystery. While its intentions are occasionally called into question within the narrative’s backstory, we are never encouraged or led to perceive the traveler as evil or intent on our destruction. Any contradictions or sudden revelations that have arisen to challenge the traveler’s character are countered by the narrative’s insistence that the traveler is, at worst, ambiguously motivated or benignly misguided. The narrative never ventures into the realm of outright malevolence, as if the game’s executives are wary of revealing too much, thereby quelling the rumors.

Sourced example: Reddit - Dive into anything

However, the inadequately dismissed rumors suggest that the traveler was intended to be unmistakably evil or at least deceitfully destructive in earlier drafts. This evidence indicates that the traveler’s character may have been considerably darker before the final version was decided upon.

Sourced examples:
https://gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Destiny-Early-Story-Details.jpg

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/2hqmkb/how_destinys_content_completely_changed_over_the/

Moreover, the factions were initially designed to symbolize real-world philosophical queries. For instance, New Monarchy suggests the concept of a centralized authority embodied in a Philosopher King, while FWC embodies the notion of the ceaselessly inevitable conflict frequently depicted in written history or philosophy. New Bungie’s apparent eagerness to character assassinate these perspectives, and also kill off their organizations along with the leaders speaks volumes about their stance on this type of diversity in storytelling.

Sourced examples:

Neuromona serves as a prime example of a narrative that is simpler to comprehend than to critique. This is due to the fact that it doesn’t exist within the confines of the original story or our own reality. Its essence resonates with the idea that “one person’s utopia is everyone’s utopia,” as opposed to the more commonly encountered concept of “one person’s utopia is another person’s dystopia.” Regardless, I find the characters who inhabit this premise to be implausibly robust, bordering on the laughable.

Let’s be honest, it appears that Bungie has no intention of narrating the original story, at least as it was initially conceived, in one full vanilla game.

Sourced examples:

The overly simplistic in-game narrative of Destiny, coupled with a backstory that reads like it was written for second-grade reading on a website, is an aspect I find difficult to take seriously when discussed by commentators. To me, it appears to be a clear case of a writer attempting to further someone else’s narrative, yet infusing it with their own notions of what it should and shouldn’t be.

Examples of this:

“Destiny’s lore” doesn’t appeal to me due to its mediocre backstory, which only ever seems to be referenced as an elusive crutch for why the story we encounter within the actual game isn’t as mediocre.

Sourced examples:

https://youtu.be/F6zZR6LkOMM?t=1421
https://youtu.be/NKYlL6ZGvBQ?t=2036
https://youtu.be/e5NsXFAIqeY?t=130

I find it hard to anticipate Destiny’s storyline with excitement, much like I struggled to enjoy the narratives of both Destiny 1 and Destiny 2. My main issue stems not from the fact that the Speaker won’t share the details with me, but rather that if he did, it would largely be his own tale (some random’s). It wouldn’t fully encapsulate the perspectives of individuals like Staten.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/hXP2PcyXiLI

Ultimately, it appears to me that these narratives are nothing more than elaborate fairy tales, seemingly forgotten in their original design to veil darker undertones and aspirations.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/Zg9edhb4OBs

Arguably, the most severe critique of Bungie’s management of the Destiny franchise is rooted in its handling of game content that was initially intended for the original (VANILLA) base game of Destiny 1.

Detailed analysis of pre-release trailers, previously overlooked but now serving as revealing evidence, suggests that Bungie employed a deceptive strategy. It appears they removed substantial sections of content originally planned for the base game, only to reintroduce it later as supposedly new content for expansions and even the sequel. This astute observation by vigilant fans underscores their disappointment with Bungie’s integrity as a company and “originality” in their games.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/vH76Toaa5S4?t=246
https://youtu.be/mzlDsE0T4V8?t=46
https://youtu.be/EwOUi4JDC4o?t=220
https://destiny.wiki.gallery/images/thumb/2/2d/Dead_Zone.jpg/1600px-Dead_Zone.jpg
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/193/407/large/frank-capezzuto-iii-fc-61.jpg
https://advances.realtimerendering.com/s2013/Tatarchuk-Destiny-SIGGRAPH2013.pdf
https://ubm-twvideo01.s3.amazonaws.com/o1/vault/gdc2015/presentations/Hopson_John_UserResearchOn.pdf
https://youtu.be/_4OP1uAcfV4
https://youtu.be/vWFBISbOFVs
https://youtu.be/RI9gJKgUk6g?t=478

This assertion is strongly supported by pre-release trailers from 2013, which clearly revealed substantial content from The Taken King. These trailers provided numerous previews of the Dreadnaught and hinted at the introduction of the Taken faction as the fifth enemy group. From concept art to the unmistakable appearance of the Waning Star ship in the E3 gameplay reveal, the evidence is compelling. Furthermore, none other than Joseph Staten starred in a few of these revealing trailers.

Hive Dreadnaught from 2013 examples:
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-more-recent-destiny-piece-bridge-of.html

https://youtu.be/EDuV9EcXO24?t=22
https://youtu.be/Y1OjUWw43co?t=26
https://youtu.be/1H7X67AdZ2g?t=638
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/383/131/large/madison-parker-18.jpg

https://player.vimeo.com/video/273623562
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9e5NL
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/09/destiny-hive-moon.html
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/12/destiny-hive-surface-treatment.html
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2014/10/destiny-hive-hallways.html
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/x3GJW
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/2BwBe

The Taken from 2013 examples:
https://destiny.fandom.com/wiki/Waning_Star
https://youtu.be/WBNdrJMwrkc?t=524

https://destiny.bungie.org/galleries/announce_assets/lg/dark-patrol.jpg
https://youtu.be/ZiDbv7nftM8?t=1840
https://youtu.be/HuBvZlXx59A?t=51

This phenomenon was not just a mere representation of what was previously inconceivable to some, but it also unabashedly confirmed that an overwhelming majority of the content received from TTK was not merely in its pre-production phase. Instead, it was already fully conceived, developed, and rendered in-engine long enough to achieve a certain level of polish before the release of the original Destiny 1. This content was then surreptitiously held back, only to be strategically marketed later as new content that was supposedly conceived the following year – a move that was undeniably deceptive.

What is truly disheartening is observing how many dedicated guardians have unknowingly fallen prey to this manipulative strategy, enthusiastically praising The Taken King as a “groundbreaking expansion.” In reality, it’s more akin to a game without legs being provided prosthetic ones - a semblance of completeness delivered belatedly, with some pieces still missing and nerve damage evident, yet touted as a significant enhancement.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/zWnliPqNjn8
https://youtu.be/KWGI_ScoXqY
https://youtu.be/vAWo5eZvZPs
https://youtu.be/zTrkqAIZ4xg
https://youtu.be/5UX-gKZCULo
https://youtu.be/zdtjfbnKBF8
https://youtu.be/qNLrEuEqYZk?t=497

TTK isn’t a “breakthrough expansion” as much as Luke Smith wasn’t a seasoned director because the content that they are associated with, was already produced prior to Destiny 1 releasing.

A majority of the work was already done!

When a ton of content we were 99% guaranteed for the first two DLC, was unintentionally revealed on the vanilla Destiny 1’s disc, as a result of flaws in the game’s code, we should have all collectively known that every DLC content we got for it was the result of an amputation rather than a ambitious preplanning.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/c-osssAKgEc
https://youtu.be/fY_KKYQG22c
https://youtu.be/UmyltbAW_3o
https://youtu.be/dBdfb4GvOvQ
https://youtu.be/Xtf3NlYhB_U
https://youtu.be/-SHWeJuFN6M
https://youtu.be/hmk5pGeQiQs
https://youtu.be/XaMs-bY8RIc
https://youtu.be/-IeTKDwbssI
https://youtu.be/q60BTY0E25o

In conclusion, after Bungie accrued considerable wealth from the fruitful partnership with Microsoft, Joseph Staten’s original narrative for Destiny was a daring endeavor to defy the conventional limitations of video game storytelling. His bold narrative sought to elevate the storytelling in games from being dismissively regarded as just a supplementary backdrop to the action, or worse, hopelessly lame.

Staten’s narrative aimed to engage and challenge the player’s cognitive capacities, presenting them with a profound, multi-layered exploration of various narrative themes. This deep dive into the narrative would require the player to engage in thoughtful analysis and reflection, akin to the interpretive process involved in appreciating critically acclaimed movies such as the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ or popular television shows like ‘Doctor Who’ and 'Star Trek’.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/LtiOIscUl8o?t=229

Also, you did have to read a wall of text to believe you understand what is going: https://youtu.be/YH2DZaQgGcI?t=2657

These examples, like Staten’s narrative, offer deeply layered commentaries and applicable tales of the human condition, all wrapped up in an evocative fantasy or science fiction story. By creating a narrative that was not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating, Staten strived to revolutionize the way stories are told within the realm of video games.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/u7D6JLgZneU
https://youtu.be/RPbAUM7Jbzs
https://youtu.be/gtIbmhok1os
https://youtu.be/_P-uOCKDTAA
https://youtu.be/92iXDKX4Y9g

The final cut and subsequent releases we received were markedly different from the initial vision, resulting in a substantial loss of philosophical depth and complexity. Despite this, the subtle remnants of Staten’s original narrative continue to captivate players who discern the prophetic utterances of Truth spoken by the Voice of the Traveler. These hints suggest a potential for a narrative experience akin to that found in Halo – a notion that compulsive gamers find tantalizing.

Sourced examples:
https://destiny.wiki.gallery/images/5/57/Mask_with_Guardian_01.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O00XH0sz2no/hq720.jpg
https://youtu.be/X9sdwpbL4kc?t=183

However, unlike Halo, Destiny’s development and marketing budget ballooned to such an extent that the narrative was viewed more as a liability than an asset. This perspective transformed the storyline into a challenge that would require considerable time and resources to rectify fully. Ultimately, the narrative was viewed as a necessary compromise, not intended to be “taken more seriously” but rather as a beacon of hope and optimism.

Sourced example: https://youtu.be/0SaAkv5W4nM?t=774

After all, why take things seriously when you can mindlessly gun down the aliens (forces of the darkness) that had taken our once majestic ancestral worlds (which are rightfully ours), who are all striving to extinguish the final beacon of (our) civilization, and then pretend it’s all sunshine and rainbows?

All in a quest to “become legends” that puts us on par with historical figures such as Leonidas I, Alexander the Great, and King Richard the Lionheart.

I firmly believe that the initial concept of Destiny was aimed to portray a Medieval Fantasy. However, this vision was set to criticize the very core of and themes explored in Medieval Fantasy, and how it was supposed to reflect the “modern philosophy” of its time. It encapsulated a myriad of themes ranging from civilization and its stark contrast with savagery or tribalism, technology, natural hierarchies, and heroism vs. villainy. Generally, Destiny was intended to showcase the predictably of there being two sides; light and darkness, constantly in conflict.

Just image it:
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-valley-city.jpg
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-encampment.jpg
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-fortress-ruins.jpg
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-tree-concept.jpg
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-tower.jpg
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-earth.jpg
https://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-25/art/dst-void-warlock.jpg
https://youtu.be/5DVryD3Xhwc

I believe that the middle image is the initial concept of The Crow:
https://sjc1.vultrobjects.com/cucdn/gallery-25/art/dst-npc-concepts.jpg

Similar to the evolution of The Sims franchise and the Supreme brand, Destiny’s narrative has ironically become a caricature of its own original premise.

Bungie initially intended to craft a narrative akin to Halo, but with a twist - humans of our world would be placed in the position of the Covenant. However, they now wanted us to believe that such a concept was too “esoteric” for us, to the extent that we weren’t even allowed see it, let alone, judge it for ourselves.

They want us to think that a game with a stripped-out story is an improvement compared to a game with its story intact.

I firmly believe that ever since the release of the first game, Destiny’s lore and story have been intentionally separated from the rest of the game. This strategy was adopted with the sole purpose of appealing to the elusive average young or casual gamer from diverse cultural backgrounds. The lore and story only become blatantly visible if it is deemed suitable for those who show an interest or possess the ability to understand it.

Regardless of the numerous challenges and controversies that Destiny has faced, there will always be a medium to large content creator or a blogger who, much like Atlas shouldering the sky, will boldly champion the game and its evaporating community. They will often assert something along these lines: “Like many others, my hate towards the game actually stems from a cosseted place of deep-rooted affection, fuelling my anticipation for what lies ahead as I believe it still harbors tremendous potential!”

Sourced example:
https://youtu.be/X3L8rRXxzTs
https://youtu.be/RI9gJKgUk6g
https://kotaku.com/i-love-to-complain-about-destiny-2-while-playing-destin-1826141417
LOL->https://youtu.be/RI9gJKgUk6g?t=550
https://youtu.be/9OrEvfwfV4g
https://youtu.be/DAs2OBLskv4
https://youtu.be/87IGY2VwSXQ
https://youtu.be/b1x3HJfdHl4
https://youtu.be/gfnlUCvmVsE

If Destiny truly possesses such potential, then there should be plans in place to restore and improve upon the following missing features:

Spaceship Combat: There was a time when ships held significant importance.
Player-to-Player Trading: RNG drops/Engrams used to hold a critical role.
Player-to-Player Gambling: This feature could significantly enhance the social experience.
Sparrow Racing: Sparrows and their stats once held considerable significance in the game.
Faction Wars: Factions used to carry weight in the gameplay and the greater narrative.
A Narrative Surpassing Halo: The story was once a crucial element in the game.
A Gaming Experience Beyond Halo: There was a time when Bungie and Halo were the benchmarks in not just video games, but in gaming as a definition.

I am convinced that once Joseph Staten reaches a certain age, the supercut may conveniently “leak.” However, it will be presented as Staten’s initial draft, with its flaws highlighted and the evidence of its strengths downplayed. It’s unfortunate for someone like Staten, who is unable to delve into the depth of his past works’ unused concepts, which have been already revealed long ago - a stark contrast to Marty O’Donnell.

Sourced examples:
https://youtu.be/QCOsM816FIY
https://youtu.be/4Fn8FI5thQo

Per Audacia Ad Astra, Joseph Staten!
https://www.bungie.net/en/news/article/11101

However, the most important questions I want to ask is…

What do you think?

What comes first: light or darkness?

Is “light vs. darkness” real?

Is the foretold Destiny you aspire to, even yours?

What is it to become legend?

Who will you become?

Do you perceive the utopian future of humanity as an enhancement or a curse?

Lastly, what WAS the original meaning of Destiny?

RealCrow · October 21, 2023, 12:13am

Just came across this insightful Reddit thread: I want to replay Destiny 1 and pay attention to the pre-reboot elements. Any clues? : DestinyLore

Additionally, I’ve come to realize that the term “Guardian” and the faction “New Monarchy” might also have been intended as references to Plato’s concept of a “Just Society.”

Now… Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where the original Destiny game could have been drastically altered or even scrapped…

I surmise that the playtesters were not fans of the story, because, well, it was merely a playtest.

Imagine viewing a film where you are only shown the prologue, a few scenes leading to the finale, and some seemingly incoherent scenes randomly plucked from the middle. Add to that placeholders, early takes, and visible green screens that further detract from the experience.

Here are some sourced examples:

https://web.archive.org/web/20150730192654/http://s24.postimg.org/hl2fweml1/Screenshot_2014_09_27_13_02_07.png

Would you judge the movie’s story based on what you experienced or what you anticipated it to be?

One tester, apparently in a foul mood, condescendingly compared this cinematic in particular to a “sports drink commercial”: https://youtu.be/Ny7XhR4URZE

This is to say, the very few vocal playtesters who experienced the early, unrefined fragments of the story were highly skeptical and critical of what they encountered, to the point of being dismissive.

Regardless of whether their concerns were valid or unfounded, they understood that the final retail story differed significantly from the one they experienced during the playtest. It seemed as though it became an entirely different, smaller and emptier narrative, nothing they could have predicted given the changes in tone, direction, substance, etc.

As one of them tries very hard to admit:

Now, put yourself in the shoes of an Activision executive who hears playtesters’ feedback suggesting the story “needs more work.”

As an executive, you are aware that simply making “good games” isn’t a foolproof strategy for covering production costs, especially in the oversaturated first-person shooter market.

Destiny is no exception. It represents one of the most substantial investments you’ve made in terms of company resources and marketing.

You might somewhat know what happens in the story but not what it is about, so you request a demonstration of the story’s progress to experience it firsthand from what you think would be a player’s perspective.

This was doomed to fail from the outset. The narrative, crafted solely for effective use in a game, is compressed into a glorified movie with rough attributes added post-production. Furthermore, you’re about to witness a bold, unique take on video game storytelling, something you may not particularly care or understand.

If that’s not bad enough, you encounter a scene where the player character basically thrusts his Raze Lighter through the Speaker’s back after the scholar starts ranting like a religious fanatic.

Within minutes, you put two and two together, and from this or maybe this, you see this instead.

You are stunned, did the hero (meant to be the player’s character) just kill a figure resembling the pope?

WTF?!

Then you see this, this, and this again and begin to understand the story’s subtextual elements that your weekly reports couldn’t adequately warn you of.

Why does this game have religious undertones anyway? Is this a… Morality tale?

(As this guy put it: Reddit - Dive into anything)

My goodness! I had no idea that this game would be the video game equivalent of the Passion of Christ!

Why would we want that? Especially when it has to compete with our other game, Call of Duty.

A LARGE PORTION OF THE GLOBAL POPULATION WILL NOT BUY THIS, LET ALONE STAY INVESTED AFTER WE CUT THE BASE GAME INTO FUTURE DLC ANYWAY!!!

We should have fired that writer as soon as we found out he was producing this kind of controversial content and got away with it!

This story, despite being just that, cannot be the foundation of our investment. We can’t leave things to chance!

Can you guys alter the story to remove the elements we dislike? That should be fairly simple, right?

Even if nothing makes the cut, we are better off with no story at this point.

Five days later, they publicly announce on their website that this Staten guy has “left” the company to “tackle new creative challenges.”

I’m willing to bet if Microsoft had learned about the story under the same circumstances, they would have persuaded Bungie’s management to make more changes than just renaming the Dervish into the Arbiter. They would have forced them to dilute the character or remove him entirely, along with all the story he was involved with, if they could not find the time; which I believe happened to Osiris, Crow, The Speaker, Rasputin, and possibly others we have yet to hear of. They were once central to the main campaign of the original draft, but now they’re just background noise in a few side missions of retail.

It’s disheartening when you’ve worked on creating a universe for your epic tale to draw upon, only to be made to present it in a negative light, and before you know it, your entire work is rejected, chopped up to serve as DLC, and the rest that can’t serve as DLC is discarded. This results in an inferior version at the end of the day.

If a single business-focused individual can significantly alter a movie’s script because it’s “too long”, dark, and doesn’t have a happy ending, then such a thing can undoubtedly occur in the gaming industry as well:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/01/21/gilliams-battle-of-brazil/510a8a2b-6dc9-4d42-a003-db0092eb9e6b/

The only difference, however, is that no one, especially not the creator, vehemently attempted to counteract this change after it occurred and the product was sold.

One can only hope that this wouldn’t be the case…?

RealCrow · December 28, 2023, 10:12pm

*Well, almost no one:

1: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/70895980

2: https://gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Destiny-Early-Story-Details.jpg

3: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/704532-destiny/75293460 (Especially this one)

4: https://old.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/snw3ra/marty_odonnell_explains_peter_dinklage_ghost/

5: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/74743061

When the Kotaku leakers (secretly Bungie management) said that a game titled “Destiny” was “esoteric”; Critics assumed they were talking about / making excuses of “wanting the Call of Duty audience” rather than an actual coherent story that sparked a lightbulb in your mind and, worse of all, confused you (for not personally getting the ‘specialized or exclusionary intricacies’ for the first time, like the ‘big brains’, thus also either angering or upsetting you).

However…

Perhaps, when the leakers (Bungie) alleged that the game was “too” “esoteric”, they were referring to “Esotericism”:

About secret knowledge for a small group of people. Esotericism also describes mystical, spiritual or occult points of view. Esotericism studies Gnosticism, Yoga, Alchemy, Magic, Spiritualism, Hypnosis, Astrology, Meditation, Mysticism, and Occultism. Many followers of Abrahamic faiths, particularly Christianity and Islam, have criticized Esotericism as black magic. Esotericism in religion is called “obscurantism”. …

^ https://youtu.be/VHrTTgmB_3w?t=135
https://youtu.be/U43tHQZndLk?t=55

… Esotericism can also be about understanding symbolism and hidden meanings of many different books. They include religious books, philosophy books and books about history. They use these books as their texts.

The game, even after having its story cut and removed into pieces, has silent remnants of Esotericism themes and allusions in it, as previously brought up from astrological measuring devices to alchemical terms/metaphors.

Particularly of Western Esotericism:

Moreover…

I find the Destiny 2’s “Hive of Light” to be an unspoken contradiction to a forgotten implication.

Are we suggesting the existence of a Hive that behaves, thinks, and believes like humans?

If such a Hive exists, they would be analogous to demon worshippers and savage barbarians, assuming we are equivalent to the Hive.

The Hive, for a considerable duration, has been utilizing what we refer to as the ‘Light,’ but in their (or rather our) context, it’s known as the ‘Dark.’

Hive Light

Assuming ‘Light’ ≠ ‘Dark’… Like what does this even mean? ^
^

The Taken

Van Dijk: "This is an example of an idea where design definitely permuted over time. There was this notion that we wanted to introduce a new race, essentially composed of existing facets that mutated in some way. There was only a handful of sketches that implied what it might look like. It was sort of like this inverted solarized effect.

We didn’t want to end up in a situation where players would just always think of their enemies as fodder. At the end of a year of acquiring super high-tier raid weapons, they were just eating their way through waves of enemies without concern for their own well being. It became clear that the Taken were going to be a nastier, meaner version of existing factions. We felt the visuals needed to reinforce that. We wanted to introduce somewhat of a visual paradox, where these guys are closer to the darkness than the existing combatants, but in some weird way also much brighter.

That contrast ultimately led us to the Taken. They seem somewhat illuminated, their faces typically tend to have a glowing bright spot inside of it. They’re very much based on that paradox: How do we play up the significance of the battle of light and dark within this particular combatant race?"

Anyway…

The Light (or ‘Dark’), when interpreted as a technology rather than a magic, originates from the same source (The Traveler), appears or functions similar (as something that can usher change dramatically through the manipulation of molecules, transform “material bodies” into light (basically what happens to your sparrow when it’s no longer needed), and can be illustrated as “sigils”, “runes”, “ideograms”, “logograms”, or “rebuses” like “Magicks” from humanity’s past), but assumes a different color, shape and method from the Hive’s perspective, based on their pre-existing scientific/philosophical understanding of the natural world and cultural depictions of the spiritual, as opposed to the human’s.

https://imgur.com/7lN20uF

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

Sigil 1
^Wait! Did I see a pentagram?

Sigil 2

Glimmer could be can be an example of this futuristic alchemy or “body of light” / instance of ‘Light’ technology:

According to a vanilla grimoire card, “The Light” did exist in Golden Age:

I knew I’d never fly another mission like that. I recognized the need for a new love. That’s why I threw my fresh cognitive skills into understanding the Traveler. How can one entity so quickly and utterly remake an entire world? Fifty years later, I’m conversant in high mathematics, particularly topological thoughts and the slippery irreality of Light. I’m involved in a project to study the Traveler’s terraforming actions right now.

When interpreted as a symbol rather than technology, we prize the ‘Light’ because it imparts intellect, morality, vitality, tranquility, courage, clarity/truth, and wisdom; it instills in us a sense of safety, civility, and “enlightenment” within a civilization, something that makes us more human or greater in the modern world.

The ‘Dark’ frightens us because it can render us weary, evil, beast-like, mad, and ignorant; it leaves us feeling vulnerable and “uncivilized” in a world devoid of order and consciousness, surrounded in mystery or misery.

We flourish in the light but are susceptible in the darkness.

Conversely, paralleling insects, the Hive thrive in the dark but are vulnerable in the light.

The Hive perceives humans using the Traveler’s cryptic technology on Earth as not merely a people, but a symbolic representation of their version of evil, barbarism, and a threat to their entire civilization or soul.

Their intense hatred and fanaticism for humans and their idea of light make them perfect instruments for the Traveler that endowed them with their ‘Dark.’

They resemble nocturnal crusaders on a holy mission.

They view humans as a dangerous, wicked, and uncivilized race or creed — witches or demons.

This is ironic because they perfectly fit our ancient legends of demonic creatures, in several ways:

They are monstrous, and also something undead.
They disintegrate into dust upon death like vampires in popular culture.
They possess a lunar stronghold referred to as “The Hellmouth”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellmouth or https://buffy.fandom.com/wiki/Hellmouth.
Their “Tomb Ships” are inspired by similar ships from this movie: https://youtu.be/FkvTfPmRIc4

Many partial-truths have been spoken around or about “Light” and “Dark”; That I am not even sure the Light is good or even light, let alone “magic” that came from space.

Of course, it’s just too “Esoteric”, The Light / The Speaker / The Traveler is just misunderstood, and we misunderstood IT.

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/culttrinary-star

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/trinary-star

https://i.redd.it/rqrl8h44vx951.jpg

“The Black Garden” was originally inside of “The Traveler”:

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/210/780/large/dorje-bellbrook-db-destiny-198-5.jpg

https://destiny.bungie.org/galleries/gdc2013_concept_art/lg/21.jpg

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/022/198/411/large/francisco-cruz-iii-francisco-cruz-catacombs-2014-07-25-05-44-14-pm-16713822426-o.jpg

https://youtu.be/rEwISBi7HY0
^The line “So… think you can kill a God?” would make more sense in this context. Not only would it clarify why the ghost would refer to it as a “god” beyond simply observing the Vex praising it, but it would also aptly describe what they went through in uncovering a plot twist (the seemingly innocent white ball in the sky being a sleeping/dead “god” that intends to continue its destruction of humanity) and “exposing” The Traveler and its Darkness to The Last City in the original script.

The Heart was “The Darkness” and also part of “The Light.”

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYDYBXyHMqU/VRAwIZu7LrI/AAAAAAAABD0/WmFc3qZrIUU/s1600/db_destiny_168.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0vo-k5DDQU/VRAwIaJh4gI/AAAAAAAABDs/pz1CN0cV2Cs/s1600/db_destiny_165.jpg

They tried to re-edit it to make it more clear that it is “Dark” and not obviously “Light”:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJzTWvawUi0/VRAwIbYZT7I/AAAAAAAABDw/h0XALda99EY/s1600/db_destiny_169.jpg

However, this detail remained:

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/350/870/large/mike-stavrides-d1-001.jpg

https://youtu.be/UZ5BpeHVTWY?t=1100

https://youtu.be/wL7lEwD1uGI?t=40

https://youtu.be/eFYGZIAhzHY?t=302

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebis

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/the-speaker

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_opus_(alchemy)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Work_(Hermeticism)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Work_(Thelema)

https://youtu.be/8oH4_uIJJhY?t=593

https://youtu.be/w34-uoTHXh0?t=620

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/legend-the-black-garden

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/helm-of-inmost-light-2

Vitalis and The Touch of Malice comparison (notice The Touch of Malice encasing The Heart where the Traveler is supposed to be for the Vitalis. Plus, the light ‘matrixes’ surrounding The Heart.)

https://youtu.be/wrg1rf91d2c

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/277/421/large/1920_jessevandijk_vitalis.jpg

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/256/624/large/jesse-van-dijk-jvd-touchofmalice-1920.jpg

Destiny and Pathways of Darkness comparisons:

https://youtu.be/EwOUi4JDC4o

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/flight-of-shadows

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/year-1993

Basically describing the playtester’s account of the rejected script for Destiny 1:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathways_into_Darkness
^

Pathways into Darkness is a first-person shooter adventure video game developed and published by Bungie in 1993, for Macintosh personal computers. Players assume the role of a Special Forces soldier who must stop a powerful, godlike being from awakening and destroying the world. Players solve puzzles and defeat enemies to unlock parts of a pyramid where the god sleeps; the game’s ending changes depending on player actions.
Pathways began as a sequel to Bungie’s Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete, before the developers created an original story. Jason Jones programmed the game, while his friend Colin Brent developed the environments and creatures. The game features three-dimensional, texture-mapped graphics and stereo sound on supported Macintosh models. Pathways was critically acclaimed and won a host of awards; it was also Bungie’s first major commercial success and enabled the two-man team of Jason Jones and Alex Seropian to move into a Chicago office and begin paying staff.

https://marathon.bungie.org/story/pathways.html
^

The story centres around your single-handed attempts to stop an alien god from awakening at the base of a mysterious pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula. As part of an eight man Special Forces team, your job is to carry a small, low-yield nuclear device down to the bottom of the pyramid where the alien’s body resides, arm the bomb, and try to get the hell out before the big bang!
Unfortunately during the jump from the C-151 your primary parachute fails and you plummet to earth. Moments before greeting mother earth your reserve chute opens and miraculously you survive only to find the muzzle of your trusty M-16 is bent. Separated from your seven buddies you hotfoot it to the pyramid. Armed with only a knife you have about five days before the dreaming God awakes, sometime in the afternoon of Friday 13th (no kidding!).
Pathways is a race against time with multiple possible endings. Jim Mitchell, maintainer of the Pathways Into Darkness Story page, has identified 6 (of the 7) possible endings to Pathways. Yes folks - fail to find the bomb, a radio beacon, the new bomb code, or get out in time and you are history. But the seventh ending reveals a truth so shocking that no human mind can grasp it!
There are number of similarities between Pathways Into Darkness and Marathon. Pathways introduced the Jjaro who would later play a central part in the Marathon Story. There are also similarites between the sleeping God in Pathways and the W’rkncacnter in Infinity, a new section concerning this will appear soon. But the similarities just don’t end there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/3610pj/destinys_story_is_an_inverted_retelling_of_the/

https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/60063946

The Traveler being a powerful, godlike that must be stoped from being from awakened or else it destroys the world.

It is coming full circle…

The Truth (Pre-reboot Destiny 1 campaign being a retelling of PID) :

https://gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Destiny-Early-Story-Details.jpg

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-the-traveler

It all comes full circle…

More of the Truth (Why the Traveler does what it does despite having “no recollection of ever wanting worship or even thanks from those blessed” and why The Traveler “wrecks havoc on humanity” and carries the Black Garden):

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/704532-destiny/75293460

Notice the ‘fallen statue’ and ghostly white fallen glowing like vex radiolaria.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqzlXjHiRlQ/VgP8NQVQIKI/AAAAAAAABTg/aY9id5odrzQ/s1600/db_destiny_223.jpg

Viewing the Garden Heart as biological entity, from across time, reminds me of Metamorphis from the movie Gandahar.

During height or fall of the Golden Age, could the humans have went inside of The Traveler, building what would be known as the Black Garden and then it becoming their undoing, and possibly their forced transformation into the Vex?

I might be overanalyzing, but the original story could have been an “anti-occultism” narrative, EXCEPT… with better arguments and without the superstitious/fear mongering grift.

The Vex could be interpreted as an allusion to the original definition of “paganism” because they bear names/terms (much like the Western and Eastern religious names/terms used for “The Covenant” faction in Halo) from ancient Greek and Egypt (Osiris) mythology; Concepts from long dead cultures found in the Mediterranean, that was historically considered “pagan” by the Christian Europeans.

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/311/022/large/jonathan-manzanares-greetings-from-10000bc.jpg

“The Templar” hydra is a forgotten nod to this ignored detail. (Knights Templar)

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/the-templar

Basically Joseph Staten took an underrated yet certain theme that was common in morality tales (the deterrence against irrationalism), and presented it in a new light as a “Mythic Sci-Fi” story, and also in the style of his writing used for Halo.

While analogy and symbolic or allegorical thinking are powerful tools for comprehending complex concepts, they can also be dangerously fallible or exploitable in several ways…

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/awoken

https://youtu.be/Y5NbEjkkPlI?t=339

https://youtu.be/pCkL9UlmCOE?t=395

https://youtu.be/ZF6mS01WxzM?t=540

https://youtu.be/byoCgCrd_dI?t=1679

https://youtu.be/zmyBEBAxkcY

https://youtu.be/kJGxVeQw3SE

https://youtu.be/fYEOSCIOnrs

https://youtu.be/V4nCaxHN-cY?t=568

Misinterpretation: Symbolic language can be misconstrued or perceived in many different ways, leading to confusion, miscommunication, or even conflict, especially when the symbols or allegories are culturally sensitive or deeply personal.

Manipulation: Analogies can be employed to sway people’s perceptions and emotions. By drawing parallels between one situation and another, it’s possible to make something appear more or less serious than it truly is. This tactic can be exploited in politics, advertising, and other arenas where persuasion is paramount.

Oversimplification: Analogies and symbols often distill complex situations or concepts, leading to a lack of understanding or appreciation for the intricacy and subtlety of the original concept. It can also result in flawed decision-making based on incomplete or misleading information.

Stereotyping: Analogical and symbolic thinking can perpetuate stereotypes and biases. By using analogies, we often resort to familiar stereotypes to make our point, thereby reinforcing harmful biases and prejudices.

False Equivalence: Analogies can create a sense of equivalence between two things that are not truly equivalent, leading to incorrect reasoning and misleading conclusions.

Deception: In the hands of a skilled rhetorician, analogies and symbols can be used to deceive or mislead. By choosing carefully crafted analogies or symbols, it’s possible to subtly influence people’s thinking without them even realizing it…

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/the-darkness

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/legend-the-black-garden

https://youtu.be/Ny7XhR4URZE?t=99

https://youtu.be/HHFWNwoNRF8

However, the use/connection of multiple symbols can be a powerful way to tell a version of the truth…

For example, the achievement “Dragon Slayer” is for killing the Devil Archon in the second Campaign mission:

https://www.bungie.net/pubassets/25418/become_legend.jpg

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/riksis-devil-archon

Fallen human bone decorations:

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/destinypedia/images/6/61/Devils_Lair.png

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/ghost-fragment-fallen-2

Human bones 1

Human bones 2

Human bones 3

Human skulls 1

Human skulls 2

Human skulls 3

Human skulls 4

Human skulls 5

Human skulls 6

Human skulls 7

The Fallen’s “skull hoarding” is a quality shared with the Armies of the Dark in Myth:

https://mythipedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dark

https://mythipedia.fandom.com/wiki/Myrkridia

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mythipedia/images/1/15/Myrkridia.gif

https://youtu.be/NDgXXEQpFBQ?t=1574

…and our IRL history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headhunting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trophy_collecting

Basically an unused “reverse foreshadowing” of another ignored detail; As The Last City would have referred to anything that opposed/undermines its goverance as 'Dark" or an agent against its ‘Light’ which was originally supposed to be a somewhat religious/spiritual/supernatural concept to its people.

Anything that was against either The Traveler or The Last City was labelled a “Minion of the Darkness” including Fallen and Cabal, races that were either fighting other “minions” of it or had nothing to do with the so-called ancient enemy of the Traveler.

https://youtu.be/2P66cKal9vg?t=77
^ Adds more weight to the Queen’s Vandals reveal.

https://youtu.be/L5UOrUGnwXI?t=483
^ Players being confused about the Fallen being “Agents/Champions/Minions of the Dark(ness)" was a byproduct of said detail.

https://youtu.be/RTXORKxd62M
^“What is The Darkness?” was a question that New Bungie did not have the answer to because they could not use the original, intended answer.

These weapons are connected to the theme of distorting or forgetting one’s history:

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/no-land-beyond

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/the-jade-rabbit

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/fabian-strategy

Laughable attempts of the allegorical lens and ridiculous analogies:

https://youtu.be/onr_z45NVyI?t=50

https://youtu.be/NRM3l68PyJA?t=1495

https://youtu.be/aSU1Uomdmg8

https://youtu.be/4jRoatZizQ0

The superficial view of the Mythology from the Myth series is used by The Speaker(s) to gain control through the exploitation of this metaphorical thinking; As it frames The Last City’s struggle as being both a classical and mystical “Light versus Dark” struggle which is something that always adapts to the culture of an era and transcends all of history itself, as there will always be “stupid” people; those that have a poor foundation for their reasoning:

https://youtu.be/X53w-CkMQKE

https://youtu.be/6yMJUx6gvXY

It’s amazing how just because one side calls themselves the “good guys” or “the united colonies”, people unquestionably and sincerely both think and believe that “doing good things for good” and “never doing bad stuff” is two of their core principles.

However, in the Myth game series, the big bad, “The Leveller” is an interesting commentary how villains of an current era could always be the old heroes of the previous era, and the heroes of the new era are someone or something new that arises to challenge the villain who seeks to destroy the established order that they created in their past life.

https://www.giantbomb.com/the-leveler/3005-20711/

https://mythipedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Leveler

This concept reinvents the trope of an constant or absolute good and evil that was central in Medieval Fantasy.

In the Myth game series, “The Leveller” represents a force that seeks to bring balance by disrupting the existing power structures, and disrupt the existing power structures in order to bring change; I don’t think it’s not one entity, it’s both the hero and the villain, the new and the old.

Yet, it is neither “good” or “evil”, as the name implies, the “Leveller” levels things, it ensures that there are no Golden Ages or Dark Ages that go on forever. While at the same time, it ensures new things always take the place of old, and the new things do not forever become the norm to make space for more new things.

It is a supernatural force of both change and balance that creates new heroes and golden ages by forcing its previous actors as villains and bringers of dark ages. An order/chaos relationship.

It highlights the idea that heroes and villains are not fixed entities but rather products of their time and circumstances. The Leveller embodies the idea that what was once considered heroic and noble may become oppressive and tyrannical in a new era, thus creating a need for something new.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to consider the unspeakable:

https://www.reddit.com/r/xboxone/comments/3pi0gx/comment/cw6qvtc/

https://youtu.be/u7D6JLgZneU?t=720

https://youtu.be/3EoaeJvY2yg?t=39

The original story’s concept of the Reef social space as a refuge from exile from the city would indeed be symbolic.

https://youtu.be/6kJkiwDeWqQ?t=78

“The Awoken”, as a race, are known for transcending such binary thinking as indicated in the grimoire line: “The others sing this song of Light and Dark. We, together, have transcended such unimaginative limitations.”

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/cards/awoken

This subtle hint from the original story, embedded in the vanilla grimoire, is a pointed commentary on the game’s original storyline being a tale of disillusionment with binary thinking, or the drawbacks of a civilization governed more by subservience and comfort in symbols than by curiosity.

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/grayscale-lens

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/topsy-turvy-lens

https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/azure-lens

Also, considering the lines from the first Awoken queen cutscene, "You want to turn it into a battleground. How unimaginative." and “Everyone knows where it is. The hard part is getting in”…

https://youtu.be/2P66cKal9vg?t=157

…Suddenly makes coherent sense when one considers the plausible hypothesis that “The Darkness at its heart”, The Black Garden, was likely inside The Traveler at The Last City all along.

https://youtu.be/6kJkiwDeWqQ?t=36
https://youtu.be/vH76Toaa5S4?t=30
^Notice how the playtester’s original order of planets that would be unlocked for the player to be sporadically hopping between for missions in the campaign, in a LESS linear fashion than retail, was “Earth → Venus → Mars → Moon”. In the video, the last planet to be unlocked after the Moon was Saturn.

Everyone, particularly the Awoken, knows that the Black Garden is safely ensconced within an inter-dimensional being, guarded by The City’s authorities. Therefore, accessing it would be an entirely separate and challenging endeavor; One that would turn The Last City it into a battleground for either the Guardian, the Awoken, or for everyone caught in it.

Yet, individuals like The Speaker and Luke Smith would likely " ‘deny’ " these “heretical” and maybe even blasphemous ideas:

https://youtu.be/7FmaU0D1TUg?t=346

RealCrow · December 28, 2023, 10:13pm

Additionally one can only assume what this symbol ultimately symbolizes when one considers the “Binary Star Cult” from the unused story:

Moreover, I find the use of crystals in PID and Destiny to be interesting:

http://pid.bungie.org/Crystals.html

^ A remnants of a cut character who implies: The Traveler’s connection to the Vex, it also being an “Orphic Egg”. ^

I don’t know where you have gone, but I can no longer send Ghosts out to find you. Some come back— with tales of your death or how you went seeking answers from the far reaches of space and time. That you found a way to explore the Vex gate networks. That you’ve made breakthrough after breakthrough as to their origins— theories that a Guardian could not be simulated, that the Traveler might be an ontoformer or a god-incubator, that the Vex had diverged into multiple groups in order to secure ‘an end state for every possible configuration of reality’.

In the tangled context of the Orphic Egg reference, the Traveler creating or “spawning” and “unleashing” the Darkness would make sense:

Basically… The Traveler necessitates The Darkness and The Darkness necessitates The Traveller; An alliance/parenthood.

Moreover, the referenced Wikipedia links that point to deities that were also considered “pagan deities”. Over time, these figures have syncretized into different characters in newer mythologies.

The Christian Devil, Lucifer, which means “The Light/Dawn-Bringer” in Latin, is one of many theorized examples of this.

https://mots.bungie.org/

All of this “esoteric Marathon-style of lore” contributes to the rejected universe of Joseph Staten trying to do some kind of “good is evil”, “Official History can get things backwards in misleading ways”, or “Holism over Reductionism” narrative.

There’s games like Diablo 4 and today’s Destiny where somewhat real Esoteric symbolism would have mostly been an accident or byproduct of “aesthetic filler.”

There’s gimmicks in games that exist shamelessly and solely to create discussion for the sake of discussion and publicity, which are labeled as “engagement”:

Some knowingly do it to themselves:

However, in the original Destiny, there was actual forethought to this symbolism and why it was used specifically.

https://imgur.com/4o1to

https://imgur.com/kgMlG

https://web.archive.org/web/20160329104736/http://alphalupi.bungie.net/ArraySuccessResult.html

https://i.imgur.com/R31ztsV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/96N5KCm.png

The only planet in Destiny 1 that is entirely a “vex world” is Mercury, also known as The Messenger, God of Travelers and the Patron of Travelers. Mercury was also known as the messenger of the gods and the god of thievery, abundance, and commercial success. Does that imply anything?

Mercury, in Roman religion, god of shopkeepers and merchants, travelers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters. He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods.

Also, in the Mars prologue, the shuttle being called “Ares-1” and the US astronauts carrying guns was interesting implication of there being expectation of conflict in The Prologue, yet it gets subverted as literally not a single round gets fired (as far as we are presented).

This cutscene where The Stranger says “Evil so dark that it despises other evil” seems like a phoned in line when the game’s development had NO STORY after being “rebooted” (rejected). However, it COULD be considered as being derived from the original script.

In a religious context, the Bible indeed contains verses that delve into the concept of evil hating the light and God detesting evil. For instance, John 3:20 eloquently states, “For everyone who does evil hates the light.” Moreover, Proverbs 6:16-19 enumerates the things that the Lord despises, including “a heart that devises wicked plans.”

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/19973/Evil-Hates-Good.html

While the phrase “evil so dark that it despises other evil” may not have a direct historical or religious origin, it captures the essence of extreme malevolence and the outright rejection of other forms of evil. This concept resonates with the intricate fictional world of (what is left) in the Destiny game, where it symbolizes the epitome of wickedness and the repudiation of lesser evils.

Bringing it up because the original Halo liked to use bible quotes and the entire campaign of Halo 2-3 itself are big allusions to it.

In summary, the unused story for Destiny 1, revolving around the theme of Light vs. Darkness, could have been a critique of the overused and clichéd tropes of “space magic” and “good guys vs. bad guys” seen many times over in media, especially in numerous games at the time (Infamous, Fable, Star Wars and etc).

Starfield is a prime example of these aforementioned tropes being used aimlessly: https://youtu.be/uRzDxUinaEM?t=753

To think that The Witch in the Prologue might have had a specific meaning or significance, but ultimately got removed due to the desire for more mystery and silence in the storytelling?

https://motionographer.com/2014/09/18/destiny-mars-opening-sequence-qa-with-the-directors/
https://www.artofvfx.com/destiny-mars-opening-sequence/
https://web.archive.org/web/20230729233837/http://simonclowes.tv:80/development-memo/destiny-opening-cinematic-behind-the-scenes/
https://web.archive.org/web/20231120235848/https://conceptframes.design/post/155077854690/map-design-for
https://web.archive.org/web/20231120235829/https://conceptframes.design/post/155031811750/storyboard-for-a-video-game-cinematic

Or… To think that The Witch in the Prologue might have had a deeper significance, but was ultimately removed, suggests that the game’s creators wanted to steer away from a purely or more than 50% fantasy narrative?

The concept of The Witch, which may have drawn parallels to the character of in a mythic sense, was possibly deemed too overtly fantastical for the envisioned mythic-science fiction setting of Destiny.

In order to maintain a balance between the elements of medieval fantasy and science fiction, certain fantasy motifs, such as The Witch or Elven yet 99% human-looking woman (with long, bleach-white hair and draped in a dress/robes) and the mystical “beast people” represented by the Tiger Man, were likely removed to ensure the game leaned more towards the Mythic-Science fiction genre (which, ironically, New Bungie would prefer to steer away from the “science fiction” part as they did not want to write it anymore for some reason).

The partially reused story of Destiny 1 feels like a science fiction tale continued by individuals who dislike the genre and simply want to write mindless “fantasy” - the type that is high in entertainment value but lacking in substance. The typical Destiny “story” initially receives praise for… But… Gradually gets criticized for… Being a knights-in-armor fantasy story disguised as science fiction. The original, real story was intentionally designed to be predominantly sci-fi (around 75%) with a blend of fantasy (25%), presented in a sci-fi setting that seamlessly incorporates fantasy elements or tropes like: Wilderness vs Civilization, Heroes vs Monsters, the decaying or overgrown ruins of cultures lost to time, the existence of otherworldly species, and the presence of mystical forces that reside where imagination and reality meet. It aimed to tell a narrative that challenges the irrational aspects often associated with new eras of understanding and logic, which may appear illogical to the average person.

DeeJ might even call it a “rumor mill”:
https://youtu.be/UZ5BpeHVTWY?t=819

https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/70908920

https://gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Destiny-Early-Story-Details.jpg
https://web.archive.org/web/20230725193554/https://www.bungie.net/en/News/article/12243

Finally, a non-rumor is that this ship was “made” during 2016: https://youtu.be/WBNdrJMwrkc?t=524

ChrisN · August 6, 2024, 11:21am

I can’t believe how in depth this is this is truly one of the best posts i have ever read about destiny ever

AgentGrimm · August 10, 2024, 12:41am

A wonderful and thought-provoking writeup, I appreciate you taking the time to research and write all of this!

Also, have you watched this video on YouTube by any chance? https://youtu.be/IvulMid1QVU?si=SejsDRS5TEzo0rpQ
As someone who is also captivated by Destiny’s original story, the video content + description are fascinating to me

system · February 8, 2025, 12:41pm

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Hive Dreadnaught from 2013 examples: https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-more-recent-destiny-piece-bridge-of.html

The Taken from 2013 examples: https://destiny.fandom.com/wiki/Waning_Star https://youtu.be/WBNdrJMwrkc?t=524

The Taken

Hive Dreadnaught from 2013 examples:
https://dorjebellbrook.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-more-recent-destiny-piece-bridge-of.html

The Taken from 2013 examples:
https://destiny.fandom.com/wiki/Waning_Star
https://youtu.be/WBNdrJMwrkc?t=524