As Destiny: Rising approaches its global launch, we had the opportunity to sit down with the development team behind the game that's already captured the imagination of millions. In this conversation, we explore how your feedback shaped the experience, discover the exciting new systems awaiting at launch, and get a glimpse of what lies ahead in this ever-expanding universe. We also have a quick Launch FAQ attached at the bottom, so if you want to jump straight to it, here's the shortcut. Without further ado, let's dive in.
Watch our Developer Preview Here:
The development team has reworked two critical systems based directly on player input: weapons and artifacts. "We rebuilt the weapon modification system from the ground up," explains the Game Balance Designer. "Each weapon now features random attributes and expanded progression paths, making your arsenal feel genuinely personal and adaptable to your playstyle."
The artifact system has undergone an equally significant transformation. "We've abandoned the previous set-bonus approach. Now, each artifact carries unique attributes, allowing Lightbearers to mix and match pieces to craft their ideal combat experience."
Perhaps most excitingly for players, the team has implemented the highly-requested slide mechanic. "This brings more fluid movement and tactical options to every fight.," the Lead Designer notes.
The conversation shifts to Destiny's iconic endgame content. "Raids have always been the beating heart of Destiny," says the Lead Designer. "At launch, we're introducing a special Season 0 (S0) Week One event for our Gauntlet mode. Complete it during this window to earn a limited-edition emblem, with additional community rewards scaling based on total participation."
In a thoughtful move toward competitive fairness, we have opted against a server-wide race for the initial launch. This decision acknowledges that closed test participants would have an inherent advantage from their familiarity with certain mechanics. Instead, Destiny: Rising will deliver a genuinely level playing field for all Lightbearers 1 week after Season 1 begins. The Season 1 Week One event will launch at the same time world-wide (not by server local time), ensuring everyone starts their journey on equal footing.
"In the second week of Season 1, we'll release the true challenge version of the Gauntlet with its own Week One race. This hardcore version includes secret mechanics and tougher constraints, all with fair balancing. "Players participating in the Season 1 Week-One event will see their progress tracked on a live in-game leaderboard, with exclusive rewards and a dynamic emblem that showcases their achievement.
While combat excellence remains central to Destiny: Rising, the team emphasizes their commitment to the rich storytelling that defines the franchise. "After launch, you'll discover exclusive narrative quests centered around key characters, " reveals the Lead Designer. " These missions let you explore the personal journeys of different Lightbearers, revealing their unique perspectives and beliefs about our universe. "
The conversation turns to the game's reward systems, where some of the most substantial changes have occurred based on beta feedback. "The Achievement System now provides significant Lumia Leaves rewards," explains the Balance Designer. "We've also implemented daily sign-in bonuses and a special 14-day newcomer event offering free draws."
Launch players can expect over 200 free draws in total, of which includes at least 12,500 Lumia Leaves. "We want everyone to fully enjoy the game without feeling restricted by resources," the Balance Designer emphasizes.
One of the most discussed beta features, the Pinnacle Energy system, has received tweaks too. "We understand that sometimes you just want to grind more or play with friends without limitations," acknowledges the Balance Designer. "Now, with Pinnacle Energy available, you'll earn substantial rewards; when depleted, you'll still receive significant, consistent base rewards that no longer diminish over time."
Legendary character development has also been streamlined, with the first two talent unlocks no longer requiring duplicate character draws. Crucially, talent levels no longer affect character power, ensuring a more balanced competitive environment.
As content conversation concludes, the Lead Designer shares some exciting news about the game's launch and future.
"I'm thrilled to announce that our global pre-registration has reached an incredible 10 million Lightbearers! Those pre-registration rewards including an exclusive Exotic ornament and 10 free draws will be waiting for everyone at launch."
The global release will support multiple languages from day one: English, Latin America Spanish, Japanese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, with more languages planned for future updates.
Server infrastructure spans four major regions: Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America with cross-platform play between iOS and Android enabling seamless progression and social connections regardless of device.
Looking to the future, Destiny: Rising 's seasons update every 2 months, with new characters content arriving every four weeks. Weekly maintenance and smaller content updates will ensure the experience remains fresh and technically sound.
Q: When does Destiny: Rising officially launch?
A: To ensure all Lightbearers worldwide can enjoy a complete Day 1 experience, Destiny: Rising will launch at 9:00 AM local time across our four regional servers. This staggered release allows players in each region to begin their journey during convenient hours. Here's the launch schedule:
SERVERS | LOCAL TIME | Coordinated Universal Time |
North America Server |
9:00 AM PDT |
16:00 UTC |
Latin America Server |
9:00 AM BRT |
12:00 UTC |
Europe Server |
9:00 AM BST |
08:00 UTC |
Asia Pacific Server |
9:00 AM SGT |
01:00 UTC |
Q: Will there be pre-download available?
A: Pre-download will be available on 27th of August, 6 AM PT sharp. Upon launch, you'll automatically connect to your regional server.
Q: Which platforms will Destiny: Rising be available on?
A: Destiny: Rising will be available on iOS and Android devices. You can download it from the App Store, Google Play Store, and our official website.
Q: Will there be cross-play between iOS and Android?
A: Yes, Destiny: Rising features full cross-play between all mobile platforms.
Q: Can Players from Different servers play together?
A: We currently have 4 different servers worldwide, and players can only play together in each server. Cross server play is not available.
Q: I'm a Closed Beta player, how do I get my rebate in the global launch server?
A: You'll need to log in to the game with the same social account you used during you closed beta experience. For more details, refer back to our rebate blog here
Q: I'm a Closed Beta player, and I still have my old testing build. Can I simply update that build to get access to Global Launch?
A: No. You will need to delete the previous build and download the latest version from the App Stores to ensure a smooth entry.
Q: What are the minimum device requirements?
A: Destiny: Rising will be available for iOS and Android devices. For minimum operation, we recommend Snapdragon 835/MediaTek Dimensity 700 or newer processors for Android devices and iPhone 7 or newer for iOS devices. For a more detailed breakdown of minimum and recommended specifications, please refer to the comprehensive specifications chart we've attached at the end of this blog.
Q: Will Destiny: Rising support controllers?
A: Yes, most Bluetooth controllers compatible with your device will work with Destiny: Rising.
Q: Will there be scheduled maintenance periods?
A: Yes, weekly maintenance will occur every Thursday from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM PDT. Additional maintenance may be scheduled as needed.
Q: Where can I report bugs or get help?
A: You can reach us through our official Discord server here.
1. iPad (8th generation) or newer
2. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) or newer
3. iPad Pro (10.5-inch) 2017 or newer
4. iPad Pro (11-inch, 1st generation) or newer
5. iPad mini (5th generation) or newer
6. iPad Air (3rd generation) or newer