PlayStation-Exclusive Destiny Map Video Helps You Decide PS4/PS3 or Xbox One/360

Are you having trouble deciding whether to get Destiny on a PlayStation or Xbox system? Sony is trying its best to ensure you choose the former, today releasing a video walkthrough for the multiplayer map that is (temporarily) exclusive to the PS3 and PS4 versions.



Described as a "mid-sized" map that works well for both smaller 3v3 matches and full 6v6 matches, the Exodus Blue map is set around the wreckage of the titular Exodus Blue ship. It's playable in the Crucible--the fancy term for competitive multiplayer in Destiny--and supports five modes: Skirmish, Control, Salvage, Clash, and Rumble.

The video provides our best look yet at the full map, which is arguably the most substantial of thePlayStation-exclusive content, provided you're interested in competitive multiplayer. Along with the map, buyers of the PS3 or PS4 versions will also get additional armor and weapons; you can see an overview of all of this in another recent video that Sony released. This content will be exclusive to PS3 and PS4 until at least fall 2015, when it may also be released on Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Destiny launches on September 9 on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This exclusive content aside, the games are otherwise largely the same, and Bungie says it loves all of its fans--regardless of platform--equally.

If you're buying Destiny, what platform do you plan on getting it for? Let us know in the comments.

Bungie: Destiny Xbox One Is Not "Dumbed Down" Compared To PS4

Though Sony wants PlayStation to be "the best place to play" Bungie's upcoming shooter Destiny, the developer now assures fans that it is doing its best to ensure that the experience is equal across PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In an interview with GamingBolt, Bungie senior environment artist Jason Sussman was asked if the Xbox One version was "dumbed down" compared to PS4.

He replied: "No. We're working really hard to make sure that the best experience and the quality of the game we're trying to deliver is equal across the platforms." The interviewer also asked Sussman about the Xbox One's eSRAM, which reportedly caused issues for developers looking to reach 1080p on the system. He said every console has its subtle differences, but it won't keep Destiny from looking "good" on Xbox One.

"Each console has their own nuances; there is always like little tweaks and things," he said. "That's standard. Anytime you're working cross-platforms there is a-lot of new nuances to each console and we're making sure that the game looks best on all of them and it does; it looks really good. I think we've succeeded. It definitely looks good."



Bungie has confirmed that Destiny will run in 1080p on PS4, but the Xbox One's resolution is still not finalized. However, Bungie is hopeful that it can reach 1080p, thanks in part to the June Xbox One SDK that boosts console GPU power.

The interview also touches on a number of hot-button topics like microtransactions and a potential PC version of Destiny. Addressing microtransactions, Sussman said, "Currently, there are no microtransactions, everything is in-game." Microtransactions for Destiny have not been ruled out altogether, however. Asked about the topic in a separate interview this year, Bungie community manager Eric Osborne said if Destiny ends up adding microtransactions some day, Bungie won't offer "pay-for-power type stuff" to avoid schemes that nickel and dime players. "We're not going to do that," he said at the time.

Regarding a PC version of Destiny, Sussman said, "Wouldn't that be awesome?! Dude, I honestly like playing PC games. But honestly we've been so focused on delivering the game on four consoles and it's such an undertaking. It's the most inclusive thing that the Bungie has been working on. We'll see what the future holds, but for right now we're focused on these four consoles."

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, said previously that Destiny is a "natural fit" for PC. Destiny launches September 9 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4. For more, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

Destiny's PS4 and Xbox One Visual Quality Will Probably Be Equal, Analysis Shows

Bungie's upcoming shooter Destiny has been in beta for a week now, and both Xbox and PlayStation owners have been able to try it out. But some people wondered going into the beta how the two current-gen versions would compare graphically. It was recently revealed that the Xbox One version would run at 900p, while the PlayStation 4 version would be 1080p. Although Bungie promised that the Xbox One version would run at 1080p at the game's full launch in September, it isn't known if the two games will have full graphical parity.

GameSpot recently made an Xbox One-PS4 graphics comparison of the Destiny beta, which you can watch above. But Eurogamer's Digital Foundry decided to delve into the technical aspects of the games and created a complete breakdown of Destiny's graphics on the two consoles. In the beta, the group acknowledges that the PS4 version does have noticeably better detail in the environments, but that the Xbox beta has virtually equivalent quality elsewhere: "Put side-by-side, the Xbox One produces slightly fuzzier detailing on these elements, though the actual quality of textures--and filtering--is a complete match between the two."

"Based on footage released of the 1080p Xbox One build so far, this is to be corrected with no apparent sacrifices to visuals elsewhere."

But will the final version be able to close the gap even further? The article states that it's very likely that the 1080p Xbox One version will be almost identical to the PS4 version. "When comparing the constituent parts of the world design, everything remains precisely the same," Thomas Morgan from Digital Foundry writes, "from Bungie's beautiful, full-resolution skybox, to the ripped, cloth-physics-affected flags. Even the approach to shadows is identical, with a likewise cascade, and a faint dithering across spot-lit silhouettes behind characters."

There may be one small difference between the two versions, however. From analysis of gameplay clips of the Xbox One version, the HUD is 2D and static. On the PS4, the HUD is rendered in 3D with a few extra flourishes. It's a very small detail that "mostly comes down to personal preference," Morgan says.

From the parts of Destiny shown off, though, it's a good bet that the Xbox One and PS4 versions will have pretty much the same level of graphical quality. As Morgan concludes, "Both next-gen consoles run at the same levels of world detail in this early build, with Xbox One also a match for the PS4's stable frame rate. The only bug-bear is the 900p versus 1080p differential, where the PS4 benefits from a clearer image. However, based on footage released of the 1080p Xbox One build so far, this is to be corrected with no apparent sacrifices to visuals elsewhere."

Destiny launches on September 9 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 3. We've extensively covered the beta and you can check out our guides and videos. Everyone can also play the beta from now until Sunday. Which console will you get Destiny on? Let us know in the comments!