Modders bringing Destiny 1 to PC catch attention of Bungie leadership

For years, the original Destiny has remained trapped on consoles, but a fan-led initiative known as Project Golden Age is attempting to change that. The project is currently working to port the shooter-MMO to PC, and recent progress updates have even gained the attention of high-ranking staff at Bungie.

The project details

As reported by Eurogamer, the modding effort has recently reached a point where it can run parts of the game at 4K resolution at over 60fps. The custom build also features a wider field of view (FOV) than what was available on the original console releases. According to the project’s GitLab page, the team is working by analyzing client and server requests to rebuild the experience, utilizing generative AI tools during the process. While the current build still faces some rendering and physics bugs, it represents the most viable attempt to play Destiny 1 on a desktop platform to date.

Bungie’s response

Footage shared by YouTuber Flummoxed recently made waves in the community, eventually drawing a response from Josh Deane, Bungie’s studio head of product and Marathon general manager. Deane commented on the footage on X with the remark: “Seems like a pretty game, wonder if it will do well…”

While this comment is a notable acknowledgment from an executive, it is not an official endorsement or a sign that Bungie is developing a formal PC port. As noted by Eurogamer, the studio is currently focused on Destiny 2 and the development of Marathon, and there remains a possibility that Sony could issue a DMCA takedown against the project in the future.

Why it matters

For players, this project represents the only potential avenue to experience the original Destiny on hardware outside of the PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The ability to run the game at higher frame rates and wider resolutions could finally offer a modern way to revisit the game’s early content, which remains inaccessible on current consoles.

However, players should keep expectations in check. Given that Project Golden Age is a fan-led effort currently dealing with technical instability, it is far from a finished product. With Bungie currently managing the restoration of removed Destiny 2 content, official support for a PC port of the original game is unlikely to be a studio priority. Fans should monitor the project’s GitLab and community updates to see if the developers can overcome the current physics and rendering hurdles.