Several Bungie developers were enthusiastic about creating a Destiny dating simulator, a concept that was reportedly pitched multiple times but consistently rejected by leadership. The idea, described as being "very Dream Daddy inspired," emerged from internal "Carnival" events where development teams were given a week to prototype experimental side projects. While the initial version was a product of this limited timeframe, a dedicated group of developers continuously sought to expand it into a full-fledged game.
According to former Bungie senior narrative designer Robert Brookes, the passionate proponents of the dating sim even developed a detailed pitch deck, complete with cost projections and market metrics. Despite these efforts, Bungie leadership maintained a stance that "nobody wanted romance or silliness" within the Destiny universe. This decision was made even though some developers involved in the pitch had prior experience in romance game design.
The hesitation from leadership to pursue such a project is understandable, given the potential for it to be perceived as a misuse of resources. In a live-service game like Destiny 2, where development teams are often focused on delivering content and support for the core experience, a spin-off of this nature could invite criticism. The notes suggest that Bungie leadership may have been concerned about community backlash, drawing a parallel to the mixed reception a different project, Marathon, has faced.
This revelation comes at a time of significant organizational change for Bungie. The studio has reportedly ended support for Destiny 2 and is expected to undergo substantial layoffs. Furthermore, Destiny 3 is not currently in active development, casting further doubt on the potential for smaller-scale Destiny titles to materialize in the near future.