Already there are conspiracy theories in Destiny. First widely publicized by Forbes writer Paul Tassi, the theory suggests that the original plan, or eventual reveal, is that The Traveler is actually an evil entity and Guardians fight for Darkness, not Light. Is it really necessary to start second guessing the storyline at this point in time, in the first iteration of what’s promised to be a ten-year cycle of four major games and ongoing story reveal? Must we already seek out endgame plot points in a tale that’s only started?
Mass Effect Ruined Gaming Expectations
In Mass Effect, this sort of conspiracy story started after the reveal of the horrible ending to ME3. So much was lacking in that rushed and heavily edited effort that people pieced together an interpretation of events where the hero, Shepard, is actually indoctrinated by the enemy Reapers. This concept dealt with the tremendous disappointment of a lackluster finale to a predominantly excellent trilogy of games. As a result, it seems that sussing out the “real story” from clues, hints and the plot lines of fired/departed writers like Joseph Staten is becoming a new thing, just like posting naked selfies of famous celebrities, stolen from the cloud. It’s an activity that’s fruitless, pointless and ridiculous — although it gives you something to talk and write about rather endlessly.
Hiding in Plain Sight
In actuality, even Bungie has already acknowledged this line of thought with a Grimoire card listing all of the game world theories about The Traveler. Interestingly enough, it is in the section on The Darkness, your enemy. On that card, The Traveler runs from being a benevolent being to the pure evil suggested by the conspiracy. Surely, the gamer is supposed to be left wondering for himself. Even the existence of factions with The Tower, and more political entities waiting to be revealed, suggests that not everyone is on board with The Speaker and the Vanguards in accepting the party line.
On the Factions Concept
On a side note, I find none of the three alternate factions satisfying. Future War Cult thinks conflict is unending and we should just accept it (like Master Chief never wants to take off the helmet for good?), Dead Orbit believes humanity should just leave Earth and go hide someplace new, while the New Monarchy wants to abolish democracy for dictatorship. I’m certain that many players don’t care what the faction stands for (some wouldn’t care if their motto was “We want to roast babies for food!” to borrow from Jonathan Swift), they only want their gear. For myself, the banner I carry in game or out has to stand for something I actually agree with – so for the time being I stick with the Vanguards, who fight the good fight and prefer to take The Speaker at his admittedly vague word.
You’re Supposed to Be Left Wondering
In a game mostly absent cutscenes and story, that has a planned life of ten years, you are supposed to search for story. So a certain side of me accepts it as inevitable that those wanting the next Halo are going to grasp at every straw. Is it possible the game leads found the original writer’s concept outline unsatisfying and changed course midstream? I think so. For myself, I dislike games that invest you in a character, in this case a quiet one like The Traveler, and then tell you everything you know is a lie. I get enough lying in real life – I’m a schoolteacher. I don’t want my recreation to do it to me too. So if Bungie decided “Hey, this story is going to make people hate us, like when Bioware did a crappy ending for ME3,” then I applaud their guts to turn this huge ship around and make the switch halfway through. If that means we live in extended story beta for a while and our only decent cutscenes involve the Queen of the Reef, so be it.
I still find myself wondering, however, why The Speaker is the only Guardian to wear his helmet in The Tower. What’s behind that masked Bill Nighy? Better not be Davy Jones and I better not have to wait ten years to find out. Of course, Destiny may go the way of many a TV series – meant for ten seasons, but only lasted two. That’s the story they’re fighting against right now.