Destiny Iron Banner Mode Released for More Schedules and the Reason Behind No Cross Platform Play

Gamers Play a Game by Bungie Inc. at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Known as E3, in Los Angeles — IN PHOTO: Gamers play a game by Bungie Inc. at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2014. REUTERS

The "Destiny" beta is currently ongoing for PS4 and PS3 players, with Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions raring to go once the date hits July 23. During the weekend, the PlayStation Network even suffered some crashes and downtimes in light of the surge of users.

But another announcement from developer Bungie has identified a new event that will be running throughout the beta. The Iron Banner Mode, which is a time limited event that first appeared last July 19 is open for two hours, where Guardians will have the chance to prove themselves in the Crucible.

Not only that, in Bungie's weekly update, the Destiny Companion app is now announced available for the iOS and Android, both of which will work with the "Destiny" beta.

"Show off your Guardian. Manage your inventory. Watch the Grimoire bloom with the knowledge of your discoveries. Debate the finer points of the game on the Destiny forum. Start a Clan. Guide your journey from one shared moment of action to the next," said Bungie.

"The Destiny Companion is your mobile battle station for managing your campaign to protect humanity. Your first step down that path is to download it."

DualShockers has spotted that the Iron Banner Mode for "Destiny" has already been updated with more schedules announced. Three instances of the mode's reappearance will include a 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. run on July 20 PDT. Furthermore, Bungie has already confirmed that the event will come back before the end of beta for "Destiny" so that Xbox users can also have a go at the Iron Banner Mode.

PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360: Why 'Destiny' Has No Cross Play

Now that PS4 and PS3 fans have started to enjoy 'Destiny' beta--and with the Xbox One and Xbox 360 players readying for this week to enter the beta experience--the questions have turned towards the platforms that the game is set to release.

It seems that the creation of "Destiny" did not come easily, considering how the four platforms were created not to provide ports for different players, but rather to create a new experience depending on where you decide to play.

In an interview with Digital Trends, Bungie engineer Roger Wolfson reveals that the different systems presented various challenges in making "Destiny," most of which could result in radical experiences across players.

"Regardless of where the reality is, there's definitely a perception among gamers that better hardware means you have an advantage. We don't want to have to enter that fray, so to create the best, most level playing field, both actually and perceptually, we separated it by platform."

One good illustration pointed out in the interview was that, if developer Bungie was to allow cross-platform play for the multiplayer, one of the other would be at a disadvantage. For instance, those who are playing on next-gen PS4 and Xbox One would have a very different view of those playing on the PS3 and Xbox 360, putting the latter players at a disadvantaged position--It's the difference between seeing the enemy as in two-pixels versus four-pixels onscreen.

What this allows is the absence of a very obvious difference or lag, which could be experienced by those who are playing against a different console.

Considering that Activision and Bungie had created "Destiny" with a 10-year-plan in mind, Digital Trends reports that even though this plan may see "Destiny" move away from the PS3 and Xbox 360, but at the very least, the engineering that has allowed for the game to be experienced on its own terms on the same consoles made the developers feel that the work put into it had been worth it.