Oh, live-action trailers! They're how publishers try to convince us that their games have deep, meaningful stories, and that our parents will definitely respect us now because look, these are actual human beings shooting men in the face and the face-shooting isn't the part we enjoy, honest! So here's a new trailer for Bungie's FPS-RPG Destiny, directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man; Iron Man 2), which mixes live-action footage with that other hollow trailer medium, CG.

Watch: Something about camaraderie or something »

Bungie has a way with expansive worlds and fiction--just look at the Halo series. So we expected the same from Destiny, and the company has started to show its hand, sharing more details on the world, story, and the three classes.

Read more: Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters »

So far, we only know bits and pieces about Bungie's next game, Destiny. In our own preview, the online FPS was compared to games as diverse as Borderlands and Mass Effect, and Journey, among others. Given its wealth of influences, it's not surprising to hear that Bungie and publisher Activision might be looking towards the microtransaction model too.

Read more: 'Monetization modeling' »

Sony has been aggressive in experimenting with re-selling its legacy content. From MAG to Starhawk to, most recently, Uncharted 3, the company has been open to selling games "piecemeal," with the single and multiplayer functionality sold separately. Microsoft is sort of copying that approach with today's release of Halo 3: ODST "Campaign Edition," available for $14.99 on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Read more: Multiplayer completely jettisoned »

Bungie's next game, Destiny, is currently only announced for PS3 and Xbox 360. But, with monolithic publisher Activision behind it, surely more platforms are forthcoming?

Gamnesia (via Gamespot) looked through the source code of Destiny's official pre-order page and found references to numerous platforms in addition to PS3 and Xbox 360.

Read more: Built from 'the ground up' for multiplatform »

First-person shooters aren't exactly the most accessible genre in the market. Even multi-platinum franchises like Halo and Call of Duty skew relatively "hardcore." However, Bungie wants to appeal to an even larger audience with Destiny, and plans on doing so by making it accessible for even novice gamers.

"If you have the basic coordination to play a shooter, you can experience all Destiny has to offer," Bungie co-founder Jason Jones explained. "All core activities can be able to be enjoyed by a novice player, even as we we get into those complex six-player activities, like raids."

Read more: But what about advanced players? »

"From the developers of Halo and the publisher of Call of Duty."

That's a tagline you're going to see a lot of in the coming months, as Activision begins revving up the marketing machine for Bungie's next game, Destiny. But what does it mean to be from "the publisher of Call of Duty?" Does that really affect the game in any way? According to both parties, the answer is yes.

Read more: Multiplatform and multiplayer tech »

Bungie's upcoming Destiny will feature a highly crafted narrative experience, one that you can experience as a traditional "campaign." However, even if you're playing the game single-player, you will need an online connection. "To play Destiny, you need to be connected," Bungie's Pete Parsons succinctly noted.

Read more: It's 'okay' to go solo »

Every AAA game aims to set a new benchmark. Some games will aim to have the best graphics, others the biggest worlds. Others, still, try to reinvent genres--or create new ones entirely. Destiny is the epitome of AAA game development: it aims to be nothing less than the biggest world ever created for a video game, while reinventing the FPS. Bungie's aspirations are so extraordinary, it's not difficult to dismiss it all as hyperbole. Clearly, the team has proven itself through the original Halo games--but Destiny takes their ambition to a whole new level.

Read more: The many inspirations of Destiny »

Bungie is set to unveil its "next universe" in a "matter of days." In fact, the game will be revealed this Sunday at 10AM PT. Pre-orders for the game will be available shortly afterwards, as retailers have already begun to receive promotional material for the game.

Read more: Pre-orders begin on Monday »

We've seen little hints of Bungie's "Destiny" from leaks and clever easter eggs, but the company finally seems primed to pull the veil off. The developer has started up an alternate-reality game, welcoming fans to uncover the mysteries and (presumably) unearth some secrets about the game, with some details expected to be revealed on February 17.

Read more: A seven-day countdown »

Halo 3: ODST was one of Bungie's last games before separating from Microsoft to work on its next universe. Apparently, the company knew what it was planning for the future well in advance--so much so that it sneaked an easter egg into the now-three year old game.

Read more: 'Destiny Awaits' »

Bungie has been mum about its current project Destiny since it was revealed in Activision court documents back in May. We know it going to be an Xbox exclusive coming late in 2013, and we know Paul McCartney is working on music with the developer. Now Bungie has teased us with what could be an image from the sci-fi action shooter.

Read more: 'We weren't quite ready, but we will be soon' »

For such a high-profile series, Halo has been fairly consistent in sticking in the first-person shooter genre. The one exception was Halo Wars, and Ensemble founder Tony Goodman says the project's departure from the norm created some strife with Bungie.

Read more: 'Whoring out of our franchise' »

Bungie's next game still hasn't been formally announced, but the company is already reaching out to beta testers for the upcoming title, codenamed Destiny. The company assures eager fans that more invites are coming as well.

Read more: 'Your time may yet come' »