Destiny Beta Dates Announced, New Collector’s Editions Unveiled

If you were one of the lucky few who had access to last month’s Destiny Alpha you are probably over the moon for the upcoming beta release. Today the fine folks over at Bungie dropped some beta dates as well as information on new collector’s editions for Destiny. All hail Bungie Day!

First off let’s get you some beta info; it begins on PlayStation, with availability for PS4 and PS3 owners beginning at 10:00am PDT on Thursday, July 17th. Players will have their chance to battle in the Crucible, band together for Strike missions, or sample the other new content until Monday, July 21st, when the beta goes offline for scheduled maintenance. Then on Wednesday, July 23rd, the beta will resume and Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners will gain access at 10:00am PDT.  The Destiny Beta will remain open for all platforms until 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, July 27th. But remember, only those with an active pre-order (get on it would ya) will have guaranteed and immediate access to the beta when it launches on their chosen platform.

Now if all that beta info wasn’t enough to make you dance and giggle check out what Bungie has in store for the collector in all of us. When Destiny hits in September, players will have a choice of three collector’s edition versions of the game, including the Destiny Ghost Edition, Destiny Limited Edition, the Destiny Digital Guardian Edition.

Both the Destiny Ghost Edition and Destiny Limited Edition will come with a limited edition SteelBook case, a unique in-game Ghost casing, an exclusive player emblem and ship variant, a Guardian folio of printed guides, maps, and art, and the Destiny Expansion Pass that includes two upcoming DLC packs. The expansions — The Dark Below and House of Wolves — will feature new story missions, co-op activities, multiplayer maps, guns, armor, and gear. Each expansion will also offer additional exclusive content for PS4 and PS3 owners.

The Destiny Ghost Edition, however, will add a Ghost replica with motion-activated lighting and voice recordings from Peter Dinklage, as well as a letter of introduction, and Golden Age Relics — a photo, patch, sticker, and two chrome slides of the Traveler. Well worth the extra cash for any self respecting nerd!

For the ever expanding number of you choosing to give up on the physical form and go digital, the Destiny Digital Guardian Edition will provide a downloadable version of the game, the Destiny Expansion Pass, and the in-game Ghost casing, player emblem, and ship variant offered in the Destiny Ghost Edition and Destiny Limited Edition.

The Destiny Ghost Edition, Destiny Limited Edition, and Destiny Digital Guardian Edition will all be available at launch and priced at $149.99, $99.99, and $89.99, respectively. Additionally, the Destiny Expansion Pass will be sold separately for $34.99 or players will have the option to buy each expansion individually for $19.99. Say goodbye to your hard earned cash kids!