Destiny: Rising has been on the radar for a while now, especially with fans of the franchise wondering exactly where it fits in the bigger picture. The Destiny universe is already packed with lore, timelines, and events, so it’s natural for players to question if this new entry actually counts as part of the established storyline or if it branches off on its own.
For anyone who has followed Destiny 1 and Destiny 2 closely, the idea of another story in the same universe sounds exciting. However, it also raises the big question of whether it lines up with Bungie’s official canon, or is it doing its own thing entirely.
Is Destiny: Rising Part of Official Canon?
No, Destiny Rising is not canon. It doesn’t tie directly into Destiny 2 or the mainline lore. Instead, it’s treated as a spin-off with its own alternate timeline. The game sets itself up before the events of the original Destiny, but rather than weaving into Bungie’s official story, it introduces its own take on the universe.
That means players shouldn’t go into this expecting answers or continuation of Destiny 2’s arcs. Instead, think of it as a parallel story that gives a fresh angle on the world you already know.
Why Destiny Rising Isn’t Canon
There are a few reasons why Destiny Rising sits outside of Bungie’s official narrative. First, the game openly frames itself as an alternate universe, almost like Marvel’s “What If” stories, where characters, events, and outcomes can shift into different directions. This freedom is what allows NetEase, the developer, to bring in ideas that clash with existing lore. For example:
- A friendly Eliksni spy helping humans.
- A fleet of Golden Age human mechs never mentioned in Bungie’s timeline.
- The Ahamkara appearing far earlier than they should in Destiny history.
All of these would directly contradict established canon, so instead of trying to shoehorn them into the main story, the game exists in its own separate lane. It’s also worth noting that while NetEase is officially licensed to use the Destiny brand, that license doesn’t make its story part of Bungie’s canon. It just means the team had the green light to create a new experience in the Destiny universe without affecting the mainline games.
Where does Destiny: Rising Take Place?
Although it’s non-canon, the game does plant itself in a specific era of Destiny’s timeline (between the end of the Dark Ages and the beginning of the City Age (where Destiny 1 picks up). This was a messy period for humanity.
Destiny: Rising explores the world before the City Age, which gives it room to introduce brand-new conflicts and characters without stepping on Bungie’s toes. It’s a familiar backdrop with unfamiliar twists, a playground for alternate storytelling, which you can enjoy with Controller Support too.
