Update [Fri 4th Jul 2025, 8:15pm]:

It does indeed look like Destiny: Rising is indeed going to be Sony’s first real smartphone success story. (If we’re excluding Aniplex’s Fate/Grand Order, as mentioned in the comments.)

The game has surpassed five million pre-registrations since revealing its release date this week.

For those not in the know, pre-registrations are a bit like pre-orders, except you just commit for your mobile marketplace of choice to install the free-to-play game on your device once it’s ready. No money is exchanged, so the numbers are often quite high.

Companies will typically offer rewards for reaching pre-registration milestones, with 10 Bon Voyage Charms promised at launch here. We suspect they’ll factor into the game’s gacha system, presumably as a means to unlock new characters and weapons.

Original Story: Destiny: Rising – a smartphone-focused spin on Bungie’s looter shooter series – will launch on 28th August, potentially giving Sony its first mobile hit.

The Japanese giant has been eager to release its own suite of smartphone games for some time, poaching Apple Arcade talent and even acquiring developer Neon Koi – but it’s failed to really get the initiative off the ground.

This effort has been developed by specialists NetEase, and it looks like a robust twist on the console releases.

Here’s the story setup for those of you who follow the franchise’s lore:

“As a genesis of new possibilities in the Destiny universe, Destiny: Rising delves into an unseen era where burgeoning hope blooms once again after a terrifying collapse of civilization and the dangers of the resulting Dark Age. With the help of legendary Iron Lords, humanity has broken free the shackles of tyranny and began to rally together against the alien forces intent on its extinction. Amidst the chaos of this early age for The City, a new generation of Lightbearers, resurrected by mysterious entities known as Ghosts, set out to restore humanity’s prominence and secure its future.”

The game is promising “best-in-class sci-fi shooting at your fingertips”, with both first-person and third-person camera perspectives available.

You’ll be able to pick from a variety of different heroes, each with their own “personal story, unique personality, and formidable skills”. The developer says that “choosing the right character and mastering their combat style will be your key to overcoming the challenging foes that stand in your way”.

And of course, as you’d expect from Destiny, there’ll be a ton of loot to collect:

“Countless powerful exotic weapons are available to customise according to your combat style. Explore different weapon and traits combinations, defeat enemies with different gameplay mechanics, and become the next master of arms.”

Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if this blew up, especially in countries like China and parts of Asia, where mobile gaming rules supreme.

Obviously, fast-paced shooters are a tougher sell on touchscreens, but the production values here are outstanding, and NetEase has clearly found a way to translate Bungie’s signature gameplay style to smartphones.

Is this something you’d be willing to check out? Do you think this is going to open Sony’s eyes to the possibilities of the mobile market? Find a legendary firearm in the comments section below.