Amid the flood of Destiny news today comes yet another announcement, this one concerning weapon balance changes. In short, Bungie is rolling out a series of changes to weapons such as Shotguns, Fusion Rifles, Hand Cannons, Pulse Rifles, and others.

Below is a breakdown of what to expect when these changes are applied with Update 1.1.1 sometime later this month. For lots more, head to Bungie's website to hear directly from sandbox designer Jon Weisnewski.

AUTO RIFLES:

Goals:

• Auto Rifle is optimal at close to medium range
• Damage, Stability, and Range are tuned such that players desire Stability for reliable close quarters damage, or Range for better accuracy at a distance

Changes:

• Reduce base damage of Auto Rifles by 2.5% (averaged across Rate of Fire stats, higher RoF took less of a reduction than low RoF)
• Reduce effective range values so that damage falloff and accuracy are a stronger factor in combat decisions
• Range reduction is less severe in the higher stat values, so now your range stat is more critical to long distance engagements

PULSE RIFLES:

Goals:

• Pulse Rifle is optimal at medium range, but can still effectively harass enemies at close or long range distances
• Rate of Fire sets a pace for players to both track moving targets, and then deliver precision damage in bursts

Changes:

• Increase base damage of Pulse Rifles by 9.7%. DPS is now more in line with other primaries

SHOTGUNS:

Goals:

• Shotgun is the most optimal at very close range
• Complements melee attacks and other close quarters class builds
• Offensively closing on an enemy with a Shotgun is a risk/reward timing game

Changes:

• Increase damage by 2x (100%) against all non-Guardian combatants (aliens)
• Reduce high end range values - damage falloff starts sooner, so Crucible players with long range shotguns need to be a little closer for successful one hit kills
• (Like the Fusion Rifle) Initial starting ammo is reduced across all ammo stats in the Crucible:
  • Starting a Crucible match, you’ll have less Shotgun ammo in reserve
  • In PvE activities we persistently track your ammo
  • We only use initial ammo values if you are logging in for the first time, or starting a Crucible match

HAND CANNONS:

Goals:

• Hand Cannon is optimal at medium range
• Hand Cannon is optimal when shots are paced, becomes less effective when fired quickly
• Rewards agility when under fire, precision targeting, and snap shots

Changes:

• Reduce effective range
• Damage falloff starts closer to the shooter, and follow up shots are less accurate at long ranges
• Slight reduction to initial accuracy
  
  • This is unnoticeable at close to medium range, but underscores the range intentions when used from far away.

FUSION RIFLES:

Goals:

• Fusion Rifles are optimal at mid-range, where targets are easier to track but they’re not close enough to attack while you charge up
• Requires combat foresight and the ability to predict a target’s movement to use successfully

Changes:

• Blast pattern on a Fusion Rifle burst cone is a little wider
  
  • Close to medium range volleys are largely unaffected, but at a distance the projectiles are less likely to land hits on a single target
  • This reduces the reliability of landing a one hit kill at far range, and makes the weapon better at spreading damage into a group
• Initial starting ammo is reduced across all ammo stats. This is change primarily affects The Crucible
  
  • Starting a Crucible match, you’ll have less Fusion Rifle ammo in reserve
  • In PvE activities we persistently track your ammo. We only use initial ammo values if you are logging in for the first time, or starting a Crucible match

House of Wolves, the second major expansion for Bungie's shooter Destiny, will launch sometime in the second quarter of 2015. That means it will be released within the April-June timeframe. Bungie confirmed the new release window today in a post on its website.

Details about House of Wolves emerged earlier this week, but Bungie isn't quite ready to talk specifics about the expansion.

"We're keeping all other details under wraps for now," the developer said. "There is a special team here that's dedicated to creating some new ways for you to play Destiny. They’re also making the game you know a better reflection of what we've learned about you since you've started playing."

"While they do their thing, we'll walk the fine line between making you a part of the process and providing them with a safe place to explore possibilities and do their best work."

Bungie also reminded gamers that official information about House of Wolves will come from the Bungie Blog itself, not outside sources.

"Enjoy the speculation and discussion that makes an Internet community fun, but stay tuned here so we can go on record about what awaits you as 'Q2' draws nearer," Bungie said.

Finally, Bungie teased that something Destiny-related is coming this fall. Could it be information about Destiny 2, which Activision previously confirmed was in development? It's too early to say, unfortunately.

"And on a long enough timeline, we'll also talk about what we're planning for this Fall," Bungie said.

House of Wolves follows Destiny's first expansion pack, The Dark Below, which launched in December 2014. Both add-ons are included with the $35 Destiny Expansion Pass.

Here's something you might not have expected.

Hidetaka Miyazaki--director of dark, punishingly difficult fantasy games Demon's Souls and Bloodborne--wants to make a game for children. No, we're not kidding. He tells IGN that while he is a fan of the dark fantasy genre, he would also someday like the chance to tackle a "heartwarming" project aimed at children.

"I've always had an interest in doing something colorful or heartwarming, but no one believes me," he said. "Admittedly, games like [Bloodborne], which are dark and somber, are kind of my expertise and that's what I go back to, those are my roots and probably something I'll continue doing."

"However, I've always had an interest in doing something that's more child-friendly or more colorful and lively," he added. "For example, games like PoPoLoCrois on PS1, Ico on PS2...those games stand out from my point of view, just as examples, of something I'd like to explore given the opportunities.”

Also in IGN's interview, Miyazaki talks about virtual reality, a technology that has grown in prominence of late due to Facebook buying Oculus Rift and Sony revealing its own headset, Project Morpheus.

He said: “I feel that the devices are such impactful pieces of technology that..it's a game-changer by itself, the delivery and the experience. Business aside, from the point of view of a creator, I would like to be a part of that exploration, of that movement and process. Fingers crossed, as an outsider, that it takes off. Still, as a creator, I'd like to be a part of that movement. Looking back at when the PS1 and N64 came out, polygons were the big thing, and suddenly the experience of 3D on your screen was made a reality.”

Miyazaki continued: “I'm very excited for the possibility of Oculus and Morpheus to explore another phase, a new angle, of innovation, and how could I deliver content, game-specific content. That's something that really excites me.”

Following a delay, the Bloodborne release date is now March 24. The game is coming exclusively to PlayStation 4. For more on Bloodborne, check out our previous coverage.

• See Bloodborne's Chalice Dungeons In New Trailer
• Special-Edition Bloodborne PS4s Coming To Japan
• New Bloodborne Art Depicts The Awful Foes That Lie Beneath