In Destiny 2, the mood is not good. Then a job advertisement appears and makes everything even worse: Bungie is apparently looking for a head for the game’s cash shop. This person should ensure game progression through loot boxes.
A few weeks ago, the mood in the Destiny 2 subreddit boiled over. It was about a topic that seemed quite boring at first glance: the scaling of experience points.
There, a system in Destiny 2 misled players into thinking they were getting a lot of EXP, but in reality, there were significantly fewer experience points than displayed. The system obscured a hefty experience point deduction. Some shouted: This is a scam and a scandal.
Mood at boiling point after XP deceit
After players uncovered this system with extensive research, a shitstorm was already in the air, especially in the aftermath of the Battlefront 2 controversy.
Because when Destiny 2 players receive fewer experience points, the incentive to purchase loot boxes directly in the shop increases.
- According to Bungie, this system was in place to make experience gain fair and to balance inequalities between individual activities. However, Bungie’s argument did not gain traction.
- Players felt: This is a fraud and only intended to boost sales in the cash shop Eververse.
Bungie tried to calm the mood
Bungie then temporarily suspended this system but doubled the amount of experience points needed for a Glimmer Engram.
Bungie later admitted: We did not look good there. We looked like greedy idiots.
This was part of a communication offensive last week to repair the biggest rifts in the relationship between Bungie and the most loyal fans.
Job advertisement turns mood sour again
But the peace didn’t last long.
Now the community is upset over a job advertisement from Bungie for a “Progression Designer” who is apparently supposed to take care of the Eververse, the cash shop of Destiny 2.
This person is supposed to oversee it long-term, integrate it into the game, link it with other systems, and ensure that the shop is used well and satisfies players. The designer is responsible for the “overarching vision” so that the shop is coherent and functions long-term across multiple expansions and seasons.
Spendgame instead of Endgame
Players are particularly disturbed by a formulation in the job listing: The designer is to ensure long-term player progression and a “hunt” over Destiny 2’s Glimmer Engrams.
For many, this is a sign that Bungie wants to further expand the cash shop. The talk is about “Spendgame” instead of “Endgame.”
The background is the accusation against Bungie that Destiny 2 has a weak endgame and offers players too few goals to aspire to. Cosmetic rewards that players should actually earn through difficult activities in Destiny 2 are tied to the cash shop.
The topic of “endgame” is a minefield among Destiny 2 fans, where even community manager DeeJ stepped in it when he dared to say: The real endgame is to find friends …
Only 1 job out of more than 40 involves the Eververse
Mein MMO believes: This is one job advertisement among about forty that Bungie is currently posting. That Bungie is simultaneously looking for 3 people for the story, 10 artists, and 11 technicians makes this one job advertisement seem significantly less severe. Game designers are also being specifically sought who are supposed to take care of gameplay – and not the cash shop.
Glimmer Engrams can be earned in-game. The Eververse also offers player progression without monetary investment, which needs to be taken care of.
Upon closer inspection, this job advertisement is not a reason for the community to lose its temper. It is the heated mood that causes them to react loudly.
When the mood is as negative as it is now, there’s a great risk of seeing everything from just one perspective. This view does not show the whole picture.
This contributes to the heated mood:
Destiny 2: Prestige activities are now locked for everyone who does not purchase Curse of Osiris
