After a strong launch month in September, hard times have begun for Destiny 2 in October. A change in direction is necessary, but when can one expect it? Not anytime soon, believes our author Schuhmann.
About the time October arrived, the honeymoon period with Destiny 2 ended. While most players were still satisfied with Destiny 2 at the end of September, spending hours on the shooter and raving about the innovations, cracks began to appear in the perfect world from October onward.
Crises mood in Destiny 2 – these 5 reasons explain the crisis
5 reasons for the crisis mood can be quickly found:
- Many conveniences from Destiny 1 did not make it over to Destiny 2. The game has made some strange regressions, lacking beloved comfort features. No one can explain this.
- Moreover, there is a lack of noticeable developments – most improvements were limited to the story and leveling phase. For most, that was over in October.
- The PvP has to endure a lot of criticism – this is simply too slow for Destiny veterans.
- Especially the lack of endgame is heavily criticized. After Bungie removed the “random rolls” on items for balance reasons, players lack motivation to repeat the existing game content. Raids, prestige raids, and Iron Banner rarely entice with attractive rewards. The loot hunger that used to drive Destiny players has vanished in Destiny 2.
- Additionally, normal difficulties and atmospheric disturbances that a game has at launch, with glitches and bugs, would normally be manageable but are currently extremely annoying, especially if the Trials are canceled for two weeks due to a bug.
Bungie admits problems with the endgame
As a first step, Bungie recognized and admitted the problems in mid-October.
In a letter to the community dated October 12, it was stated that they had noticed the feedback regarding the endgame and said: “These discussions are also taking place at our studio. We are listening, but we need time to respond.”
Furthermore, Game Director Luke Smith mentioned that they have internal ideas on how to make the endgame more appealing. Here, Bungie identified problems: apparently, many Destiny 2 buyers play more than 60 hours and reach the game but have nothing to do.
Luke Smith had already announced months ago that they have ideas on how to make “duplicate items” more appealing – now that random perks and thus the search for the God Roll have disappeared from Destiny.
Smith’s message was also: We see the problems, we are re-evaluating priorities, and this takes time.
Apparently, Bungie agrees: We need to change the direction of Destiny 2. We need to do something different than we originally planned.
But the schedule is already set
Those hoping for “soon” answers are likely disappointed. The statement that “time is needed” should be taken seriously.
Although Bungie had the opportunity to speak at TwitchCon 2017 over the weekend, it was clear that the plans for 2017 have long been set. And they are following this predetermined schedule, having no other choice.
This is what Bungie still has planned for 2017:
- Next, the PC launch will happen – on October 24 it will take place. This is important for Bungie to reach new players.
- For November, three live streams are announced. However, it did not sound at TwitchCon as if Bungie is talking about their new plans or the negative player feedback, but rather sticking to the “old plans.” One should not expect heated debates – but rather these are probably pre-scheduled dates where Bungie will present the first DLC and the season change.
New content then with seasons and DLC in winter 2017
The new content is expected to arrive as a double pack in winter 2017 – likely in December. But even then, everything will go “according to plan.
- The season change is a kind of ritualized, free content update as it was in Destiny 1. Every 3 months, they will adjust the weapon balance, bring new items, and change the inventory of the cash shop. No major gameplay mechanical changes are to be expected. This is only a new name for the sandbox updates that also occurred in Destiny 1. This sounds somewhat more extensive than before, but it’s nothing wild.
- Also, the content of DLC 1 “Curse of Osiris” seems to have been clear for a long time. This will revolve around Mercury and the NPC Osiris. Compared to the Destiny 1 DLCs, one can expect a new zone here. Whether “Curse of Osiris” will bring about changes to the “Destiny formula” remains questionable.
When can Bungie implement the changes?
If the last 3 years at Bungie have taught us anything, then:
- Bungie does respond to feedback – has adjusted the loot system
- but takes relatively long – the winter date never brought significant changes to the formula, they always came in April/May or with the full release in September.
A glimmer of hope is that Luke Smith has already spoken before the release about an idea of how Bungie wants to compensate for the “missing random rolls.” One can only hope that this idea is well advanced and finds its way with the first DLC for Destiny 2.
Hopefully, Smith did not mean the “mods,” but really has a good idea up his sleeve.
A first mini-change at least concerns the tokens in Iron Banner. Bungie wants to reach a compromise here. After the harsh criticism of the token system they want to make items specifically purchasable from Lord Saladin. However, this change will not take effect immediately, but only with Season 2. The next Iron Banner will still run under the old system.
A sign of how difficult it is for Bungie to change the path once set and process feedback.
With the PC launch now and fixed content plans, it could be even harder for Destiny 2 to deviate from the planned path than it was for Destiny 1.
One can be curious whether the streams in November will indeed show signs of a change in direction. Otherwise, these structural changes might be postponed to spring 2018.
More about the new items coming with the season change to Destiny 2:
Destiny 2: Check out new weapons, armor, ghosts, ships from Season 2
