In Destiny, Senior Multiplayer Designer Leif Johansen talks about various topics in a podcast, including the Crimson Doubles, Private Matches, and how the community influences new content.
PlanetDestiny recently had the chance to ask Leif Johansen a few questions during a podcast. We summarize interesting info from the over 2.5-hour interview.
This was the idea behind the Crimson Doubles
During the Crimson Weeks, a new PvP mode was active, the Crimson Doubles. In this mode, two players face off against two others in “Elimination” mode.
On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, a 2vs2 event was chosen. Guardians had to team up with their “partner” before the mode could start. Johansen admits he loves Doubles; 2vs2 modes should be highlighted more. The idea of the buff “Broken Heart,” which gives the living partner superhero-like abilities while the other is down, fits the theme. After all, love does give superhuman strength.
According to Johansen, there was consideration as to whether Elimination, Clash, or something entirely new should be the mode for couples. In the end, they decided on Elimination: after each round, the starting positions are taken again. This is also fairer regarding special ammo. In Clash, the team that spawns anew is at a significantly worse position. Elimination simply fits this event better.
Regarding the low chance of getting Ghost shells, he mentioned that he dropped seven shells the day before. This statement made the interviewers chuckle. But Bungie has listened to the community and reacted.
How does Bungie perceive the wishes of the community?
In the video, Leif Johansen also talked about the wishes of the community and how Bungie perceives them. Especially regarding Private Matches, the interviewers pressed him with their questions.
What about Private Matches?
One interviewer pointed out that there is a growing demand in the community for Private Matches and Custom Matches. Currently, matchmaking focuses more on connection quality and less on skill. With Custom Matches, high-skilled Guardians could compete against each other and friends could simply fight against one another for fun. Moreover, this would enable exciting tournaments.
Johansen replied that he also loves the idea of Custom and Private Matches and the idea that Guardians could set their own challenges. However, it is quite difficult to integrate this into the game. He points out that the aspect of Guardians having to organize themselves can be seen as a hindrance. After all, you cannot play PMs without previously organizing a fireteam.
The Senior Multiplayer Designer emphasizes the convenience of the current matchmaking system. Even Guardians who are currently shouting the loudest for PMs are spoiled by matchmaking. He admits that Destiny has a unique community and fanbase. And the Crimson Doubles are the latest proof that Guardians can also organize among themselves in PvP. By the way, he does not comment on the fact that Osiris confirms this every week. However, he does not rule out that Private Matches will eventually arrive.
But the interviewers keep pushing and press Johansen on the fact that Guardians want to play against their buddies in the forums, not just against randomly assigned opponents.
Johansen emphasizes that as a designer, it is also important to eliminate many inconveniences. He compares this situation to apps on smartphones: when you want to open an app, it should happen very quickly. That is what the user expects. Nobody wants to deal with annoying preparations before getting started.
Guardians want to come home from work, start right away, and enjoy a few minutes “of awesome.” With minimal effort, they should be able to jump straight into the Crucible. This is also the task of a designer. And Private Matches are the complete opposite of this notion.
The interviewers do not give up. One says he completely understands that this statement applies to many Guardians. But still, the demand for PMs cannot be overlooked. Guardians are well aware that they have to form a fireteam themselves and therefore the whole fun comes with more effort. The interviewer emphasizes that Custom Matches would enhance the entire Crucible experience, PvP would be even more fun. Great Destiny tournaments could be held.
Leif Johansen completely agrees, but he also points to all the efforts involved. There is a long list of what needs to be implemented in the game at the moment. It’s just not that easy.
This sounds like it will be some time before Private Matches find their way into the Destiny universe. Recently, we discussed Private Matches in this article.
This is the influence the community has on future content
When asked whether and how the influences of the community can be recognized in the game, Johansen stated that he visits the Destiny forum on reddit about twice a day. There he regularly looks at the posts with the highest ratings. Other designers do the same. Thus, Bungie takes the suggestions from the community very seriously.
However, he points out that Bungie also wants to deliver unexpected content, Destiny should surprise the Guardian. They find it great how the community cares and creates ideas. However, implementation is not always so easy or can be done overnight. Guardians also need to understand the scope of this work: even if designing can go quickly, the engineering effort is enormous.
New content and an approximate roadmap of what the future of Destiny looks like was recently announced. Let’s be surprised at what is to come.
