The Division is currently under heavy criticism. The “Year 2” plans are to blame, but also the numerous problems and bugs.
There is currently a crisis atmosphere surrounding Ubisoft’s shared-world shooter The Division. Actually, it’s the anniversary week – for the “Year 1” celebration, there are events and gifts – and many agents were actually hoping for an exciting atmosphere from the “Year 2” reveal. But the opposite is the case.
Ubisoft announced that all content in Year 2 will be free. Normally a reason to celebrate. However, the scope of this content is limited: events that enhance old activities with modifiers, loadouts, and cosmetic items. That doesn’t sound like fresh content that will keep agents engaged for months.
Many are now thinking: Klar, the content is free. Nobody would pay for that.
This is also the opinion of some YouTubers who have made a name for themselves with videos on The Division.
- According to Skill Up, the plans for Year 2 sound more like an end than a new beginning.
- Marcostyle says that given this future and all the problems in the present, the interest in The Division has faded. Whether he still wants to make videos about The Division, he doesn’t know yet.
The future is bleak, the present is far from perfect
However, Massive recently emphasized that we only know part of the plans for Year 2. There are still more details they want to discuss in the future.
However, the current bad mood is not solely due to the weak “Year 2” announcement. Users are also pointing fingers at all the problems that have been in the game since the launch a year ago and which Massive still hasn’t been able to fix:
- The serious balance problems are being criticized. Massive has been talking for months about more diversity in the builds they want to create, but since 1.6, health points are what the armor value was before 1.6. The imbalance is not being resolved; it is only being shifted.
- Furthermore, the server issues, lags, or new glitches like the “Last Stand” glitch are cited to judge Year 1.
The fans hoped Year 2 would be better. Now they are even more disappointed.
How meaningful were the PTS?
Every update in The Division fixed numerous bugs, but new errors were also continuously introduced. This raises the question of whether this couldn’t have been done better.
In the lead-up to the last updates, there were weeks-long PTS phases: PC users could roam around on public test servers and try out the new content. These test phases are supposed to uncover all errors and glitches so that Massive can fix the problems before the official launch. The test phases are now also being criticized.
Because a test phase should really be for testing – and not just to play the new content early. For this, Massive would need to set specific goals, like “Test this mechanic or that new feature for a few days!” to receive precise data and feedback about it.
However, a “targeted testing” never really took place. The result: Yes, important adjustments and bug fixes were made, but at the launch of 1.6, numerous new issues still entered the game.
During the second year of The Division, some of the current issues are supposed to be addressed. Because in addition to the two expansions, the developers promised several bug fixes and balance adjustments.
However, it remains to be seen whether these will not come too late.
The three major innovations for Year 2 are presented here.
