The world of The Division 2 seems almost to be at a standstill, says our author Schuhmann. The long wait for the raid and the update has created a break that lasted 3 weeks longer than planned. The pause is surely sensible, but it has also taken a lot of momentum out of the game.
So this was actually the plan: The Division 2 actually wanted to offer a first release phase over 6 weeks, where the game launched and then gradually expanded with additional core content.
- On March 15, the release came – players were to experience the story, get familiar with The Division 2, and level up to level 30 and World Tier 4 – here the first reaction was very good, there was an incredible amount to do
- On April 5 (3 weeks later), the endgame was supposed to begin with the Tidal Basin update – that would bring World Tier 5 and the invasions. The game would then move to the next level – the agents would start building their first real builds.
- And then on April 25 (again 3 weeks later), the raid “Operation Dark Hours” was supposed to come – the opportunity for players to test how good their builds really are.
After 6 weeks, the “release phase” would be over and The Division 2 could start to introduce the next steps.
We are 9 weeks after launch still in the release phase
This is how it really went: Massive has canceled April 25 and will likely release the raid with a major patch on May 16. So 3 weeks behind schedule and 6 weeks after the last content “Tidal Basin.”
However, Massive does not need the time to finish the raid, but to change and improve many small and larger mechanics in the game.
This means we are 9 weeks after the launch of The Division 2 actually still in the release phase – a strange situation.
That’s why I think it’s good: I believe it is the right decision by Massive. They have extensively outlined the “major patch” in the last 5 weeks and presented many reasonable decisions there.
They are taking the time to tackle the many smaller and larger issues of the game and implementing fan feedback. Everything has sounded so far as if it made sense.
Probably, this longer pause will ultimately do The Division 2 good.
That’s why I find it strange: Nevertheless, this pause feels strange to me, as if I were torn out of the game. It felt as if there was an abrupt ending in the middle of the film and I had to wait for the sequel.
Even with Tidal Basin, I felt like I was playing an interim step – seeing the middle part of a trilogy.
Especially the announcement that the gear score would increase with the next update and that so much would change took my motivation to continue playing – it’s good that Massive has rolled back the gear score.
I feel like this longer pause has taken the momentum out of The Division 2. I played a lot of The Division 2 in the first 5, 6 weeks, but since I know that a patch will change everything, I’ve barely logged in.
I’m curious if The Division 2 can regain that momentum from the first weeks when the update actually arrives next week.
The expectations for this patch, which I had to wait so long for, are now very high.
It is clear that next week with the update is important for The Division 2: It will decide whether the game can gain power again and carry on the hype of the release phase.
