My original thread regarding this can be found here: http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/67086135/0/0 According to Luke Smith, Raid Design Lead, the Raid 'barrier' is defined by 'friends-only', determined by 'cooperation' and 'investment'; [b]these are not specifications that are inherent to 'friends'.[/b] These are the characteristics of those who choose to adopt said characteristics. It doesn't matter whether i'm in a clan, a random group, or with 'friends'; if I want to communicate, cooperate and invest my time, I will do so. The same can be said for any player, clan or none, group or none, lots of friends or no friends. [b]So then why is the 'barrier' that defines the raid as 'friends-only', determined by two characteristics that don't apply only to 'friends? It's not logical.[/b] Luke also says: [quote]I fully expect groups to beat Normal mode in the first week its available. This is intentional, [b]I'd like any group that is motivated and willing to cooperate to make their way through the Raid on Normal.[/b][/quote] The key word there is [b]'any'[/b]; if he would like [b]any[/b] group that is motivated and willing to cooperate to make their way through the Raid on Normal, why is he restricting the group format to 'friends-only'? That is not [b]'any'[/b] group. Upon first glance, it would seem as though he was agreeing with my sentiments that [b]'any'[/b] group that is capable, have the access to make their way through the Raid (on Normal). And yet, he still made the decision to 'barrier' the Raid by 'friends-only' groups. It is completely illogical. And if it was deduced under the reason of logic, then it is either a logical fallacy, or simply illogic by somebody who is illogical, in turn trying to use logic in an illogical realm; which is, in itself, illogic. Luke expands further: [quote]I expect Hard mode to take longer. Once your group learns the encounters, you will be able to get through the Raid significantly faster than 3 hours.[/quote] Ah, so, [b]'any'[/b] group that [b]learns the encounters[/b] will be able to get through the raid significantly faster than three hours. Interesting, not 'friends-only' groups? I guess groups are comprised of individuals after all, and not just a box with a 'friends' status plastered on top. But if that's so, why is the 'barrier' still 'friends-only'? Again, not logical. [quote]However, the first time through, learning everything and arranging your group will take some hard-to-predict amount of time [b]until some clan releases their strategies on YouTube[/b].[/quote] Learning the encounters is the act of individuals learning the encounters. If some individuals are able to come together and overcome the encounters they've learned, must they be called a 'clan'? This reasoning doesn't apply specifically to 'some clan'. It applies to every group of individuals who come together to learn and overcome the Raid encounter; they don't have to be a 'clan' or 'friends', in fact that may have no 'name' at all. There is no telling that it will be either of such who 'releases their strategies', or who be first to do so. Sure, it may take 'some hard-to-predict amount of time', but restricting the access to 'friends' or 'clans' is redundant; the same people exist inside and outside of both those classifications. And finally, he says this: [quote]The Vault of Glass is in many ways [b]an activity that will build groups from the disparate people who come together to try and make their way through it. It's very much a team-building exercise.[/b] [/quote] The whole purpose of matchmaking is for people to come together to achieve a common goal - which in this case is the raid - and in order to do so, they will have to come together as a team; cooperate and invest together. What Luke is describing here is matchmaking at the very core. So, again, why is the 'barrier' 'friends-only'? It isn't logical. If the implementation of matchmaking is something that goes against your 'gameplay experience goals', then at least define those goals rationally, with logic that isn't in fact illogic. At least then I will be able to understand, because all it is, at it stands, is nonsense. Implement Raid matchmaking, please. Thanks. P.S. If you disagree with these sentiments (however illogical your disagreement may be), please respond in my original thread. This one is a thread for feedback, Raid matchmaking is the suggestion for feedback. This isn't a thread for you to derail or tell others that their opinion is wrong because it is not your opinion. If you would like Raid matchmaking, please post below that you would like Raid matchmaking. If you would not like Raid matchmaking, please express your frustration in the original thread. This one is just for the support of a suggestion for feedback. Please do not derail it.