{{
`${userDetail.user.displayName}${userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode ? `#${standardizeBungieGlobalCode(userDetail.user.cachedBungieGlobalDisplayNameCode)}` : ""}`}}
{{getUserClans()}}
10/1/2014 5:48:45 PM
3
Horizontal or Vertical gear progression?
I have been trying to figure this out since the release of the game. So far I have not found anything definitive pointing to either case.
I need to know if the game will have a horizontal or vertical gear progression. Right now the highest gear level is Level 30. This cap is achieved from maxing out your light.
Horizontal progression means that this gear level cap of 30 will remain the same for all future expansions and added content. You will never get better gear, just different gear. The main other game that uses this progression model is Guilds Wars/Guild Wars 2.
Vertical progression means that this gear level cap of 30 will last until the next expansion where you get a higher gear cap because you need better gear to tackle the now harder and new end game raids/content. Games that use this include World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Wildstar, most other MMOs.
So now, seeing the leak of expansion content and the new raids are level 28, I got worried. Will gear cap off at level 30 forever?
Games like Guild Wars 2 failed and died/are dying because of this horizontal progression. After you get the best gear, there's no more character progression. MMO's that succeed almost all use a vertical gear progression: higher gear stats when new and harder content are released that require higher stat gear.
Which is Destiny?
-
I disagree guild wars has been out forever and is still heavily played. The issue with vertical progression in destiny if they only release one raid at a time, so it would make vog useless if the next raid has lvl 32 gear in it (per rumor it will). So rather than having two end game raids there will still be one, and we gain a new set of end game but its still limited to one event that is a challenge.
-
Looks to be horizontal from the way you described it, but until we see the first expansion I guess you won't know. Don't forget that disc locked content isn't "finished" yet so they could buff those lvls. If this expansion incorporates more activities to suggest this is an expanding world/game such as; more of a purpose to being in a faction, continuation on the story, or lack there of, introducing new enemies/worlds, and more options for weapons/cosmetics then I could see vertical lvl progression. Even if it is horizontal they'll probably add some cool looking armor or a new category of weapons/armor (something higher than exotic/legendary is what I mean) and it'll have 4 perks. Point is as annoying as Activision can be with DLC, they sure as hell know how to market it & sell it.
-
I believe horizontal will be the system for a time until more content is released. Maybe like special level 30 gear that boosts it past that cap after a while. Vertical progression would be optimal. I don't want Destiny to die. I actually like it.
