haven't had a chance to listen yet but here's a bump

Like the pod cast, and you do a good job at least addressing the conflicting point of view on the "Are micro-transactions for Sterling Treasures a pay-to-win" without having an actual person of that viewpoint on the show (sorry I couldn't make it). BUT, man I can't believe that between the 5 of you guys, not one sees it as that. I've thrown this out to ad nauseam at this point, but want to respond to the specific viewpoint expressed during the show that it's "not pay to win because you still need RNG". The whole game's drop loot based system is RNG. Good gear is won through RNG, there's never a guarantee on what specific perk package FOR DROPS that you're getting, unless it's an exotic weapon. My opinion on this game is that true end game loot is based on achieving the specific perk package that best suits your characters, sub classes, weapons of choice, ect... the etheric light and now infusion system has made the overall LEVEL of the gear moot for end game "god rolls" (hate that term), as long as it's an ascend-able piece. Frequent players of end game material will be able to get gear at higher light levels, though the actual max number may be difficult to achieve, you can get right into the ball park if you wanted to relatively quickly. A 320 vs. a 315- 319 provides almost no advantage, or none at all I'm not sure. Getting the exact perk package/combination you want through 8 separate pieces of gear is much more time consuming. Because those stats and perks are based on RNG, the ability to BUY more chances at RNG greatly changes the dynamic of the game toward a pay-to-get-better gear and therefore compete/win. True, you can still grind the RNG for gear in the game. But now you can also buy it, and a much faster pace and much larger quantities than you can grind for it in game. Also, in addition to that, the number of in-game Sterling Treasure drops are limited to 3. Purchases are unlimited. There's two things they could easily do to take away this dynamic and bring this back in line with more like it should be. 1. Limit the ability to purchase the Sterling Treasures to 3 a week. Seems fair since that's what the in game limit is. 3 additional RNG rolls won't give anymore much of an edge at the RNG Casino. No would 3 additional faction rep boosts. They'd make an easy $6 a week from a shit load of the consumer base. 2. Make the armor drops achieved from [b]purchased[/b] Sterling Treasure PURELY cosmetic if they keep it unlimited. Armor drops RNG for armor type and color, BUT when Infused with higher level gear (say the first piece they infuse to), the take on the stats and perks of the original armor piece EXACTLY. Subsequent Infusions only increase light level. There's no ability to RNG a great stat/perk package armor piece outside of gameplay. Guys the history of Pay-To-Win mechanics is pretty clear. While alot of games have a direct Pay-To-Win mechanic, and should frankly be avoided like the plague, most of them are free-to-play because income is generated by this mechanic. In games such as this, where the game is purchased and subsequent expansions and DLCs are purchased, pay-for-RNG or a chance at great gear is MUCH more common. And if history is any indication people do pony up their wallets and "feed the monster" and it generates good, if dishonest (in my opinion) revenue for the gaming company. That brings me to my last and hopefully final point on this. Your show makes the point that, as the consumer, you make the choice to make these purchases or not, But that's not really the point. Of course it's a choice. But, what influences HEAVILY on this choice is how the game RNG and drop loot system works, coupled with the ascension system and the true end game grind. People will make a decision on how much disposable income they have and what they feel their time is worth. If they feel they can save HOURS grinding by spending a sum of money to get a reward they feel worth it, they will spend the money. They have done so in games prior and will continue to do so with this. The success/downfall of this system is not predicated by those who take a "moral stand" and decide not make the purchase. If the ability to make the purchases are there, people WILL use it. Those who don't make the purchase can sleep well at night with their moral choice, but will sadly sit and watch as those with either more money or eagerness to spend it get their gear of choice quicker. Anyways, sorry for the long post. Not going to comment much more on this until we get more info.

I'm a little sad that the only focus on the eververse Stirling box was only on pay to win. Pay to win is not the only sin attached to micro transaction. Paying to by pass friction, pay to lube, is the real issue we're staring down the barrel. Our chance at loot per week is getting smaller and smaller and now we've got a micro transaction staring us in the face. We're literally seeing the negative changes in game to setup for Stirling pay features. The loots account wide, not character, a total deviation from standard practice. Being too focused on proving why it's not pay to win has put blinders toward the real issue. Destiny is becoming candy crush.

Finally checked it out and this was another good job. Keep these up. Great to hear actual community feedback. Not shill from someone looking for likes or donations.

Another great podcast so far (only halfway through will finish it here shortly), glad you guys are doing this. I also really enjoy the sound quality we're getting from the last podcast and this one. Keep it up and thanks.

Good stuff. I enjoyed listening.

Listened on the way home from work, good job, the audio is much better. I have a question, do the sterling packages only award armor? Or is it weapons also? Either way, I don't consider it pay to win unless the stuff they are selling is exclusive to Eververse.

Haven't listened in yet, (damn school) but this seems like a pretty good update, they better not screw up the weapon update is all I can say here.

Fantastic entrance by Draken Wolfe.

Good stuff Sols! I enjoy these Destinytruthcast a lot :-)

Informative as usual. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The audio improves each time the Podcast appears Originally didn't think that this update was pay to win, but on reflection I believe that the reputation element enhancement part of the Sterling boxes certainly is. Bear in mind that the Year 1 weapons do not drop from legendary engrams only from Vanguard and Crucible packages. The rep boost which can be obtained via Sterling boxes increases the number of opportunities for packages thus for those weapons. I can't see how this can be interpreted as anything other than pay to have a greater chance of winning. How much this will negatively impact on people's experience of the update remains to be seen. It is unfortunate that this controversy detracts from the many good things in the Update. There is a very detailed analysis of why game developers are going this route on You tube by BDobbins " Does Destiny DLC SUCK Because of the Bad Economy" which people might find enlightening. Love or loathe BDobbins it may be worth a watch.

*Raises Console War XB1 Banner.* Zen Meteor better not be just an Ice Breaker reskin... That'd just be a riot.

Enjoyable listen - getting better each time :)

BUMP

BUMP

Would just like to say thanks again for having me on, was cool chatting about Destiny with you guys. I'd definitely join in again if you ever need another Playstation guest :p

Thanks for inviting me to join. It was a good time. Hope to do it again.