This is a followup video to the one I have above as my opener for this post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaXJqq3oJcQ&feature=youtu.be
[b]DISCLAIMER: As always, my post is intended to serve as useful feedback, offering a constructive criticism in hopes that something productive in a positive sense will come of my efforts. Not just for the betterment of the game and benefit of the community as a whole, but also to help Bungie as well. I have not quit Destiny, although I am severely disappointed with it.[/b]
[i]BE FOR THE PEOPLE[/i]... As the title states, this defines my personal philosophy as a game developer and what I expect for everyone else, including those with authority. Anyone who is in a position of power must always remember that they were given that power to better serve the people; as it is written for us Americans: [b]"By the People, For the People."[/b]
For many years, WE THE GAMERS, believed Bungie to be among the few who sincerely followed this belief as apart of their charter. However, it has become painfully clear to many that this is just no longer the case. The studio has seen massive changes in many aspects, and it feels even MORE disconnected from its community despite what they say. How many random, once in a blue moon replies do we get on important matters from DeeJ? And then Cozmo was brought in, giving the notion that the community is just too much for DeeJ to handle on his own. But what do we see? The exact same behavior from Cozmo as well. The level of communication and 2-way discussion has not changed in the least, once more giving way to greater tempers flaring and a validation of our concern that we are simply being ignored and that these random replies from Bungie is merely a way to placate us. Except that trick no longer works, its not good enough anymore.
And what is the cause of all this? The videos above offer insight to this question. While I am quite aware at this point that we are seriously restricted in terms of "Text Limit" for these posts, I'll be using various videos to further expand upon the points I'll be covering in this.
ACTIVISION has a serious bad habit of screwing over our kind. And by our kind, I'm talking about Gamers, of course. Like other big corporations, they function primarily as a business first and foremost. Their ultimate concern is how they can profit off of us, ever since video games became recognized as a major industry in the market as far back as the olden days of ATARI. And likewise, they can and will put the screws to any developer that accepts their "deal" to ensure that they get their due.
This is the Bungie-Activision Contract, put into effect on April 16th, 2010: http://documents.latimes.com/bungie-activision-contract/
Between this and what you have heard from both of the videos presented above, it is abundantly obvious that they served as a consistent problem throughout the development of Destiny. Activision was micro-managing everything and had final say on practically anything. They are the reason for the horrible pricing of The Taken King expansion and as such are also the ones who set the cost of both, Dark Below and House of Wolves. For those who don't wish to read the full contract, here is a shorter, more concise overview of it all: http://kotaku.com/5912798/activision-bungie-contract-has-rules-about-everything-even-easter-eggs
Activision has ruined Destiny. That much is certain, without a doubt. They insisted that Bungie keep the game content restricted within the confines of a T Rating. For those who don't know what that means: http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
[b]"CONTENT IS SUITABLE FOR AGES 13 AND UP..."[/b]
What this boils down to is that Activision wanted their OWN version of Halo, only one which fit into the category of what they wanted. to appeal to a younger audience because games with a T Rating DON'T REQUIRE AN ADULT TO BE PRESENT FOR A MINOR TO PURCHASE. Again, these are decisions made which all revolve around corporate greed. How was Bungie going to create a game that SURPASSED their original masterpiece, the Halo series, WHEN THEY COULDN'T EVEN -blam!-ING HAVE DESTINY IN THE SAME GOD DAMN RATING!?!!?!?!?!?!?
What's this? You want a rich, fulfilling story in an interesting world with deep immersion and philosophical idealism? You want an OPEN WORLD with unrestricted Matchmaking and Proximity Chat Options? WELL TOO DAMN BAD! CAUSE -blam!-ING ACTIVISION SAID "NOPE! -blam!- YOUR CREATIVE FREEDOMS! YOU WILL MAKE THE GAME THAT WE WANT!"
My good friend Batman does a good job elaborating on the bullshit that is Activision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F_RK75qYc0
You sick of having your weapons nerfed? Again, sucks to be you, because our grand OVERLORDS have decided to force us into a system in which the skill gap between strong and weak players is reduced mechanically. Where the game is engineered to make EVERYONE feel like a "badass" with unrestricted Super Abilities in PvP because even if you're getting totally wrecked by opponents who far outclass you, there is always that trump card for you to use to get some overpowered payback that makes you feel good about yourself (Because its oh-so-hard to kill someone using them... *Sarcasm*) for a few seconds and keeps you playing longer.
Just like the PvE aspect of this game is essentially built to be an EPIC GRIND for Legendary/Exotic Weapons and Armor that you get ALL FOR THE SAKE OF GRINDING FOR NEWER SHIT SO THAT YOU CAN REPEAT THE PROCESS OVER AND OVER AGAIN! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsjgnTVWVnY
Now that I have really driven my point home about how -blam!-ed up this whole bit with Activision is and how they screwed us all, unfortunately Bungie is not totally innocent either. You guys signed the contract with them in the first place, making a deal with the devil. And the worst part is that you aren't being honest with the community anymore. You aren't being upfront and straight forward with us. And even if there are things which you simply cannot comment on or talk about openly because of Activision, there is still PLENTY that you guys COULD be doing instead.
Perfect example, I made a post directly looking to get an official reply from Cozmo concerning a major problem that many in the community have had with these forums: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/140084026/0/0
Now if its the case that I didn't get a response because Cozmo or anyone else on your end simply did not see it? Then that right there should tell you that you DON'T have enough people working with your community. And if you DID actually see it and instead chose to just ignore it? Then shame on you, because THAT is the major problem that you have that is ENTIRELY within YOUR control to handle. Not Activision. YOU.
[b]BE FOR THE PEOPLE.[/b]
Be sure to Like/Bump if you would like to see Bungie actually respond to this. Thank you.
[b]EDIT: Guess we got our answer, huh? Bungie has now made the final transformation into becoming an Activision clone. Awesome. I guess you left your soul back at Microsoft too.[/b]
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#feedback
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BUMP. Well done. I will be following this. You/we do deserve a response.