This is something I have pondered for a while. What is the real reason for limited vault space in Destiny. They said it was old gen limitations but I've never been sure that this is the real reason for it I just could not think what the real reasons could be as they have always been reluctant to discuss it except to say yes we know you want more space, we hear you, we are working on a solution...
So I found this on game design of MMOs. I know Destiny isn't a classic MMO but it has similarities so lets just say its kind of an MMO and leave it at that rather than debate the point.
[url]http://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/40008/does-an-inventory-limit-in-an-mmorpg-make-sense[/url]
So in this a game designer asks the exact same question in a game development forum. Why limit space? What is the rational?
Firstly I found this as I was curious about it more from playing eso recently and again being frustrated with its inventory system so thought maybe this is common practice in MMOs. Note these are the only MMOs I have played plus a little diablo 3 on PS4 so I'm not an MMO vet. Its a new game type for me. Just thought I would point this out before people start saying well its always been this way in MMOs and nothing new cause while probably true its new to me and is what frustrates me the most in these games. I dont think I'm alone in this either. We have more important things in real life to sort out to have to organise an imaginary inventory in a game as well.
For those who don't want to look through the link here's the questions and some of the answers...
Questions... "is this really necessary from a gameplay point of view? Maybe it would in fact improve the game experience when I just let the players carry as much stuff as they want. What is the game development rationale behind limiting carrying capacity of player characters?"
Answers... "Much of game design is about resource management, because deciding how best to use limited resources is an interesting choice that games can easily implement. Limiting the inventory forces players to think about the value of each item and make decisions on whether to hoard or sell their loot, and on which items to carry out into battle with them.
"Immersion. It doesn't make sense to carry every item you can pick up. Limiting your inventory prevents breaking the player's immersion in the game world. This is why most modern shooters have a limited amount of weapon slots."
"Challenge. It forces the player to make choices about what equipment to pick up, and what to leave behind, as well as preventing the hoarding of items which would make the game too easy. This is the most common reason for games to limit the inventory."
There are many more possible reasons people have given in the forum but thats just a few examples. Some others include data storage as bungie have cited as their reason so maybe it is actually the main reason. I have seen arguments that memory demands would not be significant but Im no expert on it so couldn't really draw conclusion either way. Another is to force trading which I think is the reason for it in eso but obviously not in destiny. Theres also to sell more space. This is done with in game gold in eso forcing farming and making money in trading and questing I guess. In destiny obviously its not present. Also obviously in game carrying capacity isn't really the issue in destiny. 9 slots is plenty but maybe there's no need for this limitation in destiny either.
One last one... "Unless you've designed the most amazing inventory management system ever with search and filter capabilities matching those of Gmail and beyond, you will have players give up your game out of frustration ("Where did I put my Great Axe of Beheading again? Page 58?")"
I want to discuss this one not because it applies to destiny but the point that players giving up on the game out of frustration as it is frustration that these limitations on inventory seem to create and that is what we want Bungie to solve in Destiny for us. It was the motivator for me looking into why is it present in games and it is why I feel like giving up these games as it takes away enjoyment from playing them. The frustration in destiny is different obviously as the vault is so small. Its more which character has the weapon I want for this raid etc. Its a different aspect that is frustrating but it is causing players to give up on the game when coupled with running out of space making it difficult to juggle weapons between the vault and characters. Also given that Destiny is missing many MMO features do we even need inventory limitations like this and do the reasons the game designers give for it apply to destiny? We don't want a new system creating a different set of frustrations so how can frustrations be minimsed or eliminated in destiny?
So I'm looking forward to the announcement of changes to the vault system in destiny. The search for answers has given me a little more understanding of the reasons for limited vault space and I hope their new system removes the frustrations inherent to it or eliminates it completely. Personally I think the reasons for it in destiny is for immersion and to make us think about what we really want to keep and throw away. We obviously want a simple inventory system in destiny so we spend more time playing and less time micromanaging it but we do need space for new gear. So I figure the challenge they are trying to solve is how do we do this without the players inventory getting so large that its difficult to sort through to find what they want which would be frustrating as well. I also accept that part of it is memory related too without really knowing anything about the technical aspects of game design. If someone with that knowledge wishes to share it would be most welcome. I have seen debates on the issue.
What do you think the reasons are for "Limited Vault Space" in Destiny?
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1 ReplyLimiting the vault space is easy to fix.....Bungie will parcel out a little more space every few DLC's and the fans will boast about how responsive Bungie is to the players needs. Ever stored stuff in any other game? You could store herds of elephants in other games.....Bungie struggles with this concept.