There is normally a plan. In a company speak, there are things like KPI or some number which is being measured for success. I have been in a lot of such company meetings where an arbitrary number defines a future vision and strategy of the company, so let me explain this with an example or analogy. Bungie changes are always like tax changes. It will always benefit some and hurt others. There is no way to make tax fair for everyone and keep everyone happy simply because tax is taking away something from your pocket. Similarly, any changes that Bungie makes will always hurt someone, whether they are casuals, mid level, hard core, or streamers. There is no way they can make any change that can appeal to everyone, just like tax. Does that make sense so far? Good if it does. Otherwise, stop reading now. With all of the above in mind, just think from a critical opposite point of view. If you are a streamer, think like a casual and vice versa. Everyone suffers from taxation, and that's the reality of the world, but D2 is fantasy. You shouldn't be bound by reality in any way. Which is why you play as a zombie, killing aliens bound to destroy humanity, right? So why should anyone assume that Bungie is bound to make a virtual product that has to appeal to everyone with the same rule? In the real world, I can not change how much tax I pay, but nothing is stopping Bungie from giving me the option to change how many bullets I spend killing a monster, right? They take away a choice from a fantasy world, which makes it as bad as a real-world mess. Of course, people will leave this game, and new ones will come in. But always remember that no matter how much you love or hate this game, Bungie is like a politician deciding your tax policy. They don't care about you, and they only care about a number that works for them.

[quote]Bungie is like a politician deciding your tax policy. They don't care about you, and they only care about a number that works for them.[/quote] Just saying, Yet, some think they are "listening to them". I've known what you said for years now, and it's part of the reason I post how I do and will continue to do so. You are right that you can't please everyone, but when a business caters to mainly the 1% that isn't helping anyone at all.

The biggest problem is that even for the 1%, there is zero reward. If, by some miracle, I join the top 1% of the elite gamers of D2, what's in it for me? I mean, compared to other franchises, what does being the best in D2 give? As a looter shooter, it is a letdown. Every exotic we got in the last 5 years has been nerfed to 💩. I main as a warlock and second as a hunter. Most of the time, high-level activities in lfg require me to run well. The best exotic armour for me is the one that recharges well while it's active. This is an old piece of gear. Best exotic weapons for me are still Whitherhoard, Divinity, Osteo, Gjallerhorn... all the highest streamed exotics from Zero Hour, Whisper, etc, have been nerfed to be worse than legendaries. Raid exotics are RNG and not even desired. I've yet to see a post on LFG saying, "Boss encounter, must have <inset raid exotic name here>". Closes is Divinity from 3 years back? Bungie gives diminishing rewards apart from vanity and cosmetics every DLC, which is why people complain about the difficulty. To be fair, even the worst tax policy has some benefits, but D2 has almost none now.

[quote]The biggest problem is that even for the 1%, there is zero reward. [/quote] Sorry, I'm referring to streamers.

The fact anyone can look at this franchise and think things are planned far in advance is hilarious. Look and apply even a small amount of critical thinking then feel free to rejoin the conversation lmao

[quote]The truth is, a lot of you need to actually face [i]reality[/i] [/quote] You know we're talking about a video game right? I just had to stop reading right there, because nothing said after could possibly be rational or coming from a healthy perspective lol.

So they deliberately changed the game to scare away 20% of their customers? There is no way that Bungie intended to do that, but that's what they have done. Look at the player drop off. It's never been so fast after a major release. [url]https://steamcharts.com/app/1085660#All[/url]

Just saying, I don't think you understand the point here. They aren't chasing players away, they are conditioning players how to play their game, and a good portion of those players, unless they are a new players will come back. How many times have you seen posts of players posting "I quit the game, I'm not coming back", and in an hour of that post or a day later they are caught playing the game? Countless times this has happened. Majority of those players are addicted to this game, and trust me, this business is well aware of that.

Blah, Blah, Blah.