My original post is here: http://pastebin.com/BL75R0Fs - but in case you haven't heard, it was confirmed yesterday that there is no matchmaking for raids; 'friends-only'. [b]Update: So, we have the update from Luke Smith, Raid Design Lead. The quote of which you can see at the bottom of this post. I'd also like to outline a few simple points here.[/b] [b]Firstly, if Bungie do not support raid matchmaking, players will find a way to do it themselves.[/b] People everywhere are already resorting to swapping gamertags/psn over forums. This isn't 'hardcore clanship', this is matchmaking in its simplest form. People everywhere are resorting to joining clans specifically for the purpose of raiding. Again, this isn't 'hardcore clanship', this is random people joining other random people specifically for the purpose of raiding. This is matchmaking in its simplest form. [b]This isn't people forming guild like bonds in order to conquer with coordination and investment. This is people desperately joining up with whoever they can just so they can raid.[/b] You don't have to take my word for it, this is observable on any social gaming medium where there is an interest in Destiny right now; b.net, reddit, neogaf, and anywhere else you can think of. [b]Secondly, difficulty.[/b] It's all relative. What I deem 'very difficult' is not the same as what you deem 'very difficult'. Your idea of 'very difficult' may be equivalent to my idea of 'not so difficult' - the same holds true for one's sense of 'enjoyment' - if the raid requires 'dedication' in 'cooperation' and 'investment', these are not specifications that are inherent to 'friends'. These are the characteristics of those who choose to adopt said characteristics. It doesn't matter whether i'm in a clan, a random group, or with one of my 'friends'. If I want to communicate and invest my time, I will do so. The same can be said for any player, clan or none, group or none, lots of friends or no friends. [b]So then how is the 'barrier' that defines the raid as 'friends-only', determined by two characteristics that don't apply only to 'friends? It's not logical.[/b] It seems to me that Bungie's actual goal here is for the raid to be as inaccessible, and uncompleted, for as long as possible; to artificially extend the playtime of the game. It's true that this is simple conjecture. It's true that at this point in time it is merely my 'opinion', but it is the only logical explanation. [b]Thirdly, excuses.[/b] There are those who say that making the raid more accessible will encourage 'crying' from 'casuals' who can't handle the 'difficulty'. That raids are 'this' or 'that' and 'not for you'. If I want to attempt a raid I damn well bloody will. Raids are for everybody who has the balls to attempt them. And that's the point here, everybody and their mums are desperately joining up with anybody else, just to raid. It's not going to be 'hardcore groups', whatever that means, being the only ones who attempt it. It's going to be by hundreds, thousands, of those who simply chose to 'matchmake' regardless. As they are already doing. I wouldn't be surpised if the raid gets completed by a group who simply swapped their gamertags/psn on a forum right before the raid, and only met in-game upon entering the raid. At some point, Bungie will have to acknowledge it. At what difficulty somebody perceives the raid, is what will decide if somebody chooses to 'cry' to the forum. It doesn't have to be a 'casual', whatever that means, when most people are showing the commitment necessary to at least attempt the raid. Somebody who has joined a clan, or swapped their gamertag, or is playing with friends, will complain that the raid is too difficult, [b]if they want to[/b]. No amount of 'clan', 'friend', or 'hardcore' status will determine this for them. Somebody who wants to complain over difficulty, will indeed complain over difficulty, whether they're in a clan or not. This means that the more accessible the raid, or any aspect of the game, the more people will complain, because more people will be accessing it. It's that simple. It has nothing to do with 'clans' or 'friends' or 'casuals' or 'hardcore'. Complainers will complain, and more people means more complaints. [b]Fourth, longevity.[/b] Destiny is a franchise, the first of up to [b]four sequels[/b] and [b]four expansions[/b]. In a year's time, Destiny will be outdated by its expansion; after that, the sequel. This 'gear' you think you're entitled to for proclaiming yourself as 'hardcore', won't mean anything for any significant amount of time. You won't 'become legend' no matter how many times Bungie bangs it into your ears. On top of that, a dedicated player is a dedicated player; somebody who invests their time matchmaking and somebody who invests their time with 'friends' are equally invested. Whatever sense of entitlement you have for calling yourself 'hardcore' or playing with 'friends', is completely redundant. Dedication is determined by the player. Investment is determined by the player. Communication is determined by the player. Coordination is determined by the player. Difficulty is perceived by the player. Not 'friends'. Not matchmaking. Not 'clans'. [b][i]"This is not real life. You don't go into a raid, fail and die in real life like you would going for the peak of K2. This is a video game where if you lose you can try again and that's what every raider will do. Fail and fail and fail until they succeed. MM does not change that for anyone whether you choose to use it or not."[/i][/b] - kingofthejuice Update from Luke Smith, Raid Design Lead: [quote]Source: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=123373556&postcount=1085 I understand everyone's frustration about the decision to not have matchmaking in a post-matchmaking world. I also understand the limitations that this places on the activity's adoption at scale. That barrier to entry - the requirement that you get a group of people together and venture into something that is going to challenge your ability to work together (first) and your thumbs (second) - is a barrier I was willing to erect to preserve the activity goals. Bleeding edge hardcore groups will invest some significant amount of time in figuring out the encounters and making their way through the Vault. I fully expect groups to beat Normal mode in the first week its available. This is intentional, I'd like any group that is motivated and willing to cooperate to make their way through the Raid on Normal. I've talked some about thumbskill challenge vs. investment challenge vs. cooperation challenge in some interviews, and the Normal Raid difficulty prioritizes cooperation challenge and investment challenge. I expect Hard mode to take longer. Once your group learns the encounters, you will be able to get through the Raid significantly faster than 3 hours. However, the first time through, learning everything and arranging your group will take some hard-to-predict amount of time until some clan releases their strategies on YouTube. The Vault of Glass is in many ways an activity that will build groups from the disparate people who come together to try and make their way through it. It's very much a team-building exercise. If you're going to stream it this Fall, please feel free to let me know here. I'd love to tune in.[/quote]