First off thank you for your service. I am also a 47 year old father of 5. I play this game because I enjoy it. My wife and 2 of the kids play. We play together a lot so for us it is a special game. We also did not play from the beginning so we don't have the same experience as a lot of players have had. And to be totally honest with everyone we got the taken king included in bundles with all our Xbox ones. So we have only had to pay for the rise of iron. And although I understand people's frustration with the game. We don't play competitively. We love the gear grind. I agree that rng can be maddening but when you get a roll on a weapon that you have been wanting do you not get excited. When in a strike or crucible and you make a clutch play that wins the match or finishes the strike boss do you not have a sense of satisfaction. That is my point. Try to enjoy it. I know the game has a lot of issues. I am in no way saying it doesn't. But it has a great feel and look in my opinion. And I would rather kit out what I enjoy using in PvP than to use the current meta because I play for enjoyment and trying to do better than the wife which doesn't happen much by the way. But the reason I replied to this post was because bungie despite its faults is still a company and a private held one at that. Which typically means the company does not have enough value to go public. I know that there are making money but not at rate player's assume. And the fact that of my writing this Activision's stock value is $37.00. shows the actual reason for microtransactions. They need income to continue to produce games. The one thing I can defend them on is this at least the eververse store does not give anyone a advantage in the gameplay itself. Again I understand players frustration with the game. Trust me I have played plenty of games and invested a lot of time and money into them and felt the same way. But as far as games go there are far worse offenders. Thanks for reading.

Nice

I can't understand why certain types of people need to make these posts. I've got more time for the people who complain, at least there's a point to be made and maybe a discussion to be had. I dunno why you think your kids or your old job qualify you as a games critic, but I should think its pretty obvious that complaints and criticism here have translated into many positive changes in the game. Don't really know what sitting here saying everythings fine, and, hey, I've got kids and was in the army brings to the table to be honest.

I agree, I appreciate what Bungie has done with this game. It's a continual work in-progress but it has gotten a lot better since launch. I'm looking forward to playing with my son once he gets his Xbox One for Christmas. As for the complainers, that's just how some people are. They say really inflammatory things to get attention yet here they still are, after all this time since the game launched, playing it and providing their "feedback". Despite how immature and rude they sound, it should speak volumes to what Bungie has built that they are still here ;-)

"I know it's hard from all the tears and whines that flood this, once beloved forum, that you can't help to think that only kids that haven't experienced anything in life, have nothing else to do, but post negative comments." There are many different personalities of all ages here. There is virtually bound to be disagreement somewhere.. there is a lot of chatter. Can you please post links to these threads that you are talking about? Because I been posting here weekly for a while now, & most threads are actual game feedback posted in #feedback, & it's not hard to keep up with. I'm sure Bungie has absolutely no problem keeping up with threads, especially when someone is paid to do that all day.. There are much hard occupations out there. I like how you indirectly take a shot @ these "kids that haven't experienced anything in life, have nothing else to do, but post negative comments." How do you know about strangers personal lives, BTW? Anyways, keep up the great work dude-dad! It's important we do what we are supposed to, as hard working blue collard tax paying Americans.

I'm also a father of 3. A lack of balance is a reflection of a lack of planning. I think it's more worrisome when people stop complaining. As a father you know when the house gets quiet...something is up. When the players stop bitching, people have become complacent and the game is trash. That is not the case for Destiny. Although there are MANY in these forums that white-knight fanboy troll valid posts to kiss serious Bungie butt. Head in the sand about valid issues. Like abysmal drop rate of skeleton keys that was finally addressed. Those people are the ones that need to get out and experience life.

Thank you for your positive feedback OP. It's a breath of fresh air at times, since things tend to be more on the salty side on this forum. But in all honesty, this, the forum, is a place to be critical about a game that so many are so passionate about. Also to give praise when it's due, for sure. Opinions vary, both in context and essence, as they should, based on education, maturity, experience, etc. Sure, it would be nice to have the conversation going on a more fluid, non-insulting, mature and factual way, but nonetheless, the internet provides the veil of anonymity, and as such many don't stop to think about the quality of their speech, allowing them to let their ego loose... It is what it is! But of course, I too can easily tell whoever to fück off if the conversation can't be had in a more mature way... So there's that. Nevertheless. We all know for sure that indifference is the sharpest blade. And something like Bungie, and by that I mean a community manager, a game director, a level designer, all the way up to a CEO, any individual with the ability to take and apply their decision in their respective fields is what I'm aiming at, must be well aware that a stormles sea bears no fruit in this context. More so in capitalism, and even more so in an area as subjective as video games. Customer's always right, more so a vocal majority. Let us not forget about Activision, Bungie's overloards. They are the string pullers. Destiny is a big budget blockbuster, due to the overall complexity and the continuous maintenance it requires in order for it to keep relevancy, and ultimately keep investors and shareholders happy. Here enter microtransactions. A necessary evil I guess. Yet, just how gear is balanced and rebalanced in order to not break the game, microtransactions, and RNG as a whole, also needs to be balanced and rebalanced in order for the game to not feel like a cheap cash grab trying to take advantage of some of our gambling like type of addiction. It's cool having a psychology major to come in and counsel your business for future proofing, but balance is key right? When is enough too much? Festival of the cost anyone? Regardless if it hides beneath the shadow of choice. The dice I mean. Throw the dice, again and again. RNG will decide what you deserve. Also true is the fact that these microtransactions keep the game alive. No one can expect anyone to work for free, in a world where water can be bought at a premium. And all this begins and ends with the quality of the conversation going back and forth. Ultimately the consumer decides with their wallets, and in this particular case, time spent in the game world. Don't like, don't play. A message is automatically sent this way. It's never black or white. Substance lies in the grey area. For me Destiny has some of the best mechanics, if not the best, I've had the pleasure to experience, and the only ever video game I've been playing religiously even, at times, since it came out. There is an infinite amount of love going in this game from developers, that is more than obvious, but if Bungie is the heart and Destiny their emotion and feelings, Activision is the brain, and the brain doesn't always fallow the heart, and vice versa. It is a delicate balance to maintain, I'm well aware. But when does enough become too much, and too much not good enough? To end this long post, honestly I don't know what got into me for writing my thoughts on the matter in such a long reply, I like The Dawning, really I do so far. It seems to improve the game in many ways. Sparrow racing is fun for me. I've played for 6 hours straight last night, after coming from work, and only had maybe 3 hours of sleep before the beginning of my shift next day. Nothing to regret. Unlike the very frustrating Rift Banner, such is the pain of a solo player in a game mode dedicated to well oiled fire teams, well versed in the skill of shotgun grasshoping, as I like to call them. If it's in the game it's my fault for not taking advantage of the mechanic. I get that. Got all my characters to 400, feels good to have been able to do that finally. And I still feel that I have enough left to do. I guess one needs to know how to pace themselves, is all. If anyone read so far through this, I thank you. And let the salt beginning if you will. Cheers.

Day 1 player, father of 3 (plus, recently made guardian of my 16 year-old brother-in-law), and I disagree with your entire premise. There are many of us who have been here fighting for this game by fighting against Bungie's slough of highly questionable and at times downright destructive decisions on managing Destiny. I'm really glad you enjoy it, but if you assume everyone here who calls-out Bungie on their bullshit is a child or a whiner, then you're really not paying attention.

I'm genuinely shocked at how many community concerns The Dawning has addressed. They really got this update right in my opinion so far. There's more to do than I have time to do so far [i][b]in PvE[/b][/i] and that's been a great thing

Don't encourage their business model

SIGNED. Great post

Positive post - don't agree with all your points but like the thrust and sentiment. And thx for your service - from an Aussie alliance partner.

I agree but only if fusion rifles are nerfed.

I just dont understand how you can accept this kinda crap from the dev. Id be on board if you thank the community, we are the game, and we are the reason we stick around, the dev dosent deserve any praise, they havent deserved it since house of wolves

I can appreciate your service but this game is far frum being well done. It has actually turned into a COD game. Pump out the same content never going any futher then the day this game was released. When Tess and timed events become more of a priority in a game. It's safe to say this company has failed to even creat a game.

Nice post.

Well said bud.

I'm not a combat veteran, but I did just finish watching Band of Brothers for the fifth time. So, I guess that means my opinion matters.

Bump, from a fellow Vet, Thanks for your service.

40+ gamer here.... I agree with everything you have stated. Thank you for your service!

-blam!- being positive! This is the Internet! Where I release my anger to the virtual world!!!!! Muhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! [spoiler]Ignore the negativity. Without any attention it'll die out on its own.[/spoiler]

Thank you for your service sir. Great post.