I have posted my thoughts on the Destiny Forum before. Yes, they are often long-winded, but I generally have a lot to say. Recently, following on the heels of some less-than-pleasant interactions with other gamers, both in and out of Destiny, I wanted to start a discussion near and dear to my heart revolving around casual/non-competitive gaming. Growing up in a low-income household, having a gaming console was a luxury. We didn’t have online multiplayer - everything was local (i.e. split screen/turn-based). Was there competition? Sure, but it was always low-key and relatively PG. When I was lucky enough to play solo, I really got into my gaming and learned to dive into stories, connect to characters and environments, and just have fun. It wasn’t until I started working my way through college that I purchased my first online account for gaming. I even still have my original console. It was a welcomed stress-relieving outlet, considering I was a full-time student with two-part time jobs. While I have always enjoyed playing online multiplayer (CoD, Battlefield, Halo, etc.), I prefer to play solo or with a small group of friends. I occasionally ran into the bridge-dwelling trolls, but they were few and far between. When Destiny first came out, I went all in and loved it...I still do. It was a perfect blend of competitive and casual. I could play my way from the word go. There was no requirement to move at any set pace, I could solo queue or team up with friends, etc. However, with the rise of Destiny I also noticed a shift in gaming culture. More and more, I started noticing that gamers were playing less for pleasure and more accomplishment. Competition and skill-proving was no longer a bragging right among friends and family, but was quickly becoming a wide-spread social demand. Nowadays, several years later, I’m a husband and father. I work a 12-hour night shift at 40+ hours per week. When I’m home, I’m either sleeping, or I’m spending valuable time with loved ones. When I play games, it’s for fun - but the overwhelming majority seem to see it as work. Speed-running is the norm, streaming is in-style, not participating in the meta is a cardinal sin. What happened to the gamers that jumped into a patrol zone and explored for the sake of the experience? I remember emoting with total strangers, forming random fireteams to obliterate Omnigul or decimate Oryx, and ending a two-hour game session with 5 new gaming connections. But that was in 2015. What happened since? I refuse to believe I’m alone in this frustration, and I completely intend to do my part to bring at least some of that back. Call me sensitive, say I’m whiny, tell me to “get good” or that “Destiny isn’t for you”. Whatever tickles your fancy. But I really want to hear from other casual gamers who are looking to bring back the fun that Destiny was.