Greetings fellow Guardians.
So as the title states, I'd like to take a moment to see if we can all set aside our differing opinions on matchmaking and focus on the root the issue of finding teammates.
Bungie.
Some of us have had our posts to champion #Optionalmm and other's have taken time to weigh in on their positive experiences with and the benefits of clans and LFG. This post is not to rehash those debates or to say any one of them are better than the others.
The reason I'm writing this is because of a conversation I just had with a fellow guardian where we [i]were[/i] rehashing and debating... But that debate made me see the sides and issues from an angle I hadn't really focused on before.
I think it's pretty safe to say we all love and want to play Destiny and that there are times when we all need someone (or a few someone's) to play with. For those with the time/desire/ability/whatever who want to go outside the game, there are clans and LFG sites. For everyone else, there's a lot of unplayable content.
I understand the sense of frustration, anger and disappointment that the #Optionalmm supporters feel. I also understand the genuine love people have for clans and LFG sites.
What I don't understand is how, regardless of the method of finding teammates, Bungie are given a pass on not having [i]any of them[/i] in-game.
Obviously those who want #Optionalmm are in a battle with Bungie over it, but how is it that the LFG community find it perfectly okay that they have to go to a third party site run by other players to do it?
If you love LFG and believe that's the best way to group, that's awesome. What isn't awesome is that functionality isn't built [i]into the game[/i].
You shouldn't have to leave the game to LFG either. You shouldn't have to own a smartphone or computer to use something fans could build, but Bungie couldn't be bothered to.
Even more difficult to understand is how successful clans aren't livid at how in the last 11 years, Bungie haven't figured out how to implement [i]any[/i] clan functionality in-game other than a name and symbol by your GT.
There were clans in Halo 2 in 2004 and they weren't any less represented in-game than Destiny's.
Where is the in-game clan recruiting? Where is the in-game clan friends lists? Where are the in-game clan banners emblems and shaders?
It's great that you can be a clan, interact and socialize on the website and app, but are you really any kind of cohesive entity in the world of Destiny?
Every single solution for teaming up will have potential positives and potential pitfalls, but whichever method you prefer and support, whether it be one, two or all three... They all need to be accessible without having to stop playing.
It's time to stop giving Bungie a free pass and it's time for us [i][b]all[/b][/i] to recognize that it's not okay for them to expect our continued support financially and in their world if they're not willing to invest their own time and resources into building these systems that have been industry staples elsewhere for years.
So whether you support #Optionalmm, LFG or clans... Tell Bungie the systems for experiencing any of them is[i] their[/i] responsibility and demand that they find a way to build them into the game.
Thank you all.
#bumpfortruth
Further reading if interested.
https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/129939506/0/0
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Edit: Want to add this from @oldcrowmedicine because I thought they put it really well.
[quote]A game developers #1 responsibility to its community is to provide access to all content it created in the game. Seems to be a basic principle Bungie just doesn't understand.[/quote]
[quote]The spirit of that "responsibility" as it relates to access HAS to apply to all who play--including those who play differently than me, those who are in groups/clans etc. Give them a reason, an incentive, to be a clan. They are your biggest supporters. Hell, give ME a reason to consider joining a clan (not going to happen unless it's the "OMM clan" lol). BUT also give me a way to giddy up and blast shit in the face quickly with no hoops to jump thru if I so choose via OMM!!![/quote]
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Sad thing is...I've tried to use recruitment on the app. My threads get buried instantly. So rather than play I can sit on the app and bump my recruitment threads into oblivion or try to get something done. The system is 100% broken. Bungie! Give us options! Be it Optional Matchmaking or Solo Mode! We need a way to progress.