I'd written a post once before talking about other methods of immersion, especially new game modes, one of which was a training grounds and arena. Since then, after playing much more of Destiny and thinking about gameplay in general, I've come up with more ideas. One idea I've had is this... The option of being able to purchase three abilities: One to support grenade, melee or super. One to support/modify armor, recovery and agility And one to be a range of completely tangential abilities (similar to those in exotics) available for all classes Whether all these abilities are able to be used in the crucible is up to you, Bungie. I think this should be accessible once reaching level 40. These abilities can be exchanged whenever, whatever the circumstances (for an in-game price, of course). The ability to modify our abilities freely would be an excellent touch. [u]Concepts on the Topic of a Loot-based Game[/u] Create "bi-fusion": fusing two objects of the same loot-type to create new armors and weapons. This would be an excellent method of immersion. The potential of creating new armors and weapons, from the player's own decision, would boost player interest immensely. I keep hearing that this is a loot based game, but if that is true, why aren't there more decision-making opportunities based around that loot? If I tell you "Life is about food" and you agree to living then show up and there are only five options, but 100 ingredients, you'd start to wonder about why there are only five options. This is the way I see this "loot-based" dilemma. Bi-fusion wouldn't be the end of it. Tri- and quad-fusion would be great too. Tri would involve adding certain materials (maybe etheric light?) to boost the light level or other properties of armor (like the pesky "side-arm" perks, or the "let's add strength" modifiers). Quad fusions would do everything done before (or maybe none) but the added element would be to modify the color of individual pieces of armor with greater range than shaders (I'm talking gradients, baby, wooo!). I think there's an incredible opportunity at hand with the new SIVA corrupted faction. In addition to bi-fusion, through something "like" SIVA, there can be living armor. The ghost would be an excellent component in this, deepening the connection between the Guardian and its Ghost. The Ghost would also be given a more prominent role because, at this point in my gameplay experience, I feel the Ghost has fallen to the wayside. With the upgrade, the Ghost can "possess" armor to be able to give it new buffs. (Sort of a tangent) I think it would be excellent to use the player's race as the first filter for what this buff will be. When the player chooses their race, they will be able to choose arc, void and solar through choosing either Awoken, Exo or Human, respectively. This will determine the energy type of the Ghost. Once having that Ghost, a second filter, a player's Class, will determine what style of energy attacks are used. This doesn't have to conflict with what has already been established because the race-specific elements will actually be channeled through the ghost and only through the ghost. (A side note) In order for the immersion of the loot-based game to work 100%, there have to always be new possibilities to keep people interested. The gameplay mechanics of Destiny are excellent and there doesn't seem to be room for any new additions, or potential, because of the possibility of undermining the game's recipe, but, I think there is ample room. In order for the immersion to ring true, the loot must work into the gameplay: this is why exotic pieces of armor are so alluring, they invite new possibilities. Of course, all this is known, but, in my opinion, this concept isn't used to its full potential. The gameplay mechanics are going to change very soon with the new expansion, but let's apply everything to the current state (TTK). We cap our light-levels at 335. At the previous 320 cap, it seemed 300 was the final threshold separating the average player from the great to extraordinary (either through skill or effort). To paraphrase what another player, with greater skill than I, told me, "I've been trying to get past 300 for [months/a year]!" It seems that threshold no longer exists. I think it should exist. It provides incentive. It gives top players initiative. Right now, I'm wondering if it's a big deal at all to reach the top light-level; I don't think that is good at all. It should be a big deal: if not in the way it was before, then in a new way. So we come back to the Ghost and its abilities. With the "possession" mechanic, a whole new avenue of "worth" can be applied to gear. Terms like "is the gear possession-worthy" might crop up. Perhaps the ghost can have a personality and prefer certain gear over others to take hold of. If that sounds too mystical, I'm sure something else can be figured out. Regardless, this can be a mechanic that crops up at a threshold alike to what I discussed. For instance, in the current state of things, it can crop up at 320 light level. Suddenly, possession becomes the new thing. Gear is elevated. It also means that un-possessed gear doesn't become "mechanic specific" like Exotic armor is. Reaching that threshold now becomes all-too-important to experience the "real" purpose of the game. (Also, perhaps under this possession mechanic, all exotic armor is not "possession worthy", which forces people to only use legendaries.) The element type of each ghost will determine the abilities available. The ghost can "awaken" a new form for the Guardians, an "ultimate" form, beyond the super. Since the Super is activated through pressing the left and right bumpers, the ultimate form can be activated through simultaneously pressing the left and right triggers. In this form, X, A, B & Y would be transformed. This form would be even more fun than the super, and its use would be purely PVE with the exception of Inferno PVP play modes. When I started playing Destiny, noticed the swords being used, as well as the hammers being thrown around and the bow of the Warlock, I thought these three weapons were class specific and that I'd unlock them at level 40 or whichever. This lead to me playing like a madman to get them. When I found out about the true nature of the game, it wasn't disheartening. However, I now realize that the dream I had is something Destiny can benefit from. The ultimate form can take advantage of these quirks. The Titans can have a massive hammer. The Warlock a powerful bow and the Hunter a pair of swords (instead of daggers---firepower, right?). In addition to that, each of these weapons will be unique to the Guardian through their designated race and the specific elemental power of their Ghost. Finally, Race would mean something. Finally, reaching the highest light-levels would have its own awesome reward beside more gameplay-mode freedom (like Nightfall), which, if we're being totally honest, is at present more punishing than rewarding. Back to possession: I think this would be an excellent mode. Possession perks would not work while a guardian is using either their Super or their Ultimate. The super and ultimate modes are exclusive and cannot be intermingled. Using a super would deplete the bar and you'd have to wait longer for the ultimate. The ultimate works only through the ghost, so the shell must be 320 and above at least if not also the light level. Possession occurs armor and weapons piece by armor and weapon piece, but the ultimate can only be accessed once all necessary "possession-worthy" pieces have been obtained and equipped. One cool thing that might occur is: what if, once a Guardian reaches 320 light and has all the armor/weapon pieces necessary for Ultimate, the Guardian must see the Speaker who gives him a blessing from the Traveler enabling him to use the Ultimate? Finding "Possession-worthy" items would be great for a player, who'd be able to converse with their Ghost more as there'd be a dialogue between the player and the ghost over the completion of the armor/weapon collection. One compromise for the power of the ultimate would be the loss of the radar. Instead, the ghost calls out nearby threats "North, south, etc." and signals threats in each direction, especially by proximity. Another would be the loss of the grenade, weapon and melee powers as the power of the ultimate would take over. There just might be some ideas for the ultimate in my previous post if you don't like the previous concepts I had. If changing X, A, B & Y is a big problem, you can change the D-Pad instead, as I'm sure there would be no use for those in such a powerful form (another compromise?). The camera would change to third-person view for the ultimate to compensate for the loss of the radar. Finally, Exotics would still be necessary. They'd be important in the Crucible where Ultimates aren't allowed (except in Inferno) and they'd be very important up to 320 light-level. They accentuate the look of a guardian, and, I'm sure you can find other ways for Exotics to stand out in order to balance the game-play mechanics with the new Ultimate-form. For now, this has come to the end of my little idea-fest. I don't know what would result from you, Bungie, using my ideas without some sort of contract, but I'm comfortable with some/any sort of agreement. As a writer, that would only help me out. I just want to see Destiny grow and completely satisfy its audience.