For those of you who don't know, there is such a thing before a Beta tester known as an Alpha tester. This isn't meant to be bragging, but at this point click bait is the only way to get people's attention on the forums. I do apologize if this has angered you, but now onto the point. Also for those confused I've done Alpha and Beta testing work, but not on the technical Alpha for Destiny. I'm just using experience from previous projects in a small attempt to give feedback.
Bungie, there is a lot that needs to be done before you worry about making the raid harder and trying to rebuild the bridges that you burned due to the Queen's Wrath and Iron Banner. Instead of focusing on your recent past mistakes, it's time to look at a bigger picture that has been brought up multiple times and has fallen on deaf ears. Instead of rehashing already released content, it's time to come up with something new. The following is a list of bugs that need fixed, and content ideas brought together. If an idea was directly taken from another user, I will link to their original topic as I do not wish to take credit for their own thoughts. Without dragging this out any further, let's begin shall we?
1. Death traps: I've fallen in the Vault of Glass due to joking around, only to spawn at the bottom of a hole that cannot be climbed out of. With future level design, I hope you keep in mind that if my ghost is going to respawn there, I should be able to climb out. GhilKlinWar also brought up the problem where you can be revived on a ledge only to fall to your death again in the jumping puzzle on VoG. Death traps like these really need to be looked at.
2. Improve Factions: We have all heard the stories of how once upon a time there were Faction Wars. Build up story missions around them, give them new items to sell (ghost shells, sparrows, ships, shaders, full weapon load outs) and give them a reason for still existing.
3. Currency - Factions: Seeing as rep can be gained from anything for the factions, it is irresponsible to single out Crucible marks as the only currency for a faction. Make it possible to choose to spend either Vanguard or Crucible marks to be fair to your player base.
4. Currency - Vendors: I'm mostly looking at the Gunsmith. The only reason most people still go to him is for ammo packs. Originally he was meant to also sell weapon parts. Seeing as these aren't big game breakers and would help your lower leveled players, this could be considered along with Vanguard selling their respective materials.
5. Reverse Strikes (seen [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/75309380/0/0]Here[/url]): It would give a new feeling to the already repetitive strikes. I liked this guys idea, and it doesn't sound like it would be hard to accomplish.
6. Split damage tables: Granted, it's never been fully divulged how damage is fully calculated, but from previous announcements I can only assume that there is a base damage table for each weapon group. If you continue to "cater" to PvP, you need to be fair and not effect the gameplay of the rest of your player base. The worst thing you could do is alienate your customers.
7. Developer Reflection Version 2:The argument is not so much that these changes needed to happen or not happen, but that Developers need to look at changing the bugs that are plaguing the player base instead of worrying about mechanic changes that leave the current bugs intact. I have a whole different post on my reasons against the Atheon change other than this, and see no reason to bring it on here as well.
8. The Jagex Approach to story: Activision, I know you are there. Take a look how Jagex releases quests. Sure, members who pay a monthly fee (of like 7 dollars) get more quests, but there are still some fully released to the public. It's ok to release story missions for free, and it will make people happy to actually get more out of this game. They even release more skills to master as well.
9. Frame rate issues: This may not be an issue for everyone, but I can tell you that I've had frame rate drops during parts of VoG. We get that you want to make the game visually appealing and give us what you think we deserve, but make sure it can be done on an Always Online connection.
10. Recording capabilities(NOT EASY): Think of it as a theater mode. In Black Ops 2 you could record snipits of gameplay to upload directly to YouTube or stream directly to twitch. If people can record themselves enjoying the game and spread it around, it might show people the good that is still left in the game. It could also be saved directly to the system so that it could be exported to a computer later. Just some food for thought, could require a secondary application.
11. Improve your PvP playlist: I don't believe that Bungie would create 6 game modes and be happy with that after looking at Halo. Testing ideas is fine, but if you are going to leave the bounties in the table then make the modes accessible all the time. Also some new game types would be nice. I like JustApollo's idea of a "No Super" or "Hardcore" game type. This could even be added as a setting and give a new feeling to the already existing 6 game types as well.
12. Redefine your Playlists: A playlist should not repeat the same strike / pvp map 3 or more times in a row. It's a coding fix that wouldn't take too incredibly long to fix so I'd advise doing so.
13. In-game Clan connectivity: If I'm in a PSN clan, I should be able to see a "friends" list of all my online clanmates. It makes fireteam creation easier, and you don't need to flood your friends list. You could also set clan events here on the website that show up in-game. Lastly, custom clan emblems. If GTA can pull it off, then so can you.
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14. Xur and Acendance Materials: So I may get some flack on this one, but this is a personal thing since I have two characters to max out (the third being there to do the raid again), but I'd love it if Xur sold the shards and energy for like 2-3 strange coins each. It wouldn't unbalance the game horribly and would give higher level players something to do with their coins after they have their gear more or less set. If it did unbalance things you could always raise the price.
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15. Cut Scenes: More importantly, we should be able to skip them after the first viewing. I wouldn't say all together as there could be story elements put into these in the future and can be ok to watch, but after the first time they do get annoying.
16. [b]MORE[/b] Atheon Bugs: I felt the need to do the all caps in more, my apologizes. The Atheon topic I started has brought in some more insight and I wanted to bring it to this topic as well. Atheon is sometimes teleporting only 1-2 people, and there have been reports of Atheon teleporting no one and this causing a wipe. Last time I checked there is an achievement for not dying in the raid, and this glitch makes that near to completely impossible. Another glitch brought to attention is the Minotaur in the green room, or Venus for some. It tends to regain health or not die when it should, which often costs the life of the relic bearer which again leads to a wipe. This can be attempt ending on Hard and should be looked at before even considering changing how the raid mechanics will function in the future. JackWhit350s bring up another bug where the relic bearer can be stuck in teleportation that either ends eventually or traps the player in the green room.
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Not so much of a point but something that could be brought up. Doing things in an order that you, the development team, have brought up would make a lot of the player base a little happier. You talked about improvements to some of the lesser used Exotics but we have yet to see them, instead nerfs are thrown out instead. As with the connection issues that are causing some to see the game as unplayable, I'd release a patch that returns the net code to it's past but keep the Atheon changes you desired.
[More to come, I'm sure]
Finally, a piece of advice to the community heads, the developers, and anyone else at Bungie as well as Activision:
We aren't your play things, we are your customers. We gave you your lifeblood in our hard earned capital based on a belief that this would be the game you showed us. As a community we will find other ways to play the game, ways you did not expect. This doesn't mean you punish the community. Ask us about upcoming hot fixes with polls, and listen to those who want to give you constructive criticism. If you honestly want to make this a game worth playing through the years, and not a game that lasts a couple of months before people move on, it's time you realize this and start moving forward with your community before you are left standing alone.
I ask that whether you agree with this list or not, please leave your own opinions. Posts can be edited and added too, and it's important that people work together towards something then trying to tear it apart.
Previous topics:
I think you mixed up the definitions of "random" and "teamwork": [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/73632207/0/0/1]Click Here[/url]
A letter to Bungie [PLEASE read and respond] [Ideas and Criticism]: [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/73047951/0/0/1]Click Here[/url]
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I do hope everyone knows and can see that positive feedback and the huge community responses are helping. Bungie really does listen and is fixing things at a pretty fast pace. With so many things to work on they have a lot to handle and have done a fantastic job trying to keep up. Stay positive and keep the fresh ideas and fixes coming. Bungie needs our help guardians, to make this game the best it can be as time goes on!