These are my thoughts mainly centered on the crucible/PVP.
Looking ahead:
If there are no dedicated servers in Destiny 2, I will not be buying it. While Destiny features loot based RPG elements, it's still an FPS. Every good FPS has a good single, and multiplayer experience. In Destiny, there are a lot of moving parts for the network to track and report to all players in the lobby. I believe that it is requisite moving forward, that Bungie builds a solid foundation for D2, so that the current vision(which has boundless potential) functions correctly. I also don't believe that Bungie can innovate, or add anything beyond the experience of Destiny 1, if there are no dedicated servers.
Looking back:
I do believe that we have taken part in a beta of sorts with Destiny 1. We have had a dialogue going for several years about what we expect as players. Many issues such as player progression, vault space(still needs work), and better storytelling were addressed through the lifecycle of Destiny. Unfortunately, the dialogue relating to the crucible has been dysfunctional at best...
A community Divided:
From diversity killing weapon metas, to lag, to ever changing class balance and matchmaking issues, every change to PVP has created constant toxicity within the community. Instead of taking responsibility, I feel that the community managers have seized every opportunity to deflect blame onto the community itself. The nature of competitive gaming is one of tension and needs no further instigation from the developer... Unless of course that is the objective.
Hiding in plain sight:
The problem with the crucible always has, and remains to be the lack of dedicated servers. In essence, the crucible is broken at it's foundation, with little to no options for improvement. To combat this, Bungie has shuffled things around, sometimes benefitting one portion of the community, while shafting the other. This is most certainly present in the current matchmaking debacle... Bungie cannot seem to find an option that pleases both casual and hardcore players... This creates friction... and the recent tweet by Deej, is nothing short of throwing gas on the fire.
Meanwhile, the community itself is more than willing to accept that it is their own community members that have caused the issue(via their feedback about bad matchmaking issues). In this process of calculated diversion, Bungie sits back and watches the ensuing chaos without a shred of accountability... The same tactics were used constantly with weapon patches and will be used moving forward, mark my words.
A word of warning:
If we are not unified, on what the actual issue is... Bungie will continue down this path. Fighting and blaming each other over one thing or another, only increases Bungie's confidence in being able to pull the wool over our eyes. It's a smart business move and I don't judge them for it... Why spend the resources, if your community:
A. Can't identify the issue
B. Can't identify the cause
C. Can't accurately hold accountable, the party that has the ability to actually MAKE CHANGES!
D. And is willing to blame each other for the problem.
Closing thoughts:
I want to play a game that plays great in all modes, if not great, god damn it, functional... I want to be a part of a community that is positive and hopeful, not divided and abusive to itself. If Bungie cannot provide a functional game, it will lead to toxicity, and it is doubtful, nor evident in any past event, that they will take responsibility...
TLDR:
So, this guardian will not be joining the fight against the darkness, training in the crucible, or patrolling the Galaxy, if Bungie is not DEDICATED to making it a functional, fun experience.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they announce dedicated servers and then just don't have them.