[quote]You do get rewarded for playing If you know how to get the rewards you need. This game has been so dumbed down that you almost always get what you want with minimal effort.[/quote] That's not how these games work. Progression is not elusive. The loot is. This game is not "dumbed' down. If you don't like to work for predictable progression rewards, then you are playing the wrong KIND of game. [quote]The bottom line is the game doesn't reward you for being at cap anyways. There is no reason to be 700 because every activity is capped.[/quote] These kinds of games are not supposed to reward you for that. In fact being at level cap is NOT an "accomplishment" that loot-based gamers value or respect. What IS valued are builds, build strength, and acquiring rare/powerful loot items. Which is why what Bungie is doing with cores is both terribly misguided and INCREDIBLY stupid. Becuase they are trying to prop something up as an "achievement" that the typical PVE gamer doesn't give a shit about. ...and they are throwing SAND in the gears of the basic reward loop...and the ability to create multiple, powerful builds which something players care deeply about...and is a cornerstone of the game. Its like pouring soda into the gas tank of your car trying to hide the fact that you can't afford to buy gas for it. YOU just BREAK the car. You make matters worse, because you're unwilling to be honest about the nature of the FIRST problem. I have tons of gear sitting in my vault that I can't use, because I can't afford to spend the cores necessar to level them up to end-game power levels....and I refuse to play with item with a power level 550 or 600, because Bungie is too stubborn and too arrogant to play by the game design rules here. There are too many other....better....loot games on the market right now, for me to put up with this from them. NO ONE ELSE DOES THIS.