This Week at Bungie - 06/23/2016 0h -

This week at Bungie we fixed what was broken.

The June Update delivered some changes to Destiny - both large and small. We balanced the way Classes and Weapons behave. We added some new Chroma colors (you all look fabulous, by the way). And then, there was this new feature.

We tried something new to help you find your friends in the activities you want to play. Early feedback tells us that it's a neat feature, but it was creating problems for the really popular people among us who have lots of friends. So, blame the cool kids!

No, don't do that. We're kidding. This is our issue to fix, and we are fixing it! Effective immediately, Hot Fix 2.3.0.1 will correct the Players In Activity feature, and cap the display at a maximum of ten friends. We're sorry for the trouble this caused, but we're committed to restoring order to the special events you love to play.

Trials of Osiris may return tomorrow. Once we've had a chance to confirm that all is well, we'll sound the alarm that all champions of the Crucible should don their sunscreen and prepare for a trip to the Lighthouse. Stand by for more information on your fate.

And, if all goes according to plan, that's not all the news we'll have for the warriors among you. We may also reschedule Lord Saladin's appearance in the Tower so that Iron Banner can happen next week. This is no time to create a gulf between you and the sole surviving Iron Lord.

Download the new patch now, and let us know what you see.

Becoming the Hunted

The gnashing of teeth that followed the June Update wasn't isolated to postponed Crucible events. The Hunters among us also had some growing pains in adjusting to the new Sandbox. Titans had their turn just after the launch of The Taken King. Warlocks got adjusted as part of the April Update. This time, our caped friends had a new reality to embrace.

"Why!!!?" came the angry rebukes from the Gunslingers and Bladedancers.

As a follow up to the full Update Preview authored by Sandbox Designer Grant Mackay, we have some data to share. Below, you'll find some motivations in the form of science. Prior to the June Update, in the kill-or-be-killed realm of the Crucible, you can see how the Hunters reigned supreme.

Here are some words from the man with the plan.

Grant: When one Class becomes the default choice for anyone who wants to do well in the Crucible, we see that as a problem. We chose to bring the Hunters down from their position of dominance because it is our hope that every variety of Guardian will have a fighting chance. We've seen the common suggestion that we could just add more power to the less successful Classes. Our concern is that this would eventually make the game way too lethal and chaotic overall. We want you to feel powerful when you're playing Destiny. At the same time, we want to make sure that you still have the time you need to react and make tactical decisions when you are engaged in combat.

Have we been successful in bringing balance to Destiny? We'll know in time. While players adjust to the new normal in friendly combat, the data can be a bit erratic. As each Guardian settles into their role in the post-June Sandbox, we'll be watching and listening.

Now you know that every shot you take is logged by our friends at Bungie User Research. As everyone gets used to their new favorite weapon, tell us what you think. As always, the work of our Sandbox Design Team is never finished.

Present and Future Support

There are games we're playing now, and games we will be invited to play in this Fall. Destiny Player Support is at their post to ensure that all of these moments happen as they should.

DPS: Since the release of Destiny Update 2.3.0, we've been investigating a variety of issues reported in the #Help forum. The following issues have been resolved through server side changes and Hotfix 2.3.0.1:

• An issue causing players experiencing a spike in Honeydew and Panther errors when attempting to play Strike and Raid activities on Monday June 20th, 2016.
  
• Passage Coins not dropping when completing Daily Crucible Activities.
  
• Character data failing to load within activities, causing the following symptoms:
  
  • Weapons inflicting minimal damage to opponents in Crucible Activities.
  • Players taking too much damage from enemies in PvE/PvP Activities.
• Players experiencing crashes when inspecting or matchmaking into activities that had large number of friends playing them. With this resolved, Trials of Osiris will be returning to its regular schedule.
  

We are continuing to investigate the following issues:

• Players are not receiving Legendary Marks when completing the Daily Heroic Story Missions Paradox or Lost to Light. Until resolved, Legendary Mark rewards will be granted via Postmaster at a later date to those who complete the Daily Heroic activity when one of these missions is featured.
  
• Some players who completed a Refer-a-Friend links on Bungie.net between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM PDT on June 10th, 2016, are unable to retrieve their Quest from the Speaker in the Tower. This issue does not impact the 7 day Referee eligibility time period for impacted players.
  

For additional information and updates regarding our investigations, please see the 2.3.0 Known Issues thread.

Four Score and...

The June Update also made the High Score in Challenge of Elders less of a grind. Outscoring your fellow Guardians has become an errand of strategy more than endurance. Here's my fellow Community Manager with a fresh batch of champions to envy!

Cozmo: This week was a competitive one for the Elder Champions. All three of the Fireteams competing for the top spot all posted scores that were close, but one stood above the rest. This was the first week that the Challenge of Elders became a little more challenging since the June Update changes were applied. Lets meet the winners. 

High Score - 62,295
    SdBattlefront
    RedSox007
    BlazeBoss17

Second Place - 60,485
    ChasecL0cK
    HellFireRez
    mariner2200

Third Place - 60,000
    DOM1N8R2
    ElevenMike
    monty717

This week, the competition continues, and everything's coming up explodey. That's right, it's all about the grenades. Not only will you be given bonus points for grenade kills, but your grenades will also be charging faster. That's synergy! Load up Challenge of Elders and see if you can earn your spot at the top. We'll keep score. 

Cinematography

Art is serious business in the Destiny Community. Here's Cozmo once again to pass out some awards.

Cozmo: The show must go on! These emblems are just begging to be given out to the winners, and we have lines out the door of players wanting their shot at earning one. This week's winners are ready to show you their videos.

Movie of the Week: Into The Light

Honorable Mention: Kruzer

Honorable Mention: Play of the Game

Before we talk more about the adventures to come, we have a party to throw in your honor. Bungie Day is nigh. On the seventh day of the seventh month, we'll honor a proud community tradition - one that was started by the community. Bungie Day has always been about the player. We'll celebrate your achievements and your creations, and we'll tell you how you can get in on that action when the day arrives.

Curious for more information about Rise of Iron? We certainly hope you are, and we promise that we'll get to that, too. Rather than trickle out one new detail each week here on the blog, we'll save them up for some appropriately explosive moments throughout the summer.

Hang in there, and stay cool.

DeeJ, out.