But I can't call this a story mission with a straight face. Remember the Dark Blade strike? Remember the very beginning where you kill some wizards and about 10 Thrall before the first door parts open? That's about the entirety of this mission. It's so half-assed, so tacked-on, that I'm surprised it actually made it into the game.

It's essentially "Walk for 30 seconds and kill this guy. lol, j/k. You'll have to play the strike to kill the guy."

I like a lot of the stuff they've added with this update. PoE is fun, and I like that we have a reason to run the full KF raid again, but that story mission was a joke.

-Disciple

"It was so short, that it could fit into the Xbone's DVR... Solo. With unleveled gear. With the loading screen!"

But I can't call this a story mission with a straight face. Remember the Dark Blade strike? Remember the very beginning where you kill some wizards and about 10 Thrall before the first door parts open? That's about the entirety of this mission. It's so half-assed, so tacked-on, that I'm surprised it actually made it into the game.

It's essentially "Walk for 30 seconds and kill this guy. lol, j/k. You'll have to play the strike to kill the guy."

I like a lot of the stuff they've added with this update. PoE is fun, and I like that we have a reason to run the full KF raid again, but that story mission was a joke.

-Disciple

Destiny is weird. I want the story to grab me, but I swear it's a bit of a relief that that aspect doesn't engage me like I assumed it would. I don't need more reasons to play. Balance is hard to find in life, but your role as father is probably the most important role you'll ever have. Cherish that. I also know that you have artistic ambitions, and speaking as someone with similar goals, the Raga solution has crossed my mind. I try to pay attention and make sure I have good reasons to play Destiny. I will never again try to keep six characters leveled up. I may not even keep two by the time we get to year 10. There are other prizes to keep my eye on.

Kermit

I realize that I'm ultimately responsible for my expectations, but I still just feel like Bungie is overselling things all too often, whereas I don't feel like they did that for Halo.

Real time reflections in the Master Chief's visor anyone? The Halo 2 announce trailer had better graphics than Halo 3
:-)

I still cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would give a damn about a feature you'd only ever see in cutscenes anyway.

Technically you'd see it in co-op play.

I realize that I'm ultimately responsible for my expectations, but I still just feel like Bungie is overselling things all too often, whereas I don't feel like they did that for Halo.

Real time reflections in the Master Chief's visor anyone? The Halo 2 announce trailer had better graphics than Halo 3
:-)

Is that the original Downgrade-gate?

I realize that I'm ultimately responsible for my expectations, but I still just feel like Bungie is overselling things all too often, whereas I don't feel like they did that for Halo.

Real time reflections in the Master Chief's visor anyone? The Halo 2 announce trailer had better graphics than Halo 3
:-)

I still cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would give a damn about a feature you'd only ever see in cutscenes anyway.

It's getting beautiful outside in my part of the country. If you are disappointed with not having enough to do in Destiny, I totally suggest (non-facetiously) that you try to get some fresh air instead.

First of all, I live in Toronto... the weather here is not so good at the moment ;p

2nd, you're assuming I don't already do other stuff :) I say this lightheartedly; but saying "if you don't like it, go outside" isn't exactly the most constructive line of conversation, is it :) I've got more than my share on my plate these days (as I'm sure many of us do). I don't think it's bad or unfair to expect more from our video games (or movies, or books, or tv, whatever). Some people can just play a game or watch TV and say to themselves "I'm not completely bored, so this must be good!". I'm not one of those people. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I just can't help but think about all the time and effort that goes into a release like this, all the excitement and hope from fans (even while keeping expectations in check). And I look at the final product and can't help but feel "this really should be better, coming from Bungie". It's not a big deal at all. That's just how I feel about it, and I share those thoughts. Maybe I shouldn't ;p

I appreciate your post and squid's. I'll say this, though. If Bungie fails in making Destiny compelling enough to be my daily hobby that's a good thing in my book. Life is short. I don't want Destiny to be my daily hobby. I've got other games I want to play for one thing, but beyond that, other, dare I say, more important things to do. As does everyone, I assume.

I want to reply to your post as well as squid's at the same time here, because I think you are both making great points and my response lines up to fit both.

Destiny has become something unique for me, both because of the nature of the game itself and how it fits into my life at the moment. Specifically speaking, my life as a new dad. I love being a father, but there are certain elements that I have found particularly difficult to deal with. Above all else, it has been a very socially isolating experience for me. Opportunities to go out and see friends are few and far between. I might go out socially once every 4 or 5 months at best. And when I do see my friends, much as we love each other, there is a bit of a disconnect because I am in such a completely different life space than any of them. That's issue number 1.

Next: All my life, I have enjoyed competition. I was fiercely into sports all through highschool, and continued to find ways to be both active and competitive as often as possible in the years after. Since having a child, that has come to a grinding halt. I manage to get to the gym 2 or 3 times per week, even if its just so I can run for 15 or 20 minutes. It's not as much as I'd like, but at least it is a bit of physical activity. However, that does nothing to scratch my competitive itch.

Final issue: my "me time" is all but non-existent. From the moment I wake up at 7:30am, I've got my hands full taking care of the little one, then going to work, then coming home to take care of the little one again, putting her to bed, then watching a little TV with my wife so she doesn't feel completely ignored. I honestly don't get a moment to myself until about midnight. I've always loved videgames... they have consistently been one of my favorite ways to blow off steam and escape the pressures of real life. So when I do get a little time to myself, playing a videogame is often near the top of my list.

What makes Destiny so special for me is that it helps me deal with all 3 of these issues at the same time. For the most part, Destiny is my social life. It's literally the only time I get to spend with friends for weeks or even months at a time. Playing Trials and Iron Banner may not be physically demanding, but it scratches my competitive itch. And finally, hour or two with Destiny each day is the only "me" time I really get, and I find I really need it. That bit of fun and fantasy helps me greatly when it comes to getting through the rest of my day.

All of this to say, I absolutely hear what you and Squid are both saying, and I generally agree with you. I just want to explain why Destiny has become a more important part of my life than I ever really thought a videogame could :)

Hopefully Destiny's got some updates that will take enough of my time that I don't have to resort to doing astronomy and can concentrate on my true passions.

I realize that I'm ultimately responsible for my expectations, but I still just feel like Bungie is overselling things all too often, whereas I don't feel like they did that for Halo.

Real time reflections in the Master Chief's visor anyone? The Halo 2 announce trailer had better graphics than Halo 3
:-)

It's getting beautiful outside in my part of the country. If you are disappointed with not having enough to do in Destiny, I totally suggest (non-facetiously) that you try to get some fresh air instead.

First of all, I live in Toronto... the weather here is not so good at the moment ;p

2nd, you're assuming I don't already do other stuff :) I say this lightheartedly; but saying "if you don't like it, go outside" isn't exactly the most constructive line of conversation, is it :) I've got more than my share on my plate these days (as I'm sure many of us do). I don't think it's bad or unfair to expect more from our video games (or movies, or books, or tv, whatever). Some people can just play a game or watch TV and say to themselves "I'm not completely bored, so this must be good!". I'm not one of those people. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I just can't help but think about all the time and effort that goes into a release like this, all the excitement and hope from fans (even while keeping expectations in check). And I look at the final product and can't help but feel "this really should be better, coming from Bungie". It's not a big deal at all. That's just how I feel about it, and I share those thoughts. Maybe I shouldn't ;p

I appreciate your post and squid's. I'll say this, though. If Bungie fails in making Destiny compelling enough to be my daily hobby that's a good thing in my book. Life is short. I don't want Destiny to be my daily hobby. I've got other games I want to play for one thing, but beyond that, other, dare I say, more important things to do. As does everyone, I assume.

Slightly NSFW: swears at the end.

First of all, I live in Toronto... the weather here is not so good at the moment ;p

I'm in southeast Michigan, so it wasn't too different. By beautiful I really meant, "at least 50 degrees (F) and sort of sunny."

2nd, you're assuming I don't already do other stuff :) I say this lightheartedly; but saying "if you don't like it, go outside" isn't exactly the most constructive line of conversation, is it :)

Yes, and I was actually trying make a more subtle point than that, but failed. I love outdoor activities, and spend a lot of my summer visiting amusement parks and playing games and sports outside. But, I also really love playing Destiny. I find both of those types of fun activities to be equally valid ways of spending time, but the difference is that having fun playing Destiny is way easier to do. You don't have to plan, you don't have to drive anywhere, you don't really get tired. And it can be really hard to resist just doing the easy thing that's just as fun. Do I put a bunch of effort into convincing my friends to meet up at a bar on a Friday night, or do I just sign up for this FTB Trials event and play Destiny all night? I'll have a great time either way, but when one thing starts happening way more than the other one...it's important to try to keep a balance.

Do I understand the disappointment in what the update ended up being? Yeah, I can see why people are a little confused and upset. I'm not especially happy with the Crucible changes. But for now, this seems like a great time for Destiny's gravitational pull on me to be reduced for a few months. That's the point of view I was trying to share.

I'd like an approach that treated Destiny more like a place that's alive--where things happen that you don't see coming (except perhaps for hints and teasers that seem to come from within the universe) rather than Destiny the Game, this year's model on the car lot (which is better than last year's model because of x and y bullet points), with DeeJ often having the unfortunate job of company sign spinner.

Of course this approach requires a long view, a plan, seeds planted early, and the patience to see them sprout. It might also require the mighty Oz aka Bungie to stay behind the curtain more often. I still like to think Bungie does have a plan and seeds have long been planted. What are you going to do, though, when so many of your fans want constant transparency and do treat Destiny as merely a service that must be responsive to their ever-changing wants and desires? Maybe transparency doesn't make people as happy as they expect it to.

I've had zero interest in Warframe, but after watching the reaction video Korny posted, I'm interested, or wish I had been interested from the start. I want that--a reason to care about the universe, and a chance to be surprised, delighted, and have my mind blown.

78 days and counting, and I couldn't be happier about my decision. I don't know about everybody else, but I really feel in my case that stepping away then coming back when we get a large drop is going to make me more fond of the game and more willing to play it.

It's hilarious that you're counting the days.

When do you get your first chip?

Oh I'm not on THAT program. It wanted me to submit to a higher power, namely the Traveler, and I know there's something shady going on with him.

Cold Turkey!

I need to break out Universal Remote and turn my regularly devastating Cloaky Hunter into a Blink Shotgun Cloaky Hunter of Infinite Infinitly Annoying Doom. Once more. :)

I would love to start using universal remote again. Not to mention, Shotty sidearm domination anyone?

I like the way you think :)

I mean, who ever wants to do hand cannon shotgun? Those people are posers!

I need to break out Universal Remote and turn my regularly devastating Cloaky Hunter into a Blink Shotgun Cloaky Hunter of Infinite Infinitly Annoying Doom. Once more. :)

I would love to start using universal remote again. Not to mention, Shotty sidearm domination anyone?

I like the way you think :)