Shark loves Xûr

The Xûr Guy. Planet Destiny Writer. Follow for not-so-hot Destiny takes, Destiny 2 coverage, and [miscellaneous].

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

6v6 shader deletion get hyped

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@DeeJ_BNG ...can't fully lighten the load. It's problematic when there's a direct relationship between your devotion to a game and the size of the headache you get taking stock of your collection, and a postmaster that is just a glorified depository for shaders. More Kiosks? Other? (2/2)

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@DeeJ_BNG Here's a boring thing that I think needs stressing:

What's being done to streamline the UI and collection experience? So much mental energy is preemptively exhausted having to take inventory every log in. 3rd party apps are carrying you in this department, and even they... (1/2)

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@subjunctivitis Yeah, very much looking forward to getting my first drop on that front. Meanwhile I’m not touching that COO strike with Void Singe/Glass wth a 39 and a half foot pole.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

Back on that Destiny 2 grind and only ignoring your invitations because I can't find my damn USB stick for my mic.

Seeing how green the grass is on the solo player's side. First impression: one day of solo Destiny is nice - thoughtful, even. Multiple days? Exposes the emptiness.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

1. Raid specific reward tweaks are all great. Love seeing specific percentages too

2. Masterwork armor seems so hilariously, hopelessly underpowered that I really hope I’m missing something

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

Destiny is as much a theater of waiting for improvements as it is a game franchise these days. There’s really nothing else like the interaction between Bungie and its consumers

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

Let Destiny off its leash. Nothing is so sacred in this game that it can’t be improved by a paradigm shift. Make the next mistake you make be giving *too much* to players. We will certainly forgive you. https://t.co/WTQM4eUUvN

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

This is a prime example of how Destiny 2 should prioritize rewards. Tie them to in-game experiences. Let cosmetics tell a story, and speak to a player's commitment. Sell nonsense on the side if needed, but keep ratio of Eververse-exclusive : in-game prestige trophies tighter. https://t.co/QfxONlfkDg

[Fedwin @FedwinM]

Confirmed! Sagira Shell after all weapons forged! #destiny2 #PS4share

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@FactBringerDTG Great point. Recent TWAB mentioned wanting to also cater to people who want to play Destiny "as a hobby" and I think once you've said this you introduce the tools to make it so. Use those design bona fides to make it unobtrusive - maybe even opt-in

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@Bungie The mixed metaphor here appears to be that the players are riding in some kind of flying chariot, Elijah style. I stand by it.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

then /r/DTG can stop doing Bungie's playtesting/bug-fixing for them. Trust your players, @Bungie. They're ready to take your game to new heights if you just give them the reins.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

It's time Destiny starts adding the numbers. "50% increase to Exotic drops" "Weapon draws 15% faster" "Improves Grenade Cooldown by 2 seconds" - the past argument was no doubt "immersion breaking" but now we have Eververse Selfies (TM) so that argument doesn't fly.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@Spud387 The point being: it's possible (I would never say certain) that Bungie *might* weight these "figure it out, then execute without a mistake" (insta-wipe with failure) activities as higher priority if they have a vested interest in making "World's First" a ceremony.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@Spud387 The best Destiny encounters allow you to exert increasing mastery as you power up, become better equipped, and more knowledgable. I look at the "Death Zamboni" as a shining example. Once you had that streamlined, it was a dizzy thrill.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@Spud387 Doesn't matter what powers or weapons you clear the adds with, doesn't matter what weapons you use to shoot the arrows. In a World's First scenario, the thrill comes from competing against an imagined foe to figure all this out first. After this, there's nowhere to go.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

@Spud387 Figuring out the "trick" to a mechanic, then executing on that mechanic is a Destiny staple, but some encounters really took off after that. Others are locked into rote phases - Gauntlet for, example. You have to do it three times; this pads out play length.

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

"We're listening" "We're looking into" "We have plans" - this is not the language of a finished platform. If the price of Destiny fulfillment is playing on the developer's schedule, we begin to redefine the boundaries of "DLC". Anxiety is natural. (2/2)

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

Amidst the concentrated bile of feedback, there is a prevailing thread emerging that #CurseOfOsiris feels very much like a subscription-based installment. You're paying to see what happens as much as you're paying for what's presented - this is an evolving issue. (1/2)

[Shark loves Xûr @aWrySharK]

That said, Destiny Raids are still utterly astounding - even my least favorite I rank among my most memorable gaming experiences. Still, Bungie <-> Twitch feed into the race to the finish mentality. Have to create a worthy challenge for the very best. (2/2)