While some of the changes Bungie has made to Destiny suggest otherwise, the developers are taking on board player feedback about their latest event, the Iron Banner, promising a revised edition of the level advantage applied PvP matchmaking later in the year.
In their Weekly Update, Bungie announced the chief complaint about Iron Banner will be addressed; level advantage will matter a lot more. Higher level players will now experience that feeling of superiority their dedication to the game (and the grind) deserves, as Lead Designer Tyson Green says “(Iron Banner’s changes) failed to meet anyone’s expectations”. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks, but for now players not at the experience cap of Level 20 will only be able to participate as part of a fireteam with a Level 20+ player as ‘chaperone’. Let’s hope Bungie are doing more to make level advantage more prominent than just removing the ability of low level players to play.
Quitting in Iron Banner was also addressed, as the punishing system of removing participation rewards for the losing side meant teams on a hiding to nothing would often see multiple quitters. This will be dealt with by granting an item to losing sides that will be converted into reputations gains upon their next victory. Better gear will also be on offer, the bounties will be tuned to require less grinding and a variety of other smaller changes will be implemented.
Bungie appear to be coming to terms with the difference between how Destiny is played and how they wanted it to be played. The quitting issue was a good demonstrator of this gap in understanding; players just won’t do something they don’t get rewarded for, especially if it is losing in PvP. Let’s hope that bodes well for the future of Destiny.
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