User Review : Destiny

Taking advantage of gamers?

Destiny, Bungies new IP since Halo has finally released and has got gamers either loving or hating it. Many spending countless hours on their search for lootz. Many just spending time wishing they didn't buy a digital copy(this guy right here!), so that it could be returned. However, lets take a look at it from an analytical and business prospective.

ACTIVISION ARE GENIUSES. This company has the largest profit margins of any production company in the business. Rightfully so, with games such as World Of Warcraft, Diablo 3, and Call Of Duty lining their pocket books, they have made making money look easy. Is Destiny the new cash cow for them and the way that games are headed? Pay full price for a game and buy expansions twice a year and hope that it will satisfy you? If you look at it from an economics perspective of the opportunity cost associated with buying the game how does it stack up? Lets answer these questions.

Destiny isn't a bad game at all, it is quite fun and gorgeous. The story is extremely short and leaves SO many gaps that it is almost non-existent. Sure, people will say well it leaves room for DLC and futre chapters of the game. Ok? Still doesn't tell me what happened with the traveler or where the Darkness came from. Who is this chick that keeps popping up? WHY AM I A WARLOCK? Come on now, tell me a story, make me feel immersed in my character.

The gun play, mechanics, handling, and core components of the game are flawless. I wouldn't expect anything less from Bungie, the game is smooth as silk and drives like a Lambo. The gameplay is repetitive to say the least, bosses are bullet sponges, and drops are non-existent and almost has you throwing your controller because you can't find a decent weapon. The PVP is great and extremely fun, sure some things need to change like Fusion Rifle 1 shots, NO SKILL INVOLVED. Balance issues are a hard thing to accomplish but that is just a lack of caring right there. I find most my time playing The Crucible because it is the only exciting part of the game to me.

The fact that there is an expansion coming in November is frightening. You mean to tell me that I payed $60 for this game and I have to pay more money 2 months later just to make it relevant? That is inexcusable and sheer greed. At least WoW does free updates adding new dungeons, raids, PvP, gear, etc. That is a good model and works and is part of the reason WoW is so big and keeps around 6 million subs. I know the argument is you pay 15 bucks a month though, yea we do, but it is worth it when you think of all the content that is added to the game keeping it somewhat fresh. Loot actually drops in that game. I think Destiny is a trial to how the community will take games like this, pay your 60 bucks and pay x-amount of dollars a year for expansions and hope it is worth it.

Lastly lets look at the opportunity cost of buying Destiny and the Expansion Pass. That is $100 of hard earned money. If you don't know what opportunity cost is, it is what you lose to gain something else. So for my $100 what do I lose to gain Destiny. I lose 2 pre-owned Wii U games such as Donkey Kong and Super Mario 3D world. Which are extremely fun games to play especially with your friends. You lose the ability to buy the new WoW expansion and 4 months of sub time, or being able to purchase say The Master Chief Collection and 40 McDoubles. What about Diablo 3-Reaper of Souls for Next-Gen? You lose the opportunity to buy and play it, which is a shame because it is extremely good on PS4/Xbox One and fun to play with friends on new difficulty levels.

Now, many will say how do we lose the ability to purchase these things. That is because money is consider a resource and resources are a scarcity. It doesn't mean that everyone only has $100 to spend but it is about what you lose in order to gain something if the only thing you had was $100.