- AlexZander
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
I'm not that active, but never dead.
Disclaimer:This post is primarily a work of speculation.
I believe that Destiny's gameplay is going to be oddly similar to all of Bungie's previous game titles, taking aspects from each one them.
First: I think that Destiny is not going to have an in-game money system that effects gameplay.
What I mean by that is that buying and selling in game items will not occur. None of Bungie's previous titles have had any sort of money or resource gameplay aspect. In fact, Bungie specifically did not have a resource aspect in the Myth series of video games. This was in stark contrast to all other popular real time strategy games on the market at that time. Bungie even branded the Myth games as real time tactical games, because of this unique choice in game design.
Yes, in Halo Reach you have money that you earn in single and multiplayer that you can use to upgrade the look of your spartan or elite avatar. However, the items you buy never affect gameplay. You cannot buy a better sniper rifle, or upgrade your shields. Money is only used as a way to personalize your in game identity, not your in game ability.
This logically leads to Destiny having some kind of money system that does not effect gameplay, but does effect your identity. This will probably extend in some form to the weapons you wield, similar to Call of Duty: Black Ops. Considering that it's confirmed that Destiny is going to have microtransactions, expect to have the ability to buy items (with real money) that allow you to personalize your avatar just like in Halo:Reach, but not give you an advantage in the actual game itself. What will you look like?
Even though Destiny is an MMO, still expect 30 seconds of fun.
Bungie has said in numerous interviews that they have always aimed to providing '30 seconds' of fun, and then repeating that experience over and over again. They keep it fresh by changing angles, abilities, and difficulties, and choices. It doesn't matter if it's Silent Cartographer in Halo:CE, or the Invasion Gameplay mode in Halo Reach, gameplay always keeps this in mind. Think about any time you have entered combat with another player in any Halo game. On average, how long does combat last? Less than 30 seconds, at most, depending on how close you are to your opponent. Destiny will be a fast paced game where a combination of skill, reaction time, and smarts will determine how good you are, not how long you have been playing the game. Are you good enough?
Destiny will have a matchmaking level system like all Halo Games since Halo 2.
I would be very surprised if Destiny had World of Warcraft style combat. This would also rule out grinding style gameplay in order to acquire previously mentioned avatar items. Bungie has said many times that they are interested in making games that are fun, and to most people, grinding is not fun. Getting your ass handed to you all the time is also not fun. Expect some sort of matchmaking system to ensure that players are matched with opponents of similar ability. You may be outgunned, but you are not outmatched.
Your actions will have an effect on the game world of Destiny.
The closest thing to this that is already out there is Halo:Reach's invasion mode. This game mode is the most unique of all the Halo multiplayer game modes, in that gameplay is dynamic. Depending on how well teams work together, (or don't). The map, and gameplay you experience is different. If you are unable to destroy or defend the first layer of the map, you do not have access to the rest of the map, and the resulting weapons, vehicles, and scenarios. The difference is that after a round is over, the map resets. Imagine if the game map just kept on going, and going...and you also had the ability to push back. Don't give up.
The ability to defend and attack land will play a major role in the gameplay of Destiny. The very fact that Bungie has focused so much on slowly leaking us the Destiny map supports this. Maps are dynamic. Further support for this is Hao Chen's interview with the focus on creating a living breathing world. They change with war, weather, and other factors. Don't be surprised if there is a 'land captured/land lost' stat for you to track. Higher level players and matches will have bigger consequences for the game world. Your ability to play the game well will be your ability to change the game world. The battles you win and lose in Destiny will dynamically effect the entire game universe itself, and any future games you and your friends play. Don't lose.
Destiny will have gameplay in SPAAAAAAAAACE!!!
Space stations and orbits have been a staple of Bungie for a long time. From the time of the Marathon Trilogy to Halo 2(First mission for both The Chief and Arbiter), Halo 3, and Halo Reach. In World of Warcraft there are safe zones where you cannot go if you do not belong to the same faction. Well, at least, you can go there but you cannot 'capture' these areas. I speculate that there will be similar areas in Destiny, just that instead of being accessible to the enemy by being on land, these 'safe areas' will be in SPACE. My support for this:See you starside...
See you starside implies two things: 1) That space is involved, (starside) 2) That land is involved (planetside?)
If what you say, or hear, when you go to space is 'See you starside', what you say, or hear, when you go planetside might be 'Be Brave'.
In Summery:
What you can do to you avatar does not matter to gameplay, what your avatar can do to gameplay does matter.
The game will be fast paced and fun.
The game world will be dynamic and populated with: you.
There is both space and land in the game, and maybe space stations.
Your thoughts, opinions, arguments, and counter-arguements, please.
-MAZ
[Edited on 07.15.2012 3:52 PM PDT]