Home Gaming Bungie denies that Destiny pay-to-loot micro-transactions are on the way

Bungie denies that Destiny pay-to-loot micro-transactions are on the way

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destiny

UPDATE: Taken King creative director has just tweeted that there are no plans in place right now to boost King’s Fall Raids with consumables that will increase loot drop-rates.

Original story follows below.

Micro-transactions in video games are like a small itch on your back. You can’t quite reach it, it smells funky and scratching it/throwing coins only results in a temporary relief. Just about every game on the shelves these days (especially from high-profile studios and publishers) has some form of micro-transactions.

And when you’re spending close to a R1000 (Or $60/£60 for our US and UK pals), that’s actually not just depressing. It’s kind of disgusting. Destiny is no stranger to all of this, having introduced micro-transactions yesterday to that game world. Now admittedly, these real-world money items are purely cosmetic fluff.

They’re emotes, stuff that you don’t actually need and yes I actually bought two of them last night because I’m clearly an idiot who wants the ability to accurately emote my impressive loss-streaks in the Crucible.

But here’s the thing: More micro-transactions are on the way. And they’re giving me the pay-to-loot heebie jeebies. Over on the Bungie forums, some data-mining revealed more consumables that players can choose to purchase soon from the Eververse trading company:

  • Heuristic Light – Buy additional moldering shards during the King’s Fall Raid
  • Indomitable Light – Buy more likelihood for armor and weapon drops during a normal mode King’s Fall raid
  • Valorous Light – Buy more likelihood for armor and weapon drops during a hard mode King’s Fall raid
  • Hunter Level 25 Starter Pack – Buy level 25 instantly, fully level any subclass instantly, and receive several telemetries to gain XP quicker
  • Warlock Level 25 Starter Pack – Buy level 25 instantly, fully level any subclass instantly, and receive several telemetries to gain XP quicker
  • Titan Level 25 Starter Pack – Buy level 25 instantly, fully level any subclass instantly, and receive several telemetries to gain XP quicker
  • Subclass Infusion – Buy a fully leveled subclass instantly (Fully upgrades your currently equipped subclass)
  • Bone Trinkets – Buy Increased XP Gains from The Fallen for 10 minutes
  • Void Shackles – Buy Increased XP Gains from Hive for 10 minutes
  • Spent Displacer – Buy Increased XP Gains from Vex for 10 minutes
  • Campaign Medals – Buy Increased XP Gains from Cabal for 10 minutes

The majority of those consumables are clearly targeted towards new players, to get them up to speed with the rest of the in-game universe. It’s the King’s Fall content that irks me however. King’s Fall is the hardest Raid in all of Destiny, a true test of skill and teamwork.

Hell, the final part of that Raid involves you having to work with your squad to kill an angry space-god who happens to be bigger than Hulkamania in the 1980s. And the loot drops for completing the mother of all Raids…ain’t that great.

It also completely goes against the core of the game for me. The idea of creating a legend, and earning your way to the top. It’s kind of a slap in the face then.  And not something that I want to see more of in one of my favourite games.

Last Updated: October 14, 2015

80 Comments

  1. Gavin Mannion

    October 14, 2015 at 09:04

    Buy a greater chance of random loot drops… what is more likelihood ?

    What if I pay and it doesn’t drop anything, can I ask for a refund?

    The instant level to 25 thing is something I have no issue with to be honest, I want to level a new character but I have absolutely no interest in grinding through the ‘story’ again.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 14, 2015 at 09:18

      $1 for a 1% increase in likelihood, and you can buy as many as you like. Per random drop of course. 😉

      And no, you can’t ask for a refund because you bought an increased likelihood of a drop, not a guaranteed drop.

      I should apply this to a mobile game, I’d need a front-end loader for all my cash that’s going to come rolling in.

      Reply

    • Nikola

      October 14, 2015 at 09:18

      Absolute crap Gavin if the raid stuff is true I am never booting this game again.

      Reply

    • Bagel

      October 14, 2015 at 09:24

      They should work it like the treasure system in dota, shove 10 items into one treasure, pay $2.99 for the treasure, and get a chance to unlock an item + something rare (if you lucky)

      Dunno how good it would work as ive never played destiny.

      Reply

  2. Ottokie

    October 14, 2015 at 09:08

  3. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 14, 2015 at 09:11

    Reply

  4. Nikola

    October 14, 2015 at 09:17

    OK now I think everybody here knows I LOVE Destiny and all, big groups of us plays it every day. But if this is true especially the better loot drops for the raid I am going to stop playing the game not even joking! The rest of the stuff is fine I mean if you want a boost to level 25 and u don’t want to play the story go ahead but the whole loot drop thing is absolutely disgusting and pisses me off actually. Raid is not easy I must work my ass of and what get fuck all because I dont user real money!

    Reply

    • Sageville

      October 14, 2015 at 10:29

      You WILL keep coming back regardless….

      Reply

      • Nikola

        October 14, 2015 at 10:40

        NOT a chance, this goes live I am uninstalling the game immediately sorry it is a clear pay to win bullcrap!!

        Reply

        • Sageville

          October 14, 2015 at 12:23

          See you in-game tonight…. and every night 😉

          Reply

          • Nikola

            October 14, 2015 at 14:11

            Damn you Sage…

  5. Ir0nseraph

    October 14, 2015 at 09:17

    O great become legend XD buy a fucking legend.

    Reply

    • Nikola

      October 14, 2015 at 09:23

      Such rubbish dude!

      Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      October 14, 2015 at 09:34

      You gonna buy Ron Jeremy? Wow…

      Reply

  6. Francois Knoetze

    October 14, 2015 at 09:22

    well that is going to put me off one of my favourite shooters o.O…

    but hey HALO 5 is on the way!!!

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      October 14, 2015 at 09:25

      Halo 5 has the same crap, you can earn everything as per destiny but if you give em some more money you can earn stuff faster.
      http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-5-microtransaction-pricing-revealed/1100-6431325/

      Reply

      • Francois Knoetze

        October 14, 2015 at 09:39

        Ok that slipped my mind and now I feel like an ass…but I am a bit over “Destinied” at the moment and need a new shooter for a bit. The Beta impressed me quite a bit and it was solid.

        Reply

        • Ir0nseraph

          October 14, 2015 at 09:41

          Halo looks great, but destiny killed it for me for a while, but will be getting it some time after release.

          Reply

  7. Hammersteyn

    October 14, 2015 at 09:26

    Destiny is like strolling in a park on the best day of the year and then stepping in the biggest smelliest dog shit in the middle of the park with no tap or water hose in sight and people taking pictures

    Reply

    • Ottokie

      October 14, 2015 at 09:28

      If people took pictures I would go and smear if off on them.

      https://media.giphy.com/media/lXiRD6COxDO7BOKTm/giphy.gif

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 14, 2015 at 09:34

      Waitframe is.. well.. waiting… for you. 😉

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 14, 2015 at 09:35

        Yeah, waiting for me to spend MT on it

        Reply

    • schitsophrenic-toothbrush

      October 14, 2015 at 10:40

      hey dude, for Destiny to work on my ps4 all I need to do is create a static IP for my ps4 and then implement port forwarding? Is there anything else I need to do?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 14, 2015 at 10:47

        enabling DMZ on your router is easier. Also stay away from MWEB as ISP. Using WebAfrica atm and Destiny runs like a dream

        Reply

        • schitsophrenic-toothbrush

          October 14, 2015 at 11:17

          I know there are security risks to DMZ but I am assuming that if you create a static IP on your ps4 and then enable DMZ to that IP address you can connect your other devices such as laptops etc to the router and have no issues with security?

          Sorry man I am a bit lacking in I.T knowledge

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 11:23

            No worries. You are correct. The DMZ is for your PS4s static IP only. Yes it is a security risk, but only for that IP address as far as I know

          • schitsophrenic-toothbrush

            October 14, 2015 at 11:30

            Perfect, thanks for the help, much appreciated.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 11:47

            heh, I just pass on what I learned. Kinda sucks that one has to go through all this to get a game working

          • Nikola

            October 14, 2015 at 14:08

            What are you talking about Destiny always works 100%

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 14:18

            Some of us had to config our routers

          • Nikola

            October 14, 2015 at 14:28

            I know we all did I was being sarcastic but obviously you a bit slow today;) Probably busy watching that Destiny raid video!

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 14:32

            Yes I’m slow, no I’m not watching, yes you’ll have to deal with that tonight 😛

          • Nikola

            October 14, 2015 at 14:52

            You guys really want me to have a hearth attack hey:) hahaha!

          • Sageville

            October 14, 2015 at 16:05

            See, this is why @hammersteyn:disqus is my spirit animal.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 16:39

            XD

  8. Hammersteyn

    October 14, 2015 at 09:30

    Buy more likelihood? Can you at least give us a number as to what the likelihood is? Or should we guess? Let me take a shot. 0 to go f**k yoursellf? And what’s the likelihood of said armour being above 300?

    Reply

  9. Dutch Matrix

    October 14, 2015 at 09:33

    And people tell me The Sims is a money pit…

    Reply

  10. SmurFyZA

    October 14, 2015 at 09:34

    I completely agree with Darryn. I just got back into Destiny and im slowly making my way up. Reading this just ticks me off

    Reply

  11. Hammersteyn

    October 14, 2015 at 09:34

    You know the best part? And it’s a kicker. I bet my next ticket to Rage that the assholes nerfed the drops in the Raid purposefully so that people feel inclined to spend more cash on MT. I’ve spent more than a R1000 on this game. HOW MUCH MORE DO THEY WANT!?

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      October 14, 2015 at 09:36

      Everything you have.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        October 14, 2015 at 09:36

        And his soul

        Reply

        • Ir0nseraph

          October 14, 2015 at 09:36

          Well that’s going to be a problem , I think Rince stole it this weekend 😛

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2015 at 09:37

            Noooooo what I just said XD

          • Ir0nseraph

            October 14, 2015 at 09:38

            oops not refreshing fast enough.

          • Dutch Matrix

            October 14, 2015 at 09:39

            When you have a stinky poop and an unexpected guest wants to use the bathroom SECONDS after you…

          • Dutch Matrix

            October 14, 2015 at 09:37

            Must be an echo in this here chatroom.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 14, 2015 at 09:39

            Makes sense, having no soul leaves a hollow space, which allows for echoes.

        • Hammersteyn

          October 14, 2015 at 09:37

          @rincethis:disqus stole it at Rage 😛

          Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 14, 2015 at 09:36

        LOL jokes on them then

        Reply

  12. Geoffrey Tim

    October 14, 2015 at 09:37

    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      October 14, 2015 at 09:38

      How much for an add-on character in Street Fighter again? 😛

      Reply

      • Geoffrey Tim

        October 14, 2015 at 09:50

        IN SFV? You earn by playing, bra. ;P

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 14, 2015 at 10:05

          SOLD!

          Reply

        • Grand Admiral Chief

          October 14, 2015 at 10:16

          That is how you learn to unlock a bra, you play with it. You just need a willing ladyfriend to be patient. I know that is how I learned

          Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          October 14, 2015 at 10:28

          Riiiiggghhhhttttt…. Look, if that is the case, I will personally apologize. But dem micro-transactions are a mighty carrot for greedy corporate type people…

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 14, 2015 at 09:38

      Yeah it is funny in retrospect

      Reply

    • Grand Admiral Chief

      October 14, 2015 at 09:52

      ALL THE UPVOTES

      Reply

  13. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    October 14, 2015 at 09:46

    We all knew this was coming, right? Not a case of if, but when…

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      October 14, 2015 at 09:47

      Yes but it’s one of those times were I didn’t want to admit it, just hope for the best.

      Reply

      • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

        October 14, 2015 at 09:51

        The biggest problem with MTs, is that it’s the new business model, companies no longer believe in producing quality goods, they rather go for the quality of service option, it allows them to flourish when they supply “wanted” goods that they exclude from the “final” product, it’s a method of sustainability through multiple minor purchases on an already load-bearing market… and it’s not good…

        Reply

  14. Bolsterman

    October 14, 2015 at 09:51

    I love playing Destiny, and have willingly paid for and bought all the expansion packs. I love the social nature of the game, and nothing beats running the raids with a good team of other gamers. I love dishing out @ss whippings on the crucible, or having mine handed to me on occasions. But this concept they introducing – while fine for now as its merely cosmetic and doesn’t impact on the game – I don’t love as I suspected it was far more sinister for the future plans, and this article proves it. This will drive me away from the game as it impacts on the balance and economy of the game. Especially in the Crucible.

    Reply

  15. schitsophrenic-toothbrush

    October 14, 2015 at 10:39

    Lank bleak man, ordered Destiny the taken king last week and now I read all this bullsh1t about micro-transactions. What a load of sh1t. Is EA involved?

    Reply

  16. Decembermaloy

    October 14, 2015 at 10:46

    Darryn, the link you posted has been closed. Fuck this shit, I’m out. To Quote Boyz II Men, “Although we’ve come to the end of the roadStill I can’t let you go
    It’s unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you
    Come to the end of the road
    Still I can’t let you go
    It’s unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you”

    Reply

  17. Waynster_ZA

    October 14, 2015 at 11:51

    Dunno what all the fuss is about. It is because of these micro transactions that we will be getting every other DLC coming out between now and Sept 2016 FOR FREE!! The people buying silver, are paying for our FREE DLC’s!
    I’m going to let that simmer for a bit…
    If anyone read last weeks bungie update, DeeJ stated that if you play the game, you will constantly be getting silver. Moreso, between now and December. So, everyone complaining here… Catch a wake up! By playing the game, you will be able to buy all of those buffs if you please. Without spending a single cent…
    Destiny STILL, is the ONLY game that is a truly next gen experience!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 14, 2015 at 14:21

      I don’t quite agree. I paid for the Taken King DLC so I deserve at least one piece of awesome loot for doing the raid. Just one is fine. But if there’s a chance that I get nada because I didn’t spend money on MT I and most people will feel a little hard done by.

      Reply

      • Waynster ZA

        October 14, 2015 at 16:25

        You should at least get 3 doing the raid once. 4 main bosses including the final, and at each stage you get a drop. 300+ attack. If you carry 20 moldering shards, your drop rate is even higher. You can buy moldering shards from Eris with hadium flakes and glimmer. Or just collect them in the raid. By default, you have the same chance, by just playing the game.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 14, 2015 at 16:38

          Let’s hope so, man that raid is confusing. Watch a few videos but I guess the best is to play it oneself

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 15, 2015 at 08:10

          Last night was funny on the dreadnaught when we pinned the hive in that one room XD

          Reply

          • Waynster ZA

            October 15, 2015 at 08:58

            It was EPIC! Unintentional Glimmer farm with all the codex drops.

  18. WitWolfy

    October 14, 2015 at 12:00

  19. Kenn Gibson

    October 14, 2015 at 13:28

    I am happy for the boost to level 25, it might actually make me make a hunter, the rest look like BS. I enjoy destiny, this wont make me stop playing though.

    Reply

  20. Kenn Gibson

    October 14, 2015 at 13:30

    by the way slightly off topic is there a local destiny community i can join on PS4 for strikes, etc or someone willing to help me in joining the lazygamer ps4 community as searching doesnt work?

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      October 14, 2015 at 13:58

      There is. Add OddSockZA on PS4, and I’ll bring you in to the LG community. From there, you can find the many locals who *live* Destiny.

      Reply

    • Waynster ZA

      October 14, 2015 at 14:14

      Were are a PS4 group playing every evening: Waynster_ZA

      Reply

  21. Nikola

    October 14, 2015 at 14:11

    Ok thanks for the update Darryn as I was ready to rage quit this mofo….Even though I love this game soo much!

    Reply

  22. Hammersteyn

    October 14, 2015 at 14:17

    Okay, so what does Heuristic Light, Indomitable Light and Valorous Light do in the game and what are they being used for??? Methinks bungie got caught out and are dousing the fires

    Reply

  23. Generic ZA

    October 14, 2015 at 14:50

    lie rhymes with deny, coincidence?

    Reply

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