It's been quite a rough week for Bungie, as the developer faced a sh*t storm of criticism from gamers when it was originally revealed that some in-game items would only be available with the purchase of Destiny: The Taken King's Collector's Edition.
As originally announced, several class items, shaders, and emotes were exclusive to the Collector's Edition, which for $80 also includes the base game, the two previously released expansions — The Dark Below and House of Wolves — and the newly revealed The Taken King. For newcomers to Destiny, it's a pretty good value, but for current players it would mean having to buy content you already own just to get these exclusive items.
Rather than acknowledge this was a problem, Destiny's creative director Luke Smith had what was probably the worst response to concerns over this exclusive content — basically ignoring the complaints and telling players once they see the exclusive content they'll "throw money at the screen." Probably not the best response, as evidenced by the major backlash Smith received.
Attempting to douse the flames, Bungie has posted an "early-edition" of the Weekly Update addressing players' concerns and complaints. First comes an apology from Luke Smith, who wrote:
"Anyone who knows me knows I can be sarcastic, anyone who remembers podcasts I've done knows that I can be pretty blunt, and anyone who’s watched me in a ViDoc knows I'm pretty unpolished.
However, most of you don't know me.
Reading my interview with Eurogamer and imagining it came from some random developer of a game I love – that random developer looks like an Asshat.
But that Asshat was me – and those words rightfully anger you.
I'm sorry.
My words made it sound as if Bungie doesn't care about their most loyal fans.
We do care. We are listening. And we will make it right."
To right the situation, Bungie is now "actively working" to make the digital content from the Collector's Edition available as a separate purchase — a $20 upgrade bundle. "If you purchase a stand-alone version of Destiny: The Taken King, or already have, you'll be able to pick up the digital items as soon as they are available," Bungie assured. So basically, players who already own the base game and its two previous expansions can pay $60 to get The Taken King and the Collector's Edition-exclusive class items, shaders, and emotes.
The deal also applies to anyone who purchases the Legendary Edition of Destiny: The Taken King, which includes the base Destiny King, the two previous expansion, and The Taken King.
Bungie says they'll have some "additional information soon" for anyone who has purchased the existing Digital Collector's Edition and already owns Destiny and both expansion packs.
Bungie also shed some light on what veteran players will receive. For Guardians who already have a Light Level 30 Guardian, or if you've picked up and played both The Dark Below and House of Wolves, you'll be considered a "VIP." You'll be rewarded with a "permanently exclusive set of items" that includes a shader, emblem, and sparrow (see below).
Bungie promises "more fun stuff" for veterans will be announced "in the very short term." I'm assuming tomorrow seeing as how that's when Part 2 of the Weekly Update will be posted.
It's nice to see Bungie listening and reacting to player feedback — which has basically been the story of Destiny since launch — but the fact that it got to this point is completely ridiculous. I blame Activision, the game's publisher more than Bungie, but either way it's a sad situation we've found ourselves in. Making matters worse, today it was revealed that Bungie/Activision has partnered with Red Bull for a special in-game quest in The Taken King that'll be available only for those who obtain a code in specially-marked cans of Red Bull.
