Why Destiny 2’s Contest of Elders Failed to Deliver Satisfactory Loot

As a long-time Destiny 2 player with countless hours spent grinding for that elusive perfect roll, I can wholeheartedly empathize with the frustration voiced by Bestow5000 and many others regarding the Contest of Elders. While the gameplay itself remains engaging and entertaining, the loot system has left a sour taste in my gaming mouth.

Destiny 2’s loot-grinding aspect has been known to elicit either satisfaction or frustration based on the specific activity. A post on a dedicated subreddit criticized the loot system of the Contest of Elders, stating that it was an enjoyable gameplay but fell short in the reward department. This dissatisfaction with the loot system, shared by players like Bestow5000, makes it challenging to motivate investing time into this specific activity due to the lackluster rewards.

Contest Of Elders is a good activity that failed in its loot department…HARD.
byu/Bestow5000 inDestinyTheGame

Summary

Players enjoy the gameplay of Contest of Elders but find the loot system lacking.
The disparity in loot quality compared to previous activities has left many frustrated.
The lack of craftable weapons and variety has made grinding feel unrewarding.
Overall sentiment is leaning towards dissatisfaction with the current loot offerings.

The Gameplay Experience

Bestow5000 expressed regret that they truly enjoyed the activity, sharing a sentiment many players have. The Elders’ Contest, with its mix of difficulty and teamwork, is exciting when done correctly. Many other players in the comments agreed, showing that the game mechanics kept them hooked. For example, 360GameTV pointed out an age-long issue where players often overlook bonus objectives during matchmaking, which can make for a very frustrating experience, especially since teamwork is crucial. Thus, even though the gameplay itself can be thrilling, it seems to be the loot system that detracts from the fun.

Loot Quality vs. Expectations

The main issue with the complaints revolves around the difference in quality of rewards between the Contest of Elders and other activities such as The Coil, which users find less satisfying despite taking longer. Bestow5000 expressed this by saying that the loot from The Coil is a significant reward for their time invested, but many players feel let down because the variety of rewards in Contest of Elders seems meager to them. A user named Candid_Reason2416 even joked about losing half their loot at the end of each lap in Contest of Elders due to an inconsistency with chest drops. This frequent complaint suggests that players feel unsatisfied when the rewards in the game do not align with their expectations.

Craftable Weapons: The Missing Link

The discussion about creating customizable weapons in games has sparked intense discussions among gamers. SuperDerpyDerps voiced his discontent, pointing out a psychological factor regarding loot collection: “Players prefer not to gather average seasonal weapons, but they’ll gather for craftable versions…two significant psychological reasons: the reward of dopamine for ‘progress’ and the fact that perk/weapon adjustments sometimes turn poor guns into good ones.” Craftable weapons provide not only a route for better builds but also motivate grinding – a factor that appears to be missing from the Contest of Elders loot list. Gamers seek a balance between randomness and consistent progress, yet the absence of craftable options can make grinding here feel like running on a wheel without making any real advancement.

Community Feedback & Future Prospects

The overwhelming response from gamers suggests a general agreement that adjustments are necessary for the Contest of Elders to regain its appeal once more. Many players have voiced their dissatisfaction with the scarcity of fresh weapons and the repetitive reintroductions, expressing a strong desire for something more captivating. MercuryTapir succinctly expressed this sentiment when he said, “I’ve yet to use it because there are only three guns, one of which is a repeat.” This sentiment was shared by many others. In the gaming community, developer engagement is vital, and numerous commentators, such as the_irish_potatoes, have shown readiness for enhancements, hoping for more compelling reasons to participate in this activity. These comments underscore that the community is not simply complaining—they are seeking improvement, and it appears the longevity of activities like this depends significantly on how well developers like Bungie address and act upon player feedback.

Fundamentally, the Elder’s Competition in Destiny 2 often brings a mix of joy and disappointment to its player base. The friendships formed and trials faced can be exhilarating, but the persistent annoyance about the reward system tarnishes the experience. If Bungie doesn’t introduce more appealing rewards like meaningful loot, craftable weapons, and diverse prizes, players might lose interest. In a game centered around excitement from pursuit, players yearn for their endeavors to be acknowledged and compensated. As debates unfold, it remains unclear whether Bungie will tackle these issues and renew the enthusiasm players once had for the Elder’s Competition—and Destiny 2 as a whole.

2024-12-19 19:43