Bungie was forced to respond Wednesday to an angry Destiny community that was livid over forcing existing players to repurchase the original game and expansions in order to gain access to exclusive content in The Taken King Collector’s Edition. An interview with Creative Director Luke Smith that came across as flippant towards those concerns only made things worse. Smith delivered an apology along with details on how the studio is attempting to make things right with existing players.
This early-edition of the Weekly Update has some much-awaited news about The Taken King CEs. https://t.co/3YoJvbOWX5 pic.twitter.com/84tY1kSyO4
— Bungie (@Bungie) June 25, 2015
Smith admitted that he’s known for being sarcastic, blunt, and unpolished when it comes to speaking in public. However, most fans of the game aren’t familiar with him and his personality.
“Reading my interview with Eurogamer and imagining it came from some random developer of a game I love – that random developer looks like an A**hat,” Smith wrote in an early Weekly Update.
“But that A**hat was me – and those words rightfully anger you,” he admitted before saying, “I’m sorry.”
“My words made it sound as if Bungie doesn’t care about their most loyal fans,” he continued.
“We do care. We are listening. And we will make it right.”
In order to make it right, the digital content that was previously exclusive to the Destiny Collector’s Edition will be sold separately as a $20 upgrade bundle when The Taken King launches on September 15. This includes three class-specific emotes, three new armor shaders, and three new Exotic class items that come with XP bonuses.
This comes with news that The Taken King will give class items an upgrade. The expansion will introduce class items that provide stat attributes for Guardians. These items previously were largely cosmetic and only put experience towards certain factions. Class items earned in the game will come with attribute boosts.
Those that have leveled up their Guardians in Destiny to at least level 30 by the end of August, or have purchased the game and the first two expansions will also receive a “VIP Reward” with The Taken King . The reward consists of armor shaders, sparrow, and emblem that you see in the image below.
The physical Destiny: The Taken King Collector’s Edition will still come with the original release of the game and the first two expansions for $80. Unfortunately, it’s likely too late in the process to alter the contents or offer something else for existing game owners.
Still, these were the steps that Bungie needed to take following the controversy over The Taken King content and the unfortunate Eurogamer interview. Now we wait to see what the second part of the Weekly Update, due out on Thursday, will entail.
[Images via Bungie ]
