The Dark Below Stories and Impressions

Sounds like a good time to be had soon. ;)

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-24-bungie-vidoc-shows-the-dark-below-weapons-and-armour

Over the weekend Bungie released one of its famous Vidocs focusing on The Dark Below, Destiny's first expansion, which is due out on 9th December.

The Vidoc was issued through Game Informer and it touches on every aspect of the expansion, which raises the level cap to 32 and introduces new story missions, Strikes, the Crota's End Raid and three new multiplayer maps.

Let's start with the loot, though, because that's what we're all in it for. The Vidoc flashes up lots of images of weapon and armour pieces, some of which were exposed in the recentDark Below data-mining. Check out the gallery below for everything in the Vidoc.

jpg

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1/18 ATS/8 Arachnid exotic helmet.

As you can see, there are all sorts of pieces. "We're gonna have new Crucible weapons, a full set of new Raid weapons, new Vanguard weapons and new legendary weapons across the board," Bungie designer Jon Weisnewski said in the Vidoc.

Elsewhere, we already knew that story was a big deal for Bungie in The Dark Below, in partdue to criticism of it in the main game, and that it will be told through Eris Morn, a new character in the Tower. The Vidoc expands on her role.

"We wanted Eris to tie everything together, so she's woven into Strikes, the story and making it all part of that one cohesive experience," said lead designer M.E. Chung.

"Eris and other Guardians tried to kill Crota," added technical art director Ryan Ellis. "It didn't go well and she's spent years hiding in the tunnels below the Moon waiting for a chance at revenge."

So Eris is driving you towards the eventual Raid, then, where you and five other Guardians will take on Crota, but she is also at the core of every activity in the expansion.

"Eris is many things," explained head of production Patrick O'Kelly. "She's a vendor in the tower, so she has loot and armour for you to get as you progress in the story, but she's also the main quest-giver for the whole Dark Below storyline."

Eris will also sell you new class items, shaders and unique upgrade materials with which you can upgrade the new weapons on offer.

Footage of story missions shows that our old friend the Sword of Crota is back - or else a similar weapon - and that you get to wield it in Old Russia.

The Vidoc also touches on the Raid, offering a few glimpses of it in action while lead designer Luke Smith - who also worked on the Vault of Glass Raid for the main game - spoke about the way Bungie's Raid team went about putting it together.

"When we sit down as the Raid team and talk about building a new Raid, we start with, 'What's the theme?'" he explained. "The theme with the Vault of Glass was 'the descent'. With Crota's End, 'one-way trip' became that theme that a bunch of our mechanics and experiences were measured against."

jpg

PreviousNextView all
1/33 The Cauldron multiplayer map.

Finally, the Vidoc gave us our clearest look yet at the three new multiplayer maps, Pantheon, Skyshock and The Cauldron, as lead designer Lars Bakken illustrated the concept behind each.

"Pantheon is our first truly symmetric map," he said. "There are three lanes - there's cliffside, centre and waterfall.

"We wanted to have better compartmentalised infantry zones, so Skyshock gives us that - you've got the vehicles owning one space and you've got infantry owning another.

"And then we have the Cauldron. You've got these unique locations on each part of the map that are very easy to call out - you've got Bone Room, you've got Bridge Room, you've got the Altar - which is what makes it such a good small-team map and a good Rumble map."

Overall, the Vidoc's theme was clearly 'here's more of everything', something spelled out by Bungie project director Jason Jones.

"We heard loud and clear what players wanted," he said. "They wanted more. That's what we've tried to do in The Dark Below, is bring people more.

"Just as we shipped the game and it got into real players' hands and they started to play it and learn so much, the same thing is going to happen with The Dark Below, and I think that's going to change how we look at Expansion 2 and what we do next."

The Dark Below is due out on 9th December. If you missed it last week, check out the intro cinematic for a taste.
 
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It looks like Bungie got even more creative with the weapon skins. They look really cool and I’m such a sucker for what I find visually appealing. I can’t wait for this DLC.
 
"We heard loud and clear what players wanted," he said. "They wanted more. That's what we've tried to do in The Dark Below, is bring people more" Jones.

Wanted more for my $60.

I know others of you feel different, but 20 bucks is way too over priced. With the shallow game they gave us, I can't believe they are going to over charge us for dlc
 
Just bought the expansion pass this afternoon, can't wait for that new raid and gear grind. 3 new crucible maps and new strikes/missions!
 
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It looks like more changes are on the way. I read that Bungie will replace all weapons for sale by various vendors with more powerful ones in keeping with the dlc. But we will need something new called commendations along with marks to purchase.
 
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Destiny's DLC gives horse armor a run at most over priced ever.

I don't think its that bad. You get some new areas unlocked. New story missions. New Guns and Armor and new Raid and Strike(s if you are on PS4)

Its meant to be a grinder like Diablo 3UE and at least with the recent patch it is not as stingy as it was at launch.
 
Sounds like a good time to be had soon. ;)

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-24-bungie-vidoc-shows-the-dark-below-weapons-and-armour

Over the weekend Bungie released one of its famous Vidocs focusing on The Dark Below, Destiny's first expansion, which is due out on 9th December.

The Vidoc was issued through Game Informer and it touches on every aspect of the expansion, which raises the level cap to 32 and introduces new story missions, Strikes, the Crota's End Raid and three new multiplayer maps.

Let's start with the loot, though, because that's what we're all in it for. The Vidoc flashes up lots of images of weapon and armour pieces, some of which were exposed in the recentDark Below data-mining. Check out the gallery below for everything in the Vidoc.

jpg

PreviousNextView all
1/18 ATS/8 Arachnid exotic helmet.

As you can see, there are all sorts of pieces. "We're gonna have new Crucible weapons, a full set of new Raid weapons, new Vanguard weapons and new legendary weapons across the board," Bungie designer Jon Weisnewski said in the Vidoc.

Elsewhere, we already knew that story was a big deal for Bungie in The Dark Below, in partdue to criticism of it in the main game, and that it will be told through Eris Morn, a new character in the Tower. The Vidoc expands on her role.

"We wanted Eris to tie everything together, so she's woven into Strikes, the story and making it all part of that one cohesive experience," said lead designer M.E. Chung.

"Eris and other Guardians tried to kill Crota," added technical art director Ryan Ellis. "It didn't go well and she's spent years hiding in the tunnels below the Moon waiting for a chance at revenge."

So Eris is driving you towards the eventual Raid, then, where you and five other Guardians will take on Crota, but she is also at the core of every activity in the expansion.

"Eris is many things," explained head of production Patrick O'Kelly. "She's a vendor in the tower, so she has loot and armour for you to get as you progress in the story, but she's also the main quest-giver for the whole Dark Below storyline."

Eris will also sell you new class items, shaders and unique upgrade materials with which you can upgrade the new weapons on offer.

Footage of story missions shows that our old friend the Sword of Crota is back - or else a similar weapon - and that you get to wield it in Old Russia.

The Vidoc also touches on the Raid, offering a few glimpses of it in action while lead designer Luke Smith - who also worked on the Vault of Glass Raid for the main game - spoke about the way Bungie's Raid team went about putting it together.

"When we sit down as the Raid team and talk about building a new Raid, we start with, 'What's the theme?'" he explained. "The theme with the Vault of Glass was 'the descent'. With Crota's End, 'one-way trip' became that theme that a bunch of our mechanics and experiences were measured against."

jpg

PreviousNextView all
1/33 The Cauldron multiplayer map.

Finally, the Vidoc gave us our clearest look yet at the three new multiplayer maps, Pantheon, Skyshock and The Cauldron, as lead designer Lars Bakken illustrated the concept behind each.

"Pantheon is our first truly symmetric map," he said. "There are three lanes - there's cliffside, centre and waterfall.

"We wanted to have better compartmentalised infantry zones, so Skyshock gives us that - you've got the vehicles owning one space and you've got infantry owning another.

"And then we have the Cauldron. You've got these unique locations on each part of the map that are very easy to call out - you've got Bone Room, you've got Bridge Room, you've got the Altar - which is what makes it such a good small-team map and a good Rumble map."

Overall, the Vidoc's theme was clearly 'here's more of everything', something spelled out by Bungie project director Jason Jones.

"We heard loud and clear what players wanted," he said. "They wanted more. That's what we've tried to do in The Dark Below, is bring people more.

"Just as we shipped the game and it got into real players' hands and they started to play it and learn so much, the same thing is going to happen with The Dark Below, and I think that's going to change how we look at Expansion 2 and what we do next."

The Dark Below is due out on 9th December. If you missed it last week, check out the intro cinematic for a taste.
That helmet right there is going to look damn good on my hunter . ;)
 
Just bought the expansion pass this afternoon, can't wait for that new raid and gear grind. 3 new crucible maps and new strikes/missions!
me too. purchase it immediately about 2 weeks ago when it became available. did you try out the new cool looking speeder yet?
 
I'm reading a lot of complaints about giving others the opportunity to get to light lvl30-31 with the new increased defense cap for armor that will be sold by vendors when the dlc launches. What a bunch of selfish, self entitled twats. I know they had to run raids like a madman to get to lvl30. But some of us weren't able to without matchmaking. So Bungie is looking out for us. I'll never understand why someone would hate on someone else for getting what the already have. As if that someone how diminishes their experience.

But its not as easy to get to those higher lvls just from purchasing from the different quartermasters. Not only will we need 150 marks to purchase but also a commendation which only drops after each level gained from said quartermasters. So raid armor is still the quickest way to get to the higher levels and increase your power. Unless you run a sh!t ton of strikes and crucible matches to keep gaining reputation lvls.
 
Add me to the list of complainers...

sorry meng

Seriously?

I mean, I get that you had to work really hard on the raids. But without matchmaking many of us are left out of getting past light level 29. I guess I don't mind because it benefits me. But even if I was already at lvl30. I wouldn't mind if there is another way for others to get there.

I'm really excited for this upcoming dlc.
 
I hear you, Val. You and others did put in the work, I would have too if I was able to play the raid more often. I'm just saying its nice to have a alternate route. And its not a short cut. It looks like it will take a lot of grinding to get the armor leveled up. Reputation levels don't come quickly.
 
I don't mind it as much. I did have fun getting to 30. I'll have just as much fun getting to 32 from the new raid. Bungie, just give me more vault space!
 
And increase to max glimmer we can hold. Upgrades sound really expensive.
 
I'm reading a lot of complaints about giving others the opportunity to get to light lvl30-31 with the new increased defense cap for armor that will be sold by vendors when the dlc launches. What a bunch of selfish, self entitled twats. I know they had to run raids like a madman to get to lvl30. But some of us weren't able to without matchmaking. So Bungie is looking out for us. I'll never understand why someone would hate on someone else for getting what the already have. As if that someone how diminishes their experience.

I'll probably never get on a raid. I simply don't have the time, plus none of my friends are even on X1 to find a game. Raids are fine as an option, but they shouldn't be the only way to get to certain levels in my opinion.
 
I'll probably never get on a raid. I simply don't have the time, plus none of my friends are even on X1 to find a game. Raids are fine as an option, but they shouldn't be the only way to get to certain levels in my opinion.

I agree, raids shouldnt be the only way to get your level up. I understand restricting the best gear to the hardest raids though.
 
I'll probably never get on a raid. I simply don't have the time, plus none of my friends are even on X1 to find a game. Raids are fine as an option, but they shouldn't be the only way to get to certain levels in my opinion.
I play on Xbox one and anytime you want to do a raid I can run you through it at any point.
 
Yeah I done major grinding to get 3 30's.
Its not fair to make it easy all of a sudden.

Yeah I hear ya on the DLC.

I think that's where the game kinda breaks. These kinds of changes should have been worked out way before release. There should have been alternate ways to unlocking light level gear or reward those who grind it out in raids in other ways. However, you can't expect people to buy into a new raid when they aren't at that level. I'm sure they saw that and made this concession.
 
I think that's where the game kinda breaks. These kinds of changes should have been worked out way before release. There should have been alternate ways to unlocking light level gear or reward those who grind it out in raids in other ways. However, you can't expect people to buy into a new raid when they aren't at that level. I'm sure they saw that and made this concession.

Exactly. You can't exclude people from content they have paid for simply because they don't have the time to invest in grinding against a poor game mechanic. I've done 4 raids now, including one on hard and I've still got nothing but ascendant materials and aspect of Glass ships. No armour or weapons.
 
They did do Iron Banner event a few weeks ago where people could get level 30 light armour. So that's one way of doing it. And another Iron Banner is coming on Dec. 16 which will give users 31 light armour.