'Destiny' moves into competitive esports with private PvP matches
Destiny's upcoming expansion Rise of Iron introduces a plethora of standard new features along with a complete game-changer: Private PvP matches. Previously, Destiny only supported matches assembled through the game's matchmaking system, and now players can set up their own games against other teams.
By giving players the ability to choose who they play against in PvP, Destiny is setting itself up to enter the world of esports. If the new feature isn't enough evidence that the game is dipping its toes into competitive gaming, the game's developer Bungie also released guidelines and licensing information for hosting Destiny competitions.
The new PvP features
The new private match feature, which was announced on Tuesday by Bungie during Gamescom, allows up to 12 players to compete in Crucible matches with customizable settings. Players can pick which map they play on, score and time limits, and certain game modes.
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With the new expansion comes a new game mode, Supremacy, which is identical to Call of Duty's Kill Confirmed mode. When a player gets killed, they drop crests, which can then be picked up by anyone. If you pick up crests from a player you killed, you get points. If you pick up a crest from someone else's kill, you get points. You can also pick up crests that drop from your own killed teammates to take your enemy's points, which means the game encourages close-range kills.
Along with the new mode there are three new maps: Last Exit, Skyline and Floating Gardens.
Rise of Iron also introduces viewable Clan rosters. Previously, if players wanted to see their fellow Clan members they had to go online. This expansion allows you to connect and interact with Clan members in the game.
Destiny entering esports
By allowing players to set up their own matches with hand-picked opponents and specific settings, Bungie is pushing Destiny into competitive gaming. Matchmaking helps players get into competitive games and grow, but tournament play requires private matches.
For Destiny players who are more interested in PvP than PvE, private matches open up a whole level of competition. Top teams can now specifically practice together without worrying about denting their matchmaking rating. Also, online Destiny tournaments can be organized.
Bungie hasn't announced any plans to specifically promote or put on any tournaments by itself, but the company is giving everyone else the go ahead as long as they follow the rules. Organizers who are looking to pay out more than $5,000 in prizes, charge in-person fees or set up other large-scale ordeals will have to obtain a license.
Destiny: Rise of Iron is expected to arrive on Sept. 20. Players do not need the expansion to play in private matches, but Rose of Irons is required to play any of the new maps or the new game mode.
