and how exactly do they fund the development of destiny 2? off the back of a few thousand people buying cloaks? 

and what,  exactly,  would a new game have that would be so fundamentally different than an expansion pack?  you do realize,  i hope,  that expansions arent just limited to adding content,  they can,  and have,  be used to completely alter and update the base game and deliver and entirely new experience. 

they could for example destroy earth entirely,  move yoi forwards or backwards in time significantly. move you far off into a completely different star system,  introduce new threats,  classes and species. 

basically,  they can add anything a new game would be able to add without segmenting the userbase and without having to worry about supporting two different games. 

if the entire game universe evolves at the same time,  then everyone playing wins,  even if you choose not to buy additional content. 

you really,  really need more experience with well-supported mmo's

no, I think he really doesn't like dlc, but I don't think he knows or understands why he doesn't like it.  He just staked out a position, but is still in the process of justifying it.  That is what it seems like to me.  

Original contract also stated only 2 expansions and that it would likely be a timed exclusive on Xbox.

That contract is incredibly outdated and has no bearing on the current Destiny landscape.

Can still play Destiny, without the expansions -> optional.

You know, just like Reaper of Souls for Diablo 3!!! Believe it or not, you can still play Diablo 3 without the expansion.

In terms of how long they plan to support the game, along with it's always online gameplay.

Even when playing out of a group you still have other gamers visably playing in your world.

No, it's not optional when people around you carry other gear or have other abilities, or when you're friends are playing the new content and you can't because you didn't buy it. Online game content is inherently mandatory, there is no two ways about it.

And Reaper of souls came out 2 years later, cheaper than 1 year of Destiny expansions. That's an expansion done right (in terms of model, i haven't played it so i don't know if it's any good)

And it's most definitely not a MMO, calling it that won't change anything. It's an online FPS with laughable player counts. Planetside 2 is "MMO-like", this is not.

because we are talking about content dlc, aren't we?  

Are you suggesting it will become obsolete because everybody will move to the new areas and leave you high and dry if you don't buy the content?  Sorry, but that will never happen.  Call of duty doesn't become obsolete if you don't buy the new map packs.  Same with halo.  Still more than enough people to play with.  They also won't spend all their time in the new content.  Not everybody will buy the new content.  It is a weak argument.  There is nothing about the dlc that is mandatory or lessons the experience for those that don't buy it.  You are making an issue out of nothing.  

if your friends chose to buy it,  and you cant play it because you didnt buy it,  how is it any different from them buying a new game and you not being able to join in because you didnt buy it too? 

dont confuse lack of choice with lack of ability to handle peer pressure. 

Difference is enough time passed for me to squeeze everything out of the previous game so that it's irrelevant whether or not it becomes obsolete, because that'd happen regardless of a new game coming out or not.

But hey, it's your money ruining the industry, do whatever the hell you want with it. I'll be using those hundreds of dollars you're going to waste on proper games.

hrm,.

...well thanks for the info benV. i think i'm going to continue postponing my destiny pre-order until activision provides more clarity on expansion costs and the consequences of buying/not buying them.

this isn't a protest or anything. i'm not upset about this info. i'm just unable to game much anymore and if i have to put another $20 into the game every few months to stay relevant i'm not sure i'll get the proper amount of playtime to justify the cost as this is sounding like an expensive game to own.

pair that with sony's "no cancellation" policy on digital pre-orders and i just feel the need to wait.