Destiny's emergence as a potential esport marks a significant milestone with the introduction of private matches in Rise of Iron. This long-awaited feature enables players to create custom matches for 1-12 participants across all maps and game modes, addressing a crucial limitation in competitive play.

MLG has already embraced this development, announcing a 3v3 tournament starting September 25, with ladders beginning at Rise of Iron's launch on September 20. The competitive scene, known as "sweaties," has primarily focused on 3v3 formats.

Key Developments:

• Private matches support 1-12 players
• All maps and game modes available
• MLG and GameBattles integration
• Bungie's Competition License for tournaments

The Twitch Community's Role:

• FarCognitions pioneered early tournaments
• Notable streamers like Luminosity and Gothalion drive visibility
• Strong viewer engagement during competitive events

Challenges to Address:

• RNG-based weapon and armor perks create uneven playing fields
• Lack of standardized loadouts for competitive play
• No dedicated spectator mode
• Limited objective-based gameplay options

Bungie's lead Crucible designer Lars Bakken views private matches as "a very good first stab" at competitive play, indicating potential for future enhancements. With MLG's support and a dedicated community, Destiny shows promise as an emerging esport, though several technical and gameplay elements need refinement.

The game's strong Twitch presence and established competitive community provide a solid foundation for growth, while Bungie's commitment to supporting competitive play suggests a promising future for Destiny esports.

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