Thank you for the feedback and since most of your points were non-ranty and written with good intentions, I can address most of them. That is not to say I agree with them, but I will explain why.

1) Statistics - You claim that we are just using usage data to warrant the change to the bolt pistol and I really don't like when people claim something without data to back it up. I have explained before that we use multiple methods, including Kills per Spawn per Weapon (per dropsuit), basically K/D per weapon. Where is your statement coming from, where are the facts? The CPM could tell you that we worked together on a detailed spreadsheet with all the sidearms, Zatara took lead on this one as the others had taken leads on different aspects of Delta. Together we collected community feedback, data and the CPM experience to rank all the sidearms into categories of needs buff/nerf, methods to do so and reasoning.

2) The final method of balancing the sidearms was also very clear, we established the weapon everyone knew, the SMG as the cornerstone of sidearms and created a range vs dps, and comparable dmg/clip and clips/ammo ratios based completely around the SMG. We did not nerf it even though it was the most used weapon, but based the whole strategy around getting all the sidearms to a similar efficiency, meaning most got buffed (a lot) and a few got nerfed slightly. By changing these efficiencies, we may later see that the usage goes up, but usage is only an indicator of UP/OP.

3) Just the fact that we immediately tweaked Hotfix Delta with a balancing hotfix a week later, should speak for itself. Our data showed that the BP was OP, so we reduced ROF and if that isn't enough, we will keep working on it.

4) Please send me data on broken Teambuilding to [email protected]. I have yet to see a concrete example of unwarranted 2 stacked squads on one side and newberries on the other, and my inbox is full of screenshots from players. Yes, stomps happen, but they happen everywhere, even in the EPL, NBA and the NFL. When a 6 man squad from the best PC corp hits its stride, very few aside from a similar squad will stand a chance. Other than that, I don't get your point about Teambuilding, are you against having more even teams or? You can go play FW if you want to to try your luck, that feature doesn't use the new Teambuilder.

5) To whomever said it, good luck on manipulating the Mu and have lots of fun AFKing to do so. To me, even contemplating it is unfathomable.

6) New Player experience, in the four hotfixes we haven't ben able to change the "early mission system", but we have granted better starter fits, created tons of militia weapons," assisted" with skill selection (in fact gave 3 times more ISK than before through Skillbooks), and made the Academy a more "fun" place, so extending it (twice, from 2400 to 5000 in Delta) has been sown slowly and purposefully. Retention has never been higher than it is now. Consistently getting a 1000 WP per battle, means you completely get the game, fitting and progression.

7) Assault Rifles, again, are you referencing old ways, we can't change that, only how we work now. I think the 3 Tuning Rifles threads demonstrate that we are doing things differently. Again, the claim that we are using usage data or forum QQ to balance which is plainly not true.

8) V/AV, this is a longer standing issue. Let's just work together to make it fun for everyone.

On your final assessment, I cannot agree with you more. DUST 514 is my favorite game and it keeps getting better.

Thanks again for the feedback!

This is complete and utter bull. Period.

Please pick up your complimentary tin foil hat from CEOPyrex. He has many.

Yeah, your level of tin foil is really up there. Money has nothing to do with the balance changes, except perhaps that a better game generally makes more money.

Leanna I challenge you to provide proof then :D

I may have cried once or twice when Delta dropped but then I looked in the eyes of the CPM and the AV community and said "You may have won Delta, but when Echo comes CCP will follow the normal pattern of making Vehicles so OP". Although maybe after a couple Hotfixes they will destroy the Incubus, Python, Madrugar, Gunnlogi, Methana, Saga, Saga || and promise to remake them more balanced than ever. Then quit updating the game...

That's not proof.

That's Editorial.

I completely agree that CCP is motivated by money. What you fail to grasp is that the amount of money they could generate by deliberately making things OP/UP is so insanely small than compared to building a balanced shooter that retains players and grows. The financial incentives are all aligned with making an awesome game that builds a huge following, not milking the tiny player base that currently exists for a little cash by deliberately messing with balance.