As unfair as it may seem at times, games are ultimately responsible for delivering on the expectations the player has placed on it when these expectations are a result of the marketing efforts of the company making the game. First impressions are of utmost importance.
Destiny promised huge area sizes with a sense of both socialization and exploration. These were the sticking points of the majority of its marketing, that players would be able to meet other guardians as they explore a vast world. The final product yielded one social area and maps that, while still quite large, failed to deliver on the scope the advertising led the player to believe.
It is essential that The Division do two things: control their messaging prior to launch and deliver on the messaging they set forth when the game finally drops. The advertising for the game to this point has been incredibly controlled, standing mainly on tight vertical slices of pre-scripted gameplay. If the final product can deliver on the main points of that messaging — a detailed replica of New York City, intelligent enemy design, a loot system that allows deep customization, etc. — the game will have a much smoother launch than Destiny.
Storytelling is key in any game that seeks to market itself as an RPG in any fashion. The Division, much like Destiny pre-launch, offers a compelling explanation of the post-apocalyptic world the player will find themselves in. Decimated by a biological attack that saw smallpox laced currency circulated over Black Friday, New York City is spiraling into societal collapse as resources become scarce. The Division, which is made up of agents, fights to regain control of the resources while taking back the city. It sounds good. In fact, it sounds great.
