Despite a few minor hiccups along the way, The Division's first few weeks on the market have been a huge success. Not only does the game mark one of Ubisoft's biggest launches ever, but the game has already managed to break some huge records in the short time it's been available — that sort of success is basically unheard of for a first entry in a brand new franchise.
Even so, The Division's launch wasn't flawless: a number of exploits and balance issues were quickly discovered by players, and the game's multiplayer has come under quite a bit of scrutiny. Thankfully, Ubisoft has been quick to address these issues: patch 1.0.2, the game's first major post-launch update, is scheduled to go live tomorrow.
If you've been playing The Division's unique take on multiplayer since launch, your next trip to the Dark Zone may play out a bit differently than you're used to: the 1.0.2 update focuses on a number of multiplayer balance tweaks, including adjustments to death penalties and player interactions.
The full list of changes and tweaks is huge, but Ubisoft is emphasizing its changes to Dark Zone multiplayer: namely, player healing and Rogue rewards. Firstly, players will now be able to heal non-hostile Agents without joining their squad. It sounds like a small tweak, but given how many impromptu allegiances form in the Dark Zone, being able to give your new buddy a quick buff is a huge upgrade.
Secondly, the rewards for taking down Rogue Agents or surviving Rogue status have been increased, while the penalties for dying have been reduced. Both Dark Zone funds and Experience have been increased across the board — and thankfully, you won't have to worry about losing it all if someone gets the drop on you. It's a similar change to that of Grand Theft Auto Online's earliest updates: sure, there's still a penalty, but you don't want to discourage anyone from trying to play the game.
The rest of the patch is largely reserved for smaller, gear-based changes: the 1.0.2 update covers everything from the Seeker Mine's usability to Weapon Talent tweaks. For the full set of patch notes, head on over to Ubisoft's official forums.
For more on The Division, including our final review, make sure to check out our coverage hub.
