Bungie announced the changes that they will be putting into effect next week with the version 1.0.2 patch. The patch will include several changes to the much complained about Cryptarch and his engram decoding reward program. The engrams will always decode into the same color or better items as the engrams color. It is of special note that only purple and yellow engrams picked up after the update will follow the new rules. Any picked up before the update will be downgraded. Rare engrams will have an increased chance to produce legendary quality items as well.
Other updates will also give players the potential for better loot. Daily and Weekly Heroics, and the Vanguard Strike Tiger Playlist will give out rare and legendary engrams in addition to their existing rewards. Ascendant materials will now be legendary instead of rare since they are used to upgrade legendary or better weapons and armor.
Most are glad that Bungie is listening to the players and making changes to the loot reward system. The internet has been awash with complaints about the amount of effort required to continue playing past level 20, which is to be expected when leveling your character gets tied to the equipment that you acquire. Unsurprisingly, the system is not perfect, and seems aggressively geared towards increasing the games length, but it is at least fixable.