BTW, is it just me, or the man with fluffy collar down there, who's commanding the soldiers, is Cullen?

 Yeah, I can see that. I would wager that's him.

 

Good catch! I hadn't noticed that before.

Yeah, I can see that. I would wager that's him. 

 

 

BTW, is it just me, or the man with fluffy collar down there, who's commanding the soldiers, is Cullen?

 

Nice catch! I hadn't noticed that before.

I do not entirely agree, lot's of people buy their games just because they give the extra 'LI' Content. It's not a 'nice to have' option Bioware can turn off, you'd get ME3 like protests. They do make nice games, I mostly only play bioware games, but with DAI I'm really very curious about why Vivienne is not a LI. She was marketed quite heavily during the campaign, which makes it even more strange,... unless she turns out to be part of the bad guys, who knows...

I respect your honesty and appreciate your feedback. I understand where you are coming from, but to some degree, respectfully disagree.

 

I primarily play BioWare games myself, and the biggest reason is because of those relationships that can be formed between the hero and companions. Still, they aren’t the core aspect of the game; and while I understand there are others who play these games for that sole purpose, Bioware doesn’t have to incorporate them in the game if they deem it’s too much of a hassle. Sure, there would be plenty of people up in arms about it, but I honestly feel there would still be many people who would continue to purchase and enjoy their games. Especially, when considering how BioWare could redirect those funds and their efforts towards other aspects of their games. I love RPGs, and BioWare does them very well IMO. However, there are other RPGs that have limited or nonexistent LI content that do well too.  

 

My point is that not everyone is going to get what they want. As much as the writers and devs try, there are always going to be people who are disappointed for one reason or another. I respect honest and open comments and opinions, but firmly believe that people need to be respectful and more considerate when they post. Our emotions are natural, but letting them get carried away in angry or careless rants is inappropriate. And in the face of all those reckless and demeaning remarks, I appreciate that BioWare continues to listen and consider fans opinions, and continues to incorporate and improve romance arcs in their games.

 

As far as Vivienne is concerned, I too am curious as to why she’s not a LI. I was really looking forward to discovering her romance arc. I wagered she would be an LI; IMO, it made perfect sense. Although, that perfect sense may go right out the window once I get to know her character better. Garrus in the first ME was marketed heavily too and  he wasn’t an original LI, so I never really saw that as a factor. Your idea of her possibly being “part of the bad guys” is interesting. It would make for a twisted and interesting story, if not a bit heartbreaking.

What else are you going to corrupt?

 

Antivan Crows, former Bards, Wild Witches, rogue Qun agents, Pirate queens, etc... Purity is hard to come by in Thedas.

True. Still it's fun to lead them to the dark side of the force...

 

Ooops..wrong game. LOL

*guilty handwave*

Uhm, yes. That would be me I am guilty of enjoying ALL of the flusterings.

My name is Charlotte and I have an addiction to corrupting good Chantry boys

Yes! Exactly! I'm completely guilty of this.

 

I love to see them  all flustered and hear them stammer over their words.It's SO adorable!  

 

So yes, guilty as charged! 

To the BioWare team:

 

I want express my deepest regrets for all the negative and condescending feedback the BioWare team has received in the past few days in regards to the announcement of DAI’s LIs.  While there have been many honest, heartfelt, and understandable comments, there has also been, IMO, too many ignorant and careless accusations and retorts.

 

While I admit I was disappointed to hear about Vivienne and Varric not being LIs, and have in the past wished I had other options, I completely understand the reasoning behind it.  With a large, diverse fan base and a set number of characters and LIs, not everyone is going to get what they expect or want. Not only that, but it’s understandable that a romance arc does not always fit into a character’s personal background or story. It’s impossible to please everyone, and I can understand not wanting to create LI’s at all.

 

Nevertheless, I have to say I am EXTREMELY grateful that you do continue to offer this content. While romance arcs are not the purpose of the game, for me, they make the experience even more rewarding. I love that my hero can go adventuring and battle enemy forces to save the world, and still be able to build meaningful friendships and intimate relationships with various companions. It makes my hero feel more realistic and personal. Even when my initial expectations and wants were not met, I have found the BioWare stories and characters to be profound and rich, which offsets the limited setbacks I felt.

I wholly believe that your team strives to create an exceptional gaming experience that centers on a profound and captivating story. Both the Mass Effect and Dragon Age worlds have such deep and rich lore that I know had to be a huge, and hopefully, rewarding undertaking. I am grateful for all the creative and beautiful art and entertainment that your teams have created. So simply…

 

Thank you so very much!! All your efforts and considerations are much appreciated! 

You get as many options as everyone else (and as many as you've had previously), save the two extra options straight women possibly get (if they're playing elves or humans). Were you expecting more? No matter how many options we provide, there's no guarantee you'll find someone who appeals to you... even if you think they will/won't appeal right now, you haven't actually met them yet.

I agree with Mr. Gaider. I was surprised and disappointed that Vivienne will not be a LI; but based on what the devs have said, I understand. The BioWare panel at GaymerX2, "Freaking out the Neighbors", gave a great deal of insight on the subject of LIs: revealing how they are created, what factors go into determining a LI's sexual preference, and so on. I recommend viewing it.

 

The devs stated before that they try to provide at least 2 LI options for each. They didn't promise we would like the options. This is understandable since there are a limited number of characters that have established personalities before the writers consider them as potential LIs. The BioWare panel at GaymerX2 revealed that a character's sexual preference is a part of who that character is and is not used to merely limit or expand the romance options in the game. IMO, the varied sexual preferences (bi/gay/straight) of the characters adds more realism to the game.  

 

The section of David Gaider's statement that I underlined I especially agree with and understand. When the LIs for DA2 were revealed I was a bit disappointed. The only one I thought I would be interested in was Anders, and that was because I knew a bit about him from Awakening. After playing the game and getting to know the characters, I found that I really liked Fenris and Isabella. Right now, I feel the least connection to Blackwall, Solas, and Josephine; but that's mostly because they are the characters I know the least about. I think we should give the characters a chance, since we "haven't actually met them yet."

 

Lastly, thanks to Mike for sharing this info; and a BIG THANK YOU to the entire BioWare team for all their hard and amazing work, and the care and concern they show for fans. Thanks again!       

[/quote]
I'm pretty sure the demo was the E3 2011 build. Someone from Bioware needs to let us know.

[/quote]

Yes please!I want them to please say this is an early version. The character creator is VERY disappointing. I can't even get my femshep to look as she did in ME2, which is far better than any one I have been able to make in ME3. The biotic pwr recharge time is terrible. Very worried. Was excited with all the trailer and info, demo really disappointed. I hope this is just b/c it's not complete. *Fingers & toes crossed*

The Harley Dude wrote...

Ugh... You have turned Fem Shep into a bug-eyed shemale. Not just a little ugly, totally fugly. And the way he/she waddles when he/she runs. I've been to the gentleman clubs in Montreal so I know there are some hottties in the great white north, What happened?

I agree! 

I am with the mixed review group.

Liked the combat except for the biotic pwr recharge time...that was terrible.

I agree that femshp looks less realistic, or more "animated" as another wrote, than the other characters. The cut scenes and character emotions are better, especially in Shepard. I could really sense what s/he was going through by the facial cues.

Demo made has me more worried than excited, but I'm hopeful b/c it's Bioware and this was just a demo.

DeaHamlet wrote...

Fenris... oh, I wish there was more from him, but his reaction to Anders plight was beautiful. Nothing related to Fenris as a LI though... very disappointing. Mind you, had no sibling with me in that one so maybe... the sibling would say something?
Fenris-Anders-Varric interaction was pure win. Varric-Carver-Anders was pretty good, surprised bro didn't say anything about Anders though (Carver was templar).

Also, Hawke herself was sucky until I played my witty warrior who had the most hilarious lines ever.

I did a play through w/ Fenris/Isabela/Varric in Act 1 w/ female warrior Hawke. The banty was not as good as w/ other party members, but there were a few new lines between Fenris & Isablea that I hadn't heard. I did have some dialogue w/ Fenris after I opened that last magical cage & killed the desire demon. Fenris says, Your father seemed like a wise man who loved you all. What is it like to hear his voice again?"  

I haven't played w/ Fenris/Varric/Anders. I'll have to try that.

I agree that witty Hawke had some of the best lines.

I have also played siding w/ Larius & then w/ Janeka. You "kill" Corypheus either way, but w/ both ends it seems obvious that Cory escaped through the tainted body of either Janeka or Larius depending on who Hawke sided w/.

After defeating Cory, Larius thanks Hawke, says s/he has made an ally and that he will report to the warden commander. He then thanks Hawke for his freedom. Cassandra later tells Varric that when the seekers arrived at the prison it was destroyed and that the grey wardens were there; they did not mention Larius, but claimed at everone was dead.  

If Hawke sides w/ Janeka, afte Cory is defeated, Hawke speaks w/ Janeka and she says that she will report to the commander & then take the long walk. She then says, "I feel like a whole new person." In this case, Cassandra says that when the seekers arrived at the prison it was destroyed, and that the grey wardens were there but they said an entire unti had been lost and that they did not mention Janeka.

I have also played using a Hawke from Act 1 & 2 and they have pretty different endings. 

CrimsonNephilim wrote...

I did another playthrough of ME1 and decided to save Ashley over Kaidan this time to give AShley a break, lol. I'm also planning on that Shepard to romance Thane in ME2.

I must now to kick myself for that though. So depressing leaving him behind ;.; But my other playthroughs had him saved

I had to do this too, and I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT!!! It breaks my heart! But I want to have some other romance options in ME2  saved for ME3 & I my Shep couldn't bear to break his heart...again. Plus I couldn't bear to see him, & have my Shep work along side him w/o being w/ him...Shep would go crazy! 

Shep: "WHY did I leave Kaidan...wwwhhhyyyyy?!?!?! :OHe's so perfect ...beautiful...wonderful....*sobs*":crying: 

Joisan wrote...

Yes, SDCC is the next big event. Just a month from now, and I'm going to be there since it's just an hour south of where I live so you all will have your own personal spy in the con

I'm so jealous...I wanted to go, but when I went to buy tickets they were all sold out....of everything!!!

I'm so ticked that I didn't order sooner, esp. since Bioware recently posted that they were going to be there w/ a ME3 playable demo....AAHHHH!

Anyway, hope you have fun & pls keep us updated.

masseffect BioWare If you are in San Diego July 21-24, come visit us at Comic Con!! First time chance to play the Mass Effect 3 hands on demo!! www.bioware.com

Kia Purity wrote...

I still like the idea that his regular armor was stolen as a result of prank (or that he lost a bet)

...but I never considered the idea that it could be a tribute O.o

The whole pink Phoenix armor did bother me in ME2...I like the idea of his reg armor being stolen as a prank or losining a bet...adds a lot more depth for me...I can picture it now...losing @ Skyllian 5 poker.

CrimsonNephilim wrote...

What I hope they DON'T do, is within that time gap, make it so Shepard and Kaidan have already hashed out the details of Horizon, their relationship, and where they stand with one another. That'll irritate me to hell and I will rage, :pinched:lol.  I want to be able to play through that whole thing instead of just being brought into the game and have that already dealt with .

Agreed...no matter how ugly it might get...I want my Shep to be able to play through the mess. I want the happy ending for Shep and Kaidan but I want the emotional rollercoaster that goes w/ getting there as well...I want to feel involved.

Eshaye wrote...

I thought they meant just for the trial but hey they could have called Shep back after 2 months and held them there until a proper trial could be put together. It would be a pretty huge case and would take some time no? 
 

That's what I was thinking too...trials take awhile to put together. Not only that but from what I've seen of trials don't they call up a bunch of other witnesses prior to the defendant? Isn't the defendant one of the last to be put on the stand? If so this would explain being held awhile& maybe we'll get to seesome news vids of how the trial is progressing & the publics take on it...would be very interesting.

CrimsonNephilim wrote...

I want to know how they are going to explain what has happened within the 6-12 month gap. I can see why thats the estimated amount of time before the start of ME3 though. During SM, the Normandy got pretty banged up and those damn Occulus tore up the cargo bay *shakes fist*, so until the repairs were done, Shepard didn't have a ship to get back to the Citadel or Earth, but I wanna see an explanation about what was going on with Shepard between then and her arrival back on Earth before the trail.

Me too!

Also, after thinking about it, the 6-12 mos. period would make more sense. I hadn't taken into consideration the condition of the Normandy. Also, after the events in Arrival it would really suck if the only time Shep was able to buy back was 2 or 3 mos., esp. considering the cost...300,000 lives!

I was watching a clip about ME3...it might of been the one w/ the link you posted 4 me earlier...hmmm...can't remember...Anyway towards the end one of of the members of the dev team is talking about Shep during the initial Earth invasion scene...and talks about how these are the events that take place after Shep's time being held on Earth for trial. The key word was *held*...I'm wondering if part of the 6-12 mos.  is the time being held on Earth before the trial...not sure though...<_<

At least if this were the case it could be used to explain things about Kaidan & Shep relationship...which could mean more time w/ Kaidan...hopefully on screen:wub: *fingers crossed hoping intently*

 Thanks CrimsonNephilim & Kia Purity for the info about the timeline & time between ME2 & ME3. It was very helpful!:happy:

 A reminder of why we're here...



(by artist Jhourney)
BTW...I Love this pic...two of my fav things together...soooo yummy!!!:wub:

Eshaye wrote...

jeweledleah wrote...

what if you don't believe in souls? or view them in a different light. to me at least, what someone would call soul - is collective memories and personality, what makes you - you. Shepard, has all the memories, all the feelings, her personality more or less is intact. or if there are changes - for my shepards at least, they are brought on by experience, by circumstances, not by her not being her. so even if its just a shepard clone.. its still Shepard in my eyes. regardless of the changes to the body. I look at it from a perspective of "Ghost in a Shell"

I got the feeling from Miranda's description of making you the you, you were that ME writers think similarly to this. It's totally cool with me, personally I need a little more to it then that but that's because my own beliefs push me to it. But I accept this explanation as sound enough. 

Either explanation works for me. I received my degree in Psychology & took severeal courses in biopsych...but like Eshaye, my personal beliefs leave me wanting a little more. But both def work & make sense to me.

Eshaye wrote...

That's the thing if we start getting any deeper into this we start getting into the meta physical and that can get into a very lengthy debate on what exactly constitutes a soul and so on.. In my own head I meta gamed it that Shepard's soul was asked to go back to her 'body' by some sort of spirit being (angel or whatever you may believe in) otherwise the thing Cerberus would have revived would have been some sort of zombie Shepard thing. 
 I think we can easily have very different ways of explaining it.

I agree, there's different ways of explaining it. When I play, I meta game that the Lazarus Project is using cutting edge tech that is still technically in the works...never been attempted or implemented in any way. I use comments like Shep telling Kaidan, "I was clinically dead" to support my meta game mind set...clinically but somehow not completely. I don't think it's supposed to make sense. This takes place almost 200 years in the future in a sci-fi realm w/ some different rules for the norm.

I remember the braindead guy from ME1 and the comments made, but I thought of it in the terms of that's what they (squad)  thought. They are not experts in the field of science & medicine...like in life, there is probably a lot that is not known to the public or to anyone but a few...ex. Shadow Broker's identity. I take it in context w/ each situation. Like DA...is the chantry right or the Dalish...I think it's the perspective of the character that's key...@ least imo.

I also thought of Shep's soul being called back to her/his body by some sort of spirit being...but I know that idea is not for all.

Eshaye wrote...

I remember reading in a magazine article I think that in ME3 Shepard isn't so much as a one man/woman army anymore but the inspiration for everyone to get their crap together. If that's true that could open up some really interesting dynamics for Shepard and their companions. 

I read that somewhere too. I think that it said somethig like Shep won't be the general but an inspiration...or something along those lines.

I agree that it will make for "really interesting dynamics" bewteen Shep & the her/his companions. Sooo exciting!

celticmoonbeams wrote...

My Shep never considered herself a clone b/c she understood the basic concept of how they were able to bring her back to life through organic reconstruction & bio-synthetic fusion. What she's upset about is the fact that Cerberus had played a Dr. Frankenstein on her for their own twisted ends not for the betterment of the galaxy as a whole. Pretty much shackling her to them through a bunch of PR intel BS that certainly didn't help matters w/her Kaidan than used him for Collector bait & that adds up to one pissed off Spectre. The Illusive Man's one smart & luck SoB for never coming physically face-to-face w/my Shep especially after the whole using Kaidan as bait debacle. There's a bullet in the head w/ TIM's name on it just waiting for him for that BS.

I agree w/ you 100%!

 Whew! I finally caught up w/ this thread! I'm away for 2 days & I get 10 pgs behind...this thread is really moving!

Oh...so much to say...hmmm...where to begin:blush:

I was wondering where it says that it has been 6-12 mos. since Arrival. I have continually heard & read in various interviews w/ Casey Hudson that ME3 takes place only a couple of mos. after Arrival (specifically, 2 mos. in some interviews). The 6-12 mos seems like too much time...2 mos makes more sense, imo. If anyone could provide a link where it says 6-12 mos I'd appreciate it. 

As far as Kaidan & Shep's relationship progression goes, I think that the time during ME1 was used to specifically build a closer friendship or romantic relationship. I think it's to be assumed that they had a building friendship @ the beginning of ME1, & that throughout ME1 they become closer and eventually build a romance. I remember reading somewhere that Kaidan greatly respects & shows interest in Shepard from the start. She is like his "love @ first sight" relationship...they have great chemistry! <3
Also, does anyone actually know how long ME1 is supposed to be...a year, 6 mos...etc? 

I also take into consideration the time before the game starts. When Shep & Kaidan are first given their orders  & assigned to the Normandy. There must have been a good deal of time from the Normandy's commissioning process & ceremony, first couple of trial runs, to the time before their first shakedowwn run. I know that in the Navy, there's a long process to commission a new ship. Using that info, there was a good amount of time for Shep & Kaidan to get to know each other & become friends. Then ME1 is used to become closer & to build a romance. Regardless of how short their actual romantic relationship was, they'd have a good foundation from before. Generally it takes less time to build a romantic relationship when there is already a foundation of friendship.

When it comes to Kaidan outranking Shep...I see a few possibilities. For one, we know that Shep is returning to the Alliance...maybe they finally promote her (likely after the trial & the Reapers invade but still). If she's not promoted, she's still a Spectre and a hero...most will listen to Shep. Also, Kaidan respects Shep...he may not agree w/ every decision, but he respects her/him and all s/he has accomplished. I think based on that & the fact that the crew will go to hell & back for Shep, Kaidan will defer to her...unless Shep does something he his 100% against. In that case I see him trying to persuade her & if not going on his own. 

In ME3, I don't think that Kaidan will be angry w/ Shep about working w/ Cerberus (unless you saved the Collector base...in which case I see him objecting) & about the events in Arrival. I think that the events in ME1, his missions during ME2, & becoming a Spectre have likely opened his eyes to the fact that in the upper echelons there are many difficult decisions, some w/ no good answer but a choice must be made nonetheless. Even Hackett was understanding. Hackett, Anderson, and even Udina see the necessity of making hard decisions and having to, in Shep's words, "do the dirty jobs." Even in ME1, Kaidan follows Shep a breaks regs to stop the greater threat. He confesses that he wouldn't be there, supporting Shep, if he didn't believe in what they were doing. I think this shows Kaidan's logical side. He may be an Alliance soldier to the core, but he knows that there are times when oaths/regs must be broken in order to keep what they are sworn & want to protect.

If anything, I think Kaidan will regret those choices ever having to be made...knowing still that they had to be made.

As for Shep & Kaidan's relationship in ME3...I see them spending a small amount of time coming to terms w/ events in ME2 & then moving forward. They would have to...the world is at war. They'll have to decide to resolve it somewhat quickly or put it aside for later bc they have bigger problems to worry about.

When I first played ME2 & completed Horizon, I got the feeling that Shep & Kaidan had officially ended it w/ a possibility of picking it up again later. Bc of this, in a couple of my playthroughs my Shep romanced other characters. Esp. after talking to Kelly about Horizon, Shep has the option to say that her & Kaidan have moved on. Therefore, beginning a new relationship shouldn't be a problem. Now however, in interviews Casey Hudson has said that cheating on a LI in ME2 will have neg. consequesnces in ME3!.......

What! I thought they "moved on"! Now I come to find my Shep has been cheating...nnoooo...what the heck:blink:......!

Obviously, the writers intended for any relationshiop from ME1 to be valid throughout ME2. I also read recently that there is no way to end a relationship from ME1 in ME2 (exceptions for LotSB), meaning Shep and LI from ME1 are still technically together... so complicated:mellow:.

However, this makes sense then why there may be a possibilty for marriage in ME3.

Lastly (finally right?), I don't think of Shep as a clone. I don't see Cerberus bringing Shep back as unrealistic. I've read the ME books and the universe is supposed to have progressed exponetially...esp. in the realm of science. The avg life span is longer and medicine is greatly advanced. After reading the books I could see how bringing back Shep was possible...highly risky, costly, & unlikely, but possible. I mean they're using cutting edge technology...like the eezo>super glue:D.
  

Shep's mom sends and email in ME2. She's a bit upset to have to hear her child is alive in a round about way but she understands. Based on how the message is written, she sounds understanding but thinks that you were on a highly classified mission rather than dead and brought back.

I've heard that each backstory is going to play a part in ME3. How bid I dunno, but that probably means we'll hear from Mom Shep in ME3 in some form or fashion.