1373 réponses à ce sujet

[Tommy6860]

AudioEpics wrote...

Tommy6860 wrote...

AudioEpics wrote...

Dear Bioware guys, whatever you decide to do next, please just make it your own game, not what the majority of vocal people on the internet are voting it should be. Whatever their varying levels of popularity may be, your games have always had integrity and that's one of the main reasons why I (and I'm sure a lot of people) love them.

I never saw anyone question the integrity of the game, actually, that doesn't really apply in the context of how you're using the term. The game simply is what it is and Bioware made it the way they thought would be best. As it turns out, the majority think otherwise on "how Bioware should have made the game" and the 'bottom line' is what Bioware needs to be more concerned.

Maybe I wasn't clear. All I was trying to say was: "please, when Dragon Age III comes along, keep doing what you do now: make the game you guys want to make". 
Any objective flaws like re-using environments etc. should (and almost certainly will) be addressed, I agree. But Bioware tried to do some really fresh things here that came from the developers' own minds and that's what I admire. I don't want them to start trying to copy The Witcher now because that's what a lot of people seem to like better. Doing that may be a temptation when your own product receives a lot of harsh criticism and a competing one is held in high regard. I don't want Bioware to succumb to that temptation.
It would really sadden me because I think Dragon Age II is a unique game with its own rich personality. It's absolutely one of my favorites and I'd hate to see that magic go away out of a fear to disappoint the majority...

Ahh, OK, I got you now and that's fair enough. I don't want Bioware to make a game from the basis of other games and their popularity either, no more than I would want for those other developers to copy Bioware. So, I see what you mean by "integrity", in more that being with Bioware just staying with their own style.

I may differ from what you think is unique and rich about DA2, but I respect that you really enjoyed the game and think it to be special. It's all about how one person enjoys, or doesn't enjoy a game. Just becasue I didn't think it was a good game, it was only that way because of my taste, not that it would be against the taste of others.

Apologies for misunderstanding.

[Cutlass Jack]

Xewaka wrote...
As I said, faster =/= more responsive. As responsiveness, I understand we refer to downtime between command and execution. DA:O had zero downtime. DA 2 had full animation downtime.

That's not really a responsiveness issue so much as a purposeful design decison. It does it that way to allow you to 'queue' your next action. Which personally, I prefer, and wish were the case in DAO. Since everything happens much faster you get the best of both worlds. Setting up things in advance while still being where you need to be quickly.

Makes it vaguely more tactical, though I would have liked the option of having even longer queues. But I can see how that's not everyone's cup of tea.

Modifié par Cutlass Jack, 27 mai 2011 - 12:25 .

[Kroepoek]

What a load of prawn-eating sandwich tribe.
I'm not convinced nor will I be for any dlc or expansion you put out for DA2.

Modifié par Fix1o0, 27 mai 2011 - 12:37 .

[Arken]

Interesting. I admit that this Dragon Age was a bit weak in several areas. To hear that you are working on improving the game's flaws is good news. Dragon Age II was a good game with.minor things holding it back. You listed the main things which must be improved so I hope you follow through.

[milena87]

Thank you Mike and all the Dragon Age team (I really mean it!)

I love Dragon Age 2 and for all its faults I believe is still a great game.
I'm certain that you guys will always try to make better games in the future. Yes, sometimes changes won't be as great as expected, but you know what? Thanks for trying and thanks for all the efforts you will continue to put in your games!

Modifié par milena87, 27 mai 2011 - 12:34 .

[Waage25]

I hated DA2.

It is one of the worst games i have played in years.
It is UGLY, boring and so dumbed down that the correct term is "Special" that IT would take a LOT before i even consider buying another game from BIOWARE.

I was never a huge fan, but at least your games used to be OKAY and sometimes even good, but THIS game was so bad that i fell CHEATED out of my money.
Make a GAME that is equal to at least witcher 1 and i will buy it (witcher 2 is to big a feat for a company like Bioware)

[ladyofpayne]

I hope to see new sex scene with Anders.

[PaulSX]

Waage25 wrote...

I hated DA2.

It is one of the worst games i have played in years.
It is UGLY, boring and so dumbed down that the correct term is "Special" that IT would take a LOT before i even consider buying another game from BIOWARE.

I was never a huge fan, but at least your games used to be OKAY and sometimes even good, but THIS game was so bad that i fell CHEATED out of my money.
Make a GAME that is equal to at least witcher 1 and i will buy it (witcher 2 is to big a feat for a company like Bioware)

the wticher 2 trolls make me disgusting  wicher 2 doest not even live up to witcher 1, not to compare it to other bioware past rpgs~~well its graphics is pretty good

[Saintthanksgiving]

Is anyone else unsatisfied with Mr. Laidlaws explanation for his hatred for puppies? Or the fact that DA2 did to Dragon Age what the NGE did to star wars galaxies? For shame. I hear DA3 will feature a very customizable companion option where you can choose your party from ten different DLC companions purchasable with bioware points. Rise to power by any DLC necessary!

[DragonRageGT]

Cutlass Jack wrote...

Xewaka wrote...

Considering I had more shuffle issues with DA 2 than with DA:O, that's exactly what I'm saying. In DA:O, when I clicked the ground, my character immediately started moving to the new position. In DA 2, when I clicked the ground, my character finished whatever he/she was doing, then moved to the new position. Therefore, DA:O was more responsive than DA 2.

I guess I'm just not seeing what you're seeing. In DA2, you could finish your action and be across the battlefield to hit your next target in 1/3 the time the DAO shuffle took. It was almost too responsive. As a rogue especially, I was anywhere and everywhere I needed to be in a flash.

I suspect it probably has something to do with you clicking the ground instead of the next target.

Well, DA2 does have serious issues:

If you order an attack (right-click) and try to interrupt it (for whatever reason) sometimes Hawke will not be able to move again with the Keyboard movement keys until  a right-click move order unlocks it.  Now, if you repeat the order that you tried to interrupt, it is back to normal, even if you die in the process.

Also, there is really no comparison in a High Dragon battle between DA:O and DA2. (always NM, I only play NM) - Origins is a very cool battle and can be ended pretty quick if you know what you're doing. Satisfying! (watch my Fast NM Dragonslayer vid if you wish).  DA2 is dopwn right boooooooring. At least for a 2 hander, with a very decent reaver/zerekr/vanguard built, it can never last less than 30 minutes, even if with no risk/danger at all, just 1,000,0000,000 HP on the Dragon and minions every now and then to make it more... "awesome"? Boring!

[Lady Olivia]

Mike Laidlaw wrote...

As some of you have noted, I have been absent from these forums for a time, and my apologies for going dark, but I did not feel prepared to deal with some of the more personal attacks in a professional manner. And as a rule if I don't feel like I'm going to be professional, I don't post. You guys deserve better than that.

Now, while I haven't been posting, we have been listening. Several folks have been active on the forums and moderating the more extreme discussions, and more of us have been collecting your feedback, concerns, criticisms and the parts you enjoyed of DA II. This feedback is invaluable to us, and so I wanted to take a moment and say thank you.

Thank you, Mike. I have to say I very much admire you and the other developers who post on the boards despite the large quantities of undeserved venom around. Hats off.

I for one don't doubt that you guys are doing your best and I respect the courage behind the many risks taken with DA2 (such as the attempted divorce from the standard epic narrative; also, tackling into sensitive moral issues like terrorism).

Of course it's very good to hear that the recycled levels and wave-based encounters will be... reconsidered. These were my only serious issues with the DA2. Loved every second of it nevertheless and can't wait for more.

[Yrkoon]

  Wow.  I seriously wasn't expecting this thread.   Lots of guts and honesty in the OP.   Respect is deserved.

That out of the way, let me see if I can translate what I just read.  I'll try to be fair, and see if I can  'streamline' what's being said and whittle down all the vague stuff.  I'll use a point system to further  reach this end.

Mike Laidlaw wrote...

Now, while I haven't been posting, we have been listening. Several folks have been active on the forums and moderating the more extreme discussions, and more of us have been collecting your feedback, concerns, criticisms and the parts you enjoyed of DA II. This feedback is invaluable to us, and so I wanted to take a moment and say thank you.

Translation: there's been tons of spectacularly polarized noise from players.  We've been listening to everything.

+1.  (Always good to hear that  someone important is listening)

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
I’d like to take this opportunity to address some lingering concerns and clear the air somewhat.

Translation: I'm going to respond to much of it now.

+1  (Always good to see some DEVELOPER feedback for a change.  Over the years, THAT is what has always seperated Bioware and its community from everyone else in the industry.   Please don't ever forget this)

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
Following the launch of DA II, I did some interviews and some of you interpreted my statements to mean I was blind to the concerns that have been voiced repeatedly on these forums. That was never my intent, nor the message I wanted to convey.

Translation:  I mispoke?   You misunderstood?  Both?  Neither?

+0  (so... what  WAS your point?  what WAS the message you were trying to send?  This comment is just like DA2 itself.  Filled with tons of potential and promise, but  actually delivers very little, and leaves some of us with more questions than answers.)

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
I am absolutely aware of the concerns voiced here. Issues like level re-use, the implementation of wave combat, concerns about the narrative and significance of choice and so on have all been not only noted, but examined,
inspected and even aided me (and many, many others on the team) in formulating future plans. Further, I'm not only aware of the concerns, but I agree that there are aspects of DA II that not only can but must be improved in future installments. And that is precisely our intent.

Translation:  we *know* some of the problems.  We've examined some of the problems.  We've determined that  some of these problems must be addressed.    

+0  (you already said all this in your opening 2 paragraphs.   You get no points for repetition.  )

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
Finally, let me conclude by saying that while we are all aware of your concerns, I am very proud of what the team accomplished with Dragon Age II. I know many are advocating a "it wasn't broke, why did you try to fix it?" stance, and I absolutely understand why. From my perspective, as someone looking to the future and the DA franchise, I think that DA II moved us into a space that has more potential.

Translation:  I understand the gripes, but we're proud of DA2 as it is.  It went in the right direction.

-1.  ( Way too vague.     DA2 went in all sorts of directions as a whole, including down, by your own admission.  What are you even saying here?)

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
A larger potential audience? Sure, who wouldn’t want more players diving into the experience of playing an RPG? More importantly, though, I believe that there's also more potential for rich stories, for deeper RPG mechanics, for more choice, and for something even more epic to come. The story events of DA II have fundamentally altered the political and power landscape of Thedas, in a way that's open to intrigue, drama and sweeping conflict in the
future, and evolves a world that, while still very much involving the Grey Wardens and Darkspawn, is about more than just that one struggle.

Translation:  The story was great, and puts us in a position to make a game about the political turmoil that resulted from DA2.

+1    (I agree with this.  However,  as a side note, much of the gripes about the story of DA2 had nothing to do with the events that unfolded in the world of thedas, but rather, the plot mechanics themselves.  ie. the disjointed nature of Act 1 to act 2, act 2 to act 3,  and the terribly written ending.  And the fact that templars didn't care  whenenver an Apostate Mage Hawke tossed spells right in front of them in the city)

Mike Laidlaw wrote...
Hawke's story was a departure from the usual tale, and in crafting it and the game around it we learned a lot. Some from what worked, but even more from what didn't. Such is always the way. I hope that in the future we'll be able to
discuss how we're addressing your concerns and even solicit feedback from you on future plans in the process, but for now, I hope a simple thank you will suffice.

-1  (You're not really saying anything here.  And  the first question that comes to my mind after reading this is:   Did you learn a lot from DA:O as well?  If so, then... what the hell happened?

 

Mike Laidlaw wrote...

Pictures of stuff

+0.

I appreciate eye-candy as much as the next guy.  But  right now, many of us are looking for answers, not  more teasers.

My questions:

1) will my warriors ever be able to dual-wield or use archery again like they could in Origins?
2) will you bring back  death blows?
3) and trap making?
4) will you remove the retard-friendly MMO boss fights?

Modifié par Yrkoon, 27 mai 2011 - 01:26 .

[DragonRageGT]

suntzuxi wrote...
the wticher 2 trolls make me disgusting  wicher 2 doest not even live up to witcher 1, not to compare it to other bioware past rpgs~~well its graphics is pretty good

That, sir, is an outright lie! And it's not even a matter of  opinion. Yes, that guy you were replying is a ****** but you should ask Persephone, the top DA2 fan ever, what she thinks of TW2. Maybe play it yourself until you master the game (pretty much the same as TW1 where people complain about combat mostly because they suck at it). Or perhaps she, me and others that like both are just "freaks" as she's put it.

[Valus]

Hmm. Well, it's a seemingly honest response. That's always nice. Whatever xpac or DLC those screenshots are of is going to be pretty decisive in whether or not anyone believes there is any follow through to your statement though. Considering the almost constant derision past DA DLC has received I'll not hold my breath.

[KLUME777]

ishmaeltheforsaken wrote...

v_ware wrote...

First time I heard anybody say DA2 is better then ME. (I just died a little on the inside)

And you forget the thing that is intersubjectivity. If you let a phenomenon (DA2) get experienced and reviewed by lot's of people you come closer and closer to objectivity.

I thought the first Mass Effect was a rather poor game. Clearly, that's how you feel about DAII  Different people are different.

Yes, which is why I said that reviews are still useful. But no matter how many people say something is good or bad, it's not the truth that something is good or bad. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles has over 90% on RottenTomatoes, but I think it's one of the worst films ever made. Similarly, Titanic and Avatar, the highest-grossing films ever made, were nothing more than average.

There's no such thing as objectivity when it comes to preference. The closest thing is popularity.

Absolute fail. Titanic is one of the greatest fims of all time.

[TheHawkeWhoFlies]

This is good to hear, and I'll be watching future DLC with more interest than previously

I also agree that DA2 did some things very right; the new ability trees, the faster combat, the "fewer-but-more-important" gifts and rivalry. That's not to say I don't think all of those couldn't use improvement/tweaking, but I think they're a step in the right direction. I will also say that DA2 has a good concept with much potential, and I admire the attempt to tell a more "realistic" story which dramatically alters the world afterwards instead of the typical "gather-allies-and-defeat-the-hordes-of-darkness" story.

However, execution could've been better. The re-use of environments was definitely upsetting, and the steps leading up to the world-shattering event could've been more cleverly done. Also, it was a little sad to feel left out in your party, as the companions seemed to be better friends with each other than with you.

That said, here's some advice I hope helps;
1) Try and come up with many different paths to "the big event". For example, instead of A doing B regardless of what you've done prior, have one choice lead to A doing B, another to C doing D which in the end has a similar (but not identical!) effect as B, and perhaps an E leading to F which in turn causes G which is similar to D & B.
Another, more clear example; you have a divided nation, and the "big event" is for it to be united under one banner. The impression I got from DA2's ending in this example is that you can pick a side, but you end up fighting both regardless. What could be done instead, is to let you pick a side a bit earlier, play out a chain of quests which culminates in a "final battle", and at the end, the side you supported stands victorious. The big event happens regardless of which side you picked; the nation is united under one banner. But what that "one banner" is can be chosen by the player. Thus, you add some significant choices, AND get a big event which can impact future games.
Just a thought, I'm sure the writers on the dev team can come up with something better

2) Let the player interact more socially with the companions. This doesn't necessarily equal "much more dialogue"; just have companions interact with you in more social manners and a little less "pure business-talk". For example, my personal theory on why so many people liked Varric was because he didn't always talk about business/serious matters with Hawke. If the other companions did that a little more, I think that might make the players more attached to the companions. Certain scripted events, like "let's go for a drink", or "let's play cards, we can invite the others too!", probably wouldn't hurt either. Again, just my opinion.

3) Tweak/refine combat a little more. In particular, I would suggest adding waves only where it fits / makes sense (like in the Unbidden Rescue quest), and instead give each enemy a little more complex AI and some more abilities. Also, I personally think you could expand a little on the cross-class combos, make more of them, some of them more complex but in return more rewarding (as in, more effective/more damage) for players who like advanced tactics. Just an opinion.

Those are some things I can think of off the top of my head. I hope it's helpful feedback. Overall, I liked the game; not as much as origins, but I think this direction in the franchise has a lot of potential which I hope you successfully tap into with the upcoming DLC and any hypothetical DA3.

[jack_f]

Go back to playing Witcher 2, Mike. I'll do the same, and let's just forget DA2 ever happened.

[Saintthanksgiving]

By the way..... those screenshots were a fantastic preview of what iis to come... for the low low price of 2o00 bioware points. Keep gobbling up this crap and the quality of games will continue to degrade until we are paying a per hour rate to play half finished games . Ooooooh griffons. Ooooooh. Nonexistant plot and 1980 style level reuse. But ooooooh griffons.

[Persephone]

Mike Laidlaw wrote...

lobi wrote...

Hard to take you seriously Mr Laidlaw.

It's the clown makeup, isn't it? Damn it, I knew that was a bad idea.

You, sir, don't need a button to be awesome! :lol:

[Ravenmyste]

thank you for taking the time i personally loved da2, and those screenshots are from dlc or expac?

and yes please more of the free marches area, and also i would love to see the outcome with the circles being broken, i always knew that the story really was going as told i had feeling that kirkwall was giving more to the story then we saw and what happens when you have Templar and mages both hiding things and going crazy to the point that they was each a danger to their establishment and using one organization to sidestep others and even that was being used to create friction without checks, the chantry was being used by both to keep them from crossing them line and yet the reverend mother wasnt doing anything she was letting them squabble like children and treating them like children, but these children are in control of powerful things, and that's why i had to agree with Anders, but not the way he did it there has to be understanding and agreement on both side...


But i would really like to see more of da2 i already knew this wasn't the end we still have expac and dlcs to go thru since da3 is long away from coming out, but please take you time and don't let the ea guys pressure you..

regards a fan of games that are good

[Cutlass Jack]

Saintthanksgiving wrote...

Is anyone else unsatisfied with Mr. Laidlaws explanation for his hatred for puppies? Or the fact that DA2 did to Dragon Age what the NGE did to star wars galaxies? For shame. I hear DA3 will feature a very customizable companion option where you can choose your party from ten different DLC companions purchasable with bioware points. Rise to power by any DLC necessary!

Invoking the NGE is like Godwin's Law for Gamers.

[Saintthanksgiving]

I don't use the reference lightly... but these are desperate times for the rpg and if nothing is done now... it will be too late. I say again. Dragon Age : NGE.

[_Aine_]

Cutlass Jack wrote...

Well I had similar thoughts but I was playing a witty, charming, often well meaning swashbuckler (rogue) who often made bad choices for the right reasons. Just worked perfectly. Meanwhile my wife felt similar on her first playthrough. Her rogue, though also just male and a rogue, shared almost nothing in common with mine aside from those two points. He was a diplomatic, soft spoken archer with very different sexual preferences.

Which tells me the game can work well with a wide variety of character concepts. But most players have a concept that it going to push their buttons far more than other combinations. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to stumble on the combination thats perfect for them on their first playthrough. Which is an issue.

This is true.  And, in part because the things you think you liked in other games that you are expecting to play out the same or similarly here, may not.  I am 80% of the time an elf and a rogue.  Almost always a rogue of some sort.  So, my first play-through was intended to be *my* personal canon and so I did a rogue....  except, in the end, I finished the game and went WTF that wasn't that fun.  And yet, i LOVED the speed of the rogue, except I almost without exception got to the mob WAY before Aveline who seemed to take forever to run over. So, I would say the rogue was a bit fast if anything.  But, small detail.  

My point is that I agree, that what you think you know as a truth may not have played out that way. I have done a full playthrough as a two-handed warrior that in the end was a GREAT playthrough. Story wise, for whatever reason, it just felt much better.  There wasn't a jarring " something just wasn't right" about it as there was the first one.   And yet mage was the most "fun".  Interestingly I don't think I EVER finished a mage or warrior playthrough in DAO.  I just am always a rogue because it fits best for me.  Now I have to say "usually" because it wasn't the case in DA2.  i will give rogue another try in DA2 though.  Curiosity demands I find out if it was just circumstantial  

As to the people in this thread questioning the motives and timing of the OP....  Of course you could be right.  Honesty is not something that is a given anywhere, especially in business, politics or the internet    But, it is also true that we don't always have to state our questioning or our doubt.  Sometimes, you can acknowledge thanks for an act of communication without necessarily feeling you have to state your doubt on the authenticity of its good merits.    

Saying "thanks for showing up" doesn't equal "omg i believe everything you say for ever and ever." It is polite and gives the opportunity for open dialog which is mutually beneficial here, and gives the potential for them to make good on their words in the future without Damacles sword hanging over their heads the entire time.   For some reason, some people consider the internet and forums like this a playground where rules of civility aren't necessary....