9972 réponses à ce sujet

[JPR1964]

Thanks Atghunter!

JPR

[People4Peace]

Xandax wrote...

Sentr0 wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

If the company's survival is at stake they will do it...

I most certainly do not think Bioware's survival is at stake at all.

But it is perhaps the next major shift away from their traditional customers into the new segment they obviously want. And question then is - whether that new segment is more loyal or fickle than those of us who've been playing Bioware games for a decade.
And that in turn could mean a much lesser role for Bioware within the EA umbrealla which then in turn will mean a diminished roll in the industry as a large.

Loyality takes a long time to build up but can be ruined very fast; and for me - Bioware is at a turning point now. I followed them into DA2 while clearly seeing the flaws because of loyalty - will I follow them out of ME3? I'm doubtful right now.
And I'm sure I'm not alone in this aspect.

I completely agree. Many of us are in the exact same situation.

[Moirai]

HenchxNarf wrote...

TheRedVipress wrote...

HenchxNarf wrote...

Meltemph wrote...

I dont know why they even are acting like this is the ending they wanted, whether wanted to or not... Why not just take the indoctrinated theory(or something similar) and run with it... Nobody would be the wiser and teh casual fan who liked the ending or the hardcore fan that liked the ending, probbly wouldn't be near as loud. Honestly, I do not get it, there was a theory literally staring them in the face on this board that they could run with and they decide to essentially let the cat out of the bag.

who care if not everyone liked the idea, it was obvious people wanted a definitive resolution, there was no reason if they really are "taking feedback" to just go with this idea and then give those who wanted a resolution everything in the DLC/expansion. Honestly... am I alone in this in thinking this could have saved them a massive headache? You get DLC money and everyone talks about how you made a risky dance with the ending to impress people.

I am really scratching my head right now.

They probably did think of that ending and decided they didn't want to use it. I'm pretty sure they ran all senerios through.

Nobody can "ran all senerios", our cirrent situation is the best proof for that.

Just because you didn't like what they chose, it doesn't mean they didn't think of everything.

Oh, I'm convinced they did think of everything. That's probably crux of the issue here.

If they'd just concentrated on thinking about what would have been logical and satisfying as an ending instead, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Sometimes you can 'think' too much.

[atghunter]

EsterCloat wrote...

atghunter wrote...

Khallos wrote...

Here's a question for ya, atg: could this "bunkering" strategy just be the tactic chosen to weather the storm until the Q1 fiscal period ends at the end of March? A post on Reddit brought this up, and the posters explanation that they (being BW) wouldn't want to rock the boat too much before the first quarterly numbers came out.

I'll be honest, that's out of my depth a bit.  You'd be talking to accounting types.  Granted, quarterly stock reports were data we would be provided but didn't factor much into out paradigm.  PR in situations like these are to diffuse the controversy by the most financially viable option.  We concerned ourselves with external forces, company response, and hoped our paychecks didn't bounce.

Sorry I can't give a better opine
 

Quick question Mr. atghunter: in your experience, do these kind of things ever have a "victor", so to speak? Do corporations usually weather these types of things or do the consumers get at least some kind of resolution or something to that effect? I guess I'm wondering whether we're looking at something feasible here or is this going to be a very steep uphill battle?

Probably one of the hardest questions I've gotten all night. 

It ultimately depends on how you measure victory. For instance, even if Bioware ultimately does nothing, they don’t necessarily “win”. People are upset, their brand name takes a hit, and it will probably affect them to some degree down the road. Conversely, will some players be upset with an ending fix for a multitude of reasons even if it happens? Also very probable. Some might be upset because it might not be offered free, might still be lacking, etc. So that isn’t total victory.
 
I guess in sum, rarely when a valid consumer/producer conflict like this arises, does it end with "total" victory but instead some form of compromise which gives the customer a modicum of satisfaction and doesn’t bankrupt the producer.
 
As I’ve mentioned before, though I’m sure Bioware has gotten the dissatisfaction message, now the PR and execs are trying to navigate the course this product has set them on.

Hope that helps!

[musicaleCA]

People4Peace wrote...

Hope is still alive. And until Bioware slams that door in my face, I will hold the line.

BioWare already slammed a door in our collective faces. Right now it feels like we've got a giant battering ram out a la LOTR, trying to bust open to giant corporate white tower city dealy.

[wikkedjester]

Jarrett Lee wrote...

Most of these things you see as olive branches aren't that at all. They are part of the already planned launch period of ME3 (Star Wars I can't speak for). The N7 MP weekend was planned some time ago - before the ending situation came to light. Not everything revolves around this controversy. It's just unfortunate timing. Same goes for the recent strategy videos for example - we filmed those weeks ago. I think Corey and Eric did a great job in them and was dismayed at the vitriol in the YouTube comments.

You're complaints are being heard, and considered and discussed etc, but I wouldn't read so much into some of the marketing stuff we're doing. I know a lot of you won't buy that - i cant "prove it" - but I've actually always been honest with you guys all the way back to ME1. Operation Goliath is an event we planned because the multiplayer is really fun, and we want to engage the players with it (i just completed the challenge tonight myself!). Of course we had events and releases planned for the week after launch-week. There are no nefarious scheming evil meetings on this topic. We take it seriously, and are discussing it internally. Nobody is happy or dismissive about the fan reaction, at BioWare. Quite the opposite really. These are good people who care deeply about the work they do.

I would suggest patience but not sure there's receptiveness to that at this point.

Guess that's all I wanted to say for now. Have a good night/weekend.

Thank you for your posts Mr. Jarrett, I guess what we all want to know is, what is the state of the office then? If our complaints are being accounted for and there is at least an internal monologue, that is turning into an external dialogue, what are, and I mean realistically, what are the options your guys are looking at, if any at all?

As a PR guy with a big public event coming up for Bioware in the form of PAX, you more than anyone should understand the nightmare that could result in. Instead of a discussion about Bioware, Mass Effect Dragon Age, it becomes a discussion about the end of Mass Effect 3 and what your planning on doing about it, and that’s it.   

Unless this is the plan, and your showing how nice You/Bioware/EA can be now, and how rabid the fans will be then, to be able to shrug us the fans off as the bad guy.

I know that sounds paranoid, but at this point it is what it is. This is a war of attrition, right now you are the enemy, think the worst, hope for the best, and always Hold the Line.

We have no delusions that  the games ending will change, we want it, but we don’t think it will happen. However it is on you/Bioware/EA to sell us your next game(s) in correcting this ‘oversight’. Showing us you care about what you make, and how people view the quality  your products. ME3 was on shaky ground with a lot of people after Dragon Age 2, and even now Dragon Age 3 is off a lot of people buy list. ( working in game retail, I get the brunt of face to face that you don’t.)  Don’t cement that and possibly the death nail in your studio by inaction.

BioWare hasn’t been as good as it once was, in this current generation, ME1 was amazing, but something happened ,you’ve never made a game like that since. Even Dragon Age: Origins was a slap in the face, with the in game DLC prompt. You guys need to take a step back and figure out how to work in the confines of this new gen of DLC and mainstream accessibility. Maybe like the Halo guys over at 343I you need to take a look back at your roots, and remember that not every game needs to be Call of Duty, or dumb down for the general population.     

Thank you for your time.
-Criss

Modifié par wikkedjester, 17 mars 2012 - 10:31 .

[MouseNo4]

Wowlock wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

Sentr0 wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

If the company's survival is at stake they will do it...

The company is fine. I can assure you of that. ROFL! Check the sales records they recently announced. Check the massive list of critic reviews they WANT you to read! They are doing perfectly fine. 

In Mr End of Line's words - if people PAY for something, that means what they are doing is the RIGHT thing to do and therefore should KEEP doing it. 

I wonder how many of us would've bought the game if they would tell us how the game's ending gonna be. Only reason they got our money is by their false advertisement and if it wasn't for that, those sale would've been plummeted.....

And if they KEEP doing this....they won't have a fanbase left to comeback to .....

People do really stupid things regardless of the fact that they know better. You could get the leftovers from production of the game and toss it into a DLC format and idiots would be busting the servers trying to get it because it has the game's name as well as the developers logo stamped onto it. 

I sometimes wonder if gamers are intentionally being stupid or they just dont care. Why would they pay for rubbish, even when they know its rubbish???

[redknight38]

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

I feel you there. Earlier this week I wanted to look up War Assets and whether it was true you didn't need MP to raise Galactic Readiness (I'm still not convinced you don't). Couldn't find a post-- it was all about the endings and it was incredibly annoying. I still don't have an answer to that, btw. Couldn't find a post telling me how to mod my Galactic Readiness either.

HOWEVER. Well, that's what a protest is. It has to be visible and it has to, to be blunt, disruptive. It's the nature of it. It's only by clogging the forum (among other places) that Bioware will be made to listen. It's kind of AtgHunter's point on why this whole Retake thing has been having some effect. Review bombing in Amazon and Metacritic is another good example.

I guess you should just take your own advice and wait for this to die down. If you really believe it will soon, then there's no problem. Going here to be angry will only give you an internet-induced coronary and, ironically, further the protest. As you said, you're not going to convince anybody.

Modifié par redknight38, 17 mars 2012 - 09:05 .

[Linus108]

People need to not forget that DA2 also had backlash. A lot of gamers felt cheated by DA2 (the lack of originality with level design. How rushed it felt, and dumbed down it was from Origin).

So this is two things back to back where BioWare as a company has looked bad among the hardcore gamer base. Obviously ME3 is a much bigger deal. But I think we should remember that BioWare's image has been slipping for some people in recent years. And this is just another nail in the coffin.

I only bring this up, because I do think it's important BioWare doesn't ignore this, or move on past it. This time their core fan base is upset. So now not only is their core fan base mad/upset, they also look really bad in the gaming community.

Modifié par Linus108, 17 mars 2012 - 09:00 .

[SLana]

DeadLetterBox wrote...
Yeah, I had a botched surgery.  No foreign objects or anything but I was pretty well crippled until the problem was fixed.  I paid for both.  I will say that the second surgeon was not the same person as the first.

This isn't as serious as surgery, though.  This is more like... 

I'm a woman and I'm blind as a bat without my glasses.  One time I got up in the night and had to use the bathroom.  Next thing I know my backside is in cold water.  I didn't see that the seat was up and not down.  My boyfriend at the time did not mean for my backside to wind up in cold water, but there I was anyway.  The end of this game is a backside in cold toilet water.  An unforseen consequence of leaving the toilet seat where you left it.

It didn't cripple me or anything, but it was shocking and very unpleasant.

Thank you for sharing your experience. You clearly explain myself better than I do. Of cource this is not as serious, nevertheless it's not just unpleasant. Especially for people who play from ME1 to ME3.

[Kirival]

I hope you see this Jarret Lee (or Jarret i typed your full name in the hopes you might actually see one post in a thousand)

You guys made an awesome game. I think a lot of people forget how awesome ME3 was in light of the ending. For the record I'm one of those displeased with the ending and I have expressed my thoughts in other areas of the forum or provided links to articles I thought were well written that summed things up better than I could.

I just wanted to give you something positive and say minus the ending thanks for helping deliver such a great game (and franchise) =P We don't hate you guys (or at least most of us don't we were just disappointed, and I think BioWare should take the massive response from fans @RetakeME3 as an indication that we really do think highly of you guys and we think you can fix it and we want you too)! While that might seem bleak it means we respect you guys and we truly enjoyed your work this much to care about it.

Thanks, and Hold The Line!

[wikkedjester]

MouseNo4 wrote...

Wowlock wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

Sentr0 wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

If the company's survival is at stake they will do it...

The company is fine. I can assure you of that. ROFL! Check the sales records they recently announced. Check the massive list of critic reviews they WANT you to read! They are doing perfectly fine. 

In Mr End of Line's words - if people PAY for something, that means what they are doing is the RIGHT thing to do and therefore should KEEP doing it. 

I wonder how many of us would've bought the game if they would tell us how the game's ending gonna be. Only reason they got our money is by their false advertisement and if it wasn't for that, those sale would've been plummeted.....

And if they KEEP doing this....they won't have a fanbase left to comeback to .....

People do really stupid things regardless of the fact that they know better. You could get the leftovers from production of the game and toss it into a DLC format and idiots would be busting the servers trying to get it because it has the game's name as well as the developers logo stamped onto it. 

I sometimes wonder if gamers are intentionally being stupid or they just dont care. Why would they pay for rubbish, even when they know its rubbish???

Like From Ashes.
I got the N7 for the Steel Book I collect them, the DLC was a welcome bonus for something I was going to buy anyways, but not something I would have paid for.

[SLana]

Linus108 wrote...

People need to not forget that DA2 also had backlash. A lot of gamers felt cheated by DA2 (the lack of originality with level design. How rushed it felt,and dumbed down it was from Origin).

I didn't like DA2, I was disappointed but I never felt so bad about it. It's the first time ever I feel so depressed because of a computer game. That means something. I didn't even think it is possible.

[Lena Grozi]

Xandax wrote...

Sentr0 wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

If the company's survival is at stake they will do it...

I most certainly do not think Bioware's survival is at stake at all.

But it is perhaps the next major shift away from their traditional customers into the new segment they obviously want. And question then is - whether that new segment is more loyal or fickle than those of us who've been playing Bioware games for a decade.
And that in turn could mean a much lesser role for Bioware within the EA umbrealla which then in turn will mean a diminished roll in the industry as a large.

Loyality takes a long time to build up but can be ruined very fast; and for me - Bioware is at a turning point now. I followed them into DA2 while clearly seeing the flaws because of loyalty - will I follow them out of ME3? I'm doubtful right now.
And I'm sure I'm not alone in this aspect.

Sadly, this is exactly where I stand as well. The way BioWare handles this situation will be the defining moment for me, to see if I stay faithful to them or not. And I want to be faithful, because I had hundreds of playing hours filled with delight over the years. But right now we're at a crossroads, and the road they take might as well lead somwehre I don't want to go.

[atghunter]

Calling it a night. I promise I will answer all the emails sent to me this evening tomorrow morning. Thank you all once more for your civility and for letting me share my perspective.

Cheers and Hold the Line!

[MouseNo4]

redknight38 wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

I feel you there. Earlier this week I wanted to look up War Assets and whether it was true you didn't need MP to raise Galactic Readiness (I'm still not convinced you don't). Couldn't find a post-- it was all about the endings and it was incredibly annoying. I still don't have an answer to that, btw. Couldn't find a post telling me how to mod my Galactic Readiness either.

HOWEVER. Well, that's what a protest is. It has to be visible and it has to, to be blunt, disruptive. It's the nature of it. It's only by clogging the forum (among other places) that Bioware will be made to listen. It's kind of AGHunter's point on why this whole Retake thing has been having some effect. Review bombing in Amazon and Metacritic is another good example.

I guess you should just take your own advice and wait for this to die down. If you really believe it will soon, then there's no problem. Going here to be angry will only give you an internet-induced coronary and, ironically, further the protest. As you said, you're not going to convince anybody.

Oh no, i am perfectly fine actually. Its just irritating to look down the page of threads to see nothing but blah blah endings, blah endings blah blah, endings blah blah blah etc etc. It really is like an end of the world game - whoever creates an ''ending'' thread last before the entire forums get locked down, wins!

[N7Gold]

musicaleCA wrote...

People4Peace wrote...

Hope is still alive. And until Bioware slams that door in my face, I will hold the line.

BioWare already slammed a door in our collective faces. Right now it feels like we've got a giant battering ram out a la LOTR, trying to bust open to giant corporate white tower city dealy.

I'll still hold the line.

[People4Peace]

MouseNo4 wrote...

People4Peace wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

Right because Fallout 3 and Prince of Persia never changed/added onto their endings? And throughout history authors never changed the endings to their books? And...Bioware never changed an ENTIRE book?

It's too bad you lost hope. I understand but what I don't understand is why you're trying to bring other people down with you. Plus these are your opinions and they aren't fact. Not yet anyway. None of us know what Bioware is going to do. It remains to be seen.

As I've said before, I am going to hope until I am given a reason not to. There is still hope and there is no point in giving up now. If we never tried and gave up, we would never know. Plus the game just came out in Asia and already a lot of the players there aren't liking the endings.

Hope is still alive. And until Bioware slams that door in my face, I will hold the line.

I never said give up hope. By all means hope for the best. I still cling to a hopeless cause as well. 

Just quit the whinging on the forums is all im asking. 

Well I guess that's where we see things differently. Sure, some people are whinning but most of the posts I've read are extremely thoughtful and passionate. They want to make ME3 a better game. They want to love ME3 in it's entirety. Many still want to be loyal fans and customers of Bioware. This shows players' devotion to them and if Bioware was smart, they would see how everyone could benefit from the situation....especially Bioware!

Bioware says they want feedback therefore many fans are going to give it here. This is the same place where players fought for Tali and Garrus as LIs. They listen to the feedback here....the question is: are they going to do anything about it?

And I am not sure where players are suppose to voice their concerns. On Facebook? Twitter? What about players that don't have social media or want to post longer, in depth feedback? The "whinning"/feedback isn't going away anytime soon....

[Moirai]

Anyway, thanks to atghunter for your continued input on the matter. Very much appreciated!

[DeadLetterBox]

SLana wrote...

DeadLetterBox wrote...
Yeah, I had a botched surgery.  No foreign objects or anything but I was pretty well crippled until the problem was fixed.  I paid for both.  I will say that the second surgeon was not the same person as the first.

This isn't as serious as surgery, though.  This is more like... 

I'm a woman and I'm blind as a bat without my glasses.  One time I got up in the night and had to use the bathroom.  Next thing I know my backside is in cold water.  I didn't see that the seat was up and not down.  My boyfriend at the time did not mean for my backside to wind up in cold water, but there I was anyway.  The end of this game is a backside in cold toilet water.  An unforseen consequence of leaving the toilet seat where you left it.

It didn't cripple me or anything, but it was shocking and very unpleasant.

Thank you for sharing your experience. You clearly explain myself better than I do. Of cource this is not as serious, nevertheless it's not just unpleasant. Especially for people who play from ME1 to ME3.

I just couldn't resist comparing the ending to cold toilet water is all.  

[Bachuck]

 

atghunter wrote...

I responded to Mr. Jarrett a couple pages back as well and thanked him for participating in the dialogue though we'll have to agree to disagree on some of the partucilars.  Please take his appearance for what it was, acknowledgement of your discussion and Bioware wanting to have a modecum of influence in it.  Deflection, to be sure and no committments, but they are listening to the dialogue and even venturing out of the corporate bunker to chat.

A cautionary note:  It may not mean you're winning, but it certainly doesn't mean they are ignoring you.

Speak your peace, regardless of where you stand.
  

No one should feel the need to explain or defend their reasons for talking with, or thanking, Mr. Lee. That is a simple courtesy that we should extend to everyone - be they a gamer or company representative and anything less renders this this movement, and everyone associated with it, moot. 

That said, this thread is valuable and it shouldn't be derailed with desperation "thanks" for someone who really isn't saying anything we haven't already heard. It doesn't need more deflection and non-committments from official channels. There's enough of that already. What it wants, nay needs, is some form of honest and open dialogue that ins't PR spin. If Jarrett can provide that, then by all means, may he hijack the thread as he pleases, but if not, then we have two statements from Casey and one from Chris to get our filling.

I didn't create this thread, or highlight your posts, to "win" anything. I did it to illuminate to others what I already knew was going on. I do not posses the PR experience you have, but I can smell BS from a mile away and when I saw your insight, and how no one noticed it, I knew I had to bring it to everyones attention. That was my one and only goal here. The fact that everyone has, generally, responded so well to this thread pleases me greatly. It has nothing to do with me. They're responding to your insight; not mine. That is the reason I've collected your posts and continue to update the first page.

If an official employee comes in here and makes claims about what's going on, everyone should remain civil and calm, but they should also asks pointed questions. Jarrett works in marketing so I asked him a marketing question. That's only sensible. A dialogue should be opened, but please understand that it should remain a peer-to-peer dialogue and not degenerate into a "thank you" fest. 

And I agree - everyone should speak their peace regardless of their stance.

On that note, it's late and I need to get some sleep. If any great posts are made while I'm away, send me a message with a link to it so that I can grab it and update the first post.

Thank you all and have a good night/weekend.  

Modifié par Bachuck, 17 mars 2012 - 09:12 .

[MouseNo4]

People4Peace wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

People4Peace wrote...

MouseNo4 wrote...

I want what all you guys want. I want a better ending. But the fact is they wont give us a better or alternate ending. Ever. The sooner you guys just accept that the sooner this pointless thread(s) will stop clogging up the forums.

The endings are exactly how the writers envisioned them to be - perhaps displayed in different ways but essentially, the story is the same. No author will just accept a major alteration in THEIR story based on internet QQ.

Right because Fallout 3 and Prince of Persia never changed/added onto their endings? And throughout history authors never changed the endings to their books? And...Bioware never changed an ENTIRE book?

It's too bad you lost hope. I understand but what I don't understand is why you're trying to bring other people down with you. Plus these are your opinions and they aren't fact. Not yet anyway. None of us know what Bioware is going to do. It remains to be seen.

As I've said before, I am going to hope until I am given a reason not to. There is still hope and there is no point in giving up now. If we never tried and gave up, we would never know. Plus the game just came out in Asia and already a lot of the players there aren't liking the endings.

Hope is still alive. And until Bioware slams that door in my face, I will hold the line.

I never said give up hope. By all means hope for the best. I still cling to a hopeless cause as well. 

Just quit the whinging on the forums is all im asking. 

Well I guess that's where we see things differently. Sure, some people are whinning but most of the posts I've read are extremely thoughtful and passionate. They want to make ME3 a better game. They want to love ME3 in it's entirety. Many still want to be loyal fans and customers of Bioware. This shows players' devotion to them and if Bioware was smart, they would see how everyone could benefit from the situation....especially Bioware!

Bioware says they want feedback therefore many fans are going to give it here. This is the same place where players fought for Tali and Garrus as LIs. They listen to the feedback here....the question is: are they going to do anything about it?

And I am not sure where players are suppose to voice their concerns. On Facebook? Twitter? What about players that don't have social media or want to post longer, in depth feedback? The "whinning"/feedback isn't going away anytime soon....

How about posting your whining in ONE FREAKING THREAD?!?! ROFL!

If you want to give feedback/whinge about the endings - post a reply in the appropriate thread, dont create a brand new one. 

[EsterCloat]

atghunter wrote...

EsterCloat wrote...

atghunter wrote...

Khallos wrote...

Here's a question for ya, atg: could this "bunkering" strategy just be the tactic chosen to weather the storm until the Q1 fiscal period ends at the end of March? A post on Reddit brought this up, and the posters explanation that they (being BW) wouldn't want to rock the boat too much before the first quarterly numbers came out.

I'll be honest, that's out of my depth a bit.  You'd be talking to accounting types.  Granted, quarterly stock reports were data we would be provided but didn't factor much into out paradigm.  PR in situations like these are to diffuse the controversy by the most financially viable option.  We concerned ourselves with external forces, company response, and hoped our paychecks didn't bounce.

Sorry I can't give a better opine
 

Quick question Mr. atghunter: in your experience, do these kind of things ever have a "victor", so to speak? Do corporations usually weather these types of things or do the consumers get at least some kind of resolution or something to that effect? I guess I'm wondering whether we're looking at something feasible here or is this going to be a very steep uphill battle?

Probably one of the hardest questions I've gotten all night. 

It ultimately depends on how you measure victory. For instance, even if Bioware ultimately does nothing, they don’t necessarily “win”. People are upset, their brand name takes a hit, and it will probably affect them to some degree down the road. Conversely, will some players be upset with an ending fix for a multitude of reasons even if it happens? Also very probable. Some might be upset because it might not be offered free, might still be lacking, etc. So that isn’t total victory.
 
I guess in sum, rarely when a valid consumer/producer conflict like this arises, does it end with "total" victory but instead some form of compromise which gives the customer a modicum of satisfaction and doesn’t bankrupt the producer.
 
As I’ve mentioned before, though I’m sure Bioware has gotten the dissatisfaction message, now the PR and execs are trying to navigate the course this product has set them on.

Hope that helps!

Thank you for your response and yes, it does indeed help.

I figured it would be something like that. I just wanted to get your input seeing as you have experience with this sort of thing. Hopefully we do reach a compromise that most of us can accept. Thank you again for the response Mr. atghunter.

[GracefulChicken]

inb4 someone says Jarrett is making an attempt to humanize Bioware. Talking about couches and iPads like you're one of us! We know machines don't get tired.

But seriously... reading way too much into this. It's looked like a conspiracy from the get-go, and while the PR junk may line up with some of the actions of Bioware, it doesn't mean it's so. You're forgetting the game just launched. There's going to be events and stuff to celebrate it. Especially it being the first multiplayer in the series (and first done by Bioware? I'm not sure)

I mean, it's like saying GoW3 has events every weekend because the story failed to explain the Locust at all, or why their leader WAS A HUMAN. That's just how games work. Events are expected to happen, especially around launch. I don't think it's a "faux olive branch". I think it's "business".


Also, "corporate bunker" is a really dumb phrase. Just saying. 

Modifié par GracefulChicken, 17 mars 2012 - 09:10 .

[FoxShadowblade]

Thank you atghunter, it's very interesting to learn so much about PR and apply it to the situation.

I feel bad for Lee and truly all at BioWare. As an amateur writer, I know firsthand how negative reaction to work you put a lot effort into and love can hurt. And as Lee confirmed, I suspected the N7 Challenges were planned, the timing was just..bad. But! Sympathy is not a weakness, I will not falter in my fight for better endings, I will not be.the customer that runs out of gas and abands his complaints. I will....

Hold the line.

I have faith Bioware will listen to their fans.