7052 réponses à ce sujet

[Ralph The Wonder Llama]

I hate to say this but if Bioware does not change the ending...

maybe it is time to BOYCOTT all of their products.  It seems the only thing they are listening to is their budget.

[Erathsmedor]

Ralph The Wonder Llama wrote...

I hate to say this but if Bioware does not change the ending...

maybe it is time to BOYCOTT all of their products.  It seems the only thing they are listening to is their budget.

Already done in my book. They flat out lied to us and haven't even had the decency to address it and apologise.

A simple "Yes we promised you multiple endings and no ABC bull**** and that your choices would matter, especially regarding the Rachni. Unfortunately time/money/resource constraints prevented us impletmenting all variables from 3 games etc. We sincerely apologise that our reach exceeded our grasp but we did try to provide you with best gaming experience possible" would go a seriously long way in smoothing things over - but they haven't

All they have done is fed us more lies and bull**** about "artistic integrity" while refusing to address the lies that caused all these issues in the first place, despite the whole Retake movement giving them every opportunity to do so and fix their mistakes.

I never had any intention of paying money for another Bioware game.

[omikron199]

Change the ending and your company's attitude, stop insulting your customers by your "artistic vision", "critic scores" and false advertising.

[rfachini]

T.Attwood wrote...

Hi rfachini, my post is actually addressed to the Moderator on page 1, who is asking players to provide constructive feedback and "suggested changes" to ME3, which is what I have done. But if you wish to discuss my post, then with reference to your reply...

rfachini wrote...
Thanks, I saw that but re-read it carefully.  Is this a unified stance of those who dislike the ending?  To me it seems a little extreme.  

I'm not sure why you thought I was refecting a 'unified stance', because I was expressing my opinions of what I would like to see (which is why my original post I said "In my view"). I also respect other peoples opinions, and how they want to play the game, which I why I also say things like "...have the option of..", or "have the opportunity" or "...a chance to...", in order to provide the choice for players to have different endings.

rfachini wrote...
Is it OK that only certain ending choices let Sheppard live?  Is it ever OK that he dies?  To me it's OK.
When he lives, he has to have scenes with the crew, and everyone has to be happy?  That's the way it reads to me.

Yes. I'm not saying he should 'always live' in every option. I am all for providing choice to the player. If you are ok with your playthrough where he dies, I don't wish to take that away from you. My objection is that for my playthrough, all three options that I took, resulted in Shepards death (for some reason, the 'last breath' scene never appeared for me, even though I had full EMS. Maybe it was because I didn't play the multiplayer, or perhaps my 'paragon level' was too high for the renegade ending?). My objection is that throughout the ME series, there is an emphasis on being able to take a path where you can save each of your crew if you want to. I worked hard in doing this, as I wanted to get the best ending where as many of my crew would survive as possible. Note that even when a character dies, you also see the 'pay-off' of the sacrifice. For example, when Legion dies, you see the positive effect it has when the geth soldier walks up to you. When mordin dies, you see that you have just saved the krogan from extinction, etc. My objection, was that Shepards ending was supposed to be the way to save the galaxy. But I never felt any success from this. The focus was only on what the player is losing, the broken promises you made to your LI, and that your crew and LI have (for some reason) ran off and have found themselves on some random planet. My point is, that the ending did not portray any achievement in my efforts in keeping as many of my crew alive, or developing relationships with the characters.

rfachini wrote...Even the Stargazer part was objectionable?  I liked it.  It shows that no matter what, Shepard changed the universe, and life survived for a long time.  It also validates any playthrough as "one of many legendary stories".  It doesn't matter if Shep was male or female, blond or brunette, renegade or paragon.  Any Shepard you choose to play is a legend across the galaxy.  I wasn't depressed.  Does this mean every game or move have to leave every viewer happy at the end?  Mass Effect Recut:  CareBears and Unicorns Forever?  That wasn't the game I've enjoyed the last five years.

It was an interesting scene, but I felt it was out of place because it altered the time frame. I would assume that the two people at the end are on the same planet as where the Normandy crashed (based on the sky). But the fact that it changes the time frame so what you see there is now the present, and everything Shepard has done over the last three games, is all in the past, meaning all the crew are dead and the relationships I have developed results in nothing. This is why I feel the 'star-gazer' scene should not be there.

A few final general comments;
Looking at this poll,
http://social.biowar...8&poll_id=31420
At the time of writing, 84% of people agree with the statement that the 'Extended Cut DLC does not address the issue of the ME3 ending, and the ending must be changed". Even with using a large margin of error, this suggests the majority of players certainly have issue with the ending.

Here are a couple of videos which discuss why players don't like the ending. The following one has approximately 680,000 hits and is titled "Mass Effect 3's ending and why we hate it"


This one is titled "10 reasons why we hate Mass Effect 3's ending", and has approximately 540,000 hits.


Whilst I don't claim that each hit on the video is a person who hates the ending, what it does show is large numbers of people are interested in discussing the problems of ME3's ending. Correlating this with the sales figures which are approximately 1.3m in the US (Xbox, PS3, PC) during the last month (simply type in "Mass Effect 3 sales" into google for evidence), we see that there is a substantial proportion of people who have bought the game who are interested in looking at videos discussing the reasons why ME3 ending is hated. When I see things like this, clearly something has gone very wrong with the ending of ME3.

Thanks!  Regarding my "unified stance" question, it was because I read an interview with someone from Retake Mass Effect and wanted a rough idea of if everyone in the movement felt similarly, or if there were many different opinions even within that group.

I still disagree about the Stargazer scene negating any of Shepard's accomplishments.  To me it validates his actions as having a lasting effect on the development of intelligent life.  The point that far in the future Shepard and his friends are dead is really just a fact of life that should be accepted.  It's not a fantasy game, and Shepard is not immortal; but his actions made his memory immortal.  Regardless, it's a short scene at the end of the credits, so it's easy to skip it or consider it "optional".  To me the fact that they got Buzz Aldrin to voice Stargazer has a lot of emotional impact.  I believe arguments about disliking the ending would be stronger if you focus on the immediate ending and not on the short tidbit after the credits.

[CorpralKarl]

I would like for the different races to actually matter in the ending instead of being mechanics on the Crucible.

I would love for there to be a scene where Alliance forces are being pushed back by the sheer onslaught of Reaper forces, then swarms of Rachni appear and just destroy them. Geth strike teams destroying brutes with precision snipers.

Or at least make the space battle longer. After Shepard lands on Earth, we don't hear how the space battle goes, and that really bugs me.

[Phillips94]

First off well done guys on a great game, ME3 is by far my most awaited game of the year and you did an epic job with it, its just a shame that for me atleast a few things held the whole game back for me. I dont know who has has said what already but here are some things that I think need addressing

1. ME 2 now feels like a waste of time? About 2/3 of ME 2 without dlc or including it are to do with your squad, having them join you and then maing sure they survive the last mission and for what? so we can see them twice and have a final short conversation with them? Introducing Cerburus which is all ME 2 seems to be worth now could of been done with dlc for ME1. I am not saying have all your old squad join you but maybe see them fighting at the end? you know like Grunt his company (if they alive) taking on a horde of brutes, or jack and her guys (if you picked biotic artillery) ripping their way though a group of reaper troops, you know, show that saving them was worth the effort and time. (though squad members scripted to die were well done and brilliant)

2.Big decisions no longer big? I am not talking about say Anderson because you clearly says he dosnt like being on the concil so it makes sense that he would take the offer to rejoin the military though maybe a conversation with him about it would be good? I am thinking more about the heritics? big decision wipe them out or re programme them? and it ends up being a number? maybe re programming them means legion lives? And at the end of ME 2, if you destroy the base I am sorry but the human reaper just shouldn't make an appearence and if you did save the base it felt like at the time that meant you were still with the illusive man? that would of been a great ending as it would change how you start ME3 and you would later leave him when you find out about the experiments on humans?

3. The ending. I like the ending, it is a good ending and i fully understand the ideas behind it but the trouble is it is not a good ending to the trilogy. All 3 games come down to pick a door? And the whole synathesis idea is too much, there is no way you would be able build something which has the power to do that and not know it and the whole idea you push in the game is not knowing what will happen, well the scientists working on it would have some idea it could do that. I like the whole idea of wipe out the reapers or control them (though if you wipe them out and the geth have been saved we need to see what happens to the quariens who have geth in their suits.
Then the ending movies, not the same thing for every single ending, and not just joker and a couple of others walking out of a crashed normandy. Maybe if reapers are destroyed you have a funnel for Shepard with all surviving squad members and people who you have met and helped over the series there with Joker or Hacket or maybe even Anderson (if he can survive) giving a speech. But come on lets see what ever is left of life after the battle rebuilding, show us what we fought for!

4. Little things: Your squad moving around the normandy and talking to each other is great and you really feel more than ever that they are all with you till the end then you get to the end and... what are the others doing while you and 2 of them are fighting to save earth? End of ME2 they all had roles and were fighting can we have that again please, lets see them fighting, working together as these group of friends who for atleast 2 of them have been with you for all 3 games, and Javick... Briging him in for day on dlc when clearly all the lines and things are so well intergrated into the game unlike dlc charatcers in ME2 he was ready for the the games release on the disc, he his the last of his kind and we see him kicking arse in the flash back, well if he isnt in your squad at the end lets see him doing more of the same, he respects Garrus? lets see the 2 of of them fighting side by side racking up the kills.
Flashes of people you fight for were great, but we need more, I am a male Shepard and my guy is truly best mates with Garrus and shares a good bound with him yet i get a flash of Liara who I dont speak to? there needs to be a code or something so that if you have done that day on the citidel with a person they are in a flash.
The dreams are good reminder of people you have lost but voices need to louder and clearer.

5. WAR! This is the first war in a game which has come down to so many numbers! Lets see the things we bring to battle, lets use the war room to plan attacks! like game is about decisions? give us like 2 or 3 plans of attack in the war room and then we pick one. (Plus the citidel defence force? they have like no affect as they do nothing to stop cerberus or the reapers taking the citidel so why do they matter?)
Plus can we please see the Hannar and specialy the drell! Drell we get online yet we meet 2 over the course of the entire game? what is the point in doing a mission to help them if we done see them?

Over all guys you did an amazing job and if you could even do half the things from this list I would be much happier with the game, though I understand you have a ton of different suggestions on what to do with it.

[Phillips94]

Forgot something on my earlier post, what is with the mass relays being destroyed? leave everyone stranded plus it just a mention like do these 3 options and you can save everyone but by the way saving everyone also means they can never return to the homes they have just fought and died for?

[zarnk567]

I have a feeling this more of a rage dump thread.... It's obvious Bioware is not listening...

[Critchley2010]

I thought most of it was pretty good actually, the ending left me feeling a little non-plussed but im not going to start crying about it. I think if the conversation with the Catalyst was fleshed out a little bit more then it would have been OK.

The thing I REALLY missed and desperately wanted to see was some footage of the War Assets you worked so hard to recruit actually doing something! I wanted to see the Reapers having their asses handed to them by Wrex, Grunt and the Krogans for example. I also wanted to see Samara obliterating wave after wave of enemies, and maybe those i didnt take with me like James just mopping up Reaper forces.

Other than the aforementioned, the game was just spectacular!

Also, this guy has done a superb alternate ending that, if Bioware had done, would also have been AWESOME! here it is, (spoilers obv) 
http://arkis.deviant...ILERS-289902125 

Modifié par Critchley2010, 15 avril 2012 - 08:10 .

[4509]

Please, everyone vote on this (for whatever option you believe in)
http://social.biowar...8&poll_id=31420
This is direct evidence for Bioware/EA's PR people. It's something they can make business decisions on.

[DrSanto]

After Spending hundreds of dollars on Bioware products I can honestly say i'm done. Between the declining game standards and the shotty practices of EA and Bioware I will no longer be a source of income to them.

[NugHugs]

 Heya

Personally I absolutely love love loved the game!! The endings definitely aren't what I expected..but I can see why some people hate it (maybe alot) and why few do truley love it, and that's ok.

Seeing as the endings aren't going to be changed, the Synthesis option was (for me) almost an incredible ending. The whole concept behind it is amazing! The only problem I had were the information gaps.

I don't mind the Catalyst suddenly coming into the story line..but what would really make it's existence a tad more believable, (not just something added in because it looks like the writers couldn't figure out any other feasable way, that the galaxys current civilization would be able to defeat incredibly intelligent and ginormous reapers) would be an actual logical explantion as to why, what ,and how it came to be.

I mean, it's an extremely advanced AI, essentially a machine; being a machine, it must have had organic creaters? A quote from the Catalyst 'The created always turn on their creators'. This would make for an incredible story! 


The Catalyst's logic on why organcs are valued more than synthetics.
What difference does it make to the
catalyst on who is present in the current galaxy..and what logic does
it follow to come to the assumption that 'organics' have higher value than synthetics/AI. Sure synthetics are created..and perhaps
evolve into full AI (EDI & Geth)that can continue to create more
AI, therefore these synthetics are life forms...and therefore should be
considered on the same level as organics. So, following that logic, there is no difference
between a war that is organics vs organics or synthetics vs organics(This one being the only one the Catalyst takes into account)  or synthetics vs synthetics.

The Catalyst is potrayed as extremely
logical and immensly intelligent..surely it would be able to see this
logic..and not interfere? 

Detail on how the options - Destroy, Control and Synthesis actually work(other than just a wave of electro whatevers going out and changing everything instantaneously).
I'm going to use the synthesis option as a reference. The Catalyst said this option creates a new DNA frame work? ok..great..I'm left to assume that organics gain the mental strengths of AI (obviously not physical, because Joker is still a hunchback). Well in return, what do the AI gain? This could perhaps be tied to my previous 'value of organics and synthetics' piece. An example being, that EDI tells Shepard she can finally 'feel' etc...thus realising she is a  life form; therefore what do her type of life forms eg Geth, gain form this merge?
By the end of the game, it's been pretty much established that they are true life forms, fully self-aware and can feel. 
Basically I just fail to see what the Synthetics gain from this merge, it also seems a little selfish on the organics side perhaps. 

Those are my main questions that I would really love to be answered, and feel that it would help give myself (and others hopefully!) a more complete understanding and satisfying story ending. Ofcouse there's the other things such as how and why Joker were where they were etc, what it means for everyone now that the mass relays are gone and most of all,  the squad members!! But those have pretty much been covered in depth by everyone else. 

Modifié par iWillard, 15 avril 2012 - 11:25 .

[T.Attwood]

iWillard wrote...

 The Catalyst's logic on why organcs are valued more than synthetics.
What difference does it make to the
catalyst on who is present in the current galaxy..and what logic does
it follow to come to the assumption that 'organics' have higher value than synthetics/AI. Sure synthetics are created..and perhaps
evolve into full AI (EDI & Geth)that can continue to create more
AI, therefore these synthetics are life forms...and therefore should be
considered on the same level as organics. So, following that logic, there is no difference
between a war that is organics vs organics or synthetics vs organics(This one being the only one the Catalyst takes into account)  or synthetics vs synthetics.

The Catalyst is potrayed as extremely
logical and immensly intelligent..surely it would be able to see this
logic..and not interfere? 

This was one of the problems I had with the Catalyst. He has no problems during the Turian-krogan wars, or the human-turian wars, or any of the organic-organic wars, but for some reason, he has a problem with synthetic-organic wars? Why? People get killed in both cases. The result is the same. So, his solution to this killing is to convert organics into synthetics and kill more? Just madness!!

There should really have been an option to say to the Catalyst "you make no sense. Your concepts are no longer fit for purpose. We have proven that synthetics and organics can resolve their issues (using the Geth/Quarian conflict as evidence)."

The ending would have been better if the catalyst really was an AI who had just gone insane over the millenia (perhaps his programming had become corrupted), and was continuing a process (the 'cycle') but it was no longer necessary because organics had evolved to a point where synthetics and organics could resolve their differences (this would tie in with things that have happened during the ME3 storyline, i.e. Geth/quarians, EDI, etc). Thus, the end could have been about getting rid of the catalyst and his psychotic solutions and just blowing all the reapers up. This would have at least provided a purpose for the armada that Shepard has amassed.

Modifié par T.Attwood, 16 avril 2012 - 12:21 .

[SUPERVANS]

I hate the fact that the ending is a big deus ex machina. Which is widely considered to be bad writing and indicative of a lack of creativity. I know artistic integrity is important, but consider this, some graphic artists I know have to make changes based on customer preference or else they leave the client unsatisfied at best. This situation is not much different from that, just on a much larger scale. A complete rewrite of the ending would fix this. Preferably an ending that doesn't introduce a random new character with god like super powers that can completely bend reality. There are some other great ideas floating around here that I didn't cover and I'm hoping that you at least consider them, and my ideas as well of course.

[GeneralBacon339]

 SHEPARD MUST LIVE!!!  SOME OF US NEED A HAPPY ENDING!!!!!

give shepard retirement.

[GeneralBacon339]

Artistic Integrity? indoctrination Theory is golden! Bioware gets to keep that crappy ending... shepard wakes up after having mind wars with indoc. Add new ending with optional happy ending (based on Choices) everyone is happy!

[Veloric Wu]

Alright, please allow me to cut to the chase. This is my suggestion on how to make the Extended Cut for the Red Ending, in which the Reapers are destroyed and Shepard is alive.

It will take some imagination, but we're all good at that, no?
For those who prefer short reads, here's a the summary:


After Shepard takes that one breath in the ruins, here's what will happen:

1. Let Shepard's 2 squadmates find her/him, and help her/him up.

2. Shepard stands up, exchanging glances with the 2 squadmates(and smiling
to each other, perhaps). "Mission accomplished and we're still
together." is what they're thinking.

3. The 3 of them walk toward the far horizen together(their backs facing the camera). The End.

*Why:
#1.
Shepard's being alive in the Red Ending wasn't presented well enough.
For most players who get that one breath (me included), we don't feel/know that Shepard is alive, or her/his being alive is something that mattered. The E.C. suggested here would solve the problem

#2. It is morally & logically wrong for Shepard's squadmates to abandon her/him in the current endings. Comrades don't do that. Thus, even if Joker drove the Nomandy away, Earth is still saved.
There is hope for those who stay on Earth.


That is, the 2 suqadmates should stay with Shepard til the last moment, they will help Shepard up when they come forth and discovered that s/he is still alive.They will walk together, towards the horizen on the far side, and help rebuild Earth with all people that stayed on Earth(if I recall correctly, there're many~~including all the alien fleets that Shepard gathered)

*What will it look like? Example:
For now, I'm imagining my Renegade Shepard takes not only that one breath, but then Garrus & Kaiden come up to her, grab her arms and help her get up on her feet. The 3 of them have been
fighting together since day 1 on Citadel. And now, on this ruin of Earth, Shepard's homeland, they will, finish this journey. Together. Just like old times. After exchanging a few smiles, they walk toward the horizen.

The war is over, and there is still much to be done. It's about time we started rebuilding this galaxy. Together.


Please
let me know what you think and add in whatever you think can make it
better. The more, the better, thank you for your time.

Modifié par FeriktheCerberus, 16 avril 2012 - 01:42 .

[iLight_]

The indoctrination theory is the cheapest and stupidest thing I have ever heard of! Bioware created a GREAT and emotional ending yet you mindless so called "hardcore" fans still want a basic hollywood ending!? Everyone alive and well, no reason to reflect upon anything. The synthesis ending beats this every day of the week.


With this out of the eay I agree with the statement that there should be cutscenes of the factions you've rallied up fighting the Reapers and that some of the plotholes should be covered (like what Starchild's real goal is. If it only was to keep organic life from wiping itself out they could have just had the reapers stay in the milky way and never allow the species to reach space flight.) I'm guessing there is another motive in keeping the cycle as it is, that would rule out a good amount of plotholes.

Edit: I have to adjust a thing here since i changed my mind after reading Ferik's post. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Shepard survived the red ending. Sure he/she destroys the reapers and all synthetic life but it becomes very bittersweet when you realise that he probably just doomed all organic life by wiping out the Reapers. Shepard lives att the expense of future organic lives! That's really good!

Modifié par iLight_, 16 avril 2012 - 01:55 .

[Keyrlis]

iLight_ wrote...

The indoctrination theory is the cheapest and stupidest thing I have ever heard of! Bioware created a GREAT and emotional ending yet you mindless so called "hardcore" fans still want a basic hollywood ending!? Everyone alive and well, no reason to reflect upon anything. The synthesis ending beats this every day of the week.


With this out of the eay I agree with the statement that there should be cutscenes of the factions you've rallied up fighting the Reapers and that some of the plotholes should be covered (like what Starchild's real goal is. If it only was to keep organic life from wiping itself out they could have just had the reapers stay in the milky way and never allow the species to reach space flight.) I'm guessing there is another motive in keeping the cycle as it is, that would rule out a good amount of plotholes.

Edit: I have to adjust a thing here since i changed my mind after reading Ferik's post. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Shepard survived the red ending. Sure he/she destroys the reapers and all synthetic life but it becomes very bittersweet when you realise that he probably just doomed all organic life by wiping out the Reapers. Shepard lives att the expense of future organic lives! That's really good!

Why do you call a theory in which your decisions have outcomes based on your actions "cheap" and "Hollywood", while a simplistic, non-related plot twist (a la recent M. Night Shyamalan) is emotionally deep and meaningful? It is not the wish for I.T. to make everything sunshiny and bright, rather, only to shed light on the indiscrepancies in the ending as it stands. We still want to have the option to fail miserably in spite of our sacrifices, not to be assured of a white picket fence ending. The plotline now has no proper denouement, no logical exposition on past events, and no hope for the galaxy as a whole. As another poster pointed out so well, while in the ME3 (A,B, or C) ending there is no way for the Reapers to win, there is no true "win" for humanity or the other organic species, either, regardless of your choices and actions. That is the major failure for me: I have made problematic decisions that in the end, had no effect, mass or otherwise, on the fate of the galaxy.
Without conflict, there can be no resolution, as is proved in these forums daily.
.
Here is the letter with which I have been reaching out to ME3's creators. It doesn't necessarily offer solutions to the holes I see, but it does support the creators, and offer them some constructive criticisms, which I hope is what they desired in this forum.
This letter is intended to be received by all developers and producers of Mass Effect 3, both EA and Bioware, and specifically those empowered by their position to make decisions that affect the game's story arc and presentation. I would also assume that those involved in the consumer relations departments are reading this as well.

    First of all, thank you all for your hard work and dedication through the series. The depth of connectivity and mythos created in this universe is incredible in its scope. I have always been a fan of hard science fiction, and your overall adherence to physical rules, (even those you, yourselves, create), made the game much more immersive, as I wasn't constantly blowing holes in my suspension of disbelief. Of course, I was always intrigued with the claims of a variable game world, where our choices would add up over time to have a mass effect on the in-game universe (Love the titular pun, BTW. It was a selling point, in fact). I have been a fan of role-playing games all my life: from D&D to the bedroom, and in video games since E.T. for the Atari, though I admit, E.T. wasn't exactly a good first choice. Nothing in games compares to the thrill of knowing that one's choices have saved the day. Whether it be turning to the wrong page in a Zork novel, or falling down a hole in Stonekeep, the consequences of failure should always be a motivator to strive for better accomplishments. As gaming became more complex, I have watched those consequences fade from black and white "YOU LOSE" screens to the more subtle shades of real life, where morals sometimes require flexibility to achieve the better outcome. I have seen no better example of the simulation of life decisions than in this series. You are currently the pinnacle of realism in this aspect, and I applaud you immensely.

    There are other reasons for writing this letter, but let me stress to you the need I felt to express the above. I love to read, and there is a series of seven novels, called The Death Gate Cycle, by Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman of Dragonlance fame, that I first read in high school. The characters in those books, Haplo, Alfred, Hugh the Hand, Balthazar... I literally cried when I finished the last book. Not because of some bittersweet endings, but because I knew my time with those people (so much more than just characters) was over. The journey was the gift of the series, and in closing it, those characters became immortalised in my memories, even now, two decades later. I have bought the series as a gift for friends, passed on my first, worn paperback copies to others, and increased their endlessness. Mass Effect has made me feel similar, as the inticate, interwoven storyline was so engrossing. I lost Kelly, to my discredit, but Thane died a hero in my core game save, and as Legion disemminated the evolved code into the geth and dispersed, I felt the joy of knowing it had achieved sentience, and finally could unite the geth and their Creators. I am proud to have known their story, and thank you for the opportunity.

    However there are some things I feel I must address. I am 36, not in the gaming industry, and have never been compelled write a game company with criticism until now. I hope you will understand it is meant to be constructive, and though some destructive comments have been made in the press, I do not feel I can be considered a whiny, entitled brat as analyst Michael Pachter called your more vocal critics. After reading as many articles as I have about the social and media uproar your companies have caused, I must first address EA's naming as the "Worst Company in America". First of all, there are no specific basis on which to judge this empty award. I can certainly think of many other companies that I would rather see roasting over flames of bankruptcy, like Verizon or BoA, and with more reason based on actual damages to individuals. However, as it is a publicly voted decision, it obviously is more related to EA's public relations, and most probably in retaliation for the things which have made gamer's opinions drop most recently, namely the problems with Mass Effect, the closing of servers for games requiring an online pass, and that whole fiasco with Child's Play. As for the Child's Play issue, why was EA able to use Child's Play in a Battlefield Heroes promotion, but not for gamers to use it to speak out? You made profit off of the event, even, and that smacks of poor taste. Online passes, while a valid form of multiplayer copy-protection for games, does throw another problem in when it deals with used games. A friend bought MMA used recently, and purchased a pass. Apparently, it will be shut down in about a week, so where is the customer value in that? Perhaps ceasing the sale of online passes on a schedule ahead of the shutdowns would provide some better pro-rated value: at least consumers would have a guaranteed amount of time to use the pass before the servers close. And Mass Effect 3. Lot's of points there, but this concerns EA's public view, so let me offer what I see as underlying all these issues at once. No matter what the plan or policy was in any of these events, a company of your size must be aware of public opinion, both its ultimate financial importance in swaying business decisions, and the relevance to honorable and decent treatment of customers. With the advent of the viral quality inherent in social networks, a personal answer to questions when problems arise can have a fanbase-wide effect with exponential growth; a real-world mass effect, as it were. Good customer relations require patience and must always address events with this in mind. In comparison, most of the comments in response to gamers' concerns seem condescending, short-sighted, and disdainful to gamers in general, in spite of the obstinate rudeness of only a small percentage of the dissatisfiedfanbase. Even in the face of angry disappointment, it is the duty of a company to remain professional and helpful, and to discredit any who make disparaging remarks against its customers. I hope that in the future, you will try to have a more human reaction, and attempt to address the concerns of your fans. I realise that the backlash, anger, and hateful comments some people have made have been disappointing, but please do not relegate us all to snobby, entitled whiners with no true concept of artistic integrity or of how much work goes into game design.

    Next, let me express my concerns with Mass Effect 3's ending. I can certainly respect the the story from an artistic point of view, and why changing it might seem contrary to the spirit of artistic creation. I certainly would not change even one letter of my Writing simply to satisfy another. I would, though, if someone pointed out a misplacement of symbolism, or an accidentally misspelled word. It is in this spirit that I suggest the ending needs changing. Throughout the series, your decisions have had a mass effect on Commander Shephard's surroundings and abilities. To have us placed in a decision where those choices make little to no change in the end would be like composing an opera, but having the final piece played on a theremin: It might be memorable, but not in a good way. I was completely shocked and disappointed to see the sublime aria of this story finish up with what seemed to be an off-key, three note fanfare played at a totally different tempo. I was so certain I had made a wrong choice that I immediately looked on the internet to see what decision I had made that gave me the wrong ending. Finding out that I had gotten virtually the same ending as everyone else, including those that had made different decisions entirely, led me to believe that on April 1st, you would tell us it was all a public relations prank. I am still disappointed, in spite of the N7 bounty weekends being the most fun (and aggravation) I've had in any game's MP aspect.

    The Indoctrination Theory is a remarkable piece of fan-fiction, if that's all it is. I admit, I am about 72% sure that this is the actual concept plan, and that it was intentionally proposed on the web by someone on the inside to fend off the backlash of disappointment in the endings. This would fit in well with the idea of games becoming more subtle and lifelike in decision-making. I did, in fact, write a paper in school about how eventually games would incorporate real-world dynamics. With the hopelessness and disappointment fans feel, I can only hope this is your way of demonstrating the haunting feeling of doom associated with war on the genocidal, and even the galacticidal scale. The N7 weekends should be a wealth of information about how many people are still fighting, and offer you a way to tie in real world battle statistics with in-game associations. Having watched about 3 hours of video detailing the psychological and symbolic "revelations" of the Indoctrination Theory, I hope that even if you did NOT plan it, that you accept the challenge of integrating fanfic into the canon of the ME Universe. I was indoctrinated into believing the synthesis, BTW, even though I noticed the reversal of the paragon/renegade colors. Somehow, that was even more disturbing, as the fusion was truly less than expected... Until I saw the other endings were 95% the same aside from pallette swapping. I will say this much: if real-world immersion and decision-making were "hacked" by your "indoctrination process", and you are using player feedback to guide the game's future, you are the vanguards of the next generation in meta-gaming. I am awed, as this can be both great and terrible. I was taken aback at the thought that I might have been manipulated without recognition, but then realised it happens daily in a more dubious form with advertising. If it turns out to be true that you have overstepped the bounds of gaming controls and stepped into the realm of meta-gaming in the physical plane of the gamer himself, I again applaud you for your experiment. I remember how excited and amazed I was with the makers of Metal Gear for making Psycho Mantis able to break the fourth wall and affect the players holding the controllers, rather than just their character.
    Assuming, however, that everything is as it seems and that it is all exactly as was intended, I can understand nothing of the plot's resolution, much less the denouement in relation to the established canon and scientific rules. With all the relays destroyed, everyone is stranded in the Sol System, already thin on resources? What of our Turian and Quarian friends whose protein chirality can not allow them to digest Twinkies or other cupcakes? (I had nothing to do with those cupcakes, but you have to admit it was a brilliant way to speak out to you. Kudos on not letting them go to waste!) Why would Joker run from a synthesis burst anyway? And even if he could land the Normandy SR-2 after all engines explode, what are the chances he wouldn't break something? How would Shephard fall to Earth without burning up (again!), and even if he did, why hadn't he already died in the huge explosion from the Citadel? (I'm going back to get that "Destroy" ending breath before playing any DLC) Beyond all that, what is the point of continued MP, if the 2/3s of the endgame obliviates all reaper forces, rather than leaving behind forces for the galaxy to expunge?
    While it is the artist's prerogative to create freely, it is a business's responsibility to satisfy its customers. From this perspective, "entitlement" is not such an ugly word. If I buy artwork, it is because I can see the whole painting and approve of it. If I were buy a car whose previous models all ran smoothly, but the new one began running poorly once I got it home, I would feel entitled to an explanation, at the very least. This is all I am asking from you: I would like to understand, and while I know there is some DLC coming to flesh out the story, I can only hope it clarifies some of the more incongruous holes in the plot development rather than simply gloss over the ending with superfluous cutscenes that cause more discrepancies. Your storytelling arc has been superb until now, and I can not fathom any reason to believe that it veered so far away from believability without an underlying cause- hopefully a robust future DLC, or even a full fourth game that answers the questions left open in ME3.
    I know that you can not answer directly to each and every letter coming in to you during the flood of feedback from fans, so won't expect a personal reply, but I do hope you will answer these concerns in the next coming days as you choose a direction to address the complaints and concerns of your fanbase. I will be posting this in the forum and attempting to send it through the channels I feel it will have the opportunity to be read by most of the staff. You all deserve to see the kudos and questions I have for you.
    Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate all of you for listening to me and for sharing your talents. I hope to continue seeing those talents stretched to the point of inhuman capability.

Sincerely,
Lee Maynor

[NugHugs]

 To be honest, the concepts behind the endings are really fantastic (in my opinion), of course many may not agree, which is ok.
The destroy optionTo me, this option seemed to be the selfish ending, that perhaps the renegade Shepard would take (putting aside that everyone has their own perception of what their Shepard would do). Using  FeriktheCerberus's previous post about suggestions for the 'Red ending' as a reference, assuming that BW happen to create a DLC that has Shepard survive and meets up with squadmates etc, sure this is a happy ending for shepard and everyone around in this 'cycle', but the Catalyst did say that the reapers would only be gone for this cycle.  This can only lead to the conclusion that the 'Destroy option' is the selfish one. But maybe it's not that black and white...taking into the account that this current cycle now is fully aware of the reapers and also has 50 000 to evolve and make huge advancements..this is all under the assumption that they figure out how to recreate a their Galactic civilization though.
A clear definition on how this would work as well, a lot of people are asking if  it would destroy quarians or anyone with cybernetics, perhaps a clearer explanation on how the wave that is sent out distinguishes what is synthetic and what isn't.

The Control option
I'm not sure I fully understand the point of this option, to control synthetics, you're conciousness is absorbed into the citadel? Which then also is destroyed? Again, this is very interesting, but more information is needed to make it also seem viable. Assuming the Catalyst is in the Citadel itself..i'm not sure whether it is a giant, magnificant AI machine city? That being said, why would it need the keepers? To throw off suspicion from the current civilization that is living there? Seems the most likely answer.
With this option taken, it assures the reapers will no longer continue to harvest civilizations...perhaps with this option Shepard could make the reapers work on the solution of the relays being destroyed etc.
I would also view this option as a 'Paragon' Shepard, though this is under the assumption that Shepard would use the reapers to help rebuild galactic civilization.
This all depends on how the player wants Shepard to shape the galaxies future I suppose.  

The Synthesis option
This personally for me, was my most favourable option. It would also ensure the reapers cycle coming to an end, but I definitely felt this also needed alot more information to make it seem like a realistic option within the parameters of the Mass effect universe.
The concept of this option seemed to have more of a 'self-sacrifice' element to it, which is what I really liked about it. Shepard sacrificing her life to ensure supposed peace between synthetics and organics, by creating a new DNA frame work based on her(?). Possibly comparable to Legions death, to a small extent. How it works, what strengths are gained for each life form etc. I won't go into too much detail, as i've already ranted about this option in a previous post.

Modifié par iWillard, 16 avril 2012 - 08:36 .

[TheShadowWolf911]

[bagrar]

(Lee Maynor aka Keyrlis, 3 posts up, the long one, is SO right in what he states, great read and spot on!)

Mass effect 3 is a fantastic game! Kudos to BW

Well I don't know if bioware is still listning (after 260 pages) but here goes what I felt was wrong and how to 'fix it'

If indoctination theory: (Hope this, because it sure would be 'artistic and an awesome idea/twist but somewhat badly executed')
- if the ending is 'the indoctrenation theory' then it should make 'better' hints and difinitive hints so that the majority figured it out when/before taking the choice (blowing the tubes to free himself from indoctrenation)
~ make it even more surreal, dreamier, more reaper logic, let shephard catch some of the contridictions, and make the cinematics more dreamy as well, also make sure to tell the player that the 2 choices (control/synthesis) where 'bad choices' and make it much clearer that shephard wakes up if 'destroy' is taken

- show more than anderson + joker + liara/kaiden/asley in the black and white pictures... Why was my Love Interest not there? (eg. tali) why wasn't my favorite friend/teammember not there? (eg. Garrus) why did i not see any of the persons who sacrificed themselves for 'the cause' (eg. Thane)
~ BW can 'easily' make more Black and White pictures, small thing, but i got angry and felt it was rushed when i saw liara, which i didn't like and not saw tali/garrus... Things like this pile up and make the ending flat

If not indoc theory:
- if not indoc. Theory then you should make a lot of changes to make it more 'long, customized and personal' i'm fine with shephard dying, or all my teammembers dying, BUT i want to see it... Or make the choice or be angry about it...
~ show all our loved ones die trying to save me getting to the beam or let them get shot by TIM or let shephard say to them to guard the beam or fall back or something BUT not nothing as it is done in the current ending...

BTW listening to the music from ME3 CE right now... EPIC!

- show more races/factors play out in the final fight
~ just by cinematics show me what they each faction did to make a difference in the ending, or make me choose the tactics, like ME2 ending

- akwardness, I hate that, it breaks illusions and heart pounding and immersion
~ as soon I saw the child it was underwelming and akward (unless indoc theory) but when i saw it, it was akward and also the music is akward when joker is 'sucked in' the music just too clicé and kinde laughable when it stops... Check the ending again an make sure nothing is feeling flat or akward...

- if mass relays blow up what about all the races on earth? Notice the WHAT
~ show us that what we thought was a good idea (killing reapers) ended in chaos and a lot of demise BUT started the world anew 'for a better world' could be a simple collage or explanation from old man/young boy in the end...

I really felt this ending was flat, akward and badly executed... I get the ending (the most if indoc theory was the theme) and think it was awsome but again, badly executed... The rest of the game was awesome!
I will NEVER boycut for a bad decision/finance/rush mistake and i find it apalling how some people have reacted... True fans love the game, feel sorry about the ending and hope and trust BW to correct their unforeseen 'mistake' or have a grand plan... WE ow them THAT much...

Modifié par bagrar, 16 avril 2012 - 10:30 .

[Ragarnoy]

FeriktheCerberus wrote...

Alright, please allow me to cut to the chase. This is my suggestion on how to make the Extended Cut for the Red Ending, in which the Reapers are destroyed and Shepard is alive.

It will take some imagination, but we're all good at that, no?
For those who prefer short reads, here's a the summary:


After Shepard takes that one breath in the ruins, here's what will happen:

1. Let Shepard's 2 squadmates find her/him, and help her/him up.

2. Shepard stands up, exchanging glances with the 2 squadmates(and smiling
to each other, perhaps). "Mission accomplished and we're still
together." is what they're thinking.

3. The 3 of them walk toward the far horizen together(their backs facing the camera). The End.

*Why:
#1.
Shepard's being alive in the Red Ending wasn't presented well enough.
For most players who get that one breath (me included), we don't feel/know that Shepard is alive, or her/his being alive is something that mattered. The E.C. suggested here would solve the problem

#2. It is morally & logically wrong for Shepard's squadmates to abandon her/him in the current endings. Comrades don't do that. Thus, even if Joker drove the Nomandy away, Earth is still saved.
There is hope for those who stay on Earth.


That is, the 2 suqadmates should stay with Shepard til the last moment, they will help Shepard up when they come forth and discovered that s/he is still alive.They will walk together, towards the horizen on the far side, and help rebuild Earth with all people that stayed on Earth(if I recall correctly, there're many~~including all the alien fleets that Shepard gathered)

*What will it look like? Example:
For now, I'm imagining my Renegade Shepard takes not only that one breath, but then Garrus & Kaiden come up to her, grab her arms and help her get up on her feet. The 3 of them have been
fighting together since day 1 on Citadel. And now, on this ruin of Earth, Shepard's homeland, they will, finish this journey. Together. Just like old times. After exchanging a few smiles, they walk toward the horizen.

The war is over, and there is still much to be done. It's about time we started rebuilding this galaxy. Together.

So yeah Shepard shoots the red weird thing, explodes, and lands on earth ? Wtf ?

[spoonz757]

 Im hoping the indoctrination theory is true, if not im hoping for atleast a show down with harbinger