THE NEW YORKER HAS A PRETTY LOW OPINION OF MASS EFFECT 3 FANS
this is article the new yorker and ign comments
http://www.forbes.co...ss-effect-fans/
They can call us whinners and crybabies! THE INDUSTRY IS UPSET BECAUSE FANS ARE SPEAKING OUT AND NOT CONFORMING OR BEING HERDED LIKE SHEEP! AND WE ARE SEEING JUST HOW CORRUPT WHOLE GAME INDUSTRY IS WITH THESE BOGUS REVIEWS, BOGUS STATEMENTS "OH I LOVED THE ENDING" WE THE FANS MAKE A HUGE MAJORITY AND THESE OTHER SITES IGN, AND THE NEW YORKER WANNA BASH US, WELL WE NEED TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THEM AS WELL.
HOLD THE LINE FANS! THEY ARE COMING AT US FROM ALL DIRECTIONS AGAINST ARE RIGHT TO VOICE OR OPINION OF BEING MISLED, AND SCAMED. IF WE DO NOT STAND STRONG THIS INDUSTRY AND THESE COMPANIES WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR MONEY, OUR SUPPORT, AND OUR TRUST.
To Mass Effect 3 players, from Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder of BioWare
Débuté par
Chris Priestly
, mars 21 2012 03:08
Retour en haut
#1827
Posté 27 mars 2012 - 09:52
ile_1979
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RukiaKuchki wrote...
Artemis_Entrari wrote...
So while I'm not saying that everyone who doesn't post on the forums also hated the ending, I also think it's naive for those defending the ending to automatically assume that those who don't post their anger on here actually were happy with it. Me and my friends are a small sampling proof of the fallacy of that.
I think what is more likely the case, is that the vast majority of people not posting on the forums to say they loved it or hated it really don't care that much. To them this is a game, a frivolous way to pass a few hours, nothing more. The ending may have been a let down, but to them it just isn't an issue. We can't assume that the passion we have for Mass Effect is shared by everyone who has bought the game...because it's not!
Pretty much my take too
#1828
Posté 27 mars 2012 - 10:01
3coloursHeliotrope
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Yeah, I'll add my name to the growing list of "non-vocal" fans who rarely post online but have been incited to do so by the very poor ending of a great game (and trillogy for that matter).
In the spirit of constructive criticism my 2 issues were that the ending did not make a bit of sense and that there was no sense of closure for the people who helped you on your journey, both your squadmates and the different individual races.
I like that the tone tried to be poignant and bittersweet, but it still needs to make sense!
A good ending should not leave you asking yourself "what the hell happened?".
In the spirit of constructive criticism my 2 issues were that the ending did not make a bit of sense and that there was no sense of closure for the people who helped you on your journey, both your squadmates and the different individual races.
I like that the tone tried to be poignant and bittersweet, but it still needs to make sense!
A good ending should not leave you asking yourself "what the hell happened?".
#1829
Posté 27 mars 2012 - 10:11
White Zombie
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I was a non-vocal fan until I saw how much the ending didn't make sense, not to mention how cobbled together and glitchy some of the game is. Heck, when you go up to the cockpit of the normandy to talk to Joker, if you're not careful of where you press the interact button, it'll cause you to get stuck behind and a little bit to the right of Joker - can't move, turn, nothing. Only reload.
#1830
Posté 27 mars 2012 - 10:25
Artemis_Entrari
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RukiaKuchki wrote...
Artemis_Entrari wrote...
So while I'm not saying that everyone who doesn't post on the forums also hated the ending, I also think it's naive for those defending the ending to automatically assume that those who don't post their anger on here actually were happy with it. Me and my friends are a small sampling proof of the fallacy of that.
I think what is more likely the case, is that the vast majority of people not posting on the forums to say they loved it or hated it really don't care that much. To them this is a game, a frivolous way to pass a few hours, nothing more. The ending may have been a let down, but to them it just isn't an issue. We can't assume that the passion we have for Mass Effect is shared by everyone who has bought the game...because it's not!
Which is a valid point. All I'm saying is that the folks who are defending the game by suggesting that everyone who doesn't post on the forums must obviously love the game, are making assumptions with no real evidence to support them. My example about my group of friends is proof of that fallacy. I'm the only one of my friends who posts on here, but every single one of my friends is just as pissed at the ending as I am. The defenders would have you believe that my friends like the ending, since they don't post on here and aren't part of the "vocal minority" on these forums.
#1831
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 05:51
D.I.Y_Death
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White Zombie wrote...
I was a non-vocal fan until I saw how much the ending didn't make sense, not to mention how cobbled together and glitchy some of the game is. Heck, when you go up to the cockpit of the normandy to talk to Joker, if you're not careful of where you press the interact button, it'll cause you to get stuck behind and a little bit to the right of Joker - can't move, turn, nothing. Only reload.
Had a similar problem. Was in the commons on Citadel when James is playing poker and somehow got stuck on someone's lap, then the chairs and finally the table itself. Had to save and buttom mash to get out.
That stuff doesn't bother me so much, games will be games and I expect a few non game breaking bugs.
The GM replied well, pointed out human fallacy and whatnot so I really feel like he's eaten some major humble pie (for no reason either, ME3 is a great game).
If I had 1 question it would be why are all 3 endings essentially the same? Yes there's differences but in terms of what the video includes the major changing point is a different colored light (there's some spoiler stuff that changes but it's minimal)...seems kinda cheap since this was supposed to be the grand finale of the ME series.
All in all I'm satisfied with the game and disatisfied with the lack of bang the alternate endings had when compared side by side.
#1832
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 06:17
RukiaKuchki
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Artemis_Entrari wrote...
RukiaKuchki wrote...
Artemis_Entrari wrote...
So while I'm not saying that everyone who doesn't post on the forums also hated the ending, I also think it's naive for those defending the ending to automatically assume that those who don't post their anger on here actually were happy with it. Me and my friends are a small sampling proof of the fallacy of that.
I think what is more likely the case, is that the vast majority of people not posting on the forums to say they loved it or hated it really don't care that much. To them this is a game, a frivolous way to pass a few hours, nothing more. The ending may have been a let down, but to them it just isn't an issue. We can't assume that the passion we have for Mass Effect is shared by everyone who has bought the game...because it's not!
Which is a valid point. All I'm saying is that the folks who are defending the game by suggesting that everyone who doesn't post on the forums must obviously love the game, are making assumptions with no real evidence to support them. My example about my group of friends is proof of that fallacy. I'm the only one of my friends who posts on here, but every single one of my friends is just as pissed at the ending as I am. The defenders would have you believe that my friends like the ending, since they don't post on here and aren't part of the "vocal minority" on these forums.
I totally understand where you're coming from. I guess what this shows is that you just can't trust the polls!
#1833
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 01:08
Killjoy Cutter
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rinoe wrote...
I'm afraid that we could loose ME for good. And it is not what I wanted. Not at all.
I want a good ending, resonble, something I want to see again and again - the reason to play again and feel good with it.
The worse case scenario - we do not get fixed ending, then DLC will not sell, then they abandon the game. IT IS NOT WHAT I WANT... but I afraid it could end like this, if the 'artistic integrity' wins. And it will be disaster.
And then they'll claim that "RPGs don't sell any more" and everything will be made as an "interactive cinematic shooter/fighter experience" with meaningless halfwit "story" and "character" thrown in.
Completely missing the fact that they've been getting away from RPG elements (and no, that doesn't mean huge inventories and endless gear management, that's not what makes and RPG) for quite a while now.
#1834
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 01:13
Killjoy Cutter
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Artemis_Entrari wrote...
RukiaKuchki wrote...
Artemis_Entrari wrote...
So while I'm not saying that everyone who doesn't post on the forums also hated the ending, I also think it's naive for those defending the ending to automatically assume that those who don't post their anger on here actually were happy with it. Me and my friends are a small sampling proof of the fallacy of that.
I think what is more likely the case, is that the vast majority of people not posting on the forums to say they loved it or hated it really don't care that much. To them this is a game, a frivolous way to pass a few hours, nothing more. The ending may have been a let down, but to them it just isn't an issue. We can't assume that the passion we have for Mass Effect is shared by everyone who has bought the game...because it's not!
Which is a valid point. All I'm saying is that the folks who are defending the game by suggesting that everyone who doesn't post on the forums must obviously love the game, are making assumptions with no real evidence to support them. My example about my group of friends is proof of that fallacy. I'm the only one of my friends who posts on here, but every single one of my friends is just as pissed at the ending as I am. The defenders would have you believe that my friends like the ending, since they don't post on here and aren't part of the "vocal minority" on these forums.
In fact, every poll I've seen has shown that over 90% of those responding do not like the endings.
Never mind the other issues with ME3 (wasted NPCs, out-of-established-character NPCs, cram-on multiplayer, mandatory spyware installation, old choices being rendered meaningless, goofy dream sequences, clown rolling in combat, etc, etc, etc.), over 90% of the people (who don't have a stake in talking up ME3) *HATE* the endings.
#1835
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 01:40
Xenogias
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I didnt mind the ending per say. I mean everyone saying no ending boss fight. WTF did you want a 1 on 1 battle with a reaver ship? Please. Even the one you do get is anti climatic. I really enjoyed the fights leading up to the "ending". I didnt even mind how it ended (with an exception that I will discuss in a second). Though instead of the "choice" it should have ended one way or the other all dependant on how your picked your conversations through the game.
The part that PISSED me off was that we have built these relationships up for YEARS with other characters and they are tossed to the side like they mean nothing. I guessed what would happen to Shep a long time ago. What I was most interested in is what happened to my crew after all was said and done. All I can guess is they either planned another game based around that or they had planned on $10 a character DLC based on that. Both of which are unacceptable.
The part that PISSED me off was that we have built these relationships up for YEARS with other characters and they are tossed to the side like they mean nothing. I guessed what would happen to Shep a long time ago. What I was most interested in is what happened to my crew after all was said and done. All I can guess is they either planned another game based around that or they had planned on $10 a character DLC based on that. Both of which are unacceptable.
#1836
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 01:40
Ibn_Shisha
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Chris Priestly wrote...
Today we have a message from BioWare Co-Founder Ray Muzyka to Mass Effect players.
Please use this thread for your comment's on Ray's blog.
I wonder how they would react to the following scenario:
Let's imagine the travel agency I work for is Bioware's travel provider. They come to us for their tickets to Pax.
Agency: No problem, we'll get the whole panel set up.
Bioware: First class?
Agency: We would never put one of our VIP clients in coach.
Bioware: Direct flights?
Agency: Of course, we respect our clients too much to put them on inconvenient connections.
That would expose us right there. Anyone who travels or works in travel knows that unless you are flying hub-to-hub, to or from a hub, or charter, you WILL have connections.
Bioware: No hang-ups at security?
Agency: We always input our clients' TSA data right away to avoid security problems.
Bioware: OK, sounds great!
We then proceed to book the panel economy tickets with a 5-hour layover in Pearson, and never bother to enter their security data. They give us an angry call from the airport:
Bioware: What's going on here? You didn't give us anything that you told us you would. In fact you gave us pretty much the opposite!
Agency: First off, let us just say how proud we are of all of our agents. After all, look at all these glowing reviews we have from travel publications that we advertise in! Secondly, we are a little hurt and confused that you didn't understand or appreciate our artistic vision of telling you would be in first class and then seating you close enough to SEE first class and leaving the rest to your imagination and speculation. We thought it was brilliant! However, we do realize that some of our clients actually want the tickets they were told they were getting, so we'll make sure you're in first class for the return flight. Oh, and we have some great vacation package specials coming up! You should buy some! Don't forget to tell your friends and family to come to us for their travel needs!
I don't think our agency would be in business much longer after that, and we certainly wouldn't have Bioware as a client any more.
Modifié par Ibn_Shisha, 28 mars 2012 - 01:42 .
#1837
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 01:42
Andromidius
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Ibn_Shisha wrote...
Chris Priestly wrote...
Today we have a message from BioWare Co-Founder Ray Muzyka to Mass Effect players.
Please use this thread for your comment's on Ray's blog.
I wonder how they would react to the following scenario:
Let's imagine the travel agency I work for is Bioware's travel provider. They come to us for their tickets to Pax.
Agency: No problem, we'll get the whole panel set up.
Bioware: First class?
Agency: We would never put one of our VIP clients in coach.
Bioware: Direct flights?
Agency: Of course, we respect our clients too much to put them on inconvenient connections.
That would expose us right there. Anyone who travels or works in travel knows that unless you are flying hub-to-hub, to or from a hub, or charter, you WILL have connections.
Bioware: No hang-ups at security?
Agency: We always input our clients' TSA data right away to avoid security problems.
Bioware: OK, sounds great!
We then proceed to book the panel economy tickets with a 5-hour layover in Pearson, and never bother to enter their security data. They give us an angry call from the airport:
Bioware: What's going on here? You didn't give us anything that you told us you would. In fact you gave us pretty much the opposite!
Agency: First off, let us just say how proud we are of all of our agents. After all, look at all these glowing reviews we have from travel publications that we advertise in! Secondly, we are a little hurt and confused that you didn't understand or appreciate our artistic vision of telling you would be in first class and then seating you close enough to SEE first class and leaving the rest to your imagination and speculation. We thought it was brilliant! However, we do realize that some of our clients actually want the tickets they were told they were getting, so we'll make sure you're in first class for the return flight. Oh, and we have some great vacation package specials coming up! You should buy some! Don't forget to tell your friends and family to come to us for their travel needs!
I don't think our agency would be in business much longer after that, and we certainly wouldn't have Bioware as a client any more.
Genius. +1
#1838
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 02:32
Killjoy Cutter
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Ibn_Shisha wrote...
Chris Priestly wrote...
Today we have a message from BioWare Co-Founder Ray Muzyka to Mass Effect players.
Please use this thread for your comment's on Ray's blog.
I wonder how they would react to the following scenario:
Let's imagine the travel agency I work for is Bioware's travel provider. They come to us for their tickets to Pax.
Agency: No problem, we'll get the whole panel set up.
Bioware: First class?
Agency: We would never put one of our VIP clients in coach.
Bioware: Direct flights?
Agency: Of course, we respect our clients too much to put them on inconvenient connections.
That would expose us right there. Anyone who travels or works in travel knows that unless you are flying hub-to-hub, to or from a hub, or charter, you WILL have connections.
Bioware: No hang-ups at security?
Agency: We always input our clients' TSA data right away to avoid security problems.
Bioware: OK, sounds great!
We then proceed to book the panel economy tickets with a 5-hour layover in Pearson, and never bother to enter their security data. They give us an angry call from the airport:
Bioware: What's going on here? You didn't give us anything that you told us you would. In fact you gave us pretty much the opposite!
Agency: First off, let us just say how proud we are of all of our agents. After all, look at all these glowing reviews we have from travel publications that we advertise in! Secondly, we are a little hurt and confused that you didn't understand or appreciate our artistic vision of telling you would be in first class and then seating you close enough to SEE first class and leaving the rest to your imagination and speculation. We thought it was brilliant! However, we do realize that some of our clients actually want the tickets they were told they were getting, so we'll make sure you're in first class for the return flight. Oh, and we have some great vacation package specials coming up! You should buy some! Don't forget to tell your friends and family to come to us for their travel needs!
I don't think our agency would be in business much longer after that, and we certainly wouldn't have Bioware as a client any more.
BRILLIANT!!!!
I hope Priestly, Hudson, and the rest of the crew read that. Maybe it will finally sink in.
Modifié par Killjoy Cutter, 28 mars 2012 - 02:33 .
#1839
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 04:34
k8ee
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RukiaKuchki wrote...
Artemis_Entrari wrote...
So while I'm not saying that everyone who doesn't post on the forums also hated the ending, I also think it's naive for those defending the ending to automatically assume that those who don't post their anger on here actually were happy with it. Me and my friends are a small sampling proof of the fallacy of that.
I think what is more likely the case, is that the vast majority of people not posting on the forums to say they loved it or hated it really don't care that much. To them this is a game, a frivolous way to pass a few hours, nothing more. The ending may have been a let down, but to them it just isn't an issue. We can't assume that the passion we have for Mass Effect is shared by everyone who has bought the game...because it's not!
There are lots of people who just don't participate in this sort of medium. I can think of at least 15 people I know who have told me they thought the ending was terrible, and to go on to say that they can't imagine playing the game again. These are not casual players. They have multiple play throughs and merchandise, they buy DLC. Some of these people have read threads on the BSN, but they aren't users. Most of them do not participate in forums in any way. I know several people who were so hurt by the endings that they returned the game, and one person has even been trying to sell me their ME merchandise. At the moment, sadly, I find myself uninterested.
I have a hard time accepting that silence about the endings has been adopted to mean "great ending!" I think if it was really that great, there would be a larger number of people on the forums rejoicing and arguing on the side of "brilliance and superb writing" that was in the ending - which just isn't the case.
I thought I'd be playing this trilogy for years to come. I can't believe I spent all that time playing... all those hours.. I never thought that ME3 could possibly end in such a devastating and disappointing way. It's been almost three weeks and I still can't understand...
#1840
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 05:03
ShinsFortress
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Ibn_Shisha wrote...
Chris Priestly wrote...
Today we have a message from BioWare Co-Founder Ray Muzyka to Mass Effect players.
Please use this thread for your comment's on Ray's blog.
I wonder how they would react to the following scenario:
Let's imagine the travel agency I work for is Bioware's travel provider. They come to us for their tickets to Pax.
Agency: No problem, we'll get the whole panel set up.
Bioware: First class?
Agency: We would never put one of our VIP clients in coach.
Bioware: Direct flights?
Agency: Of course, we respect our clients too much to put them on inconvenient connections.
That would expose us right there. Anyone who travels or works in travel knows that unless you are flying hub-to-hub, to or from a hub, or charter, you WILL have connections.
Bioware: No hang-ups at security?
Agency: We always input our clients' TSA data right away to avoid security problems.
Bioware: OK, sounds great!
We then proceed to book the panel economy tickets with a 5-hour layover in Pearson, and never bother to enter their security data. They give us an angry call from the airport:
Bioware: What's going on here? You didn't give us anything that you told us you would. In fact you gave us pretty much the opposite!
Agency: First off, let us just say how proud we are of all of our agents. After all, look at all these glowing reviews we have from travel publications that we advertise in! Secondly, we are a little hurt and confused that you didn't understand or appreciate our artistic vision of telling you would be in first class and then seating you close enough to SEE first class and leaving the rest to your imagination and speculation. We thought it was brilliant! However, we do realize that some of our clients actually want the tickets they were told they were getting, so we'll make sure you're in first class for the return flight. Oh, and we have some great vacation package specials coming up! You should buy some! Don't forget to tell your friends and family to come to us for their travel needs!
I don't think our agency would be in business much longer after that, and we certainly wouldn't have Bioware as a client any more.
Spot on. But Bioware/EA senior management (including Ray M) don't seem to care enough to either a) ensure that their customers and fans get what they were promised, e.g. plenty of exposition on what we did previously and significant variety in endings and
provide decent and timely updates about what they are going to do about it.And before anyone tells me that they can't promise what they can't be sure of delivering... well, they've already done that haven't they? I think that Bioware should be spending extra of their resources to accelerate restitution for the many fans who honestly believe they have been wronged. They've made plenty of money out of us. This time they should spend a bit more of it on the actual content promised than they were planning to.
Modifié par ShinsFortress, 28 mars 2012 - 05:04 .
#1842
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 05:39
Lunatic LK47
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BioWare, you wanted commentary on how to fix this, start with the FALSE ADVERTISING!
Special thanks to Johnny G starting this topic:
Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,
Per your request, I am providing
constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind,
the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its
consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being
the most poignant).
Below are quotes that were made by BioWare
before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written
promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic
choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are
producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain
things.
If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for
me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have
the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I
simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at
stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices
is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to
your consumers you became bound to them.
So here are some of the
promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in
order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making
certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that
for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them
stand and hope you guys do the right thing.
We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.
[quote]Official Mass Effect Website
http://masseffect.com/about/story/
“Experience
the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other,
where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and
outcome.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/
“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://business.fina...-all-audiences/
“I’m
always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one
of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are
optimal for different people”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/
“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/
“There
are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could
you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be
forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any
more than that…”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry
“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."
“You'll
get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless
of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide
some answers to these people.”
“Because a lot of these plot
threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since
you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will
definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made
and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx
“For
people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the
universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in
Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different
based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/
“Fans
want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some
closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”
“Mass
Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore,
learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being
able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”
Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”
Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2
Interviewer:
[Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that
same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”
Hudson:
“Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build
the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually
tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end
with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At
this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made
as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way
like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings
there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a
lot more sophistication and variety in them.”
“We have a rule in our franchise that there is no canon. You as a player decide what your story is.”[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....in_bioware.html
Mass
Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever
before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for
Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html
"Of
course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all
the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get
all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different
way of playing"[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/
“The
whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions,
about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to
end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what
civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered
in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2
“There
is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach
the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to
break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game
ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few
things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the
final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays
it.”[/quote]This **** won't go away. What is BioWare going to do to address this topic?
Special thanks to Johnny G starting this topic:
Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,
Per your request, I am providing
constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind,
the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its
consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being
the most poignant).
Below are quotes that were made by BioWare
before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written
promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic
choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are
producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain
things.
If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for
me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have
the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I
simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at
stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices
is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to
your consumers you became bound to them.
So here are some of the
promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in
order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making
certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that
for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them
stand and hope you guys do the right thing.
We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.
[quote]Official Mass Effect Website
http://masseffect.com/about/story/
“Experience
the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other,
where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and
outcome.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/
“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://business.fina...-all-audiences/
“I’m
always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one
of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are
optimal for different people”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/
“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/
“There
are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could
you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be
forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any
more than that…”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry
“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."
“You'll
get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless
of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide
some answers to these people.”
“Because a lot of these plot
threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since
you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will
definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made
and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx
“For
people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the
universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in
Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different
based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/
“Fans
want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some
closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”
“Mass
Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore,
learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being
able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”
Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”
Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2
Interviewer:
[Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that
same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”
Hudson:
“Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build
the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually
tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end
with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At
this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made
as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way
like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings
there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a
lot more sophistication and variety in them.”
“We have a rule in our franchise that there is no canon. You as a player decide what your story is.”[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....in_bioware.html
Mass
Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever
before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for
Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html
"Of
course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all
the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get
all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different
way of playing"[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/
“The
whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions,
about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to
end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what
civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered
in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2
“There
is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach
the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to
break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game
ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few
things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the
final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays
it.”[/quote]This **** won't go away. What is BioWare going to do to address this topic?
#1843
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 05:42
Stronglav
-
- Members
- 438 messages
So what are they gonna do about all this?
#1844
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 05:57
Getorex
-
- Members
- 4 882 messages
I was blowing some time this morning here and there online when I ended up on youtube and started in on some Mass Effect vids. The Hitler Learns About the Ending of Mass Effect 3 thing is great. I never get tired of that "Hitler learns about" or "Hitler hears about" meme. Hilarious. One thing led to another when I viewed a few of the tribute to Mass Effect videos. Some of them are very well done, some music choices are fantastic. They cover the ENTIRE series and, like a good movie trailer, make the entire thing look and feel truly epic, outstanding, beautiful. I see the stuff covering bits from Mass Effect 1 and it takes me back to how truly excellent that game was. Truly excellent. Best damn video game (and series) I have EVER played (up there with the original Deus Ex...first of its kind). I even got a bit of a lump in my throat watching the tributes, listening to the music. Epic. They go over ME2 scenes and then on to ME3. Looks fantastic but when the video ends I simply feel rather sad. Sad at what COULD have been. Sad about the lost opportunity. Sad that I had been so happy to know a Mass Effect movie was being developed but was now not in the least interested. Now I wouldn't give a crap if they handed the movie rights to Ewe Bolls. Who cares?
Such a waste. A waste of my money. A waste of my time all these years. A waste of my imagination. Thanks for nothing at all Bioware. You rock.
Such a waste. A waste of my money. A waste of my time all these years. A waste of my imagination. Thanks for nothing at all Bioware. You rock.
Modifié par Getorex, 28 mars 2012 - 06:00 .
#1845
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 07:13
ShinsFortress
-
- Members
- 1 159 messages
Cheburator987 wrote...
So what are they gonna do about all this?
Nobody publicly knows. And they're taking their sweet time with telling us.
#1846
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 07:49
Ibn_Shisha
-
- Members
- 1 824 messages
[quote]Lunatic LK47 wrote...
BioWare, you wanted commentary on how to fix this, start with the FALSE ADVERTISING!
Special thanks to Johnny G starting this topic:
Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,
Per your request, I am providing
constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind,
the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its
consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being
the most poignant).
Below are quotes that were made by BioWare
before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written
promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic
choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are
producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain
things.
If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for
me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have
the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I
simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at
stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices
is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to
your consumers you became bound to them.
So here are some of the
promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in
order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making
certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that
for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them
stand and hope you guys do the right thing.
We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.
[quote]Official Mass Effect Website
http://masseffect.com/about/story/
“Experience
the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other,
where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and
outcome.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/
“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://business.fina...-all-audiences/
“I’m
always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one
of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are
optimal for different people”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/
“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/
“There
are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could
you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be
forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any
more than that…”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry
“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."
“You'll
get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless
of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide
some answers to these people.”
“Because a lot of these plot
threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since
you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will
definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made
and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx
“For
people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the
universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in
Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different
based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/
“Fans
want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some
closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”
“Mass
Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore,
learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being
able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”
Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”
Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2
Interviewer:
[Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that
same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”
Hudson:
“Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build
the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually
tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end
with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At
this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made
as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way
like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings
there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a
lot more sophistication and variety in them.”
“We have a rule in our franchise that there is no canon. You as a player decide what your story is.”[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....in_bioware.html
Mass
Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever
before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for
Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html
"Of
course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all
the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get
all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different
way of playing"[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/
“The
whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions,
about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to
end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what
civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered
in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2
“There
is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach
the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to
break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game
ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few
things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the
final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays
it.”[/quote]This **** won't go away. What is BioWare going to do to address this topic?
[/quote]
This is the main problem (well, that and face transfer). Had they said from the beginning that ending would be "speculative" and not reflect any of our choices along the way, rather than preordering 2 CEs I would have waited until a few months after release and picked up reduced-price SEs, using the savings for D3 and/or tGotGoT.
BioWare, you wanted commentary on how to fix this, start with the FALSE ADVERTISING!
Special thanks to Johnny G starting this topic:
Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,
Per your request, I am providing
constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind,
the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its
consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being
the most poignant).
Below are quotes that were made by BioWare
before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written
promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic
choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are
producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain
things.
If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for
me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have
the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I
simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at
stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices
is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to
your consumers you became bound to them.
So here are some of the
promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in
order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making
certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that
for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them
stand and hope you guys do the right thing.
We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.
[quote]Official Mass Effect Website
http://masseffect.com/about/story/
“Experience
the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other,
where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and
outcome.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/
“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)
http://business.fina...-all-audiences/
“I’m
always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one
of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are
optimal for different people”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/
“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/
“There
are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could
you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be
forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any
more than that…”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry
“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."
“You'll
get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless
of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide
some answers to these people.”
“Because a lot of these plot
threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since
you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will
definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made
and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx
“For
people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the
universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in
Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different
based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/
“Fans
want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some
closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”
“Mass
Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore,
learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being
able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”
Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”
Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote]
[quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2
Interviewer:
[Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that
same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”
Hudson:
“Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build
the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually
tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end
with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At
this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made
as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way
like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings
there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a
lot more sophistication and variety in them.”
“We have a rule in our franchise that there is no canon. You as a player decide what your story is.”[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....in_bioware.html
Mass
Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever
before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for
Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote]
[quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html
"Of
course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all
the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get
all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different
way of playing"[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/
“The
whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions,
about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to
end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what
civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered
in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote]
[quote]Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2
“There
is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach
the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to
break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game
ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few
things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the
final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays
it.”[/quote]This **** won't go away. What is BioWare going to do to address this topic?
[/quote]
This is the main problem (well, that and face transfer). Had they said from the beginning that ending would be "speculative" and not reflect any of our choices along the way, rather than preordering 2 CEs I would have waited until a few months after release and picked up reduced-price SEs, using the savings for D3 and/or tGotGoT.
#1847
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 08:35
LegendaryBlade
-
- Members
- 1 482 messages
It's a shame Bioware is going PR lockdown and locking threads that reveal their false advertising and lies.
#1848
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 08:38
durasteel
-
- Members
- 2 007 messages
To Dr. Muzyka, Regarding Artistic Integrity
Dear Dr. Muzyka,
I have spent some time thinking about your recent statement regarding the ending of Mass Effect 3, especially the following:“I believe passionately that games are an art form, and that the power of our medium flows from our audience, who are deeply involved in how the story unfolds, and who have the uncontested right to provide constructive criticism. At the same time, I also believe in and support the artistic choices made by the development team. The team and I have been thinking hard about how to best address the comments on ME3’s endings from players, while still maintaining the artistic integrity of the game.”
I share your beliefs, but I feel as if those convictions might be leading us to different conclusions.
We know you. Some of us know your personal story, and have drawn inspiration from the courage you and Dr. Zeschuk showed in leaving the security of the medical profession to follow your hearts and dreams in an entertainment and artistic field. Some of us have read about BioWare as a business and taken lessons from the way you empower and reward your teams. All of us here, however, know you and BioWare best for your work. We came here because of your games and stayed here for your games. Your games, including Mass Effect 3, are unlike anything else on the market in terms of the quality of the narrative experience and the attachment and participation they invite from the player.
That’s what I would like to talk about, in the context of integrity—artistic and otherwise. You and your company, and Casey Hudson’s Mass Effect team in particular, have proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that you’re capable of phenomenal work. The Mass Effect games aren’t just art, they are often what is held up to prove the point that video games are an artistic medium. They make the player feel and think; they draw us in on an emotional, visceral level so that our level of engagement and suspension of disbelief is without parallel. You guys know good storytelling, you know good game design, and you know good art in this medium.
You know that the end of Mass Effect 3 does not measure up to your standard.
The amount of analysis of the ending of your most recent game done by its fans is staggering, detailed, and often well researched, but it is nothing that you and your very talented professionals didn’t already know. Frankly, a panel of industry professionals discussing how to tell effective and immersive stories through an interactive game would seem strangely empty without someone from BioWare on it. You guys are as capable of evaluating the shortcomings of the Catalyst segment as anyone, so you know full well the ways in which it fails to do justice to your game, your series, your team, and your company.
This is where integrity comes into play.
First, be honest. We understand deadlines and pressure. We don’t need specifics, we don’t need blame to be placed, we do not need a “pound of flesh.” We do, I think, need a simple acknowledgement that the Catalyst ending does not reflect the standard of work from BioWare or Mr. Hudson’s exceptional team, does not meet the expectations of your consumers, and does not represent the artistic choices the development team would have made under normal circumstances. We already know it, but admitting it respects and re-establishes the artistic integrity to which you referred.
Second, finish the game. Your fans, who love BioWare and Mass Effect, have given you an opportunity where re-completion of this game is something that makes sound business sense. The Catalyst ending as it currently stands diminishes the entire game and the entire series, and the integrity of your art demands a conclusion that matches it in quality and character. The overwhelming dissatisfaction from consumers has brought sound business practice and the issue of integrity into alignment.
You didn’t get into making video games for the money. Your passion for this industry and pride in your work which has helped to shape it are what I hope to appeal to today. You know, as well as anyone, whether explanation and clarification will be enough to bring Mass Effect 3 and the Mass Effect trilogy into something like a sound, unimpaired condition. You and your team are best qualified to judge whether padding out the existing ending will best reflect the principles and character of BioWare and provide a whole and undiminished product for your fans.
Much has been said about your fans’ reaction to the Catalyst ending, both sympathetic and scornful. Some insist that your fans want a happy ending, others claim that your fans want closure. Your team has invited and received a torrent of feedback with general and specific suggestions for the ending, but I fear that it might be obscuring the truth which I hope you and the development team never lose sight of: We want a BioWare ending. We want a Mass Effect ending. We want an ending that reflects the ability and talent of Mr. Hudson’s team. We want an ending that embodies the principles and character of your company. We want an ending that that matches the game, so that, whole and undiminished, it preserves the integrity of the Mass Effect experience.
You made reference to “a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey.” I fear that this implies an unwillingness to admit, perhaps even to yourself or within BioWare, that the Catalyst ending might be fundamentally flawed. My hope is that I can appeal to your integrity to make an honest appraisal of the ending and these proposed initiatives, and to make decisions that stem from the same motivation that inspired the creation of BioWare. It might not be an easy decision to fundamentally change the ending and discard certain elements, but if that is what is needed to produce an ending you are proud of then I think you will agree it is the right choice to make. BioWare and Mr. Hudson’s team have produced amazing work that has earned an unparalleled reputation. They deserve the chance to preserve the integrity of their reputation, their art, and their principles by finishing this game with a true reflection of their artistic choices and ability.
Whatever those true artistic choices are, I have no doubt they will be greeted with respect and enthusiasm when we finally have the opportunity to experience the new ending content.
Sincerely,
Richard Smith,
BioWare Fan
in•teg•ri•ty [in-teg-ri-tee] noun
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.
Dear Dr. Muzyka,
I have spent some time thinking about your recent statement regarding the ending of Mass Effect 3, especially the following:“I believe passionately that games are an art form, and that the power of our medium flows from our audience, who are deeply involved in how the story unfolds, and who have the uncontested right to provide constructive criticism. At the same time, I also believe in and support the artistic choices made by the development team. The team and I have been thinking hard about how to best address the comments on ME3’s endings from players, while still maintaining the artistic integrity of the game.”
I share your beliefs, but I feel as if those convictions might be leading us to different conclusions.
We know you. Some of us know your personal story, and have drawn inspiration from the courage you and Dr. Zeschuk showed in leaving the security of the medical profession to follow your hearts and dreams in an entertainment and artistic field. Some of us have read about BioWare as a business and taken lessons from the way you empower and reward your teams. All of us here, however, know you and BioWare best for your work. We came here because of your games and stayed here for your games. Your games, including Mass Effect 3, are unlike anything else on the market in terms of the quality of the narrative experience and the attachment and participation they invite from the player.
That’s what I would like to talk about, in the context of integrity—artistic and otherwise. You and your company, and Casey Hudson’s Mass Effect team in particular, have proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that you’re capable of phenomenal work. The Mass Effect games aren’t just art, they are often what is held up to prove the point that video games are an artistic medium. They make the player feel and think; they draw us in on an emotional, visceral level so that our level of engagement and suspension of disbelief is without parallel. You guys know good storytelling, you know good game design, and you know good art in this medium.
You know that the end of Mass Effect 3 does not measure up to your standard.
The amount of analysis of the ending of your most recent game done by its fans is staggering, detailed, and often well researched, but it is nothing that you and your very talented professionals didn’t already know. Frankly, a panel of industry professionals discussing how to tell effective and immersive stories through an interactive game would seem strangely empty without someone from BioWare on it. You guys are as capable of evaluating the shortcomings of the Catalyst segment as anyone, so you know full well the ways in which it fails to do justice to your game, your series, your team, and your company.
This is where integrity comes into play.
First, be honest. We understand deadlines and pressure. We don’t need specifics, we don’t need blame to be placed, we do not need a “pound of flesh.” We do, I think, need a simple acknowledgement that the Catalyst ending does not reflect the standard of work from BioWare or Mr. Hudson’s exceptional team, does not meet the expectations of your consumers, and does not represent the artistic choices the development team would have made under normal circumstances. We already know it, but admitting it respects and re-establishes the artistic integrity to which you referred.
Second, finish the game. Your fans, who love BioWare and Mass Effect, have given you an opportunity where re-completion of this game is something that makes sound business sense. The Catalyst ending as it currently stands diminishes the entire game and the entire series, and the integrity of your art demands a conclusion that matches it in quality and character. The overwhelming dissatisfaction from consumers has brought sound business practice and the issue of integrity into alignment.
You didn’t get into making video games for the money. Your passion for this industry and pride in your work which has helped to shape it are what I hope to appeal to today. You know, as well as anyone, whether explanation and clarification will be enough to bring Mass Effect 3 and the Mass Effect trilogy into something like a sound, unimpaired condition. You and your team are best qualified to judge whether padding out the existing ending will best reflect the principles and character of BioWare and provide a whole and undiminished product for your fans.
Much has been said about your fans’ reaction to the Catalyst ending, both sympathetic and scornful. Some insist that your fans want a happy ending, others claim that your fans want closure. Your team has invited and received a torrent of feedback with general and specific suggestions for the ending, but I fear that it might be obscuring the truth which I hope you and the development team never lose sight of: We want a BioWare ending. We want a Mass Effect ending. We want an ending that reflects the ability and talent of Mr. Hudson’s team. We want an ending that embodies the principles and character of your company. We want an ending that that matches the game, so that, whole and undiminished, it preserves the integrity of the Mass Effect experience.
You made reference to “a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey.” I fear that this implies an unwillingness to admit, perhaps even to yourself or within BioWare, that the Catalyst ending might be fundamentally flawed. My hope is that I can appeal to your integrity to make an honest appraisal of the ending and these proposed initiatives, and to make decisions that stem from the same motivation that inspired the creation of BioWare. It might not be an easy decision to fundamentally change the ending and discard certain elements, but if that is what is needed to produce an ending you are proud of then I think you will agree it is the right choice to make. BioWare and Mr. Hudson’s team have produced amazing work that has earned an unparalleled reputation. They deserve the chance to preserve the integrity of their reputation, their art, and their principles by finishing this game with a true reflection of their artistic choices and ability.
Whatever those true artistic choices are, I have no doubt they will be greeted with respect and enthusiasm when we finally have the opportunity to experience the new ending content.
Sincerely,
Richard Smith,
BioWare Fan
Modifié par durasteel, 28 mars 2012 - 08:40 .
#1849
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 09:16
Getorex
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- Members
- 4 882 messages
THE best critique of the ending. Cogent, logical, reasoned:
Seriously...LEARN from this Bioware (and others). You can fix this.
Seriously...LEARN from this Bioware (and others). You can fix this.
Modifié par Getorex, 28 mars 2012 - 09:25 .
#1850
Posté 28 mars 2012 - 09:58
scorpiondrums
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- Members
- 5 messages
I'm have been a big fan of pc games for a long long time. I loved the Mass Effect series, it was a great ride. However they deem to finish the series off, imho, is entirely the designers choice. Does the ending suck?, big time, only because, for me, it was entirely out of character with the rest of the fine work that was done.
I won't go into a sermon....it's been done many times and much better than I could possibly put into words.
I don't post on forums, but I did on this one, because even though I thought ME3 was great....it was like eating a handful of tasty pistachios and the last one was bitter and left a bad taste in your mouth.
I was dumbfounded by the ending...there was nothing creative or magical about it (unlike the rest of the series)....
I wasn't sad how it ended...just that it was so unbelievably contrived and ho hum....
I was more sad about the shabby treatment my characters were given....characters that, like in a good book, become family of sort. The characters are just abandoned...like a movie with a bad green screen behind it....totally just sucked all the air out of my balloon.
Last game I EVER pre-buy again....especially if it has a Bioware or EA logo on it.
Farewell Normandy and crew....your commander and fans appreciated your loyalty and devotion. You deserved a better send off.
I won't go into a sermon....it's been done many times and much better than I could possibly put into words.
I don't post on forums, but I did on this one, because even though I thought ME3 was great....it was like eating a handful of tasty pistachios and the last one was bitter and left a bad taste in your mouth.
I was dumbfounded by the ending...there was nothing creative or magical about it (unlike the rest of the series)....
I wasn't sad how it ended...just that it was so unbelievably contrived and ho hum....
I was more sad about the shabby treatment my characters were given....characters that, like in a good book, become family of sort. The characters are just abandoned...like a movie with a bad green screen behind it....totally just sucked all the air out of my balloon.
Last game I EVER pre-buy again....especially if it has a Bioware or EA logo on it.
Farewell Normandy and crew....your commander and fans appreciated your loyalty and devotion. You deserved a better send off.
