160 réponses à ce sujet

[yesikareyes]

Furtled wrote...

Question for Paul Tassi if @yesikareyes gets a chance to pass it along
Do you think we can expect a more customer focused strategy from EA to come out of this, or will it be business as usual given how big EA has become and how difficult it is to pull off a major culture shift in large organisations?

Thanks

Paul Tassi:

That's a good question. I think they might start putting a larger focus on support (meaning less support chat horror stories), and perhaps tone down over-excessive DLC a touch, but I don't think it's going to be some huge shift. Again, until they start losing revenue as a result of treating customers poorly, there's no real reason to change.

[Furtled]

Thanks @yesikareyes and another one for Paul Tassi
Thanks for the response - as a follow up do you think BioWare has enough weight within the company to push back against the worst of EA's practices and regain the semi-independence they were supposed to have when they were first bought?

[Reidbynature]

@Paul Tassi. Do you think the Retake movement and Bioware's response is that much of a precedent?

Throughout this situation detractors (including many gaming journalists) have cried out that this is setting a bad precedent and that it will be bad for 'artistic integrity' and the industry as a whole, but I've also noticed many instances brought up by fans (some of whom are writers/artists etc) that show not only have the fans had influence on various art forms throughout the ages, but that they're feedback is valued and important.

One particular example that shows how the situation may not be unique as many may think at first is the Fallout 3 ending being changed with DLC (often a go-to example her on the BSN). Fans had similarly called that ending disappointing (and nowhere near as varied as was advertised by the game makers), but that never seemed to gather such notoriety as the Retake movement did. So I can't help but wonder why there's so much hate and vitriol thrown at Mass Effect fans who disliked the ending.

Bit long, I know. lol

[yesikareyes]

Let me post my response as well, so you guys could get to know me a lot better:


Upon hearing the news, did I weep and kneel as I bellowed "victory!" to the heavens? Or did I mutter profanities to express my discontent? Surprisingly, I did neither of those and I kind of expected this was the type of content we are going to get since Dr. Muzyka's statement. Instead, I just nodded and went about my own way. Bioware promised "modifications" with the ending and no changes as a balance between their artistic vision and feedback from their fans. I truly believe that this was the best and most practical solution to appease both parties. A rewrite would just hamper the cohesiveness of the whole narrative. The damage has been done and even if the ending was changed, the sour disappointment would always linger. So, Bioware delivers on what I expected and wanted but the true question now remains is in the execution which I believe would not disappoint.

[yesikareyes]

Furtled wrote...

Thanks @yesikareyes and another one for Paul Tassi
Thanks for the response - as a follow up do you think BioWare has enough weight within the company to push back against the worst of EA's practices and regain the semi-independence they were supposed to have when they were first bought?

Paul Tassi:

In short, no. They haven't so far at least, and I'm not sure "look how mad everyone is getting!" is going to be a convincing argument. No one's going to say publicly how much influence EA has over Bioware in a quantifiable amount, it just had to be gauged from the games.

[yesikareyes]

Reidbynature wrote...

@Paul Tassi. Do you think the Retake movement and Bioware's response is that much of a precedent?

Throughout this situation detractors (including many gaming journalists) have cried out that this is setting a bad precedent and that it will be bad for 'artistic integrity' and the industry as a whole, but I've also noticed many instances brought up by fans (some of whom are writers/artists etc) that show not only have the fans had influence on various art forms throughout the ages, but that they're feedback is valued and important.

One particular example that shows how the situation may not be unique as many may think at first is the Fallout 3 ending being changed with DLC (often a go-to example her on the BSN). Fans had similarly called that ending disappointing (and nowhere near as varied as was advertised by the game makers), but that never seemed to gather such notoriety as the Retake movement did. So I can't help but wonder why there's so much hate and vitriol thrown at Mass Effect fans who disliked the ending.

Bit long, I know. lol

Paul Tassi:

I don't think this sets a bad precedent, because I can't foresee there being this level of fervor having to do with another series. At least not for a long time. While games like Fallout 3 and Borderlands may have had sort of a crappy ending (which was later fixed by DLC), it wasn't the culmination of three games' storylines, nor were most players as invested in those stories. The Mass Effect 3 case is unique, and I don't think it's going to results in a ton of "crowdsourced endings" now.

[Reidbynature]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I don't think we'll see many cries for new endings across the board either.

[Furtled]

yesikareyes wrote...
Paul Tassi:
In short, no. They haven't so far at least, and I'm not sure "look how mad everyone is getting!" is going to be a convincing argument. No one's going to say publicly how much influence EA has over Bioware in a quantifiable amount, it just had to be gauged from the games.

Pretty much my take on things sadly and thanks again both. I'm still amazed at how much impact the Retake peeps have had, fingers crossed for the future.

Modifié par Furtled, 05 avril 2012 - 09:03 .

[Squallypo]

yesikareyes wrote...

Squallypo wrote...

i got a Question for Paul, hey paul i was with many others in the Q+A day in FB, i was wondering if you guys had any plan for an interview with either Dr. Ray, Casey Hudson or Mac Walters? about the mass effect 3 situation / endings and consumers/ gamers situation and how this has actually made an impact in the opinions and Voices of the fans / gamers and consumers on how this has been handled and well alot of stuff this is just but a few things of what you should guys should ask to them. btw i think i ask you the same thing in that Q+A day if you guys had any plans of an interview but i though i could ask again to see if theres gonna be One or is in progress to be. Thanks

Paul Tassi:

I'd love to talk to the Bioware guys, but that's easier said than done. If I do land such an interview, you'll be the first to know.  

Awesome thanks for sending my question c:

[yesikareyes]

Squallypo wrote...

Awesome thanks for sending my question c:

Your welcome, and I was also there during the Facebook Q&A.

[IBPROFEN]

yesikareyers can you ask Paul Tassi if his bosses to send him on field trip to Pax. To get some first hand info to write up, he might be able to score an interview with BW out of it.

[Squallypo]

IBPROFEN wrote...

yesikareyers can you ask Paul Tassi if his bosses to send him on field trip to Pax. To get some first hand info to write up, he might be able to score an interview with BW out of it.

it would be nice if forbes could go tomorrow to the PAX , its a perfect way to get an interview from them.

[yesikareyes]

IBPROFEN wrote...

yesikareyers can you ask Paul Tassi if his bosses to send him on field trip to Pax. To get some first hand info to write up, he might be able to score an interview with BW out of it.

Paul Tassi:

Hah, yeah I know. I can't go to PAX this year unfortunately. But I'm definitely trying to start getting Forbes to send me places like that. Tough sell for a freelancer, but I think it would be worth it.

Modifié par yesikareyes, 05 avril 2012 - 11:51 .

[Swinns]

So Paul what do you think is gonna happen at their pax panel? Is it gonna be all deflection? Are they gonna actually answer questions? Is there gonna be a wild stempede of angry fans? What do you think?

[Foryou]

I'm sorry but who is this?

[yesikareyes]

Foryou wrote...

I'm sorry but who is this?

Paul Tassi is a writer for Forbes who has covered the controvery regarding Mass Effect 3's ending.

Listed below are some of his articles: 


http://www.forbes.co...-with-free-dlc/





http://www.forbes.co...veryones-heads/

[Foryou]

yesikareyes wrote...

Foryou wrote...

I'm sorry but who is this?

Paul Tassi is a writer for Forbes who has covered the controvery regarding Mass Effect 3's ending.

Listed below are some of his articles: 


http://www.forbes.co...-with-free-dlc/





http://www.forbes.co...veryones-heads/

okay thanks

[Mykel54]

Mr. Tassi

Why do you think that the gaming industry, specially the AAA titles, are moving towards a model where the consumer is treated like a criminal? Companies assume that people are going to pirate the game, so they add complex DRM measures in order to delay the arrival of the pirated copies (as most sales are made in the first weeks).

Is the CD Projekt model, or little to no DRM, non sustainable? Why do we see companies that go to such exteme measures, such as Ubisoft´s permanent online activation (Assassin´s Creed)? Don´t these draconian DRM measures affect the image of the company, and therefore, the long term sales and user loyalty to the brand?

A company like EA uses negative feedback: adding restrictions, day 1 dlc, and generally limiting throught DRM your access to the game you bought. On the other hand a company like CD Projekt uses positive feedback, like adding extra items if you buy the game (online or physical copy) like maps, artwork, figures, walkthrough of the game etc., as well as removing the DRM (disk based) with a patch after the initial sales.

Is this old-school method of positive feedback no longer sustainable? Why so many companies focus their policy so much on delaying the pirated copies at the expense of the customer, rather than trying to build up loyalty and please their own customer base?

Thank you for your time.

[dat1guyy]

yesikareyes wrote...

As a response to Farbautisonn:

Paul Tassi asks the fans:

What could EA do to turn your perception of them around?

Will you continue to buy EA games after what's happened in recent months?

1) EA would have to drop online passes and Day 1 DLC first. Secondly, they would have to stop consuming every smaller company they see and just spitting out the bones when the company has nothing less to give.

2) I will never buy another EA game again, and will try to convince others not to.

[dat1guyy]

First off thank you yesikareyes, for taking time to relay messages. You've been a great help!

Paul, I for one will be checking Forbes on a regular basis after the fair criticism you gave during this fiasco. The gaming industry in my opinion has become corrupted. How long would gamers have to boycott big time names like EA and Activision in order to see some reform?

[Mannie89]

yesikareyes wrote...

Weskerr wrote...

I just read the article. I disagree with its conclusion. This was a small concession on BioWare's part, not a total victory for Mass Effect's fans as you believe. The Retake movement, for the most part, does not want clarification, but a total revamp of the ending. Additional cutscenes and cinematics is clarification, not a new ending.

Also, Mr. Tassi, I was disappointed with this comment in your article: The protesters need to be careful now. If they start saying things like
“I wanted the ending CHANGED not EXPANDED,” they’re going to get slapped
with the “entitled” and “whiny” labels they hate so much. And at this
point, I would finally agree with that classification. This is a win for
fans and a concession from Bioware, plain and simple.

I'll tell you right now that the movement will not accept BioWare's clarification DLC, so presumably you're going to join the chorus of game journalists who describe the fans with the insulting, overused phrase, "entitled whiners." Once you do that, you'll probably find the readership you had initially garnered for Forbes to be lost. Of course, no one is asking you to lie and not say what you think to be true, but if that is how you begin to think, then Mass Effect fans will stop reading your articles on this topic.

Paul Tassi:

Part of being honest, a trait which new readers of my writing seem to like, has to extend to covering fans as well. I've called out gaming journalists and publishers for various things, but I cannot get behind the negative reaction to this announcement by fans. If you want to stop trusting Bioware after the whole ending debacle, I don't blame you. They've certainly earned it, and I'm not saying this gesture should make you like them again.

But to say that free ending DLC must conform to your EXACT idea of what you want, meaning essentially a page one rewrite of the ending and several other plot points in the game, I think you're overstepping. You were never going to get that. There was just no way. Bioware is doing this as diplomatically as they can manage. The fact that this new DLC exists, and HAS to be free, is a huge victory for the movement. I'm not sure what would be considered a victory for the die hards at this point. A groveling apology complete with an entirely new ending that abandons what they've already put out? It's just not a realistic demand. I am not namecalling fans, but the most zealous among you need to understand the realities you face. It's amazing you got them to make free DLC with your protests. But if you continue to say, "that's not enough, we want more," no one is going to take you seriously.

I agree we will just have to wait till it is actually released and then we'll have a greater understanding about what Bioware has given us in terms of content to fill in the parts that were left hanging in the end.I wonder if it wasn't for Retake Mass Effect if it would ever have been free

[yesikareyes]

Swinns wrote...

So Paul what do you think is gonna happen at their pax panel? Is it gonna be all deflection? Are they gonna actually answer questions? Is there gonna be a wild stempede of angry fans? What do you think?

Paul Tassi:

That's anyone's guess really. I would bet they're not going to say too much more about "Clarity" DLC, but perhaps other ME-related projects. As for fans, I bet they'll be pretty civil in person. Flaming from the internet doesn't usually translate to real life.

Modifié par yesikareyes, 06 avril 2012 - 02:52 .

[yesikareyes]

Mykel54 wrote...

Mr. Tassi

Why do you think that the gaming industry, specially the AAA titles, are moving towards a model where the consumer is treated like a criminal? Companies assume that people are going to pirate the game, so they add complex DRM measures in order to delay the arrival of the pirated copies (as most sales are made in the first weeks).

Is the CD Projekt model, or little to no DRM, non sustainable? Why do we see companies that go to such exteme measures, such as Ubisoft´s permanent online activation (Assassin´s Creed)? Don´t these draconian DRM measures affect the image of the company, and therefore, the long term sales and user loyalty to the brand?

A company like EA uses negative feedback: adding restrictions, day 1 dlc, and generally limiting throught DRM your access to the game you bought. On the other hand a company like CD Projekt uses positive feedback, like adding extra items if you buy the game (online or physical copy) like maps, artwork, figures, walkthrough of the game etc., as well as removing the DRM (disk based) with a patch after the initial sales.

Is this old-school method of positive feedback no longer sustainable? Why so many companies focus their policy so much on delaying the pirated copies at the expense of the customer, rather than trying to build up loyalty and please their own customer base?

Thank you for your time.

Paul Tassi:

It's a tough spot companies are in. If they don't have DRM,  piracy rates will soar. If they do have DRM, piracy might be a touch less, but they'll have to deal with angry paying customers and lots of piracy anyway once its cracked. Personally, I think positive feedback is at the very least, worth a try. I love the idea of rewarding paying players somehow, and I'd love to see other, larger companies follow CD Projekt's lead. I'm not saying it would necessarily solve all the problems, but it's a theory worth exploring.  

[Weskerr]

I agree with your colleague, Erik Kain, about the "Extended Cut" announcement. http://www.forbes.co...ctory-for-fans/

[dakphillips]

yesikareyes wrote...

As a response to Farbautisonn:

Paul Tassi asks the fans:

What could EA do to turn your perception of them around?

Will you continue to buy EA games after what's happened in recent months?

1.  Allow games longer development times in hopes of pushing out a better product.  If they completely reworked the final mission (everything from killing Kai Leng onwards), then I would at least have enough confidence to pre-order more BW games.  As it stands now I'm planning on just watching the extended cut endings on youtube as I'm done with ME3.  

2.  No.  While the final nail in the coffin was the ME3 ending, the numerous flaws in DA2 as well as dumbing down the combat in that game (I love ME3s combat and gameplay) lead me to believe that the new priority is sending out products on a fixed schedule regardless of the products quality.  I'm an adult on a limited budget and I generally only buy 2-3 games a year so I  tend to be very picky.