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[Erield]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 Yes to this one too
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 Liara for Femshep and Tali for Maleshep
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 I found ME2 to be almost entirely focused on your characters, and their development.  The overarching story seemed to be mostly a background for these interactions to take place.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 I'm not sure I understand this question.  There are some renegade choices that I cannot/will not take in an "actual" game.  I've done some experimenting, and I find that they are just too--well, evil.  Or douchey.  Similarly, sometimes there are paragon actions that I will not take, although these are far fewer.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 Honestly, it's damn hard to pick just three.  The conclusion of the Rannoch story in ME3, with Tali showing me where she was going to buy her house, is number one.  Mordin's sacrifice to ensure the cure of the genophage, and most of the Tuchanka storyline altogether is amazing.  The large impact of these two scenes is entirely because of the build-up that took place in ME2; without ME2, those scenes would not have had the same power.  Meeting, and talking to, Sovereign for the first time in ME1 is still profound.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
Saying that video games are a form of art is simplistic.  I believe that they can be a form of art, just like drawings can be a form of art.  Just because someone scribbled something on a piece of paper does not make it art; just  because someone typed in a bunch of lines of code does not make a video game art.

Art is anything that makes an impression on the audience (well, again a simplistic definition, but whatever).  Any two people looking at Starry Night will not be affected the same way; in this way I feel that art is dynamic.  If that's what you mean by fluid, then sure, we'll go with fluid.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
I honestly did not have any profound problems with any of the characters (if we preclude the end-sequence).  I did not see them acting significantly out of character that the very great factor of the universe is being burned alive cannot easily and acceptably answer.  Stress ****s people's minds up, yo.  Actually, to go back on that a little bit, I found it very surprising that Ashley had no mention at all of God or religion.  At just such a time is usually when people become more in tune with their faith, not less.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 I thought it was cheesy and insulting.  I "got" what they were doing there, but it was not emotionally satisfying at all.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 There were more deliberately humorous points, such as the Garrus and Joker Comedy Hour.  There were also significantly more heartbreakingly depressing scenes going on, just with the 'random' NPCs on the Citadel.  I absolutely think that it was to cut some of the tension; to give some kind of reminder that there's more than just death and dying going on.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 I think that a complete change to the ending would compromise any sort of artistic integrity they lay claim to, unless it also incorporates significant other changes, addendums, etc.  Bringing back Sherlock Holmes from the dead wasn't just an ending change to appease angry fans, it was changed/altered for the purpose of adding more after the fact.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 First, we only see 3 members of the crew get off the Normandy; Joker and two squad-mates.  The fate of the rest is still unknown.  Second, if they are truly stranded on the planet, then either Tali/Garrus will die, or the rest of the crew will.  The previous deaths were sacrifices that helped contribute to the story, and actually meant something.  If the crew is truly stranded, then the deaths will be pointless.  Finally, the entire question of how the crew got aboard the Normandy, why the Normandy is fleeing, and why the shockwave affects the Normandy but not the rest of the ships in the fleet (or does it...?) is just angering in the vagueness.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 The way the explanation happened was stupid.  The explanation given was stupid.  Deciding to explain the motivation was not necessarily a bad one.  Taking off Jason's mask in the Friday the 13th movies would probably have been a bad idea, for much the same reason that the lame-ass reasons for the Reaping we got was a bad one.  Replacing an unknown terror with a familiar one lessens it unless done very carefully.  Bioware was not carefull.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 The Final Hours app showed that Casey Hudson (the director) was hoping to have created an ending to leave lots of people speculating about what, exactly, happened.  We did.  What we found did not amuse us.  When you want people going over your work with a fine-tooth comb, don't have hair full of lice if you don't want them to be angered.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
I do not think that IGN's defense of ME3 has anything at all to do with Chobot being in the game; that would explain only one game reviewer that was adamant in their praise.  What's the explanation for the other 74+? 

Tali is, and has been, my favorite squad-mate in the Mass Effect universe.  There was truly no way to make myself and even a majority of the other Tali fans happy with a "reveal" of what she looks like.  It saddened me when they did not have her rendered; when I saw the picture in-game, I was okay with that, though, if that makes sense.  It was only after the terrible disappointment of the endings that I later found out that the image of Tali we got was actually a stock-photo, and not unique to the game.  I think that this is emblematic of Bioware having to prioritize time vs. effort.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 I have completed the game.  I have played the final mission three times, and seen four of the endings in-game (the "Final Mission" being Cerberus Base on.  I did restart the mission a few times on the Citadel to see alternate endings there.)  I finished the game on the 12th; I started a second playthrough on April 1st (April fool's joke I played on myself.)
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 The ending is terrible.  It represents a diametric shift in themes and focus.  Synthetics vs Organics has been the strongest secondary theme of the series, but still that--secondary.  The much stronger themes have been Unity, Determination, and Making the Hard Choices. 

The focus has been on our squad-mates and the characters of the universe.  Mordin himself, shortly before the suicide mission in ME2, says that the galaxy is too big to care about, and that's why he replaced it with a picture of his nephew.  He's doing all that he can to save the galaxy, but what he cares about is saving his nephew.  

The ending of ME3 takes us away from the characters in the game that we know and care about, and forces us to care about the galaxy.  We are literally stripped of every humanizing agent in the final minutes to make a choice changing the galaxy for everyone for all time.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 I think that replayability of ME3 would have always been less than 1 and 2.  We knew that ME was intended to be a trilogy.  There was some kind of point and purpose to playing the story through in different ways, to see different reactions, if only to see how things in the future would change based on past actions.  ME3 is the end of the line, and so its replayability would be limited in that respect.

I do think that multi-player (MP) was added to help address that in some way.  Unlike many, I do not think that MP had a significant detrimental effect on the rest of the game, except in terms of how it directly affects Effective Military Strength.
 
 4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
Kai Leng could have been much more than he was.  FF7 gave us Sephiroth as the kind of badass villain Kai Leng is supposed to be, but the time spent makig Sephiroth that kind of character was significantly more than Kai Leng ever got.  He never really surpasses the shadowy, elusive, meddlesome annoyance.  Joker seemingly abandoning the fight during the climax absolutely needs to be explained, and I remain certain that Bioware will do this in their forthcoming "Clarification" patch/DLC/whatever.  As for Tali and Garrus, well...if I can't have Tali, then I can't think of anyone better than my main bro Garrus who'd be better for her.
 
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
The final Earth mission overall has parts of it that just feel off.  The Cerberus base was like this too, to a point, but it had enough going on at the time to keep me distracted enough to not notice.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
It's really hard to say what I would or would not do at this point.  My faith in Bioware's ability to craft an ending that is acceptable (not good, mind you, just adequate) has been shaken.  I will not be paying money for any DLC until it has had significant peer review (I do not trust any of the major gaming news-sites either.  This isn't new, but just putting that out there.)


7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 I firmly believe in a "What you saw is what you got."  No dream, no indoctrination, etc.  There is too little evidence to suggest indoctrination/hallucination, and too much to suggest reality, for me to escape into a dream-land of my own where Bioware is the story-telling equivalent of a god.  I believe that the kind of speculation that Bioware wanted was in what happens after the endings, not in whether or not the endings themselves are real.  

People who want a re-write accept that the endings happened, and are just terrible.  People who think that Shepard was indoctrinated just want an ending, since they feel that it has not yet actually happened.
 
 
 Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
I think I purchased all of them.  Wait, actually, I did not purchase any of the alternate appearance packs.  Anything that actually added to the game, though, I purchased.  It seemed like each time I was playing through ME2, there was something new to add (Operation Overlord, LotSB, Arrival, etc.) and so I spent a few dollars to add to the story.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 There is little reason to hope that poor writing in entertainment will cause Michael Bay movies to bomb in the future.  There will always be people that prefer to see big explosions and pretty flames instead of a plot that actually makes sense.  It will likely be limited to video games, and at that only a subset of them (Western RPGs), at most.
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
I think that I got it included with my "digital deluxe ultra-pro pre-order I love Bioware" edition of the game?  Or maybe I had to click an extra button later on, I don't remember.  I did have the "From Ashes" DLC, though.  I absolutely think that the Javik thread should have been included as a part of the main game since it truly does play an integral role in the story.  It is nothing at all like players of ME2 not having "Lair of the Shadow Broker" or "Overlord" or "Arrival" DLCs.  Those DLCs added to the story.  "From Ashes" adds to the main story.

My responses are inside the quotes, just under your questions, in bold.

[Zofiya]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]

1. Have you completed Mass Effect 3?

Yes.

2. If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?

N/A, see previous.

3. Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?

Yes.

4. If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?

Usually Kaidan; he's the only romance I pursued all the way through ME3. I have saves from ME1/ME2 with Liara, Garrus, and Thane. It definitely affects my enjoyment of the game: when I romanced Liara in ME1, I felt like it was an obligation, just to try the romance, and I suffered through the whole thing. I love my Garrus and Thane romances in ME2, but I love Kaidan more, so given the inevitable disappointment, he's the only one I can bear to play ME3 with.

5. In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?

No. I saved them because 1) I wanted a "perfect" playthrough and 2) saving people is what Shepard does.

However, character backstories are why I haven't played any saves where team members are dead in ME3; I want to see them all again. I'm curious to see what happens if certain people are dead, but not curious enough to give them up.

6. Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?

Absolutely. Some of the renegade choices are the most hilarious things ever. Some of them are just jerkish, some are downright evil -- much too evil to pick them and still feel okay with that choice. So I usually play as paragade or renegon. Commander Shepard is such a jerk, and it's so funny.

7. What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?

- The end of ME1, when the Council chambers are covered in rubble with your squad sitting there, thinking Shepard is dead, and then Shepard jumps up on top of the rubble. Epic.

- The Normandy reveal at the beginning of ME2, tied with the Normandy rescue at the beginning of ME3. I was so freaking excited to see my ship again. Shepard/Normandy OTP.

- Anderson's death in ME3. This is a really heartbreaking scene, and I cried all the way through it, but it was so perfect. Everything about it felt right.

The common theme is generally... music. Variations of the Mass Effect theme are playing during the first two, and in my opinion, that's one of the best themes ever; the music for Anderson's death is "I'm Proud of You", which is just incredibly moving in and of itself.
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1. Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?

Yes, games are art. Art is fluid; it can undergo many changes for all sorts of reasons, including, "oops I spilled some coffee on the canvas, I guess there's a bird in this picture now".

2. Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

I don't know because I never saw the leaked scripts, and I can't bring myself to play through multiple permutations to see how characters change. I was pretty happy with the way characters in my first playthrough were written. I've seen a lot of accusations about bad/lazy character writing tossed around, though, and I'm not necessarily inclined to disagree with them.

3. Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?

No. Nothing after the space elevator made sense. The space elevator and ending were so nonsensical that they retroactively made other things not make sense, like why didn't Harbinger's beam kill you and your squad? Where does Joker think he's going? Why did I waste all that time planet scanning?

In any case, Adam and Eve is a creation myth; if Joker, EDI, and Garrus get off the Normandy, and you picked something other than Synthesis, the probability of any creation going on is pretty slim.

4. Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?

Hard to say. There were some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, but ME2 had its share of those as well. Humour in ME3 makes sense, though, since gallows humour is very common in bleak situations -- and it is a way to relieve stress and distract from the horror of reality. I don't think there were any attempts to stop us from thinking about the ending, since the apparent goal of the ending was "lots of speculation from everyone".
 
5. Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?

No, because I also think that "lots of speculation from everyone" negates the question of artistic integrity. That does not sound like a really well-reasoned concept, or the culmination of artistic vision; it sounds like, "we just don't know, so we'll go with something that sounds profound, and no one will ever notice".

6. With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?

Lack of closure/catharsis. The required deaths in ME3 come at the end of very well-written storylines, and can be incredibly meaningful: Mordin dies to correct his greatest mistake; Thane, terminally ill, gets one last chance to go out fighting; Legion sacrifices his own life to give true life to the geth; Anderson, after quitting politics to be a soldier, dies a soldier's death. (Of course, these can be really shallow and meaningless deaths, too, but that's how choices work.) We know how their stories end, we see the consequences of their actions and their deaths, and so, even if they are sad, the deaths are satisfying.

Stranding the crew on Gilligan's Planet is the opposite of closure. It's a cliffhanger ending. What happens to them? How is the Stargazer connected? Do they survive? Are they rescued? If Shepard possibly lives, do they ever see each other again? So. Many. Questions.

7. Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?

No. I understand they were trying to provide some answers, but the Reapers have always been Lovecraftian horrors: great, ancient, unknowable gods, with no mercy, no sympathy -- they don't even care about us. We're beneath their notice, and they can't be reasoned with. That's why they're scary. Lovecraft always failed when he showed us the monsters; whatever the audience imagines will always be scarier than the truth. So it should have been with the Reapers.

8. A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?

The ending doesn't fit with the rest of the game; the ending lacks closure/catharsis; the themes of the ending are contradictory to the themes of the rest of the series; the plot holes are egregious, and noticeable because we have spent so long in the ME universe learning the lore; the ending does not make sense and in some points appears contradictory to itself; no one ever likes smug god children; Shepard behaves completely out of character; all choices are negated in a game that is defined by choices; the "good" ending requires genocide; we were sold an incomplete product; if Indoctrination Theory is correct, we were sold an incomplete product on purpose; if Indoctrination Theory is incorrect, Day 1 DLC means we were sold an incomplete product on purpose... I think that hits all the major points.

9. Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

To make a gross generalisation, gaming journalists are unreliable at best, and outright liars bought by corporate interests at worst, so I don't actually care what IGN says or why. I don't have any opinion about Jessica Chobot, but as far as I'm concerned, IGN might as well be a PR wing for EA.

I think BioWare was pushed hard by EA in terms of development time; they needed more, and the extension they got was not enough for a game with the complexity of Mass Effect. Thus, they had to shortchange some aspects of the game, and Tali's model was apparently one of them. I wish they'd sourced it out to the fans, the way they did with FemShep's appearance; some of the fan designs for Tali are incredible.

Section 3: The Endings

1. Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?

Yes, I beat it two or three days after it came out. I have started replays multiple times, but I can't bring myself to finish them, so lately I've just been working on modding, and waiting to see what BioWare intends to do to resolve the ending situation.

2. What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

I dislike it in the extreme, I would like clarification/resolution at the least, and entirely new endings/options for endings/freaking expansion packs at best. Refer to Section 2, question 8 for reasons.

3. Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?

I think it would have great replay value if the ending were different. There is a lot of great content in the game, good stories, good characters, fun times in general, and I was excited about the game all the way up until I met Star Child. BioWare's silence has nothing to do with my motivation to replay; I have an aversion to replay because I know I will be disappointed, confused, sad, and angry if I finish the game, and that won't change unless a change to the ending is implemented. In psychological terms, I am trying to avoid punishment.

I don't think their decision to add multiplayer is related to the endings. Multiplayer is fine in and of itself, and I loved it during the demo, but I currently have no desire to play it.

4. Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?

I don't think this is true, unless you count Shepard as the ultimate example (because going along with the creator of the Reapers and never questioning that action is not something Shepard would ever do), and that's less about the character and more about how the ending was written. I think these other examples are all subjective, and some depend on prior knowledge (e.g., I've never seen Kai Leng before, so I can't say if his personality is different; to me he's just a dead jerk). Garrus/Tali was a surprise, but funny and cute. Joker fleeing at the end is not an example of character derailment, but yet another example of how the ending does not make sense.

5. At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?

Magic space elevator. It was all good until then.

6. Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?

Yes.

7. Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?

I have no opinion. I believe that people need to believe things that make them feel better, and Indoctrination Theory does that. Parts of IT make sense, but that's the point: confirmation bias is incredibly powerful, and people see what they want to see.

If IT is true, then the endings are an elaborate hoax/social engineering experiment, and I bought a game that was incomplete. This idea makes me unhappy, and it seems like a risky business decision. However, it does not make me as unhappy as the more likely probability that the writers got lazy, panicked after script leaks, or ran out of time, and cobbled together a nonsensical ending and pretended it was artsy and philosophical.

I think IT is appealing because it lets people believe that everything is fine, that there is a plan and that all our concerns will be addressed; people who don't believe in IT just have to hope that BioWare loves us enough to listen to our concerns and do something about it. Given BioWare's silence, not knowing what will happen is upsetting, but IT gives us an answer and tells us to have faith.

This is my main problem with IT: I shouldn't have to take the end of a video game on faith. It should be included in the game. <_<

Section 4: Economic Input
 
1. Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?

I bought all of them, including squad alternate appearances. I think the only thing I didn't buy was one of the weapon packs, because it didn't seem that great. I bought squad appearances because I like variety (and Miranda needed armor...), and I bought the mission packs because more Mass Effect is always better. It was worth it, too: LotSB is one of the best missions in the whole game; Arrival was a lot of fun and great lore; Overlord was not super great in terms of play, but it had good music and an intersting story.

2. The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?

I don't know about stocks, but I'm sure review bombing by angry fans caused the price drops. I doubt this will have any large-scale effect on the entertainment industry as a whole; if crappy sales were incentive to change, movies would be better. However, the gaming industry is a lot smaller than the film industry, and this debacle has been a major story almost since release. I think any future changes will be based more on how BioWare ultimately chooses to respond, and how the fans react to that, because BioWare is under a lot of scrutiny from other developers.

3. Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

I bought the CE, so "From Ashes" was included. Even so, I think Day 1 DLC was a foolish idea; Javik is on the disc and was clearly available on release day; even if they couldn't add all the mission files to the discs before release, they should have patched it in instead of selling it. Failure to do so smacks of corporate greed, and yes, I think it adds to the anger over the endings, because it seems to be just another way in which EA has screwed with BioWare.

[PotterGaz]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
Yes
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
N/a 
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
Yes 
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
It varied, but play throughs have included Ashley, Miranda, Kelly and Liara. I think the emotional attachement to multiple characters in a game are what aid the immersion.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
No, more a perfectionist nature in myself. 
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
No. 
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
- ME1's Vigil plotline
- ME3's Thessia plotline
- Intermission between ME3 Priority: Earth 1 & 2.
I guess the common theme would be story based elements. I thought these to be some of the strongest writing in a video game that I have ever seen, particularly the latter 2. The vigil scene is still one of my favourite "penny drops" moments.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
Yes. 
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
No, I do not share those opinions. 
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
Yes. 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
These questions seem to be very leading in that you want us to in some way bash the ending. As a result I'm not going to do so. I enjoyed the comedy in the third game, and thought it broke up the action sequences and despair fueled main plotline well. 
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
I believe it would compromise gaming in general, although not for any reason to do with artistic integrity. 
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
None, I guess. Infact there is probably more hope prevailed in the stranded crew scene, although less sacrifice which is strong in scenes such as Mordin's death.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
I thought it was a little hazy, and could have done with further clarification.
 
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
It ends a saga that they cherish, and they are sad to see it go. 
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
Again, leading questions that suggest your own bias. I think IGN scored the game high because it is a fantastic game. The ending needs clarifying but it does not remotely change the fact that the game is tremendous.


Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
Beaten it once, currently in second play through as different type of character.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
I agree that some of the post-choice ending needs clarifying as it was pretty confusing, I prefer to take the ideology of the 3 choices themselves out of the game, rather than the colour of the explosion. I do not love the endings, but I certainly don't hate them. 
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
Again, your bias is suggesting that it is so bad that I don't want to replay the game. I am infact perfectly enjoying a second play through, and have another planned for an Insanity run after this. Multiplayer is also a blast. 
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
I agree that Joker's flight needs expanding on, as it didn't flow with the rest of the action. I don't quite see what you're getting at about Tali & Garrus - if I'm not with them, why would they not want a fling? It's the end of the world. Unfortunately I haven't read the books so I can't comment on Kai Leng. 
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
Again this seems like you want me to say "at this point, the game went crap". Instead I will say Thessia. At the end of Thessia I thought the story stepped up a gear, much like Ilos from ME1 and the Collector Ship in ME2. The sense of despair at the end of Thessia was brilliantly written. 
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
I haven't played LOTSB unfortunately. I would pay for any additional content pertaining to story.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
While I believe the story should be taken at face value, I admire the thought and speculation behind the Indoctrination Theory. I believe it is a much more productive use of time speculating and theorising as intended, over each and every member of the community at war with each other over their opinion. If the Indoctrination Theory were to be proved correct, I'd be happy for extra content.

 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
I didn't buy any DLC for ME2. Unfortunately my Xbox gave up the ghost not long after completing it a couple of times and I didn't repurchase it till just before the release of ME3. 
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
Writing has always been a factor. I am not a retaker, let me get that straight, but you seem to be painting the Retake movement as people who would gladly claim the responsibility of the economic decrease of a company, no matter what the company may be, and any job losses such decreases may incur. This is simply not true. Their goals are entirely civil and I have respect for what they are doing.
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
I bought From Ashes about a week after the release of the game, at the time of my first play through. I believe the company released a statement saying that they simply couldn't include the mission and character at launch due to time constraints, and that extra bodies had been put on to the game content. If extra bodies had been put on to it, I have no problems paying for it.

Modifié par PotterGaz, 05 avril 2012 - 11:48 .

[PotterGaz]

OP, no issue with you posting a questionnaire and I think it's a really cool thing to study. I do feel like you carried a little bit of bias in to your questions though, with some of them reading a little more like "why did you hate the endings", rather than "do you like the endings or not?".

Such as "At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?". While that could be interpreted to mean for good or bad, I think it clearly means that you're asking when we thought the writing went down the pan.

I don't love or loath the endings either way, just my $0.02.

Also, be great to see the final outcome of these questionnaire. Will you be posting your paper? I'm sure it would be an interesting read.

[Thaddeus283]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?

 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 -
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?

 Yes, all of them.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?

 Ashley Williams for my primary Shepard. I missed her in ME2 and found her onboard conversations in ME3 quite unpersonal for a liaison lasting for this long. -"Commander."
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?

 Yes. I wanted to save the crew as a whole and some of the characters especially.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?

 No I chose what felt right for me, mostly Paragon choices though. Except punching Khalisa Al Jilani
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?

1. ME3: Securing peace between Quarians and Geth - this is how you finish a storyline!!
2. ME1: The choice to save the DA/council and sacrifice the alliance fleet or vice versa
3. ME1-3: All the little jokes and conversations between crew members and bystanders throughout the game.

I think a theme here is the  "living" world, having believable charakters, witnessing grand emotions and being able to make choices that really affect the story.
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?

 I strongly do so, yes. Not in general, but grand titles like the mass effect franchise, Ubisofts Assassins Creed, Blizzard games overall and many more are indeed a new because interactive form of art for me.
Art is fluid, as it changes constantly. Decades ago you could not sell an (almost) empty canvas for art, now this is common in modern art.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

Definetly the ending conversation with the godchild. Never before would and has Shepard just accepted such nonsense. I missed the renegade/paragon action interrupts very much in that scene.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?

Not really. The whole catalyst scene felt rushed and not in line with the exceptionally well crafted rest of the game.
It just felt like getting slapped around a little with metaphysical bull****.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?

I think it did have some more and great humorous elements, but I thought it was meant to enjoy the last moments of time with this epic trilogy, not because of the ending. I feel the ending was totally out of context with the rest of the game.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?

Not at all. I imagine at least some of the writers at Bioware feel the same way as the fans and would gladly provide a worthy ending to the trilogy. Most important, the mass effect franchise is the most interactive and fan-driven piece of digital art yet, since every player can create his/her own story. It comes only natural to project this participation onto the development process - and hopefully the post- and re-development process.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?

The death of these characters was the necessary sacrifice victory in this war. Every one of them made me feel with them. The normandy stranding scene is just absurd. How did the crew get back on board? Where is this ominous garden world? It would have made more sense to show them dying in the final battle, taking some reapers with them as they went. 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?

I think the true nature and cause of the reapers had to be revealed for closure. Bioware made the right call here. But they didn't do it in a good way, as the final moments create more questions as they answer and the newly created questions are not the good kind, leaving fans something to further imagine, but the "WTF?"-sort of questions.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?

Deus Ex for example had the right for a Deus ex Machima since that is what its name is. Also a lot of more foreshadowing had been done there. Players who carefully read through all the hidden messages spread throughout the game already knew Hugh Darrow wasn't the nice guy you thought he was. Mass Effect just completely broke its consistency, built up over 3 games within 5 minutes. Thats just bad storytelling.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

I thought it was nice to incorporate Jessica into the game but since it obviously came at the cost of other, in my opinion much more needed topics I think it did in fact have a negative outcome. If IGN's score was biased, I can't tell but many press reviews seem not to have played the game through to the end, leaving out the obvious break with the game's overall integrity in their reviews. Only now, after the storm of protests unleashed are more and more media picking up on its flaws.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?

I did beat it twice thus far. Right now I am midway through a third playthrough in storymode to see how the story progresses if I let Bioware make Shepards decisions.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

As foreshadowed in my previous answers, I am a retaker. The ending stood in a harsh contrast to the rest of the series, neither did it make sense logically, nor was it congruent with the style of the series. In a game where there is a codex explaining every technology completely consistent right up to the claim that E-Zero exists, a god-child presenting you a magical beam that fuses all organics and synthetics in the galaxy into some hybrid race, just to name one hole in this, just doesn't fit.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?

I have already played it a second time, but I have to admit that after seeing the ending I was near to deleting the game from my hard disk. The game as a whole is wonderful though, so I'm continuing anyway, hoping on future statements and correcting content from bioware considering the ending.
The Multiplayer is fun although it too has issues and I think it is a valid addition to the game. I also think its great that it is optional and you can still get about 5000 point for the best ending alone, if you follow the right path.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
These are valid but minor points - I deem them negligable compared to the other issue(s) mentioned above. It is quite hard after all to come out with a completely coherent set of characters with multiple writers shaping them over the course of many years and different stories.
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?

I was somewaht okay with what I saw up until I got carried up to the god child. The plot may not have been perfect up until then, with the reapers bringing the citadel to earth for no given reason and more, but all that could have been explained. Not brilliant maybe, but okay. Everything after that, most of all the "different" ending cutscenes spoiled it completely for me.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?

Yes I have and will in the future be willing to pay for quality content. Bioware has thus far never really disappointed me - though for ME3, I sure am expecting some content dealing with the ending before I can be bothered to buy additional gameplay for Aria retaking Omega (which is rumored to be one of the already planned dlcs).
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 
 I don't quite believe in the Indoctrination Theory, because the arguments that people give for it don't hold up against the facts. I think the plot holes and inconsistencies originate from time and budget costs that forced urgent and rash changes of what I am guessing was originally intended otherwise. All the marketing promises weren't given for nothing and seeing the break between the game and its ending just creates the feeling that this is the product of some last minute adjustments.
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 
I did buy almost all of them, because I wanted to learn more about the characters and their stories. After all, the best part of the game was the narrative and the characters.
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
I certainly hope so. If this uprising can cause future projects to put more emphasis on quality writing I am somewhat happy for having to endure this. I don't want hollywood fluffypuffs but real emotions and believable stories.
 
 
3. Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

I did buy the Collectors Edition so I didn't have to order it separately. I don't support the growing practise of extracting game content into priced DLC though and prefer the "Blizzard" approach where fans have to wait longer but receive well-rounded games in return that even take time for easter eggs.

I have to say that I envy you for being able to do a research paper on this, because it fascinates me too. I'm excited to see where this whole situation is going - good Luck and share the results!

Modifié par Thaddeus283, 05 avril 2012 - 11:26 .

[Calamity]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
  YES
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
  Finished it and Yes
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
  Yes
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
  ME1 - The only one for a hetro female - Kaiden
ME2 - Thane - on multiple playthroughs
 - Garrus - on multiple playthroughs
Not really.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
  No, I hated some of them and wouldnt have minded if they died but my shepard didnt want any of her team to die so that is why she made the correct decisions, had good leadership of each of the teams and did not die.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
Sometimes but not by a lot
 
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
1.  Becoming the first human spectre
2. Talking with legion the first time on the ship "no data" :happy:
3.  In ME3 the "date" with Garrus. One of the best scenes between LIs or Buddies.

You decide if there is a common theme - it doesnt look like it to me.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Not a popular belief but no I dont think they are a form of art. I think they are strickly entertainment. If you want to classify them as art it would be community art - not one artist there are design teams, software engineers, voice actors, etc... that go into making a game. Its not like one person sat down to write a book or collaborate with one other writer; or one person sat down to draw a painting. Is Microsoft artists when they design Office? So not art in the traditional sense but I can see where some people may call it art and I respect their opinion.
Art changes with trends so it is fluid.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

Most noticible for me was at the end - Shepard would never have accepted what the bratkid said without questioning him. My shepard questioned everything with as many branches as she could find and she was confused when there were no branches to question this kid.
Miranda was a little more stuck up (although she always did have an ego). Everyone else that I can think of acted in accordance to their previous traits or what you would hope for (e.g Jack  ). Although Kaiden saying I cheated on him even though he dissed me 6 months ago and it had been two years was a little cheap. 
 
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
HATE absolutly HATE adam/eve/savior endings (matrix). Shepard shouldnt have "beaten" the reapers alone! She had a team! Sh*t she had the whole galaxy fighting with her! Ok but back to your question - No I do not think it "made sense". It was redeculous - why would joker and Edi have to procreate or even how could they?
 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
Probably the same amount of humorous moments but better written in those moments.  I loved the teasing that Femshep (dont know if maleshep did) did with Vega...was funny. I dont think it had anything to do with the ending or the war or death in the game; if it did, I didnt catch on to it.
 
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
I dont believe in "artistic integrity" when it comes to a consumer product. I wish they would retcon the whole thing but I understand that there are people who really like the ending - I would say then make a DLC that gives more options. This way the proenders get to keep the ending that came with the game and the antienders get the choices that they were expecting. Its a win win situation and "keeps the customer happy". Which is the goal of most businesses.
 
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
I have never understood why a person has to die to "close" his story? I've read numerous books where the story was wrapped up neatly without the character dieing. Several movies and trilogies and ya you get it. When Mordin died - he died believing in something and made a heroic sacrifice. When Trane died, he died in the only way that was suitable for him - fighting. Stranding the crew, MY CREW, they would have rather died fighting by my side and by the side of their people. They wouldnt have abandoned not only Shepard, but their people! If  they have tali commit suicide by hearing the flotilla being blown up - how do you think she would react to abandoning them to earth! Garrus, run from a fight! NEVER! Liara would want payback for Thessia! Javik would not have run, what does he have to live for! Joker feels guilty for Shepard dieing in ME2! He would never run or let anyone make him run again.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
There was an explaination?! Do you mean the whole "the created will always rebel against the creator" bs? We proved that one false in their own story?
 
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
My husband explained Deus Ex to me (I didnt play it) - it is exactly the same as the ending that the team picked for ME3. My husband also explained that in Deus Ex - you had hints and knew it was coming, it made sense at the end and it had closure. It did not make sense to throw bratkid at us at the end of ME3 when all along it has been the reapers as the antagonist with an ABC ending in a series where your choices matter. Oh people can say that your choices matter and Shep had to die (I disagree with the dieing, see Q6.) but if Shep had to die, let him/her die in a blaze of glory! No walk softly into that goodnight. Have the Normandy and its crew go out in a blaze of glory! Give them some RESPECT!
 
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

a) They should have just left Tali's face up to speculation but at least the photoshopped image was far prettier than Chobots! I think it was a last minute addition.
Nah - I dont think it influenced their score. From what I understand, most people who have played multiple playthroughs of this game seem to be the more antienders, also, most of the game was awesome. I do think it was bad form to make her a character though.
c) They are entitled to their opinion and I will not pass judgement on them.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
  I have beaten the game. I replayed it once to look at the clues for indoctrination and plotholes. I tried one more time and I kept telling the people I was helping that it didnt matter and they would all die anyway and that is as far as I could go. I must say there was no enjoyment in the replay that I did, I skipped though as much of the dialog as I could, it was more for research.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
Ending is Incomplete and poorly written. I have this opinion because I not only found it rushed during Thessia but I have done the research by replaying it and verifying the holes. Very unsatisfying.
 
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
a) I will not be replaying ME3 unless the ending is changed. I just cant help the people in the game when no matter what I do my shepard cant save anybody. 
ending is the main factor.
c) you dont want to get me started on the MP...but here goes! MP was supposed to be TOTALLY OPTIONAL! I was relieved to hear this since I would not be forced to play MP in order to get ALL of the single player options and missions and scenes. Then you learn the truth, the lies. I would have loved to try MP - but now I cant make myself try it because I am so opposed to having MP have anything to do with SP. SP does NOT effect MP and so it should be the other way around. But to your question about why they added MP? I think it has to do with DLC. Thats it.
 
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 a) I never read the novels so I dont know how Kai Leng was represented in those and frankly I dont care. He was just another tool for the Illusive man.
Garrus and Tali would make a wonderful couple if My Shepardwasnt romancing Garrus and would not begrudge them happiness.
c) Joker making a run for it, even for love, doesnt add up. Besides, Edi wouldnt let him run and she has control of the ship. 
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
As stated before - At Thessia
 
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
I wouldnt right away. I dont trust anymore so I would wait to see what the reviews of the new endings are from my other RTM peeps. But if it was done in the way that Bioware is known for, and if it includes at least 5 hours of ending story meaning FULL story - Yes, I would buy it. I would not be happy with having to purchase it but I would buy it all the same.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
  a) I wish it was a dream.
I replayed to to see if there were good reasons - there are. The boy at the beginning, they say he walked into a locked apartment but it is actually a locked Business door. The dream sequences, the ending - took that really slow for the playthrough. I doubt it is was they intended but there is a lot of evidence supporting IT.
c) I see it as the same - but it seems to cause some animosity among other retakers.
 
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
  a) No
I bought most of the mission ones up front but not any of the personalization of equipment and stuff. I did not buy the shadow broker up front. I just purchased that a couple of days ago (I wanted to see the e-mails that were mentioned).
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
  I think it will be exclusive to gaming since gaming is interactive. 
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
a) No, I had prepurchased the collectors edition of ME3 so I got that with my package.
I think it was bad form to charge people for this since it was made during the production of ME3 and should have been in the original game as intended. 

Modifié par Calamity, 05 avril 2012 - 11:36 .

[rowan93]

 1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 
 Yes
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 None in particular, it was never a big part of the game for me.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 For most of them yes, aswell as wanting the achievement and seeing the effects everyone would have in the next game.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 I have tried multiple times to do a full renegade playthrough but always end up mixing paragon with it too, I can't bring myself to do some of the renegade options.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 The citadel section from ME1
 The final attack on Sovereign from ME1
 Going into the geth consensus on ME3

Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Yes, but its a story and a product too.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 I don't agree with this, I didn't notice this at all.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 The theme was really only underlined by Javik, which was DLC, so the theme came a little out of nowhere and as such I did not think the reference made that much sense.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 Theres a lot of humour yes, some unintentional, but I don't think it had anything to do with the ending really. Really it made the ending seem even more grim,
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 No.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 I don't mind it too much, but the nature of what happened is contrived and unexplained so I'm not happy with it.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 They seem a lot less eery to me now that we found out. I think it was best left to the imagination, but maybe if the reason was a little better then people wouldn't mind as much.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 I think people care too much honestly. ME is literally cared about by so many people they want to see it have an ending with better quality.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
The picture should have just been left out if they weren't going to put effort into it. As for Allers I doubt she had that much impact in IGN's review. Nearly every major game review site gave it near 10/10 and IGN would have too even if Allers wasn't in it in my opinion.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 I beat it once, and am currently replaying it on insanity.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 At first I thought it was ok, but after talking with friends I decided I do not like it. I would like it to be changed personally, because the game is so wonderful and the last five minutes taint it. Not because its dark, but because it just feels so wrong.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 When playing ME1 and ME2 I played it knowing that things I did would impact the current games but also the third game which had not been released. Seeing as how our decisions will not have that big of an impact on the end, and will not have 'wildy diverse endings' as the developers stated, it does not encourage me to play them much. The multiplayer was added just to grab a new side of the market in my opinion.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 I don't see the problem with Kai Leng as I haven't read the novels, and the Garrus and Tali pairing is fine by me. The joker situation is odd though, but can probably be cleared up easily with DLC.
 

 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 I thought it was fine the whole way through.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
 Depends on the price and quality.
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 I would like the dream theory to be real, and it makes total sense from one standpoint. However I think it is just a bunch of coincidences that make the theory what it is. I would like it to become a fact though.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 I bought all of them except for some armour packs. I bought them because, well, ME2 was a great game. 
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 I think this is a one off, as peoples opinions of the game have been affected by the false promise of wildly diverse endings.
 

 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
Yes and yes.

[ramenbito]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?

-Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 
- ...
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 
Yes.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 
-In my main first Kaidan then Garrus. It did.
 
5.     
In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the
final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main
influence in saving them?

-Yes. I became emotionally attached to them.
 
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?

-I was mostly a Paragon in my main but I do have a renegade run didn't start it yet though.
 
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
        1- ME1 end, the Shepard is alive scene
        2- ME2 Garrus Romance scene
        3- ME3 Curing the Genophage scene
They don't seem that related but who knows.
 
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?

-Yes and it should be (and is imho) fluid.
 
 
2.     Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA
rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a
similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

-Hmm... Well I didn't feel something like that ofcourse I didn't want some of the ME2 people to die but it seemed to fit.
 
 
3.     Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made
sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic
organisms?
 
-No the ending made no sense. And the Adam and Eve reference is well... no not going there.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more
humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was
to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to
detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 
-Well... I think it was to show that even on a grim journey there moments to laugh, smile. Ah and yes ME3 had more humorous moments. I sincerely hope it was not an attempt to detract fans.
 
5.      Given
Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into
the series, do you think changing the ending all together would
compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?

-Not in the least. It would show us that BioWare is listening us again, which was one of the things I admire about the company.
 
 
6.     With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part
of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew
any different?

-I am still trying to figure out why they needed to be stranded in the first place. I mean Joker gets my ground team but not me and escapes? I thought we were comrades, I thought all of us would fight to the end, not escape from a red/blue/green light. The deaths of the other characters made sense, I wasn't overly joyed that they died but I felt like it was completely In Character and sensible.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the
right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or
should it have been left alone?

-I would have accepted a foreshadowed explaining, not a suddenly pops out of nowhere one. But compared to the explaination we hae if they did not explain I would feel better I guees.
 
8.      A lot of fans found
the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other
franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises,
they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?

-Mass Effect spanned for 5 years. For 5 years we debated about it; hated, loved and sometimes nerdraged over the characters or some elements in the story. We created other Shepards, compared our games to eachother; we even have BSN to talk about our Mass Effect thoughts, jokes or experiences. I would say that Mass Effect's fans were probably more invested in the game, it wasn't a standalone game for us it was a continuation of our hero's story.
 
 
 
9.     Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica
Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss
England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas
Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a
character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of
the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an
influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct
in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

-I hope that getting IGN votes wasn't the case. But even I was a bit disappointed that Tali didn't show her face even at the scene at Rannoch where she takes off her mask to see her homeworld. Also since I had a femshep I did not romance Tali so I saw her face from youtube.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.     Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America)
have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?

-I have beated the game once. After the ending I was unable to replay because I believed (and still do) that no matter what choices I take there will be no actual difference. Though Thanks to my "Retaker" chat friends I have started a new run.
 

2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

-I hated the ending. A lot of plot holes, the catalyst appearing suddenly, Shepard's meek acceptance and tha fact that it wouldn't matter if my Shepard was paragon because all of the options are just the same. Though if it was Indoc Theory then at least it would make sense.
 
 
3.     Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value,
what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in
this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware
has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why
they added multiplayer capabilities?

-Yes... as I mentioned before I was unable to replay the game. I think both of the reasons can be accounted. I do not know why they added MP but to get a high EMS being forced to play it kind of takes away any love I had for it, also the unlocked but buglocked characters.
 
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not
Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the
franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai
Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by
fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s
introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his
personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the
player does not romance them in the previous installment of the
franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the
fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these
accurate examples?

-I hated Kai Leng so it must be successful at some part? Though did not read the books. Pairing of Tali and Garrus didn't happen in my run since I was romancing him. Though Joker abandoning fight is really inconsistent... I ranted about that one on a previous question I think. So other than Joker's chicken movement I do not have enough data to answer the quuestion completely.
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?

-Right after Harbinger beamed Shepard.
 
 
6.     Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass
Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending
over a free text epilogue of the current endings?

- I would pay for a new ending rather than explaination texts.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of
Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion
of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or
is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How
is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last
sequence?
 
 -So far the dream theory (aka Indoctrination Theory) is the only way the ending might make sense, I don't particularly favor it but if Bioware makes it worth why not? A lot of people who rewrite the ending tend to leave Indoc out of it, mostly they prefer a strongwilled Shepard who just refuses. (In my opinion. )
 
 
 
 

Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.     Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content
(DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what
was the reasoning behind buying them?
 
-I bought all I could, because the missions were fun, nicely written and I loved the game. I think I only didn't buy Overlord.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in
EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by
25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing
in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of
entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
-Oh a tough one. I think whatever happens it will affect most of the entertainment producst not only games.
 
 
3.     Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you
think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making
them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history
of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players
upset about the vagueness of the ending?


-Yes I did. I believe Javik is a crucial part of the plot and needed to be part of the game. TBH without him the game was like Baldur's Gate minus Jaheira. I played without him so I believe I can make this comparison.

Done.

Modifié par ramenbito, 05 avril 2012 - 12:14 .

[tanuki]

 
[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]

1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?

 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
- 
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 
Yes.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?

Liara, Kaidan.
I think that romances add to RPG experience, so I’d say they make me to enjoy the game more.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?


Not really. Although personal stories of the characters made them more “alive” for me.

 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?


No.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?

Suicide Mission in ME2, Genophage storyline in ME3, LotSB DLC.
 
Suicide Mission was brillianly done as the endgame sequence, it felt like decisions really mattered there, it gave the sense of tense during the whole mission and the sense of accomplishment later.
Genophage and LotSB are great in terms of the gameplay and character’s development and interactions.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?


Yes. Art is not static and can be changed/improved.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

 Legion probably. I think his quest to give individuality to all geth was a bit OOC of them, comparing with how they were presented in ME2 as some kind of collective mind and that they were perfectly OK with that.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 
No, it was shoehorned there and the theme of co-existence between synthetics and organics was already developed enough earlier in the game (and it didn’t even felt being the main theme of the game. Again, minus point for the ending trying to pedalling it all of sudden).
 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 
Yes, probably. I think it’s the former.
 
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 
No. If anything, that will same the artistic integrity of Mass Effect.
 
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
     
-    It’s not a closure. We don’t know their destiny and some implications about it are horrid;
-    Their stranding doesn’t serve any purpose unlike the deaths of other character;
-    Them being stranded make no sense in the context of the game (running away from the battle, teleporting squadmates, etc.) and OOC for any of them.
  
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?


Should be left alone. I don’t think Reaper’s motives needed explanation.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?

 The ending to ME3 doesn’t follow the overall theme of the game and is poorly done. Your question has an answer in itself. What is good for Deus Ex (for example) is not good for Mass Effect. It’s a different game.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
 
I really have no answer on that one, without making some unpleasant implications, which may be not very fair for Jessica Chobot. And yes, at least partly it was for influencing the score, IMO.
 
Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 
I beated it once. Started the second playthrough but am not so far into the story still.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

 I think the ending is vague, nonsensical and is not consistent with the rest of the game. It is also contradicts the lore of the trilogy. It really doesn’t explain anything and doesn’t give any kind of closure.
Basically my complaints are the same as the other’s who disliked the ending.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 
I think the ending was the main reason why replayability suffers. It makes the player feel that everything s\\he achieved doesn’t make sense in the end, not only over the course of ME3, but also the previous 2 games.  
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
Kai Leng’s portrayal is really inaccurate; I agree that it was probably because of having multiple authors working on his personality and diverting it from his original presentation.
 
I didn’t mind Tali and Garrus, and I don’t think it was OOC for them.
 
Joker’s running from the battle is one of my main gripes about the ending, so yes, it’s unacceptable.

 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 
 End of the Priority: Thessia more likely. Although the story after that still has many strong points, like, for example, goodbyes in London were one of the best parts of the game (except the turret sequence in the middle of it). But then, after returning the Citadel I started to really feel like I’m playing some other game.

6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?

 If it’s only “clarification” and epilogue slides with the ending mostly unchanged, no, I don’t think I will. Although if the ending will be rewrited, whether using indoctrination theory or just replacing the last scenes and decitions, I’ll pay for it.
 
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 
I don’t think it was anyhow intentional on Bioware’s part. Although I wouldn’t mind if they accept it as a canon and continue the ending with it. As I said in the previous answer, I don’t care as long as the ending is rewrited and the new ending is decent (i.e. reflects the choices made, doesn’t contradict the lore, gives closure to the characters)
 
  
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 
Yes, I bough all the story DLC. Didn’t buy weapon/appearances packs, as I don’t find them necessary for gaming experience .
 
2.    The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
I think some kind of the “stigma” exist even now in any other media, except, ironically, gaming industry. If anything comes out from it, I hope it’ll probably affect gaming industry in terms of better writing quality and more thorough peer review/editing the story.
 

3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
 
I did buy it. I also think it somehow alienated the players too, although I was more or less OK with that.

[MrFob]

While I consider most of the social sciences and especially such questionnaires a bunch of hokum, I will answer it for fun's sake (mind you, I am still completely honest, these are not mock answers or anything).

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
Yes
 
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
---

 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
Yes
 
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
Liara all the way with my main Shep but I have multiple characters with different LIs
 
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
Don't really get the question, when they want me to choose people, I just chose the obvious best candidate. Turns out that was right and I saved them all.
In general, in my playthroughs, the decision who to save or to let die determined by the kind of Shepard I want to play.
 
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
My cannon Shep i renegon and the choices are affected by the context of the situation, not meta gaming.
 
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
You mean the franchise's story? If so:
1. End game of ME1, saving the citadel and the council
2. ME2, regaining the Normandy after the prologue
3. ME3: Uniting the quarians and the Geth on Rannoch

Common themes might be: Accomplishment against impossible odds and Unity (either of races, fleets or a ship and its crew.
 
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
I believe they can be, although I think the definition of art is extrmely broad and encompasses very different media and concepts. Thus not all art can be treated the same. In general, art is very fluent, especially in time IMO.
 
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
Apart from Shepard in the ending, no, I recognised all the old characters and I thought they were portrayed very well.
 
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
I am guessing this is about the synthesis ending, right?
In that case, no. If the context was supposed to be the coexistence between synthetics and organics, that theme was already established (much more powerful) on Rannoch if the player chooses so. This means that in the ending it was first broken up again by the premises of the star child and then re-established through Joker and EDI. This makes no sense.
 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
First of all, I think ME2 was the most humorous part of the trilogy. ME3 had it's moments too but I highly doubt thery had anything to do with the ending because a) BW probably wasn't aware that their ending sucked (however that was possible) and The ending itself has no humor in it whatsoever, so what would one have to do with the other?
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 I don't beli9eve changing the ending would ompromise anything in any form. Even if I would conform to this very rigid interpretation of "artistic integrity", it would still be BW - the original author of ME - that would change the ending. That is the perogative and they can do whatever they want with it without having to justify or compromise anything.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 What? I really don't get this question. Do you want me to compare the death of, say Mordin or Thane with the stranded Normandy crew? If that is the case, I'd say, it would even have been better (not much better mind you) if they had all died. At least than I'd know what happened. As it is, I didn't get any closure at all.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 The way it was explained was really badly done. I think I would rather have left it alone but you could have certainly explained it if it had come with a really mind boggling revelation that makes sense in the context of the series and is well established in the plot. This however was not the case here.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
Other franchises? What? Are you hinting at Deus Ex here?
Ok, I'll just say that ME is special for a couple of issues:
1. The rest of the series (including 99% of ME3) was great
2. The Characters had so much depth that I really cared
3. The storyline was mysterious and interesting
4. The premise of galactic society and their dependence on ancient tech was compelling and well executed
5. The fact that Shepard makes all these choices and has an influence on the world was a cornerstone of all three games
6. The themes of the series were also determined by Shepards choices making it possible for the player to view the universe in the way he wanted and see results either way.
All these points, which in combination made the ME series the great franchise that it was were all annihelated in the endings. Such a complete and utter disconnection with the rest of the series in combination  with all the logical faults in the story of the ending, make it the worst I have seen. In this it has no equal.
On quick  word on Deus Ex, since I suspect that that is where your question was supposed to lead me, while the endings are thematically similar, in Deus Ex they actually fit, the rest of the story leads towards them. In ME3 (or the whole series for that matter, this is not the case.
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
Seriously, you are asking facts here, facts that I don't and cannot know. I don't want to speculate either. The short and simple of ti is: Don't know and couldn't care less.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
Played through it once. After that I was too depressed by the ending, I didn't touch it ever since despite the fact that I had planned to replay it (or better the whole series) right away, possibly multiple times like I did with ME1 and 2.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 I think it was bad, actually, the worst I havve ever seen in story telling.
See my answer in section 2 question 8 for the reasons.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 ME3 has great replayability especially with different saves from ME1 and 2. As stated above, I can't replay it at the moment because it would make me feel bad due to the ending so my answer to your second question would be yes. I highly doubt that MP was added because BW suspected that fans would not be able to replay the game after the ending. If they knew their ending would have that kind of an effect, I am sure they would have done something about the ending itself.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistencies in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 My opinion is that this is and inaccuate evluation, I think for the most part the character portrayal in ME3 was excellent. As for the examples: I liked how Kai Leng was portrayed in the game. I read Retribution, I didn't read Deception but as far as the former novel goes, I at least recognised Kai Lengs personality from the novel in the game.
Tali and Garrus, all we see is one scene which is clearly intended humorous. We don't know if this is serious or just stress release (given turian preparations for high risk mission and such). Even if it is serious, why not? I can see that happening. No inconsistency there IMO.
As for Joker running, combined with all the other logical inconsistencies of the ending, I just consider this another writing flaw of the ending, rather then a deep character misinterpretation. Let's face it, in the last 10 minutes of the game, nothing makes sense so why should Joker?
So, not, no accurate examples here.
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 At the point when Shepard takes the elevator from the ward arm console to the star child platform after anderson dies.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
Yes I would.  The texts in LotSB were nice extras but they were only extras. An epilogue is essential and given the cinematic focus of the ME series, the epilogue also need to be cinematic.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
My stance is that I would like it to be real (see my sig). However, I highly doubt BW actually planned it for several real life reasons, most notably Ray Muzyka's latest statement on the ending matter. I would lie if they would just take it and use it but given BW's older statements I am pretty sure this won't happen either. I think it would be the most elegant solution to the current situation but unfortunately I don't see it happening.


Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 I bought most of them. I love the universe and I like to spend time playing the games so I downloaded all the story DLC for sure. In order to change the flavour in some of my replays I aslo downloaded about half of the wepons and armor DLC mainly just because I had the money to spare and because I didn't have a reason not to support the franchise ... unlike now.
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 I am not an economist (another field which I think includes a lot of hokum but I digress) so I don't know if the retake movement really had impact on EA's stock. Somehow I doubt it but who knows. In any case, the only wy I can see an economical impact of this situation is if people stop buying ME related stuff because they think the franchise took a turn for the worse. I think right now it is too short a time frame to extrapolate on that and again, I don't want to speculate.

 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
I pre-ordered the collectors edition so had access to the DLC. Given that it was very well interwoven with the rest of the game, I suspect that despite all the claims BW made to the contrary, it is actually content that was at least at some point meant to be in the main game but was removed and made DLC because this had two advantages for BW/EA: they avoided another delay of the main game and they may get some extra money. Since I didn't pay any extra money for it, I don't have a strong personal opinion on the particular situation but the principle of this is very wrong and if BW chooses to repeat this I certainly wont buy anything. I can definitely understand if this issue alienated customers.

Huh, this was longer than I expected.
May I comment that I found some the question really unclear, confusing or even trying to point the participant into certain directions. Also, the fact that especially later on, almost every question actually is composed of multiple questions makes answering this rather difficult. I certainly hope you don't plan to use this in any form of "statistical" analysis because that wont be possible. However, I hope all these opinions might give you some inspiration for you thesis.

[Syenthros]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 N/A
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yep.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 Liara for Mass Effect, Tali for the second and third installments. Sorry Liara.

As for changing my experience... it made me enjoy those two characters a bit more, made me more emotionally attached to them both. Especially Tali, who is awesome beyond all reason.

5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them? 
 Yes. Each character was interesting, some moreso than others, be it Mordin's struggling with his conscience over what part he'd played in continuing the Genophage or Samara's pursuit of her daughter, with the ultimate goal of eradicating her.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 ...Sometimes. At times, Renegade options simply feel like 'For teh evulz!' options, rather than pragmatism. Either that, or I'm a wuss who finds verbally sodomizing allies distasteful.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 Ugh.. This is hard. 

Mass Effect's ending. Saren has finally been defeated in VERBAL KOMBAT!, Sovereign destroyed and a piece of the gigantic war machine has smashed into the Council Chamber. Anderson and a rescue squad locate your allies, who sit beneath rubble, downtrodden and wounded. When asked about Shepard, they simply hang their head, shaking it with a sign of resignation. And then you see it - Shepard, running out from behind the rubble, clutching bruised ribs as amazing victory music plays in the background and you know that this - this right here - was a victory. You also know it had just begun.

Mass Effect 2's Ending. The whole damn Suicide Mission, to be honest. You and the squad you have spent upward of thirty-five or fourty hours with storm the base, holding the line. With the best run, your allies each overcome impossible odds. Badass speeches are given. Lines are held. Victory is had. Again, badass music plays and you feel a sense of accomplishment rarely gained by any other media.

"I am the very model of a scientist salarian..." Mordin, having finally come to terms with what he must do, opts to stay behind and ensure that the Genophage Cure is released, despite the building he's in exploding around him. He is resigned to correct the mistake he made long ago. There is no fear. No regret. Only a peace at knowing he has done the right thing. "Had to be me. Anyone else could have gotten it wrong."
 
Is there a theme? I suppose. Each of these are the ending of a story - Mass Effect 1's story, detailing the struggle against Saren and Sovreign. Mass Effect 2's, detailing the struggle against the Collectors and the desperate attempts to save captured humans. And Mordin's death, which gives us the finale of the Genophage story, and Mordin's own personal story in an incredibly touching moment.

Each of these moments filled me with a sense of accomplishment. A sense that what I did there, that day - it mattered. Perhaps not in the real world, but right then and there, to me, it mattered. Nothing compares.
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Video Games are indeed art - and, indeed, the natural evolution of art. However, questioning whether art is static or fluid is a trick question. Why can't both forms of art exist? A painting is, and should always be, static. Video games, on the other hand, are and should remain fluid.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 Hrm. I don't recall them rewriting any characters. From what I could tell, each had undergone believable and necessary character development that ran on course with what they'd already believed from the previous installments.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
As this relates to an ending I absolutely loathe, I am uncomfortable answering. However, I will say that it felt incredibly out of place to me, personally and leave it at that.
 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 Not really. It was an overall darker experience and the moments of humor that I found were pretty far and between, which is appropriate considering the state of the galaxy. This isn't to say there was none, however - and the bits of humor that there were had me laughing quite hard.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 No. No I don't. I think it could only help them. When you create a fluid form of art like this, a series that has always focused on the choices of characters to help build personal stories for each player, the developers need to step back and realize that - yes, they created the game. But so did the fanbase that came to love the game, that poured several hundred hours into it, building, rebuilding and tweaking their stories time and again. The only thing that could hurt the integrity of their art in this installment, is if they stuck with an ending that threw out the key elemtents that made this series great.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 Well, aside from making literally no sense period, it didn't conclude their story. Unless, of course, their remaining story was 'We ran, despite being on earth mere minutes before the colorful space magic explosion, crashed on an alien world light years from any help and all starved to death and died a week later,' then their stories weren't concluded. What happened once they crashed? Did they really crash or was it an amazingly awful acid trip caused from a side effect of Harbinger's main gun?
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 It should have been left alone. Sovereign said it best.
"We impose order upon the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it, and you will end because we demand it."

"My kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nation. Independent, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp the nature of our existence. We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions of years after your civilzation has been eradicated and forgotten, we will endure."

These words made the reapers something alien, unknowable and absolutely terrifying. Why change it? And why make Sovereign a lying liar who lies? It's like pulling the mask off of the Reapers and saying 'No worries, kids! It was just Ol' Man Jenkins all along!''
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 I honestly can't answer this one. I never played Deus Ex, which is what I've heard the ending compared to most often. However, I imagine that it's because Deus Ex wasn't a trilogy in which your every choice was seemingly significant and could have far reaching consequences into the second and third games, but the ending doesn't give you any form of actual choice beyond 'Red, Blue or Green sparkly magic explosion?'
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
Because Bioware is clearly lazy! RAWRRGNNNGGLLHHGNN! *foams at the mouth* *returns after a short break* Sorry about that. I honestly don't know why they simply couldn't have done a 3-D rendering of the actress and created a model for an unmasked Tali. The only explanations I can think of are A: They ran out of time. B: They didn't care enough to make a new model for Tali's unmasking or C: They wanted to troll people who actually felt emotional attachment to Tali. *sigh*

As for Chobot, I can see both sides of that arguement. On the one side, Chobot, being a member of IGN would likely have some influence on how high a score the game could get. On the other hand, as a professional review site, who acts in it should have no bearing on the final score. Really, I think IGN reviewing the game with a member of staff in it is a conflict of interest, but hey. That's just me.
Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 I beat the game on March 7th at 2:45a.m. After that, I haven't touched it, with the exception of a very small amount of storyline.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 At first, shock. Then anger and finally utter soul crushing disappointment. It was terrible on every single level I could think of. There was no climax, really. No final fight against anything more challenging than Mr. Marauder Shields. No real emotional investiment because you're introduced to a new goal and new plot important character in the last ten minutes. It's just...flat. Soul crushingly disappointing since I KNOW Bioware can do better endings. Please refer to 'Favorite Moments of Mass Effect' section for more details. 
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
Just...just ugh. There is no replayabiltiy to this game, and yes, I think the ending has a large part to do with it. Beyond that, it's crushed my desire to replay Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 as well, because I know what's awaiting me at the end. Nothing. Not a damn thing. And it...it just makes it an effort in futility. The mutliplayer, I fear, is at blame actually. Maybe if they had had the extra time to work on the ending, rather than diverting some to the unnecessary multiplayer section...
 
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 I'm afraid I cannot comment as to Kai Leng's personality shifts. I thought, as a fresh look upon him, that he was an interesting character. Perhaps not the most fitting character, as I largely wasn't expecting ninja in Mass Effect, but whatever, I rolled with it.

As for Garrus and Tali - to be honest, I thought that the two of them hooking up if neither was romanced was actually something of a nice touch. What, only player characters are allowed to find romance? 

Joker abandoning the fight, however, is a big no-no. Just...everything we KNOW about Joker says he wouldn't abandon his friends. He even laid down covering fire during the suicide mission for us! Coupled with the fact that he's got members of your crew with him when he crashes, means he had to have flown down to earth, landed, picked up the crew members you had with you moments previous, and then fled to the Mass Relay and made a jump.

What.

Just...no. Joker would have never done that. Ever. I'd bet all my money on it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 The last fifteen minutes or so, once you get hit by Harbinger's beam.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
Yes. Provided it was reasonably priced and not like... twenty dollars for a five minute cutscene.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?

I... I don't know. Part of me reeeeally wants to believe that all of this was really clever writing and that throughout the game Shepard was fighting off the effects of Indoctrination and that the end was the climax of the fight. The other part of me screams that this is simply players grasping desperately at anything they can to explain away a massively disappointing ending.

I don't know where I stand to be honest. The Indoctrination Theory has incredibly powerful evidence in favor of it, but even if it's true, it means Bioware released a game without an ending to it. That's... like.. Breaking the First Gaming Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Release an Unfinished Product. 

Could it be part of Bioware's devious plot to get people speculating? Could be.

I just want a finished game. Whether the end is rewritten or not. I just want a complete game. This...felt incomplete.

Though I don't see how this has anything to do with the fans wanting a rewritten ending. If it's a dream, the current ending works...with some clarification and additions such as... What the hell happens once you wake up, but... That's what Bioware's upcoming DLC is (presumably) for, no?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 I've got everything that came with the Cerberus Network Pack, including Firewalker.

Also got Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker and Arrival. I purchased each of them due to wanting a more complete Mass Effect and because I'm a total Mass Effect junkie.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
I sincerely hope it's a stigma that will factor into all entertainment. We, as consumers, deserve to have well written and complete stories for our money. We should not have to spend our hard earned money to read/watch/play something that was poorly written, incomplete, riddled with plot holes or anything like that. We deserve quality for our money. If we get quality, we want to buy more. It's a win-win situation. If companies continue to sell us unsatisfactory products, I hope another such movement rises, and rises again until companies learn that we will no longer accept good when we could get great.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
Yes. I did. And I was not happy about it. I'm already iffy on day-one DLC. Combine that day-one DLC with a (in my opinion) plot important NPC that provides a great and unique look on events unfolding within the game and you've got me steamed. Combine that with the fact that this DLC was already stored on my disk - the disk, I'll remind you, that I've already paid for and I become frothing-at-the-mouth-furious. I feel alienated by the company I once loved, and feel as though this was a simple and blatant attack on my wallet. One that I allowed because, again, I was a Mass Effect junkie. And Bioware knew it. For shame. 

Whew. That took a while. My responses are in the quote.

Modifié par Syenthros, 05 avril 2012 - 12:19 .

[Aerevane]

WTF? I took a minor in Urban Geography and I only got to write about stigma's and segregation. The injustice!

[Mandemon]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1. Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
Yes

2. If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?


3. Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
Yes, several times

4. If you have, which character was your LI in each installment? Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
Liara, no it didn't.

5. In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
Yes

6. Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
No.

7. What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
Tuchanka, Suicide Mission and Rannoch missions. Each have so much of your previous choices coming together to determine how it plays out.


Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity

1. Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?

Video games are art form, but they are fluid one. Player is not passive person, he is active participant.

2. Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?

They rewrote Shepard in the last 5 minutes. Because they want to milk DLC cow.

3. Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?

No, it made no sense.

4. Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?

No more or less than previous ones.

5. Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?

No, it would more liekly be keeping theri Artistic Integrity. Retakers are demanding Bioware to uphold they quality and take responsibelity of drop in quality in critical part of the game.

6. With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?

Stranding crew itself isn't so bad. What is bad is the reasons why they are stranded.

7. Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?

It should have been left without explanation or it should have been vague. Reapers are mysterious race, having the mbeing controleld by star child takes away that mysticism.

8. A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?

What makes it different that more you think about it more it kills the entire universe.

9. Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

Definetly, Jessicas inclusion into game certainly made IGN more farovable to the game.

Section 3: The Endings

1. Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?

Completed the game, not played since.

2. What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

Endings are a disaster, breaking narrative flow and destroying entire plot of 2 previous games and entire 3rd game as well.

3. Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?

Endings make replay value of ME3 non-existant. There is no reason to replay it, events will conclude in same way no matter what.


4. Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?


Can't say, never read the books, Tali/Garrus was sweet in my opinion. However, Joker abandoning the fight was clear out of character action. 


5. At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?

During the attack on Cerberus base.

6. Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?

I would pay nothing for any ending DLC, unless they add to main gameplay in meaningfull way, such as whole new missions or sub-plots.

7. Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans? How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?

I bealive Indoctrination Theory to be grasping straws, hoping that what we got is just a fake and real one is coming. 


Section 4: Economic Input

1. Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?

I bought Firewalker, Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker DLCs. Got Kasumi, Zaeed and few others for free. Didn't buy alternative suit packs because I saw no reason for them.


2. The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?

Hard to say. Can't give definite answer.


3. Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

No, I didn't. It was Day-1 DLC, which to me means that it should have been on the main game for free.

[Noatz]

What does this have to do with urban geography, pray tell?

Sounds more like business studies...

[Mobius-Silent]

Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. Liara, Liara, Liara

5. Yes

6. No, While I was aware of my P/R score I chose the options
I wanted

7. ME1: Visiting the Citadel for the first time
ME1: The Iilos->conduit->saren run
ME3 Tuchanka, curing the Genophage

 

Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity

1. Yes, Art is by its very nature fluid

2. Yes characters were re-written and subject to peer review
between the many writers, this is a good thing.

3. No, it was a cliché grab based on shoe-horning a
synthetic vs organic theme onto a story that did not have that as a base (ME1
and ME2 was plotted again the "Dark energy" plotline and the reveal
in ME2 really didn't make the Reaper synthetics, more a hybrid gestalt)

4. No I think ME3 was fairly grim

5. No the end is moth subjectively bad (I didn't like it)
and objectively bad (Contradicts plot of ME1, changes theme, use of Deus ex
Machina) if has no artistic integrity.

6. It was a distraction from the narrative rather than a
consequence of it

7. They could have done either, the problem is that the
current motivation is poorly thought out and not well foreshadowed and/or
integrated into the narrative.

8.  The Mass effect
setting, characters and story was comparable to Star Wars in its quality and
impact, few (no) games come close to that

9. I think that Ms Chobot was a real person recording lines
for the series. The model for Tali was not her VA. I have no opinion of the
influence of IGN

               

Section 3: The Endings

1. I unlocked early via a Hong Kong proxy, I completed the
game once, and since have lost all enthusiasm for the entire series, knowing
that the plot is fundamentally broken destroys the narrative in ME1 and ME2
which is the primary motivation for playing the game.

2. It is objectively bad, assigning agency and intent to the
Citadel destroys the entire plot of ME1, it is subjectively bad in that it
provides little emotional closure or denouement. It employs the worst clichés
and tropes of the medium and ignores the previous style of the Mass Effect
series in providing no sense of accomplishment and virtually ignoring the
events leading up to this point. It railroads the player without providing the
option to question, what is presented as, an unreliable narrator.

3. Yes the ending destroys the narrative coherence of the
story, without that we receive no closure hence the building of tension during
the game loses all meaning rendering the game hollow. I have no opinion on
multiplayer

4. Kai Leng was a terrible character in ME3, completely 2D
but forgivable. Garrus and Tali as partners was sweet and a nice addition.
Joker abandoning the fight during its climax is simply an example of terrible
writing, probably due to a lack of peer review of the concept.

5. After the glowing elevator leading to the Crucible beam
and the “catalyst”

6. I would pay for a new ending but I would not be happy
about that. Any text-based clarification would have to include a lot of
detailed explanation about the Catalyst to prevent its existence destroying the
ME1 plot.

7. It’s real, the Indoctrination theory is grasping at
straws and doesn’t hold up to scrutiny

 

Section 4: Economic Input

1. Yes, other than appearance packs, they were overpriced
for a feature present in ME1 by default

2. Any creative process that produces bad commercial content
will be effected by generating bad-will in the consumer

3. I bought the collector’s edition so had it included. It
was a cheap move to split out such an important character but nowhere near as
objectionable as the ending.

Modifié par Mobius-Silent, 05 avril 2012 - 03:09 .

[CaptainZaysh]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 Consort.  Liara.  Thane.  Kelly.  Liara.  I did enjoy the complex relationship.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 I didn't save them all.  My main reasons for letting some die was making the suicide mission more meaningful and dramatic, and for Shepard's character development.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 Don't understand this question.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 The most impactful memories were always losing squadmates, so I guess sacrifice is the common theme.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
  Yes.  No fixed opinion. 
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
  No, they all seemed consistent through the trilogy to me.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
   Didn't see an Adam & Eve reference in my ending (destroy, Shepard survived).
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
  Yes, there were many funny moments.  If you believe the design team inserted them into the game to distract fans from the ending you are as dumb as a bag of rocks.
  
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
  I think it would compromise their creative freedom in future projects, since the "fans" would know that all they needed to do in order to get a happier ending or extra content would be to review bomb the next project.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 It's no different.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
  Yes, it was thought provoking, and led me to research the Singularity and consider the truly alien nature of AI. 
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
  That BioWare has the worst fans.  They created a monster by having too much contact.  They should copy other devs and try and get some distance now. 
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
   It's a groundless allegation, because IGN's score was in line with every other professional reviewer's.


Section 3: The Endings

 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
  Yes.  Replaying it now. 
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 I thought it was great.  Very provocative and surprising, and left me with a sense of wonder about what the ME universe would be like in the future.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
   Mass 3 is just as replayable IMO.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
  No.  These are stupid, leading questions.  Your study is going to suck.
    
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 Ditto
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
  No - a stupid PowerPoint presentation explaining that the krogan went on to become the galaxy's greatest ballerinas is totally cheesy and unnecessary.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
  I don't believe it was a dream or that indoctrination theory is correct. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
   Bought them all.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
   Mass Effect 3 was not poorly written; it is one of the best written video games I've ever played.  I think the Herd the Line movement will make video game writers less inclined to take creative chances in future.  Happy endings only from now on.
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
  Did buy it.  Javik is not crucial to the franchise in any way.

[fle6isnow]

Pro-ender here. My answers are in italics below.

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes, I finished it three times already.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 --
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes, multiple times.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 In my first playthrough of each game--Liara in ME1, Garrus in ME2 and 3. Subsequent playthoughs have different LIs. It doesn't affect gameplay much, but it does change the story subtly and increases my attachment to the characters.
 
5.     In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 Not really. I'm just a major completionist, so I want everything complete and done. Saving all the squad members was just part of that.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 No, I have playthoughs where I am fully paragon, fully renegade, or mixed alignment.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 ME1 it was the Noveria (with Liara) and Virmire arcs. ME2 it was Moridin's loyalty mission. ME3 was the Tuchanka arc, particularly Mordin's death. 2 out of 3 feature Mordin, who I just love, but I think an overarching theme could be sacrifice. In each of those missions, you have to sacrifice someone--Benezia and optionally the Rachni queen on Noveria, your squadmate on Virmire, Maleon and/or his data, and finally, Mordin himself. All of those arcs are also very well-written and emotional. Also, I just like it when characters die because I like my Space Operas tragic, dammit!
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Yes, they can be art. Art is fluid BUT I believe that any changes should be the decision of the creators, not the fans. Sure, the creators can change it based on fan feedback, but ultimately it should be their decision and theirs alone.
 
2.     Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 No, not really. Even Shepard's sacrifice at the end was ok, and in character for me. Others will disagree, of course.
 
3.     Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 Sure, it made sense, but it was rather heavy-handed and cheesy. Like many Retakers, I don't like the ending animations.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
Yes, it did, but I don't think it was a distraction for the ending--there are just more things that can be made an inside joke, so there is more of that inside-joke humor.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 I believe scrapping the ending altogether would; however, simply adding more endings and clarification would not. I like the ending choices, but I do see the problems with the implementation of the story at that point. I would not be opposed to more choice and more clarifications.
 
6.     With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 Stranding? I like to headcannon that they landed in the Amazon, is all--the second big moon is the remains of the citadel/crucible. No, but seriously, I don't mind that the crew got stranded on some jungle planet, it was just poorly explained in the cutscene.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or
should it have been left alone?
 I think the reason made sense in the horrid machine dystopia way, but more explanation would have been great.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 I liked the themes put forward, and I definitely think the themes in the ending apply to Mass Effect 3, so I cannot comment on how it "failed" thematically. Even if it is simliar to the Deus Ex ending, so what? AI vs. Organics has been an underlying theme throughout the series, and there has been foreshadowing about the ending choices throughout all three games. It didn't just come out of nowhere for me, even though many fans feel like it did. I think my main problem with the ending is the rushed implementation and animation.
 
 
9.     Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
I personally think they should have left Tali's face as a mystery, but if not, a fully-rendered face is what her character deserved. Her photoshopped face was lazy and a slap in the face to fans. I don't know why they included Chobot in the game, but I don't think it had too much of an effect on the endorsement--game review sites have different criteria they use, which may or may not overlap with the fans' criteria, AND the game is really spectacular. Even if you hate the endings, you have to agree they did a lot of things right with the rest of the game. I do think some fans scapegoat IGN/Chobot, but others could not care less.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.     Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 I have finished the game three times, and I am planning to do a replay of the entire series in order when I have time.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 I liked the ending choices and the themes put forward, and as someone who has studiously avoided ALL news about ME3 aside from release date for fear of spoilers, I was expecting the ending choices--control or destroy the Reapers--and I was right! Synthesis seemed WTF to me at first, but after some thinking and discussion with other people, I see how it was foreshadowed. Like I mentioned earlier, I do think the synthetics vs. organics theme was more important than dark energy or whatever else they were thinking of, and each choice is morally ambiguous enough that you really have to think about which way you wanted to go. Control the Reapers and play at being god? Force synthesis on everyone? Destroy the Reapers, but with some of your allies as collateral damage? What will happen after you make the choices? It's fun to ponder over. However, I do think that it wasn't implemented or explained as well as it should have been. I also did not like that whatever choice you made, the ending animation was pretty much the same. That to me was unacceptable as the finale of the series--they could have done so much more with that part to show the differences between the three choices, but I think it just boiled down to lack of time.
 
3.     Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 I find the replayability just fine. The journey does change depending on what you chose in the previous game, even if the end does not. The multiplayer portion, as has been mentioned by Bioware, was in the books since the first game, although it only came to fruition now. I'm fine with the multiplayer part, even if I rarely touch it.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 Kai Leng was really a wasted villain. I haven't read the books completely (just skimmed them) but even so, I can tell his characterization was much better in them. In the game they turned him into a cheesy space ninja. Garrus and Tali's romance is adorable, but as one who romances Garrus in most playthroughs, it was a moment of "but you're supposed to love meeeeee" personally. I don't think Joker's "abandonment" is too out of character. I mean between saving only Shepard and saving the ENTIRE REST OF THE CREW, I would like to think Joker would try to save more lives instead of sacrificing everyone for Shepard's, you know? But my problem with the part where Joker runs away is that it was poorly explained in the cutscene.
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
I think from the beginning, the writing is more linear than the other ME games. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but for some it can kill replayability. I think it is fine, though. The quality of the writing at the end was not as good as the rest, but eh, I didn't think it was too much of a problem.
 
6.     Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
 I wouldn't pay for a new ending that retconns the old one. In fact, I would be disappointed if they do that. However, I would not be opposed to paying for additional endings to supplement the original three choices and clarify things. I would be ok with a free text epilogue as well.

7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 The indoctrination theory is one of the more interesting interpretations of the endings. Everyone can interpret the endings in their own way, so I see no problem with doing this. The main difference in the people who support IT vs. the people who want a total rewrite is that well, IT merely needs additional content, whereas a rewrite would retcon the original choices. Like I said, I don't mind additional choices, or additional content and explanation, but leave the original choices alone!
 
 Section 4: Economic Input
 
1. Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 I have all the Digital Deluxe DLC for this account, and I've also played all the other DLCs on a friend's account. I didn't buy all the DLC them per se, but I played all of them because I enjoyed more characters and more story that adds on to the existing story.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
I don't think it's wholly because of the Retake movement, although it does affect the sales through word-of-mouth. Blockbuster games do drop in price more quickly than other games, and with some other blockbuster games coming up (e.g. Diablo III), we cannot definitely say that it is the Retake movement alone that affects the drop in prices. I cannot coment much on EA's stock prices because I don't know the whole picture, but I don't think the Retake movement had much of a hand in that because investors mainly look at sales, and EA's sales have been pretty good.

Poor writing...well, it's a problem in ALL media, not just gaming. If  you don't like it, and the artist doesn't want to change it, just move on to the next story/game/movie/whatever. Or headcannon it, just like I headcannon away the epilogue to Harry Potter (Ron should NOT end up with Hermione, IMO).[/i]
 
 3.   Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history
of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
I got the CE so it was included. I think it was rather shoddy of them to make players pay for a character this important--one who changes the story and feel of the game overall--but this is a separate issue from the ending.

Modifié par fle6isnow, 05 avril 2012 - 01:19 .

[Killer3000ad]

Infinityphoenix wrote...

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
         Yes


3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
         Yes
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
         Liara. Yes
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
         Yes.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
         Yes
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
         1. The opening of ME1
         2. Shepard emerging from the rubble at the end of ME1
         3. Shepard's end run to the Normandy and the ship flying off as the Collector base explodes
         
         There's a common theme in 2 and 3 in that Shepard and co survive despite the odds to save the day.
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
         Yes. Fluid
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
         Yes. My problem is Shepard's behaviour at the very end when he/she is forced to accept the Starchild's logic with no  
         option to argue against it's flawed circular reasoning and it's unproven claim that the synthetics will always war with   
         organics.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
         No it doesn't make any goddamn sense. 
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
         No it did not. 
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
          No it would not compromise their artistic integrity since they are selling a product to the consumers and the 
           consumers have voiced their opinion on the product.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
         The huge plotholes of why the Normandy was fleeing and why my squadmates whom I brough to London have 
          teleported to him is just too much. 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
         Given that their explanation of the antagonist  contradicts statements made by Sovereign and Harbinger in ME1 and 2,
         it probably would have been best to have left it alone.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
         By other franchises you mean Lost and Soprano? The problem here is that those two forms have a passive audience who do not participate in shaping the story. The player in the ME games do. Also we PAID a hell of a lot more for ME3. 
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
         Yes it did. Having an IGN employee in your game, and then having the game reviewed by IGN. You damn well sure there's was biasedness at play there. The fans are looking for a target at IGN, a site that wrote glowing reviews about ME3 and said nothing of the ending. UNfortunately, Chobot's face was just too easy a target. Then came her gaffe on her IGN blog calling it a whine-fest and the gamers 'entitled' when by her own admission, has not finished the game. She did not help her case.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
          Beaten it ONCE. I cannot bring myself to do another playthrough.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
         The ending was absolute garbage and a disgrace. I have this opinion because it did not live up to what we were promised in pre-release hype, it contradicted established lore, it gave us 3 nearly same endings that all ending like crap with big plotholes explainable only with space magic, and most of all, it reduced my SHepard to a meek bystander who immediately toko mr Deus Ex Machina's word for it. And then there's that, the Deus Ex Machina.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
         FYI, I compeleted five playthroughs of ME1, and eight playthroughs of ME2. Mass Effect 3 HAS ZERO EFFING REPLAYABILITY FOR ME. WHen I think about it, I just go,'What's the bloody point?" Yes the ending is the ONLY factor that's keeping me from completing the rest of my imports. I don't know about the multiplayer part, cause I got bored of it after the first hour or so. It's not bad, but multiplayer was not the reason why I bought ME3. The multiplayer is little more than an attempt to make money of sad chumps too impatient to farm points, so they buy Bioware points instead. 
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
         I have not read the novels, so I cannot comment on Kai Leng. The pairing of Garrus and Tali seems rather sudden but not unexpected since we could eavesdrop on a turian hitting on a quarian in the bar on Ilium in ME2. It's does seem a bit awkward as neither has ever suggested it in previous installments. However these examples are very minor and I am not really bothered by them.  
  
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
        After Anderson dies and the elevator to crazytown appears and we are introduced to Starchild. Then when he opened his hole and starting yapping about,"We made synthetics to kill you every 50,000 years so that you don't make synthetics who will kill you" and I could not tell him to shut the hell up. That's when's thing fell apart, namely the fact that Shepard is forced to listen to Starchild and not dispute him or blow him away. 
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
         I WOULD PAY FOR A NEW ENDING THAT INVALIDATES THE CURRENT ONE AND ALLOWS US TO TELL STARCHILD 
        TO GO DIE IN A FIRE.
         
 7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
          I assume you are referring to the indoctrination theory. It sounds good and all and there's alot of in-game evidence to support it. The fact that so many believe it over the current ending is proof of just how terribad the current ending is. It's not so different from rewriting the ending as both are a means to ONE END, namely FIXING THE GOD AWFUL ENDING. 
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
         I bought the CE edition to obtained Zaeed. I also bought Kasumi, Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker, and Arrival. I bought them because I wanted to go on further adventures in the Mass Effect universe and rekindle an old love.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
         Stigma against poor writing already exists in the entertainment industry so I don't see it as an exclusive to the gaming industry. Want to know why the Conan the Barbarian remake flopped? Cause it story and script were bad! Why did Sopranos ****** people off? Cause of the ending. WHy do they hand out awards for writing in movies? Cause they reward good writing, the same way bad writing is and should be punished. 
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?
          I pre-ordered ME3 CE way back in mid 2011 before they announced From Ashes. Yes I think the producers shatfed themselves. They claimed he was not integral to the story which was a bloody lie. HE IS! He provides loads of information about the previous Reaper invasion and listen to what he says if you bring him to Thessia with Liara. Were it not for the god awful ending, From Ashes would have been the main complaint from the fans.

        

Modifié par Killer3000ad, 05 avril 2012 - 01:30 .

[bahamutomega]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      yes
2.      obviously, yes
3.      yes 
4.      Liara in ME, none in ME2 (stayed faithful to Liara), Liara in ME3
5.      yes, but i'm also a bit of a perfectionist.  i almost wish the "suicide" mission had been more of a meat-grinder, i can play through it half asleep. 
6.      no, mainly just personal preference.  on occasion, i would go back and make a different choice just because one was more humorous than the other. 
7.      Joker unshackling EDI: "i enjoy the sight of humans on their knees."  <insert funny look>  "that was a joke."
         "Shepard."  "Wrex."  (need i say more?)
         "Would have liked to run tests on the seashells."

Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      yes, and interactive art such as videogames are fluid
2.      no - i believe some of the replacement characters were used to fill the same role the former party member filled (Mordin / Padok Wiks) with the exception of Wrex and Wreav 
3.      no.  DNA is organic, not synthetic.  even after synthesis, i don't believe EDI has the... um...  proper equipment.
4.      similar number, maybe less due to the reduced number of party members.  i believe the humor was used to try to help Shepard deal with the war. 
5.      i believe this ending already compromised their artistic integrity - the leaks prior to the game being released forced them to alter their original script.  at that point, artistic integrity was lost.  had they used the original leaked endings, despite our foreknowledge, artistic integrity would have remained.  had the endings not been leaked, we would still be scratching our heads, but the claim of "artistic integrity" would be far easier to maintain.
6.      we were able to view the deaths of the ME2 characters (Mordin, Thane, Legion).  their deaths all had purpose and meaning.  the deaths / stranding of the crew members was meaningless and trivialized their survival of the Battle of Earth.  it would have been better to have them killed in London or in orbit.  at least there, the sacrifice could have actually meant something. 
7.      shoudl have left it alone.  evil is evil - it doesn't always need to be explained.  particularly in the last 5 minutes.
8.      really?  i couldn't stand the re-imagined BSG anthrocentric rambling (anthropologist word - not mine) ending.  i watched this and actually wondered if Rob Moore had a hand in scribbling the ending out.  never saw Dues Ex ending.  haven't decided if i'll actually play it now (considering the ending is repeated here).
9.      i believe that doing a review on a game you or one of your employees has a vested interest in is a conflict of interest.  simple as that.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      yes - working on a 4th playthrough.
2.      i thought the ending was exceedingly weak.  given the other character's deaths during ME3, i was expecting and hoping to have my heart ripped out of my chest as i watched my Shepard sacrifice herself for the galaxy.  suffice to say, i was less than thrilled with what happened.  i have come to believe the "Indoctrination Theory" which means that i am now of the opinion the rest of the ending was cut to sell to me later.  again, a prospect i am less than thrilled with, but at least i will get some closure. 
3.      still replaying.  have not done much multiplayer since seeing the ending because it doesn't matter how hi i get my war assets, the endings are the same.  i did enjoy the multi-player and was glad they added it, but given the random packs and microtransaction model, multiplayer was added to make more money. 
4.     meh.  i think Kai Leng was far more sinister and dangerous on the Citadel.  i should have been able to kill him on Thessia - that was a very weak plot point (including TIM's sudden understanding of the Prothean language, considering the VI didn't seem to have Javik's touchy-feely-i-can-learn-everything-about-your-species-by-touching-you ability).  Joker's fleeing of the battle is never explained, so if you believe the IT is possible, Joker fleeing is explained there (he actually isn't fleeing, it's all in Shepard's head)
5.      the ending
6.      no - i paid for a full game, i want my endings.
7.      as stated in my answers above, i believe the IT is possible.  i also believe the endings that should have followed are complete and were held back (either by EA looking for more money or BioWare for some as-yet-unexplained reason)

Section 4: Economic Input
1.      technically, i only bought The Arrival - my PS3 version came with everything else.  i did purchase the Firepower pack, but i like guns.
2.      Hollywood has survived poor writing before.  interactive media is where poor writing can hit companies in the wallet.  especially in games where information is released prior to the media's launch promising certain things and then failing to follow through.
3.      technically... no - i purchased the CE version of the game, so From Ashes was included.  however, i did play through the game both with and without the DLC pack installed.  From Ashes was, imo, not "mandatory" and did not contain plot critical information.  however, i did find Javik amusing, and felt his character (and the information about the Prothean Empire) were well put together and thought out with one exception (see below).  the illusion had been created that the Protheans were an enlightened, utopian society - the first scene on Eden Prime shattered that pretty little picture.
           the one exception i had to Javik was the reaction from people on the Citadel to a live Prothean.  even with his condescending attitude and amusing speech, i cannot believe that anyone (ESPECIALLY a hanar who revere the Protheans as GODS for crying out loud) would not continue following him around just to be in his presence until he threatened to kill them.  and that might still not be enough to drive some people away - i can hear it now "this one is not worthy to be shot by an Enkindler - this one will will end its own life to satisfy the Enkindler."

[mrmarcus101]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 
Ayup.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 N/A
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Ayup.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 Multiple.   My "Prime" Shepard romanced Liara and stayed faithful in all three.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 Honestly no, It's more because of me being a completionist when it comes to what I play.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 No.  I tried to react the way I visualized Shepard reacting.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 1> The powerful moment where Tali finds her father's body.
 2> Garrus and Shepard high on the Presidium
 3> "You exist because we allow it.  You end because we demand it."

 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Yes.  I think art is fluid.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 I didn't really see it. 
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 Nothing about the end sequence made sense.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 I think so, mainly to add a little levity to keep the tone from becoming too morbid and morose.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 No.  This is a stupid argument.  Art changes all the time in response to the customers.  Why do you think films do test screenings before releasing a film to the public?  How many editors slash through a book before it's printed?  Mow much tinkering to sound engineers do to music to make it more marketable?  Artistic integrity doesn't pay bills; customers buying the product do.
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 It's a Chewbacca Defense.  Mordin's death makes sense.  Legion's makes sense.  Thane's makes sense.  The ending doesn't.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 No.  If the reapers were supposed to be beyond comprehension it should have been left that way.  The Catalyst's very weak fallacious argument was ludicrous.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 The other games had closure and denouement.  ME3 did not.  It would be akin to cutting "Se7en" at the moment Somerset runs off the delivery truck driver.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

I don't know who made that decision with Tali's face but it was a horrible one.  I do believe Jessica Chobot's addition does compromise IGN's ability to be objective especially given the attacks directly made on her involvement. 


Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
Yes, with one replay finished and bogged down in the second because of a lack of desire.

 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
Awful.  It seems rushed, tacked on and completely divergent from the uberplot.  When I finished the first time I loaded up the autosave and ran the finale again with the other two choices.  After seeing all three endings at the EMS I was at my reaction was one of confusion and disgust because of the level of similarity between the three.  Made me wonder if my decisions had any effect at all.  It's bad storytelling to let the players feel they have an effect on things only to pull a Lucy with the football at the climax.  It's bad business to close with a splash screen telling the player to buy more DLC.


 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 
I think it is, because there's no divergence.  It will always end the same regardless of what you do.  Bioware's silence is deafening.  I think they're not sure what to do from a business perspective.  They can't outright attack the fan base without running them off but at the same time need to defend their product.  Multiplayer was probably added at EA's behest as a vehicle for cheaply-made DLC products.

 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
 I don't bother with novels, so I can't comment on that.  I don't think the characters were degraded.  Not all of them could get the full treatment.  A suqad choice of nineteen would have been intimidating to write for.  Some fans will feel aggrieved their favorties weren't given more to do.  Limitations require it. 
Kai Leng seemed to fit in with the need of a "mini-boss" to be an irritant through the game.

 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
London.  Everything seemed to fall apart once you get out of the command base.  You don't really get a feel that your war assets meant much of everything.  I would have liked to have seen the difficulty of that sequence modified based on the amount of work you had done getting war assets.

 
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
Possibly.  I'd wait and see what word-of-mouth had to say about it.  I don't have the faith in the company anymore to buy it blindly.


7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 
 Indoctrination was kind of what I was thinking was going on at first but the finale threw that for a loop.  It would have been a excellent sequence with Harbinger using deceit to turn Shepard.  I wonder if they were afraid of fans railing against "false endings" if they took the choice that gave in to Harbinger.  Again, it seemed rushed and incomplete as if there was supposed to be something else there but time/budget constraints left it undone.    I don't think Bioware expected or really desired this level of negative intensity with what was pushed out the door.            


 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
I got the free ones that came with ME2, bought Lair of the Shadow Broker for full price(I like Liara and thought the story would be worth the purchase), bought Stolen Memory (didn't think it was worth full price) and Arrival (again, didn't think it would be worth full price) and the Firepower Pack (kind of a "why the hell not" buy) at half price when they were on sale.  I didn't buy any of the others because I wasn't interested in Appearance packs and didn't like what I read about Overlord.
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
 I think the Retake movement is overreaching claims when they say they're affecting stock price.  I think thelarge drop-off in sales and the stagnation of The Old Republic has more to do with it than Retake.  Unfortunately, the stigma against poor writing will not go away because it can be covered up wuth flash and effects which effectively distract from muddled messy plot.
 
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

I got "From Ashes" with the CE I purchased.  I understand the anger felt.  I always believed Day One DLC was meant to be a reward for purchasing the game new, and Javik adds a lot to the game as a squad member.  Not bundling that DLC with all new purchases of the game was a mistake, putting a lot of cutsomers on the negative foot at the start.

Modifié par mrmarcus101, 05 avril 2012 - 01:38 .

[Archren]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
Yes.
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes, a few times.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 ME 1 - Liara, ME 2 - Liara again on one play through, Garrus on another; ME 3 - Liara and Kaidan (I cheated.. kinda accidentally, LOL, was not anticipating Kaidan to hit on my FemShep, but I rolled with it and pissed off Liara) first time through, Garrus second time through.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 Absolutely.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 Not always - I would choose a renegade choice if it suited my own personality (how I might react given a situation; i.e., punching the reporter EVERY SINGLE GAME), but generally I chose paragon. I intend to play through the entire series as a renegade at some point.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
1. Garrus - he reminds me a bit of my fiance' in real life - a bad ass, but a tragic character.
Edit: Forgot to add the other two!
2. Curing the Genophage.
3. Reconciling the Geth.
 
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Yes, but as a form of commercial or retail art; as a photographer I am acutely aware that in both of those instances, the art you produce comes with a set of requirements from the customer. If the customer is not pleased with the product, inevitably the likelihood of repeat business from that customer (or any other potential customers with whom that person or company is affiliated) is pretty much non-existent. How this applies to ME3 in particular - BioWare made very specific comments as to the content of the game or what definitely would NOT be in the game (A,B,C ending, for instance), and then did the opposite. In my mind, that'd be like me telling a client, I'll take artisitc portraits of you in such a way that you don't look like something from Glamour Shots, but it ends up looking that way anyway... that's just the analogy that I first came up with anyway, I'm sure there are others.
 
2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 Shepard with the Catalyst/Starchild. Particularly because the option to question it further (which Shepard has always had the option to do in the past), or at least the option to tell it to go f**k itself, was not there. My FemShep was a paragon, but she would not have balked at giving that little a-hole the middle finger.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 I assume by this question you mean where the Normandy crash-landed on some random garden planet; if the player chooses synthesis, I think this would be a plausible conclusion (particularly between Joker and EDI). However, I still don't understand why Joker was running in the first place, so I'm still undecided about that entire bit of the ending.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?
 I think the humorous moments were about the same, and I think those moments flowed well given the gravity of the other very emotional scenes. I don't think they intended it as a distraction from the ending.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 Depends on how they handle it - I personally don't believe they should necessarily change the current ending, but maybe provide a more in-depth epilogue explaining what exactly occurred (why did the Normandy run, how did members of the squad who were planetside with Shepard end up on the Normandy, etc.)
 
6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 The deaths of certain characters and the ending were written by different people, and it shows. Mordin's death was bittersweet, but it made sense in the overall course of the story (from his appearance in ME2 to his death in ME3, either by his own choice or by the hands of Shepard). It fit, there was background to the scene that made it make sense. Stranding the crew, however.. there was a big gap between when Shepard boarded the Citadel and how the crew (including those on the final push to the beam) ended up on the Normandy. Glitch, oversight in programming, bad storytelling? I don't know, but it just didn't fit.
 
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?
 The Illusive man - yes, I think they actually handled his upcoming and demise, storywise, well. I do believe there should have been more interaction with the Reapers - Harbinger or whomever else - because they just didn't seem like the big bad wolf anymore.
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 Mass Effect 3 has done well, and the Mass Effect franchise as a whole has blown the lid off expectations both in a financial sense and from the player's perspective. If the series as a whole hadn't been so terrific, the gaping holes in the ending wouldn't have been such an issue. It just isn't consistent with the level of storytelling that the series has shown up until this point.
 
 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
 I don't have a major hard on for Tali like some people, although I do think they could have gone the extra mile to at least show one scene (i.e., on Rannoch when she removes her mask) with her face fully rendered. I understand the desire to keep her face mostly a mystery... but nevertheless, I think it could have been handled better. The photoshopped stock photo is something anyone with a decent knowledge of photoshop could pull off - it just doesn't seem to mesh well with the kind of polish that went into the first two games.


Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
I have played through in its entirety once - but with the same character did two different endings (synthesis and destroy). I'm in the process of playing through a second time, but I'm taking my time now to maximize war assets since I didn't have enough to get the "breath" scene.
 
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
 Not a fan of it. I think an OPTIONAL ending DLC would be leaps and bounds towards repairing how I feel about the ending. I simply think closure is in order, particularly since the current ending feels like such a cop out after having invested easily 200 hours into this franchise over the course of five years.
 
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 I'm only replaying Mass Effect 3 to a) try out new faces on my FemShep and because my first playthrough I rushed through it and wasn't as meticulous about gathering resources as I should have been. The ending is definitely a major detractor from the replay value, and Bioware's silence hasn't really mollified that sentiment. Pushing for us to play multiplayer to distract us from the way they handled the single player feels like a slap in the face.
 
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
 This probably should have been broken down into further questions, but I'll try to address all the points. I read the book series, but I wasn't terribly invested in Kai Leng throughout - in all cases, even with different writers, he was just a thorn in my side. It was so cathartic to kill him off.  The pairing of Garrus and Tali did take me a bit by surprise, mainly because the two rarely showed interest in each other in that way prior to ME3. The abandoning flight of the Normandy, however, is the biggest glaring inconsistency with a character that I have seen - Joker would absolutely not abandon Earth, not unless Shepard told him to do so and gave him a good reason why. So unless Shepard becomes like ObiWan Kenobi and tells him to "RUN!" via ghost form in something the players just don't see.... it just doesn't fit.
 

5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 After TIM falls on the Citadel.
 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
 As much as it pains me to say... probably yes. BUT - I will probably see what it looks like on YouTube before I spend my money. I've been burned now, I'm not just going to throw money at BioWare - they betrayed my trust as a consumer. I dropped money on the collector's edition for ME2 when it came out and was vastly rewarded. Did the same for ME3 and feel like someone pissed in my cheerios. From here on out, it will be a wait and see approach, versus the "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY" approach.
 
7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 
 I think both could be real. I do kinda wish it was a dream sequence because I would like to think that Shepard can live without having to annihilate synthetic life (another glaring plot hole, in my opinion). Indoctrination Theory is just that... a theory. While it would be nice if it were true (because it makes for great head canon), I am not so invested in it to where a different kind of ending would be an assault on my emotions. 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 I did buy them all, because between armor and extra playable content, it actually felt as though it added to the story. Same with the DLC for Javik's character. I didn't mind paying for that, it added another level of intrigue to the story (although really, in hindsight, I wish they had just included that on the disc.. especially if they are going to make us pay for an ending DLC, assuming they release one at all).
 
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
 At this point I'm skeptical as to whether the Retake movement really had impact on stock prices or game prices. It's too soon to tell, really. I do think if EA and BioWare continue to handle the situation poorly, eventually people will get bored of the game quickly and no longer pursue DLCs like ravenous wolves (just as I got bored with Dragon Age 2.. I didn't realize there were any DLCs available until the ME3 controversy came about).
 
 Poor writing in entertainment has existed for a long time. I think this particular case is unique to gaming, because in other forms (books, film, comics, etc.) the story is not as interactive. And even more unique to BioWare and the Mass Effect franchise in particular, few other games are as interactive or as "player choice" oriented as this franchise. In the end it boils down to dollars - if the game is ultimately not a success, the money will not continue to flow as it has for previous installments of the series. ME2 was easy for the company to make money on because people wanted to continue playing the game and paying money for DLCs. ME3 is a little different because if enough people have a bad taste in their mouths, a decent chunk won't return to the franchise, even for other games or DLC packages, either out of principle or due to loss of interest. How this ultimately plays out remains to be seen, of course.
 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

The role didn't seem as crucial to the overall story as it may seem. I think the story could have progressed without Javik, because he really doesn't have a lot of input into the construction of the crucible. He does provide additional depth to the overall story, tying up some loose ends in regards to the Protheans and giving some perspective on the cycles and the Reapers. I do, however, think that they should not have charged for this DLC. They released it at the same time as the rest of the game - could it be they didn't flesh it out before the physical game discs went into production? Possibly - but if that was the case, it should have been a free DLC (which, correct me if I'm wrong, I think it was a free DLC for people who purchased the collector's edition - but it should have been free for everyone regardless). It does certainly make it appear as though EA and BioWare are focusing more on getting more money out of their customers.

Modifié par Archren, 05 avril 2012 - 02:02 .

[Dreadcall]

Section 1:

1) Yes.
3) Yes.
4) Liara, Tali, Tali. It probably did affect it, although i'm unsure how exactly.
5) Rather attachment to some characters wanting me to make everyone come out of it alive to better the chances of those i was attached to surviving.
6) If my own reaction counts yes, if only that of ingame characters and the game world than no.
7) The last chat with Anderson, Mordin's death, and Tali thanking me after the trial. Legion's last few scenes are close too. I guess the common theme is all of them being character oriented.


Section 2:

1) Not all of them, but i believe they can be. I think it is both to some extent.
2) I do not really have problems with any character apart from the catalyst.
3) No. 
4) I think it did have more humorous elements but i do not think they had anything to do with the ending. They had plenty of comic relief material from both their earlier games and the fans, might as well just use it to make the game more fun. I do not think they even had the ending early enough to design the rest of the game with that in mind. IIRC the gameplay team was still experimenting with indoctrination mechanics in November. 
5) No.
6) It's not so much that they are stranded, but that they are tossed on an unknown planet with no explanation of how or why they got there. Or even aboard the Normandy. The ship that suffers the same effect from the shockwave no matter what it does to everything else (good, bad, vaporizing, it all does the same thing to the Normandy). It feels they were tossed there just to get it over with.
7) In my opinion, with the current explanation it was a mistake. It basically goes against everything Sovereign, their most badass villain in the series stood for.
8) In ME's case, the holes aren't just in the plot, but also in the universe. The series has a ton of lore in place, and it tries it's best to explain everything that is different from our current scientific knowledge. Basically, they set up the rules of their universe and asked the players to make a "leap of faith into" it, and they did. Then BioWare continued to flesh it out, but also bend the rules here and there. The players went along with that just fine for the most part. But then comes the ending which asks you to make a "leap of faith" right out of the ME universe and into something else entirely.
9) I do not think they bought the rewiev with putting Jessica Chobot in the game, but it certainly had an effect. I'm going to quote Swen Vincke's (head of Larian Studios, who writes lar.net, a blog everyone interested in video games should read IMO) post on game journalism (which is NOT about ME3) on this one: "Then there’s the feeling that’s created around a game. If a big publisher takes you to 5 star hotel , organizes insanely cool things for you to do, shows you the game for a day and then lets you spend their money as you enjoy whatever exotic location for the next 3 days  – it’s hard not to feel benevolent." 

Section 3:

1) Yes i have. I have played until Marauder Shields a second time. From then on, ever since that, i couldn't bring myself to play the single palyer again. I have played through both ME1 and ME2 a LOT of times, including at least 2 additional playthroughs for both right after finishing the first time.
2) I do not like the ending. Some of the reasons are already in my posts. There is a large variety of resons for it, too many to list here. I will give you some of the main points that are the worst for me though:
-The allies you recruit through the game turn out to be just a number.
-The whole thing is very generic, not refelcting on your choices apart from tiny bits.
-Instead of taking your prvious choices into account you get a go right/center/left "choice".
-While if you think about it the endings have vastly different implications, the ending cutscenes actively work to diminish those differences by being extremely similar, which is a huge mistake IMO, because as a form of entertainment it is more important how the ending makes the audience feel than what it "means". As they are, they make them feel that this is no longer the story of their Shepard, but rather The Shepard.
3) If the ending stays as is, the replayability of ME3 is virtually nonegistant for me. As for multiplayer, i think they had multiplayer in before they even knew what the ending would be, so not because of that IMO.
4) Kai Leng is definitely not as badass as in the book. I see no problem with Garrus and Tali if you romance none of them (it will not happen for me though, Tali explicitly states i'm hers, and i look at her the same way, in all playthroughs, so hands off Garrus ). Joker abandoning the fight is just a plot hole filled with speculation:P
Overall, the characters were very well done IMO.
5) The quality of the writing itself started not-so-strong on Earth, got worse on Mars, but became progressively better and better after that. Tuchanka and Rannoch were the high points. It dipped somewhat starting with Thessia but was still good and had some of the best moments after that (especially the last scene with Anderson). It crashed into the ground when the elevator took Shepard to the catalyst. The execution took a much bigger dip with the first Kai Leng fight, another with the second, and took a nosedive when returning to earth.
6) I would probably pay.
7) What we have is likely the real ending. While the clues that lead to people thinking the IT is true are all there, but because of the rest of things the indoctrination theorists ignore, like the gameplay team still experimenting with pissible indoctrination mechanic in november, the more logical conclusion is that all of it is a leftover from a cut indoctrination ending. 

Section 4:

1) I bought actual content DLC only, i reuse to pay for alternate appearances and better weapons or armor. I am not against pruchasing extra content if i deem it's worth the price. 
2) I certainly hope so, but i wouldn't want to get anyone's hopes up just yet. Even if in the end it achieves anything it will be a long fight.
3) I did not buy "From Ashes" but i probably would along with and ending fix. As for alienating themselves, i think people did not like it but in the end put up with it. However, from what i've seen on youtube, heard and read about Javik he seems to be an important character. Much more so than James. Also, having the day one dlc controsversy just before the endong one does not help EA's case.

There ya go. Hope it helps. Also, if you can share your paper when you're done, i'd love to read what you make of the whole situation.

Modifié par Dreadcall, 05 avril 2012 - 02:19 .

[Melicamp]

Gah! That took me ages! 


[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 N/A
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes, several times.
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?

Two playthroughs - FemShep: Liara/Liara/Liara, BroShep: Ash/Tali/Tali

In all playthroughs it added a sense of continuity and investment in characters, including (possibly especially) the bad reactions by charcters to perceived cheating. This increased investment added greatly to my enjoyment, except when these characters acted massively out of character (apparent abandonment in ME3 ending) which added to the dissatisfaction with the ending.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?

Yes, as I wanted to know what happened to them in ME3. Didn't really care what happened to Jacob or Miranda though: they were SUPER BORING in comparison to other characters - everything about their writing was trite and cliche.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 
Depends on the situation. For the big decisions, how Shepard was perceived was not an issue in choosing an outcome, merely what looked the best course of action for ensuring a strong defense against the Reapers. For smaller decisions though, the character who Shepard was interacting with decided the choice - if they deserved death or represented a threat to others (eg Fist) they got the renegade option, otherwise Paragon was the go to option.
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 
Walking in on Tali & Garrus in my Liara LI playthrough of ME3, the Sovereign reveal in ME1, and the fight with a Reaper on Rannoch.

There's a common theme between the second two: scale. The sheer scale and implacability of the Reapers is what made Mass Effect different from many other stories, and these moments helped show why they were excellent antagonists. they also show why pushing one of three buttons was such a let down.

Tali & Garrus was just an awesome moment that showed that other character's stories progressed without Shepard's interaction, that these are well fleshed-out personas who've grown over three games.


 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?

All games are art, but being art is not the same as being good art. There is also a tendency among fans and journalists to conflate art with "fine art", or to think that the art status flips a switch that places something beyond criticism or change. The reason the games industry fought so hard for games to be recognised as art was about giving games legitimacy, to allow people to look at them critically on their merits without dismissing them. It is the fact that ME3 is recognised as art that makes it's ending so important - games that claim "artistic integrity" actually need to show it to ensure others are seen as art in future. When characters like Diana Allers are crowbarred into a product for seemingly no reason beyond publicity, the integrity of the art is broken.

Art is, and always has been, fluid. There are great masterpieces hanging in galleries which examination has shown were altered many years after the artist first "finished" them. Works of great literature have been altered, or aspects retconned in follow-up stories, because the public didn't like the original. Lucas' quote "a[color=rgb(34, 34, 34)"> ] is never [/color]finished[/i], only abandoned[/i]" is particularly apt, despite the unfortunate fact that he should have left his art alone. The thing these works have in common is that they were never really "completed" - the artists recognised that it is their audience that defines their piece, not them, and so went back and "finished" the job later. The reason George Lucas felt a backlash against changing his movies is because nobody asked him to.

The idea that art is static is compelling because so many works have existed in their state for a long time (because their artist is dead, for the most part), and it would be unthinkable to change them (because only their artist can). Because so many are used to this idea of art not changing they conclude it is static and that a work can be "finished". If it was possible to finish art, we would already have acheived the perfect picture, sculpture or whatever is the purest, most captivation aesthetic, and art would be finished. Art is the act of striving for perfection, but never quite reaching it - everything can be improved.

 
[color="#c0c0c0"]2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?[/color]
 
I wasn't too bothered by these as they contributed to the storytelling and so were forgivable, IMO. Without the why, it's impossible to say for sure, but it's possible that they were changed by their experiences - needed more exposition.

[color="#c0c0c0"] 3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?[/color]
 
It made no sense from a logical, or biological point of view: there is not enough DNA (or "new" DNA) to create a diverse population that could survive. From an artistic view, whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant, as it's vacuous, trite, and been done so many times that even using the cliche ironically has become a cliche in itself.

[color="#c0c0c0"]4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?[/color]

It was tension relief, no more. The game was much darker and so needed more light-hearted moments to prevent "tension fatigue". The idea that it was to prevent over thinking is to ignore how every other dark story relieved tension in the same way.

[color="#c0c0c0"]5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?[/color]
 
It would maintain their integrity, as BioWare would be acknowledging that it is their audience, not them, who define the artistic merit of their product. An artist is defined by the reactions of others to their work, not by the individual.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?[/color]
 
It is different because there is no motive or explanation. In writing, why is always far more important than how, and how more than what. Knowing why Thane and Mordin died is what makes their deaths meaningful. The fact that we only know what happened to the crew, but not why or even how, makes that knowledge empty, almost pointless. It would have been the equivalent of just getting an email after a mission saying "Garrus died while you were away" and that being the only available information on the subject.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?[/color]
 
It should have been left alone or done differently. The Reapers were like Darth Vader before the prequels: mysterious and menacing, the unanaswered questions enhancing the character. At the end of RoTJ, Darth Vader's face is revealed - a glimpse into how he became what he was, a slight narrowing of possibilities, but the mystery remained. He was a character that was built on mystery, so when Lucas showed his past in the prequels, he was damaged in the original trilogy, because in the back of the viewers mind he's just a big crybaby who turned for relatively petty reasons, and was never that noble to begin with.

[color="#c0c0c0"]8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?[/color]
 
The fact that ME is a trilogy, so there is far more player investment. The closest comparion is probably Deus Ex, which also has a strong emphasis on choice and consequence - the difference is that ME up until the end delivered on consequences. Each was different and profoundly affected the overall story, if not actively in the direct story then through implication. In Deus Ex, the differences were on nowhere near the scale of ME, and the divergences were relatively small. The DX choices also were in how a conclusion was reached, rather than what that conclusion was.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?[/color]

I don't think Allers was to boost scores for ME3, but represented a long-term investment by EA/BioWare in IGN's reporting. ME3 was definitely going to do well, but this move helped ensure favourable coverage of future products.

Tali was handled poorly because the writers were worried about the Darth Vader problem - if they made an in-game model then some fans would be annoyed that she wasn't as they imagined. They instead went for the picture in the mistaken idea that they needed to show something, when it either had to be all or nothing. Like the Reapers, BioWare had created a character based on mystery, but for both got the reveals reversed. The Reapers should have been left as a mystery, maybe with a teaser akin to the picture, and Tali should have had a full reveal. The fact the picture was shopped exacerbated the discontent, but was not its source.


Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 
Once, but reloaded to see the different colours.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?[/color]
 
Horrible, because it changes sci-fi genre, discards the themes of the rest of the story, irreparably damages the antagonists for replays, removes agancy from the protagonist, and doesn't even maintain a cohesive internal logic when taken viewed on it's own. The Starcild should be retconned for the sake of BioWare's previous works, not just for ME3 - cut after TIM dies, and show scenes based on your decisions. Clarifying the Starchild will only add to the damage the ending has done.

[color="#c0c0c0"]3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?[/color]

They added multiplayer to milk the consolers through online pasees, nothing more machiavellian than that, IMO. For me the ending is what makes it, and the previous two less replayable - the damage done through prior knowledge of the Reapers now colours everything, as does the feeling of pointlessness. When players begin asking themselves "why am I bothering to play this?" despite the gameplay being fun, the fact the ending is a terribly damaging thing becomes incontrovertible.

[color="#c0c0c0"]4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?[/color]
 
Garrus and Tali is fine, there's no reason for that not to have been a possibility - just because it's a surprise to Shepard doesn't mean it came out of the blue - they may have been flirting in previous titles, just Shep didn't see.

I don't know enough about Kai Leng in the expanded universe to comment on that, but I found his anime-esque writing and ridiculously out-of place acrobatics (no other chararacter attempted anything like car surfing before, so it felt silly to me) jarring.

Joker's cowardice, or whatever happened there, is out of place, especially when it becomes apparent that the rest of the crew is also on board. Joker becoming a coward is a stretch, but other crew members allowing him to run and abandon Shepard is just silly. Garrus for one would have knocked him out and turned the Normandy around. It just could never have happened.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?[/color]
 
For me, everything after Harbinger's beam. From that point on it was a different game, not just because of the mechanical differences.

6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
 
If there was an ending that retconned the Starchild I would be shouting "shut up and take my money!" again. Free or not, a text epilogue is only acceptable for minor characters, major ones need at least a visual send off (beyond nodding at the player through a vaseline smeared lens). I don't need more gameplay, just some exposition that tells me what happened to my crew, what happens to all the species overall, and whether my efforts made a difference long-term.

[color="#c0c0c0"]7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?[/color]
 
 The indoc theory is the only option for rescuing the ending without any retcon, but as it would necessitate VAs recording again, I don't think it'll happen. I'm ok with it, despite preferring a full removal of the catalyst, because it still allows the damage to be repaired. It's also got better scope for charging money as it not only can contain more gameplay (therefore justifying charging) but it's giving more rather than different endings. It means that players who liked the endings they got don't feel they need to get it, and BioWare can keep incoherently prattling on about "artistic integrity" if they want.
 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 
 I bought all of them, even the appearance packs. The DLC missions I got for more ME2, but the others I viewed as an investment in ME3, in the hopes that it would encourage a better game. If I could go back I would, as I think I am one of those responsible for encouraging day 1 DLC, and other dodgy, money influenced decisions.
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?[/color]
 
 I think poor writing will be unaffected, but accountability will be more of a concern. We should see fewer misleading promises by developers, publishers & producers, and greater fan outrage when they fail to deliver as advertised. 
 
[color="#c0c0c0"]3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?[/color]

I did buy the DLC, but I wasn't happy about it. My problem wasn't when it was released, but how pivotal the character was in exposition. I don't think Javik was actually removed from the game, but designed to be day 1 DLC from early on - the claim that DLC is developed after the rest of the game doesn't ring true when games go gold only a couple of weeks before release.

it was more fuel on the fire of discontent, but is a separate issue from the endings, and bandying it about actually may be counter-productive in getting proper ending DLC.

Modifié par Melicamp, 05 avril 2012 - 02:22 .

[Srau]

[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 Yes
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 N/A
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 Yes
 
4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 Liara
 
5.     
In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the
final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main
influence in saving them?
 No
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 No
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise?
- Mako
- ME1 Ending
- ME1 Codex reading

Is there a common theme among them?
Obviously, ME1
 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 Depends on the person and hishers taste, for me it is as much art as my TV or my printer.
 
2.     
Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA
rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a
similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 Yes. Ashley Williams
 
3.     
Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made
sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic
organisms?
 No
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more
humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was
to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to
detract fans from over thinking the ending?
[color=rgb(255, 0, 0)"> ]as humorous [/color]and it is in my sig.
 
5.      Given
Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into
the series, do you think changing the ending all together would
compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 No
 
6.     
With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part
of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew
any different?
Our bonds with them, thanks to character design.
 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the
right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or
should it have been left alone?
 Yes it was the right choice.
 
8.      A lot of fans found
the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other
franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises,
they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 The heavy focus on techno babble and credibility of the univers put in the writting in ME1 and ME2 but lost somwhere onlong the road during ME3 devellopement.
 
9.     
Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica
Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss
England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas
Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a
character synonymous with the franchise itself?
I dont know but it is a blunder to long time fan and customers that spent hours and money in the franchise.

Given IGN’s defense of
the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an
influence in the site’s score of the game?
Of course.

Do you the upset fans correct
in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?
They removed a known and liked NPC to introduce her in the game, it was one more blunder to the fans regardless of her job.

Section 3: The Endings
 
1.     
Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America)
have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
2 times, did the each ending once each at first playthrough to check the differences, stopped at Harbinger next 2 playthrough.
 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?
Two choices, either lazy written ending or planned semi ending with coming DLCs. In both cases i am offended because game was either rushed or truncated to sell it bit after bit.
 
3.     
Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value,
what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in
this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware
has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why
they added multiplayer capabilities?
 No, game itself is very straightforward and gives little choices that have a real impact on the story. Whatever side, paragon or renegade, you choose the outcome is nearly the same, no point replaying it more than 2 times.
 
4.      Some
pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not
Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the
franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai
Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by
fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s
introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his
personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the
player does not romance them in the previous installment of the
franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the
fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these
accurate examples?
I have no opinion on thiseveryone evolve in the course of his or her life, why not fictional characters.
Just not turning from real hard ass military into a dumb barbie doll like Ashley.
 
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
Some point during ME2, main story in this installment is slim to none, it focuses only on characters leaving only what ? 4 missions ? for the main quest.
 
6.     
Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass
Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending
over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
No, no way i pay more for something i should already have in the RTM version of my software.
 
7.     
Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of
Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion
of this, where do you stand?
Maybe, maybe not, it is right the trees look like synapses and is image is blurry. It is a possible outcome.

Do either have good claims to support, or
is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?
Probabely speculation to keep the buzz alive around their game until DLCs start coming out.

How
is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last
sequence?
N/A

 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.     
Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content
(DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what
was the reasoning behind buying them?
No i didn't, only bought Kasumi and Shadow Broker, others i have were free.
I bought them because they felt like small "expensions" like in old days.
I didn't buy costumes or weapons because they were rip off imo.
 
2.      The
Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in
EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by
25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing
in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of
entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
It will be a stigma, Hollywood is already quoting ME3 ending as a "what not to do" case.
 
3.     
Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you
think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making
them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history
of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players
upset about the vagueness of the ending?

No i got it for "free" in my collector edition.
I would never have bought it if it was not already included.

Modifié par Srau, 05 avril 2012 - 02:20 .

[hyperforce99]

 
[Section 1 – Prior Gameplay Experience]
1.      Have you completed Mass Effect 3?
 
Yes, I have completed ME 3 once.
 
2.      If not, do you know how the trilogy ends?
 
N/A, see anwser 1.
 
3.      Have you played the previous 2 installments of the Mass Effect franchise?
 
Yes, I completed both part 1 and 2 twice.
Mass effect 2 was replayed due to added DLC and to get a better ending because Garrus died in my first playthrough.

4.      If you have, which character was your LI in each installment?  Did this affect how you enjoyed the game?
 
Liara for female Shepard. I tried Tali in my second playthrough of ME2 but found I needed to be a male shepard for that. It added to my investment in the game and its characters. It made shepard seem more like a person.
 
5.      In Mass Effect 2, presuming you saved every team member during the final chapter, was the overlying stories of the characters the main influence in saving them?
 
Yes, Mass effect 2 was focussed mainly on the characters. I learned their specific strenghts and weaknesses throughout the game and put those to use in the final mission.
 
6.      Did the reactions of renegade choices in the franchise forced you to play one way over the other?
 
I mainly played paragon, but during combat I sometimes made renegade choices.
The ability to pick a RED or BLUE choice to allways get though conversations in the optimal way was a bit mechanical at times and usually only served as a superficial layer. But I prefered over the chance based % system of other games. (fallout 3 for example).
 
7.      What are your favorite 3 memories of the story’s franchise? Is there a common theme among them?
 
There is no realy way I can pin down 3 favorite moments. Mass effect in general has too many great story moments. The ending of ME1 was very well executed and the space battle felt really good, similiar how the attack on the collector base had some great scenes.

ME2 had many smaller story moments that were linked to the various characters, those together added IMO greatly to the games story. The Shadowbroker story and the DLC with Liara specifically still stand out to me.

ME3 has some great story moments as well, The entire story on chuchanka (continued from ME2) and the story around Rahnoch where very memorable.

My least favorite on one is obviously the ending of ME3. I'm ignoring the existance of everything that happened after the run on the conduit where harbingers laser knocks you out. Unless its going to become some kind of indoctrinated dream sequence like the indoctrination theory suggests, at which point it could be one of the better story moments, but this depending heavily on what the ending DLC will do.

 
Section 2: Bioware and Artistic Integrity
 
1.      Do you believe video games are a form of art? Do you believe art is static or fluid?
 
As a avid gamer and student in game design I agree that games are a form of art. But that doesn't mean it can be simplified to that term. Videogames, even more so than movies or songs are a dynamic medium.

Unlike movies, once you have a framework, its much easier and cheaper to add more content to an existing product. Often this is used to add additional story or content to a game via expansions or DLC.

If we are talking specifically about storytelling, then I believe videogames are art, if the storytelling is well executed.
As gamers we have gotten used to the mass effect franciase having a very particular and high quality form of story telling. It creates a very powerfull suspension of disbelief which pulls the player into the universe and makes them believe that what they are doing truely matters.
This I consider to be art, for as long as they maintain the quality and consistency of the universe as not to break the suspension of disbelief. 

However, unlike the rest of the game, or the franschise for that matter, ME3's ending completely breaks with the existing cannon, employs weak story telling elements and a fully blown deus ex machina to wrap up the ending.
Its lack of quality can be seen by the staggering amount of plot holes and inconsistencies with the rest of the series.

It simply can not be denied that the ending of ME3 was badly written, due to it being rushed, or the actual ending a makeshift cutscene build on a cut short, unfinished ending as the Indoc. theory suggests.

When this happens, I belief that it can not be justified as an artistic choice, as the quality that originally qualified it as art, has been lost. 



2.      Throughout the third installment, some fans believed that Bioware /EA rewrote specific characters during important sequences. Do you have a similar opinion? If so, which characters do you have a problem with?
 
I did not notice much of this happening in ME3. The entire universe is cracking under stress and people are trying to protect themselves. I do believe some characters were redirected, like Joker and EDI.
 
3.      Do you think the Adam and Eve reference at the end of the game made sense, given the theme of co-existence between organic and synthetic organisms?
 
The Adam and Eve reference at the ending of the game came out of nowhere.

The entire notion of the synthesis ending completely breaks with the established universe, shepards ideology and his goals. Fusing Organics and Synthetics due to sci-fi magic and a deus ex machina.

But even when we ignore that for a moment, the theme of ME3 might have been cooexistence, but the way synthesis ending happened was everything but based on coexistence.

It was based on unification, removing diversity, destroying the old to create a new existance.
This is the reapers philosopy, and its the one thing Shepard has been fighting against throughout the series, to accept it at the very last moment makes no sense. It implies that you effectively destroyed everything in the universe to start all over, and this was suppose to be presented as the BEST ending.
 
4.      Do you think Mass Effect 3 had more humorous moments than previous installments? If so, do you think it was to cut the theme of war and death in the game, or was this an attempt to detract fans from over thinking the ending?

I believe the game had several great humerous moments. Most of the time these came from bringing specific characters to specific missions, but also some scenes on the normany. They added "life" to the games universe and this is one of Biowares stronger points. This has been present in the entire series, but has become better implemented with every installment.

I do not believe the humor was meant to detract fans from the ending.
 
5.      Given Bioware’s previous experience with incorporating player feedback into the series, do you think changing the ending all together would compromise Bioware / EA’s previous decisions and artistic integrity?
 
I'll refer to Section 2: Question 1: I believe Bioware / EA lost their rightfull claim on "artistic integrity" when they compromised the quality and continueity of their own art. Especially if they indeed rushed the ending or changed it at the last moment as early promises and stories about the games development suggest.

This would be different, had we not allready had 2 games that set a certain standard. 
Had the ending been of similiar story telling quality as the rest of the game(s), artistic integrity could have applied.
But as it stands, Bioware has allready compromised its own artistic integrity.



6.      With the death of well accepted characters in Mass Effect 3 as a part of trying close that character’s story, what makes stranding the crew any different?
 
The deaths of several meaningfull characters BEFORE the ending was based on them completing an arc of their story. their purpose was fullfilled one way or another. And above all, it was all for a purpose.

This is much different from the "stranded" crewmembers. Them being stranded on a jungle planet served nothing. There is no story to base it on, according to the ending it just happened. And because this happened at the very ending, it means that all the characters previous deaths were in vain!
It cancels out all the previous effects the mid-game deaths had.


The notion that a small group of roughly 20 people and aliens could re-populate on a conveniently habital planet to recreate any society is ridiculous to boot.

 
7.      Do you think Bioware made the right choice in explaining the antagonist’s role in the series, or should it have been left alone?

I belief it should have been left alone, Harbinger was a great villain in ME2, constantly taunting the player, trying to bring him to its side like death vader in star wars. It would have been a much better villain to shepard than the illusive man or the catalyst Deus ex machina. 

Reapers had already been established by Sovereign in ME1  "each of us is a nation, we are unknowable".
It would have been better had the citadels catalyst been some form of reaper weapon.
Especially considering the alternative is the horrible circular logic of the catalyst Deus ex machina. 
 
8.      A lot of fans found the ending of Mass Effect 3 to be reminiscent of the ending’s of other franchises. Despite various amounts of plot holes in these franchises, they did well. What makes Mass Effect 3 different?
 
ME1 and ME2 has good storytelling. In many ways it followed the tried and true method of the "HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES" . Simply put, a method for writing stories that make sense. ME3's ending broke with this.
Secondly, ME3 is an established series, the way the story is concluded is something we have come to know and respect as a great way of storytelling.

ME1 took player driven cinematic storytelling in games to a new, yet unreached height, and ME2 allowed the players to influence this even further. It would have only been natural for ME3 to continue this method of storytelling even further. Instead, they used a deus ex machina to wipe all pre-existent player influence off the map and present us with 3 cookie cutter endings that result in only 1 outcome. 

 
9.      Bioware used 3-dimensional facial rendering for voice actress Jessica Chobot’s character Diana Allers, but photo-shopped a picture of Miss England 2005 Hammasa Kohistani for the character Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. Why do you think Bioware didn’t do something similar for a character synonymous with the franchise itself? Given IGN’s defense of the game and its endorsements, do you think Jessica’s role had an influence in the site’s score of the game? Do you the upset fans correct in making this presumption, or is it biased by looking for a scapegoat?

Diana allers felt off to me, compared to the rest of the games universe she stood out, and I didn't even know she was a facial render of another character. And she wasn't even an important character, if anything she was a side show.

Tali's face has allways been hidden from the players, when bioware decided to reveal it to the players they should have invested more effort than they had. By taking a photoshoped stock footage image they essentially cheapened out. I personally find it a minor issue compared to the games ending. But it does show that a side characters recieved more development time than one of the core characters (As tali was allready established largely in ME2).


Section 3: The Endings
 
1.      Given that the game has been released since March 6 (in North America) have you beaten the game? How many times have you replayed the game?
 
I have not touched the game after I finished it. I was planning on more playthroughs to see the other choices, but I have no desire after seeing how the ending was handled right now.

 
2.      What did you think of the ending? What is your position on it? Why do you have that opinion?

I feel the ending is a trainwreck caused by a rushed and / or unfinished initial ending design.

I believe the ending was never intended to be the way it was, but that time and or money limitations and bad (potentially higher rank) influence & choices changed the ending into what it is now. 

I believe that, now we have heard leaked stories from the developers about the development process of the ME3 ending, that the original ending was intended to be much grander with much more choice and diversity.

Especially since this was promised throughout the pre-launch PR campaign over and over by the same people that are now claiming Artistic integrity.
The ending initially contained elements including indoctrinated shepard, however I belief that they ran out of money & time, took what they had at the time and bolted a cutscene onto the ending. 

Which would explain why the indoctrination theory fits so well with the current ending.

As it is, the ending is bad.

- Its full of plotholes & inconsistencies with the known ME universe.

- It leaves us without a proper conclusion about what happens with the characters or the universe.

- messes up the tension curve for the player by introducing new characters and things to digest at a point where the game should be resolving the story.

- Its in no sensible way linked to the EMS (effective military strenght) the games main indicator of the players success in the game. No subtile intigration either. (citadel defense force, ground forces, crucible upgrades, normandy upgrade, etc)

- Key player choices throughout the game are ignored by the deus ex machina.

- The effect the player had on the universe during all games is un-done in 5 minutes of cutscene.

- The known universe and their way of life is destroyed with the mass relays, presuming that their destruction did not cause supernova's as has been previously proven with the ARRIVAL DLC & ME3 codex canon.

- The game advertises for DLC to continue the story after its ending while talking to the player.
 
3.      Mass Effect 1 and 2 were both known for their replay-ability value, what about Mass Effect 3? Do you think the ending is the main factor in this inability to replay the game, or do you think it’s because Bioware has been largely quiet about these reactions? Do you think this is why they added multiplayer capabilities?
 
I believe that ME1 and ME2 has such high replayability because of their varried outcomes.
ME3 has no real replayability and even degrades the overal replayability of the franchise by removing all purpose to do so. As the player has no real effect over the outcome of the last 5 minutes of the game, apart from what happens in these last 5 minutes.

The multiplayer was interesting due to its link with the game, but quickly felt like a sideshow and time padding to enlongate the duration of the single player campaign for those that wished to get a high EMS for the best ending.

I believe the link with singleplayer was also made to promote the multiplayer aspect as it was somewhat weak compared to the multiplayer components of other HORDE style games.

As a result, I have no interest in continueing the multiplayer after I completed the single player campaign.
 
4.      Some pivotal moments in Mass Effect 3 have fans debating whether or not Bioware is degrading the values and quality of known characters in the franchise. For the most part, fan opinion of Cerberus assassin Kai Leng’s portrayal in Mass Effect 3 has been negative, mostly described by fans as being due to having multiple authors since the character’s introduction in the novels creating inconsistence’s in his personality. Others examples are the pairing of Garrus and Tali if the player does not romance them in the previous installment of the franchise, and Joker (the pilot of the character’s ship) abandoning the fight during its climax. What is your opinion of this? Are these accurate examples?
 
They are accurate, though I do not know about Kai Leng and the novels.
Tali and Garrus wasn't that big a problem to me.
Joker leaving the field of battle at the climax however is a big degredation of his character.
Especially because he was characterised much differently, not 1 hour earlier at the start of the attack to take back earth.
  
5.      At which point do you think the quality of the writing changed the pace and feel of Mass Effect 3?
 
Overall, after the second arc (quarians & geth) was completed. When the game went into the final arc with cerberus and the catalyst. At this point, the story telling shifted, and the player started to "chase" after a more linear story instead of "lead" it. 

The story quality changed even further at the end of the third arc, with the illusive man tipping the reapers off about the crucible and the citadels involvement. The question here became, how did the reapers overrun the citadel in such a short time, since they didn't have control over the citadel as is explained in ME1. And if the illusive man was involved somehow, how did he attack the citadel again after his earlier failed attemp?, especially since you've been strenghtening the citadels defense forces since... And have ransacked the Cerberus headquarters.
I was expecting this would be explained during the ending of the game, but it is never explained.

But the writing truely changed quality after the player got hit by harbingers beam. 
If this was originally meant for some kind of indoctrination sequence I can understand it, but as true events, it is completely out of character with the rest of the series.

 
6.      Despite the popularity of the Shadow Broker text files in the Mass Effect 2 DLC [Lair of the Shadow Broker], would you pay for a new ending over a free text epilogue of the current endings?
 
Yes, I would pay for a new ending, but only once and never again. It is not something they should intentionally repeat.

The ending as it stands makes no sense and should be changed, unless it is interpreted as a dream sequence that tries to indoctrinate shepard. With the true ending still untold.


7.      Another point that fans argue about is whether the end game sequence of Mass Effect 3 was real or whether it was a dream. What is your opinion of this, where do you stand? Do either have good claims to support, or is this just a part of Bioware desiring speculation amongst fans?  How is this different from the people who support a rewrite of the last sequence?
 
As I have allready explained, it probably was intended to be a dream sequence, only changed after the fact to be the real ending with the addition of the 5 minute cut-scene at the very end when time or money ran.

As the ending stands right now, Bioware would be very smart in using the Indoc. theory as a basis for their final ending. Completely rewriting the entire last episode of the story will be much more expensive and would leave a potentially brilliant plot-twist unused. The plot holes and even the environment of the final sequence make sense in a dream environment. (that is excluding the color changing cutscenes in the end after you make your choice)

 
 
Section 4: Economic Input
 
1.      Mass Effect 2 was known for having lots of Down-Loadable Content (DLC). Did you buy all of them? If not, which ones did you buy, and what was the reasoning behind buying them?
 
I bought them all (with the exception of the arrival DLC, as it came after i completed my 2 playthroughs).
They added to the game.
 
2.      The Retake Movement has claimed responsibility over the recent decrease in EA stock prices, as well as causing the price of the game to decrease by 25%. In these instances, do you think the stigma against poor writing in entertainment will be a factor in the future aspects of entertainment, or will it be exclusive to the gaming industry?
 
I am not sure, though it might have adverse effects we are not yet aware of. Game developers and publishers might not learn from their mistakes and instead choose to avoid the risk of creating large overarching games like ME. Which would be a shame. 
 
3.      Did you buy the “From Ashes” DLC? Given the premise of the plot, do you think the produces alienated themselves from their consumers by making them pay extra for a character that plays a crucial role in the history of the franchise, and have caused another rallying point for players upset about the vagueness of the ending?

I bought the collectors edition, so it came with the game. Partially because of the From Ashes DLC, though mostly because I got lucky to find one for the normal versions retail price.
I initially believed Bioware had indeed created the character and the DLC after they finished the game and send it off to mass production.

However, afterwards I learned that if you change a setting the the games files, it will unlock the character, even without the DLC installed. This means they had the character ready and playable but withheld it as DLC.

Unlike the ME2 Zaied DLC which was free if you registered your copy of the game, this one was blatantly meant to cash in on players. Which is something I do not like as a consumer and gamer.

Modifié par hyperforce99, 15 avril 2012 - 02:27 .