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[stenorman2001]

 Just thought I'd throw out a few ideas for the reasons why ME3 ended up with so much controversy and how they could be avoided in DA3. I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to be negative about the DA series and it's been really good so far, I'd just hate to see another series I really like go down hill.

** Spolier alert for ME3 **

1. Don't make DLC that contains content that should be part of the original game.

Mainly I'm talking about the Leviathan and Extended Cut DLCs that introduced content that directly influenced the result of the main story. If these had been part of the original game, then players would have been introduced to the Catalyst and have an understanding as to what it is before it suddenly appears at the end of the game. This would have prevented, or at least signifigantly reduced, the ending controversy.

I know DLC is an important selling point for Bioware/EA but I think you can introduce content that works well isn't required to understand the storyline. The previous content in DA and DA2 I think did this quiet well, extending the story but not being required for players to understand it. In other words, I should be able to buy the game and play it through without feeling like content was deliberately left out that I'd later have to pay for in order to understand the game.

2. Don't force players into multiplayer in order to achieve an ideal expierience in singleplayer.

We all realise now that EA won't publish games that don't contain multiplayer. I personnaly think that's a terrible idea but that decision isn't likely to be changed so we have to hope for the best.

I would implore DA3 developers not to make multiplayer an essential part of the story though. Having to play multiplayer in ME3 just to achieve an ideal outcome in singleplayer makes me feel like the developers were so desperate for multiplayer to work they had to force players into it. The sad thing is of course that ME3's multiplayer is quiet good on it's own so the developers didn't need to be worried about it. In short, if you have to integrate multiplayer so tightly into singleplayer to force gamers to player it, it probably wasn't that great to start with and needs to be re-thought. If achievements or events that occur in multiplayer will enable players to receive a better experience in singleplayer, give players the alternative of achieveing the same outcome through additional quests in singleplayer.

3. If story lines need to be resolved, make sure they are. Don't leave players hanging.

This is particularly important in regards to DA2 since the original plans to resolve the story have been scrapped. DA did a great job of this with the ending slideshow and text. There is nothing worse as a player than to work through a game and have no outcome at the end. It would be like reading a book with the last couple of chapters missing. The book would not be received well and neither will a game. If content was planned for DA2 hopefully some of it can be integrated into DA3 to help explain 'what happened next' for Hawke.

4. Don't make promises that aren't 100% set in stone.

Managing expectations is a huge part of any business and I think this is really where the ME3 team let themselves down. Saying things like (I'm paraphrasing) 'there won't be A, B, C endings' and then having users experience just that really hurt Bioware's and the series' reputation. I, like many players, would love to see information about DA3 and what is going to be in it, but any information needs to be carefully managed and if something is said that later changes, be honest with your fans and tell us what changed and why.

In summary, ME3 was overall a great game, once you took the DLC into account. Make sure the game can be played as a whole without the DLC and be understood by a player. I'm looking forward to DA3 so I hope this advice can be taken on board.

Definitely open for discussion if other users have anything else to add.

[Fiddzz]

kewldewd33 wrote...

In regards to #3, Bioware has always had problems resolfing story lines. Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic 2 ended with several cliffhangers, so I was looking forward to the third one. Instead, we got the MMO SWOTOR, which takes place 300 years later.

We didn't make KOTOR2