103 réponses à ce sujet

[Big I]

1. Decisions that matter
2. An interesting squad
3. Exploration of the galaxy

[Jazzwyrm]

1. Morally ambiguous choices with consequences. The Noveria mission, Virmire, Mordin's and Legion's loyalty missions, Veetor, and most assignments from the Citadel in the first game are all good examples. Even the smaller ones had significant impact, albeit on a small scale (e.g. Veetor's mental health). This does not include decisions with clear best outcomes, such as Tali's loyalty mission.

2. The universe. The people, the places, their histories, and the technology. It wouldn't be the same if ancient alien wars and crimes didn't affect humanity in the present, or without omnitools, biotics, AIs, and mass effect fields. 

3. Discovering the universe first-hand. Just as important to the feel of the universe is how it is fleshed out; going to places unlike any you've been to before, meeting new people, and experiencing new things for yourself. Visiting the Citadel or Tuchanka for the first time wouldn't have felt the same if someone told us all about them ahead of time, and going to long-forgotten places like Ilos brings a sense of wonder. 

[someone else]

broad range of plotholes
misleading statements from the devs
popcorn

[Revenant147]

1. Story
2. Customization
3. Time

[Reofeir]

Characters
Story
Choices

[Jadebaby]

Story
Player Agency
Characters

Modifié par Jade8aby88, 17 décembre 2012 - 06:34 .

[Reofeir]

Jade8aby88 wrote...

Story
Player Agency
Characters

Was that ever anything in a Mass Effect game?

[Ajensis]

Seeing some interesting and well-thought out replies and it seems we're not actually that far from having a general agreement on what makes "Mass Effect" Mass Effect.

I guess it's time I added my own list:

1. Immersive exploration
- This is a slight paraphrase of what Agugaboo posted on the first page and pretty much means the same as what he said: having a big world to dive into, not least including non-combat areas. I loved the Citadel in the first game, and exploring worlds in the Mako, and I liked being able to return to Noveria and Feros after completing them - even if I never actually did it, it made the world come alive. With the 2nd and (especially) the 3rd game, there's unfortunately a strong sense of simply completing closed-off levels in a linear path. I'm hoping for the "world" to return in future games.

2. Aliens
- Mainly interaction with aliens and exposure to their different outlooks and customs. I would be much less interested in a Mass Effect game that took place in a different galaxy (or Cycle), because it would mean no turians, asari, salarians, elcor, etc. And they're a great part of why I love Mass Effect

3. Customisable main character
- I've come to the realisation that it means quite a lot for me to be able to make the main character my own (to an extent, of course). Even if a different background only meant a few different lines of dialogue, it means quite a lot. For instance, even though I enjoy The Witcher 2 and that it's a great improvement over the first (especially in regards to gameplay, phew), I still haven't completed Chapter 2... and not because I'm stuck. I suspect it's a combination of being spoiled by BioWare's recent RPGs and not playing a whole lot of other games.


So that's my three choices. But what about "story" or "RPG elements"? Are those not important to you? Well, yes, they are! And I definitely think they deserve a spot on a list of 'vital ingredients for a ME game' (why did I limit it to only three? ), but I have to confess that the above are more important to me. The way I see it, both ME2 and ME3 had certain shortcomings in regards to both 'story' and 'RPG' (albeit in different ways), but I still enjoyed them a lot. So yeah, that's my excuse
Also, characters... Sigh, I also want to add 'characters with depth' to the list. I need a time-machine to jump back and change this thread to the six most vital ingredients... <_<

Cstaf wrote...

Sorry Grubas but my list looks a lot like yours.

(list)

Don't be sorry, it's only neat if we actually agree on something like this

Delduwath Mordion wrote...

(list)

This was a really good thread. It was way more difficult to answer this question than I thought. Turns out that there are so many things I associate with ME (or any Bioware game for that matter) that it was quite hard to narrow it down to just three.

Thank you! yeah, I just found out how difficult I made it by limiting the essence of the Mass Effect series to only 3 things. But I like your list! And even though the score for the 3rd game was brilliant, I do miss the electronic vibe from the first game that you mention.

silverignika wrote...

 I present you with... The Three Pillars of Mass Awesome!

(list)

Hehe, those are some solid pillars indeed and I fully agree with the sentiments behind your list, or at least the first two... I feel there are more important things than gameplay - although I do see your point, of course, it has to be somewhat entertaining enough to play to not bore the player.

RocketManSR2 wrote...

In other words, the exact opposite of what will actually be in ME4.

Now now, no need to be so cynical part of the reason for this thread is so that BioWare can easily gain an idea of what the people of BSN find important to implement. Having a thread to post ideas to Casey Hudson is all well and good, but I doubt any posts with specific ideas and spelled-out plot lines will help us that much, especially considering the very different opinions and expectations. So here we can, as I mentioned in the first post, take a step back and focus on what the foundations of Mass Effect are. Hopefully someone at BioWare will skim this thread and influence the development with this in mind. It can't hurt, right?

Jazzwyrm wrote...
(list)

Good list and great reasoning behind them

Modifié par Ajensis, 17 décembre 2012 - 08:40 .

[Jadebaby]

Zenor wrote...

Jade8aby88 wrote...

Story
Player Agency
Characters

Was that ever anything in a Mass Effect game?

To any extent in the first two.

Not at all in 3.

[mongoosephantom]

1. Space exploration
2. Dialog wheel with more than 2 options
3.Many different paths the player can take for completion of assignments/main missions

[miltos33]

1. Story
2. Characters
3. Choices and consequences

[Khayness]

1. Sugar
2. Spice
3. Everything nice
4. Chemical X

[Scottus4]

. I would be much less interested in a Mass Effect game that took place in a different galaxy (or Cycle), because it would mean no turians, asari, salarians, elcor, etc. And they're a great part of why I love Mass Effect

Does it have to be those specific aliens though? You don't trust Bioware to create new and interesting aliens? If ME4 dodged around the Krogan genophage issue, Geth/Quarian war, and whatever else by simply ignoring the fate of those races by saying only turians, asari, salarians, humans, and maybe some other races traveled to this new galaxy to colonize it, would it really be so wrong? I don't think so.

[Dominus]

Atmosphere

One thing that's always grabbed me since Mass Effect was released wayyy back in 2007 was the general feeling I got from the universe created. The odd juxtaposition of beautiful beaches & more artificial surroundings in Virmire, looking at the falling comets on a solitary planet, and the detailed environments in ilos are some of my most cherished memories. Mass Effect 2 & 3 still captured this to an extent as well, though the type of atmosphere often felt distinctly different.

Believable, Interesting Characters

Another part that reeled me in as a Mass Effect Fan was this particular aspect. While there's always going to be a significant level of cliche/cornballiness in Mass Effect, most of the writing found a way to make it relatively believable to the game's universe. Liara, Thane, and Morinth come to mind in particular for taking an ME character seriously.

Rainbow Laser Cannons

Make it Happen, BioWare. Perhaps Secret Easter Eggs a la Halo 2's Scarab Gun? Come on, it'll be fun.

 

[BluRay]

characters
Relays
Roleplay

[Ajensis]

Scottus4 wrote...

. I would be much less interested in a Mass Effect game that took place in a different galaxy (or Cycle), because it would mean no turians, asari, salarians, elcor, etc. And they're a great part of why I love Mass Effect

Does it have to be those specific aliens though? You don't trust Bioware to create new and interesting aliens? If ME4 dodged around the Krogan genophage issue, Geth/Quarian war, and whatever else by simply ignoring the fate of those races by saying only turians, asari, salarians, humans, and maybe some other races traveled to this new galaxy to colonize it, would it really be so wrong? I don't think so.

I would prefer it to be those specific races, yeah. I've come to love most of the aliens in Mass Effect, even if they're often a bit too human-like, so I can't imagine a Mass Effect game without the already established races.

However, I'm not totally against a clean slate with entirely new aliens, so long as it makes sense I just fear it won't feel like Mass Effect to me, but of course, I could be wrong. Still, why spend energy and time on creating new aliens when the ones we've got work so well?

[Redbelle]

Ajensis wrote...

So, we've got a lot of people giving lots of different ideas of where to go with ME4, but I was thinking that it might be a good idea to take a step back and just look at what BSN users consider the foundations of a Mass Effect game

Therefore I'd like you to list 3 things that are the most important to you. You can name anything you want, from small things like 'Paragon/Renegade interruptions' to broad concepts like 'RPG' or 'Exploration'.

Keep in mind, however, that it should be applicable to any Mass Effect game - to the extent possible. For instance, there's a huge difference between putting down 'Shepard' instead of 'Customisable protagonist I can make my own'; by writing the former, you promote the view that a new protagonist for ME4 (which is likely to happen) will be very unsatisfactory to you, while the latter means you're open to having a new main character, so long as you can customise appearance and things like his or her upbringing.

Also, please don't list anything that's already a given. Writing 'A decent ending' or anything like that will only hurt this thread, since it's obvious the writers wouldn't pursue anything but a good ending (and it would come across as a hidden insult). Let's just focus on what you want to see, not what you don't want

To make it easy on the eyes, I'd appreciate using a simple numerical system like:

1. X
2. Y
3. Z

- and you don't have to worry about prioritising. Let's assume, unless you state otherwise, that the three things you list hold equal importance.

Aaand... Go!

According to a poll I did the 3 highest ingrediants to a ME game are:

1. Character RPG interactions. Covers: conversation, interrupts, events that alter future events.

2. Exploration: Covers: ME1's scope of environments, controllable vehicles for those environments, large HUB area's with fast access to important areas unlockable in future, space exploration and hidden missions.

3. Combat: One of the things ME3 cannot be faulted for. But also covers: Return of the heavy weapon. Armed vehicles, additional divergence of class combat mechanics, inclusion of set piece and boss fights.

Incidently, that poll asked people to rate the games comparitively to each other. ME2 came in first, ME3 came in last. But ME1 and 2 were practically tied in second place with ME1 juuuust slipping out ahead.

Modifié par Redbelle, 17 décembre 2012 - 12:48 .

[Ajensis]

Ah, that's interesting! I did assume someone would've made a thread along the same lines, but I'd just never seen it. I'd be interested in seeing this poll - do you have the link, or perhaps remember some key words I can use to search for it?

Also, what did you answer back then and/or would you answer now? 

Modifié par Ajensis, 17 décembre 2012 - 01:47 .

[Ross42899]

Most important:

1. Galaxy AND planetary exploration
2. Lots of choices (that matter)
3. Lot of (selectable) dialogue (no auto-dialogue)

=  gameplay freedom.

Also important


4. Character [gender, appearance, skills] & weapon & armor customization
5. Romances
6. Hubworlds
7. Mini-Games (vehicle parts, riddles, etc.)
8. interesting characters & squadmates

[Catastrophy]

1. Space (Sci-Fi Setting, nebulae, interesting aliens)
2. Story
3. Entertainment (includes inventing combat gameplay and making me MP this)

[Redbelle]

Ajensis wrote...

Ah, that's interesting! I did assume someone would've made a thread along the same lines, but I'd just never seen it. I'd be interested in seeing this poll - do you have the link, or perhaps remember some key words I can use to search for it?

Also, what did you answer back then and/or would you answer now? 

Link to poll.

http://social.biowar...30/polls/42031/

Basically, the higher the votes, the more people agreed with that comparitive arrangment.

Break the arrangement's down into Most Favourite being 3 and Least favourite being 1, then multiply votes by the position and add together like for like placement's of each game. I.e, ME3 has two instances where it comes out at the top spot so both score's of 3 are added togther, Then the same for each score of 2, and then 1. Then do the same for ME 2 and 1..........

Do this and you should see that those who voted ME2 and 1 as their second favourite game in the trilogy came close to being a tie.

Unfortunately the poll cannot link the comment's to the voter and have to be treated seperately from the poll results. However, some comment's repeat what other comment's mention.

And as always. This poll is not reflective of the wider ME gaming community. It also did not take into account PS3 players who have not got access to ME1 at the time. And asked voters to vote comparitively on two games that had been completed, and one that is still generating DLC. 

Also. This poll got over 220 votes. The MP leaderboard has 50k names on it.

Still, all that being said, the poll produced an interesting result in term's of comparison and may indicate which style of gameplay it would be best to consider for future ME games.

Modifié par Redbelle, 17 décembre 2012 - 04:14 .

[agrael92]

1 Universe\\lore
2 Characters
3 Choices-consequences

[Redbelle]

Redbelle wrote...

Ajensis wrote...

Ah, that's interesting! I did assume someone would've made a thread along the same lines, but I'd just never seen it. I'd be interested in seeing this poll - do you have the link, or perhaps remember some key words I can use to search for it?

Also, what did you answer back then and/or would you answer now? 

Link to poll.

http://social.biowar...30/polls/42031/

Basically, the higher the votes, the more people agreed with that comparitive arrangment.

Break the arrangement's down into Most Favourite being 3 and Least favourite being 1, then multiply votes by the position and add together like for like placement's of each game. I.e, ME3 has two instances where it comes out at the top spot so both score's of 3 are added togther, Then the same for each score of 2, and then 1. Then do the same for ME 2 and 1..........

Do this and you should see that those who voted ME2 and 1 as their second favourite game in the trilogy came close to being a tie.

Unfortunately the poll cannot link the comment's to the voter and have to be treated seperately from the poll results. However, some comment's repeat what other comment's mention.

And as always. This poll is not reflective of the wider ME gaming community. It also did not take into account PS3 players who have not got access to ME1 at the time. And asked voters to vote comparitively on two games that had been completed, and one that is still generating DLC. 

Also. This poll got over 220 votes. The MP leaderboard has 50k names on it.

Still, all that being said, the poll produced an interesting result in term's of comparison and may indicate which style of gameplay it would be best to consider for future ME games.

To save some time here's what I found from the results of the poll.

Bear in mind that it is only the ranking position within each 3, 2, 1, catergory that is of primary importance. As each category used a different multiplier to achieve a score.

                                ME3        ME2          ME1
  Most liked         3     105         330            225
                         2      88          164            166
Least liked          1     130          28             62

Totals                         323         522           453

Tbh, this needs more work to standardise the results to compare categories with each other but for now I'm tapped out with the whole math's things and want a salad.

Modifié par Redbelle, 17 décembre 2012 - 04:24 .

[ElitePinecone]

Exploration
Choice
Characters

[mcgreggers99]

1. Meaningful supporting character interactions./Contribution to Character development
2. Real consequence and differing outcomes based upon choices.
3. Exploration/introduction of new races/characters.