639 réponses à ce sujet

[Conal Pierse]

Wait, Blar feels trolled by being called Blar? Fridays must suck for him

A lot of days suck for Blar. It's just public on Fridays.

[DragonRacer]

Billys original post states that patch support will be dropped too. 

 

 

Yes. I know. I didn't miss that.

 

What I was referring to in the post you quote was that I missed the fact that the linked article about save importing only stated DLC would not be continued. I missed the fact that it doesn't state (when it should have) that patch support was stopping as well.

[Texasmotiv]

A lot of days suck for Blar. It's just public on Fridays.

[Pork]

Since patch support will stop, the following bugs will never be fixed on PS3 or xbox:

 

• XP/Gold bug
• Various abilities such as Rampage and Mind blast not working as they should after one death
• Enemies spawning behind doors, a bug introduced with the new random zones feature
• A lot of tooltips just being flat out wrong
• Proving grounds points glitch (though not sure if ps3/xbox have proving grounds)
• Infinate loading screens
• General connectivity issues that have plagued the game since launch as a result of terrible netcode
• Visual bugs such as Hakkons Wisdom and Yavanalis becoming invisible if you put in upgrades
• Potions being consumed at complete random
• Frequent crashing
• Certain ability rings not working

These are just issues off the top of my head. Im sure there are a lot that ive missed.

[DragonRacer]

 

That's fitting on so many levels. Blar needs to make that his Twitter cover. 

[Pork]

What I was referring to in the post you quote was that I missed the fact that the linked article about save importing only stated DLC would not be continued. I missed the fact that it doesn't state (when it should have) that patch support was stopping as well.

Ah I see. One could argue that patches are DLC though, since the last few have added new features to the game.

[Geth Supremacy]

Well played.

 

Billy

 

LMAO you actually fixed it!

 

I might not be a fan of Bioware anymore, but you're a ok in my book.  haha!

 

Your a cool guy Billy.  Their, there, and they're must be you're biggest pet peeve.

[Wavebend]

1)When you purchase the game for <insert price at time of purchase>, you have purchased the game.

 

There's nothing wrong with this argument, except offering a preferential treatment to some customers and promoting unfairness is a sure way to harm a customer's trust when buying future products.

 

Dropping old platforms isn't an issue either. As you said, both platforms (PS3/X360) are ~9/10 y.o. respectively, and it is a reasonable decision if there are technical limitations or optimization issues that take too long to solve and which can potentially harm the company's profits.

 

However, not offering a free digital copy so victimized users can benefit from the same treatment (access to DLCs which happen to be free) will impact customer relationships.

 

I won't say if this is right or wrong, but reiterating 1) won't do anything
 

[Geth Supremacy]

Oh, how does it feel to not have that one thing you really want to get, Billy? I wouldn't know what that feeling feels like. Nope. Not me. Not. One. Bit.

 

 

Gift for you.

 

Ring of Superb Life Drain x4 Yeah that's right 4. 

 

Cuz as gamers we are the only ones who have each others backs 100%

[Innarra]

Let's clarify a few points here, because we've already discussed this, but it keeps being brought up with the same incorrect statements.

 

1) DLC is developed after the main game is finished.

The free MP DLC was started as soon as the game completed certification, literally the next day, still weeks before the game is released to the public.  This means that yes, the development of DLC was started after the game was finished, but before it was available for sale.  The argument that you have already bankrolled this free content is inaccurate, incorrect, and has already been stated as such several times on the boards.  When you purchase the game for <insert price at time of purchase>, you have purchased the game.

 

2) The Trial has nothing to do with DLC.

There is no connection between the Trial and DLC. At all. Separate teams were responsible for the development of each product.

 

3) Why no discounted upgrade pricing?  

While it was never directly tied to, or marketed as such, there have been a number of discounted price opportunities since the announcement that DLC support would discontinued for PS3 and Xbox 360.  Throughout the month of July, Dragon Age: Inquisition has been on sale, at up to 50% off regular price, for physical or digital copies 4 separate times, with a wide range of retail partners.  In many cases, these sales were being retweeted or shared by team members on social media.

3a) Why not make it specific to the upgrade?

Because we wanted everyone to have a chance at the discounted prices.  If you're playing Multiplayer and thinking about upgrading, you may also be talking to friends who are thinking about upgrading as well, or buying DAI for the first time.  If you can both benefit, that's awesome.

 

4) Stating "Person X is not evil, Company Y is actually evil." is no better than the original statement that someone is evil.  

BioWare and EA work together. We're partners.  No one hands down an "evil doctrine" that the other must abide by.  Decisions are made together.  Someone stating that EA is evil is just as upsetting to me as someone saying Billy Buskell is evil. I chose to work for EA and BioWare.  I greatly enjoy working for both companies.  If I felt either was evil, I would not choose to work for them.  I applied to work at EA Canada in 2005.  I did not believe EA to be evil then.  I applied to work at BioWare to work in 2006, not because EA was evil, but because I truly believed in what I saw BioWare working on (Mass Effect 1) was going to be amazing.  EA bought BioWare in 2007.  I stayed with the companies because I really loved what both companies were striving for in the future.  It's 2015. I am still at BioWare.  Because I know what we have coming is even better than what we've accomplished to date.

 

Folks, as Conal and I have mentioned previously, we enjoy having good, healthy, constructive discussions with all of you.  When the communication stays within those boundaries, everyone can have a good time.  When the team is accused of not responding to something that has either already been addressed, or has been addressed to the level that we are able to explain, or when the team is accused of intentionally trying to harm or break trust with a group, this is not generally going to encourage team members to continue, or join new, conversations. 

 

We understand some of you may not be thrilled with this news.  This thread has very clearly demonstrated that.  Some news we have to deliver is not fun to deliver. This is one of those instances.  We don't take these decisions lightly.  However, we must do what's in the best interest of the product and the service as a whole. 

 

There are ways to express displeasure or frustration without resorting to attacks. I am happy to continue this discussion with those that wish to ask polite questions, or provide constructive criticism.

 

 

Billy

 

PS: If you are still upset, and/or feel that I am evil, and need ways to subtly attack us to let the steam out, while avoiding being banned from the forums here are some ProTips.

To troll Billy:  

- Misuse "there", "their", and "they're" as often as possible in your posts.

- Ask about how much I've spent on donuts in 2015 (be prepared to cry if I respond).

- Remind me about how I don't have any Hakkon weapons in MP yet.

To troll Blair:

- Refer to him as BLAR.

- Ask about the colour green.

To troll Conal:

- Use a double space after each period/sentence in your posts.

 

Billy,

 

Why so defensive? Of the last several pages on this thread, I don't see anyone attacking or threatening you. We're just calling you out on how you and your team have handled this situation, and how BW/EA's lack of transparency has lead to our current frustration. Own up to it and move on. We get that your job is hard.

 

Here's the facts that lead to that assessment of transparency found lacking:

 

1. BW announced on their website 2 weeks ago that new dlc wouldn't be released for old gen. Nowhere in that communication did it discuss future PATCH support. That was left out. There's a difference to dlc support and patch support. Thankfully your initial message in this thread remedies that and comes clean. Dropping all support, besides new weekly challenges for PS3/Xbox360.

 

2. The communication to the community that you no longer will support old gen PATCH support stops here with this forum post. It is found nowhere else on the social medias BW/EA is currently active on.

 

3. When we reach out to our fellow community to inform them of this momentous change in support, we are scolded for our efforts and accused of rabble rousing. Seriously? (I'm speaking of course of your earlier scolding of Brewskin's post, that was pretty childish of you)

 

Here's how to fix your lack of transparency:

 

1. Post (paste if you have to) the news that you're dropping patch support for old gen to other medias so more people in the community can be informed. Otherwise, you're misleading the community to believe and expect future bug fixes etc.

[Texasmotiv]

Gift for you.

 

Ring of Superb Life Drain x4 Yeah that's right 4. 

 

Cuz as gamers we are the only ones who have each others backs 100%

 

Don't take it! it's actually a Superb Barrier Damage ring!

[scene_cachet]

Let's clarify a few points here, because we've already discussed this, but it keeps being brought up with the same incorrect statements.

 

1) DLC is developed after the main game is finished.

The free MP DLC was started as soon as the game completed certification, literally the next day, still weeks before the game is released to the public.  This means that yes, the development of DLC was started after the game was finished, but before it was available for sale.  The argument that you have already bankrolled this free content is inaccurate, incorrect, and has already been stated as such several times on the boards.  When you purchase the game for <insert price at time of purchase>, you have purchased the game.

 

2) The Trial has nothing to do with DLC.

There is no connection between the Trial and DLC. At all. Separate teams were responsible for the development of each product.

 

3) Why no discounted upgrade pricing?  

While it was never directly tied to, or marketed as such, there have been a number of discounted price opportunities since the announcement that DLC support would discontinued for PS3 and Xbox 360.  Throughout the month of July, Dragon Age: Inquisition has been on sale, at up to 50% off regular price, for physical or digital copies 4 separate times, with a wide range of retail partners.  In many cases, these sales were being retweeted or shared by team members on social media.

3a) Why not make it specific to the upgrade?

Because we wanted everyone to have a chance at the discounted prices.  If you're playing Multiplayer and thinking about upgrading, you may also be talking to friends who are thinking about upgrading as well, or buying DAI for the first time.  If you can both benefit, that's awesome.

 

4) Stating "Person X is not evil, Company Y is actually evil." is no better than the original statement that someone is evil.  

BioWare and EA work together. We're partners.  No one hands down an "evil doctrine" that the other must abide by.  Decisions are made together.  Someone stating that EA is evil is just as upsetting to me as someone saying Billy Buskell is evil. I chose to work for EA and BioWare.  I greatly enjoy working for both companies.  If I felt either was evil, I would not choose to work for them.  I applied to work at EA Canada in 2005.  I did not believe EA to be evil then.  I applied to work at BioWare to work in 2006, not because EA was evil, but because I truly believed in what I saw BioWare working on (Mass Effect 1) was going to be amazing.  EA bought BioWare in 2007.  I stayed with the companies because I really loved what both companies were striving for in the future.  It's 2015. I am still at BioWare.  Because I know what we have coming is even better than what we've accomplished to date.

 

Folks, as Conal and I have mentioned previously, we enjoy having good, healthy, constructive discussions with all of you.  When the communication stays within those boundaries, everyone can have a good time.  When the team is accused of not responding to something that has either already been addressed, or has been addressed to the level that we are able to explain, or when the team is accused of intentionally trying to harm or break trust with a group, this is not generally going to encourage team members to continue, or join new, conversations. 

 

We understand some of you may not be thrilled with this news.  This thread has very clearly demonstrated that.  Some news we have to deliver is not fun to deliver. This is one of those instances.  We don't take these decisions lightly.  However, we must do what's in the best interest of the product and the service as a whole. 

 

There are ways to express displeasure or frustration without resorting to attacks. I am happy to continue this discussion with those that wish to ask polite questions, or provide constructive criticism.

 

 

Billy

 

PS: If you are still upset, and/or feel that I am evil, and need ways to subtly attack us to let the steam out, while avoiding being banned from the forums here are some ProTips.

To troll Billy:  

- Misuse "there", "their", and "they're" as often as possible in your posts.

- Ask about how much I've spent on donuts in 2015 (be prepared to cry if I respond).

- Remind me about how I don't have any Hakkon weapons in MP yet.

To troll Blair:

- Refer to him as BLAR.

- Ask about the colour green.

To troll Conal:

- Use a double space after each period/sentence in your posts.

 

So let's go through this. 

 

1) Are you saying that pre-orders have nothing to do with sales projections and are no way indicative of whether "said" company commits to future add-ons paid or "free"?  Continuing on that branch, quarterly sales after release do not dictate whether or not future content is comitted to?

 

2) Do trial members retain access to Multiplayer portion of the game and receive "Free" DLC expansions of the multiplayer even if they choose not to purchase the full game?

 

3) In this reasoning, legacy users are given the option to buy a $400 console upgrade to receive the benefits of these discounted prices. Will these prices continue to be discounted if they choose to upgrade late August, September or November? Or are they advised to sit tight and wait for sales.

 

3a) Or you might be talking to friends about how you just had to rebuy the game you already owned because you're a big fan of the franchise and wanted to use the DLC. In this logic you are assuming that these players would want to hawk your wares to their friends even though they had been given the cold shoulder. 

 

4) I've never personally stated that the company you work for is evil. I do work in a similar industry that is worth a lot more than the gaming industry and has stricter NDA's with watertight employment contracts but is still is an entertainment industry that is highly reliant on sales,marketing and fan support but generally our media format is complete when it's released.

 

None of you should be taking any of this personally because I am aware of how budgets are allocated. I was just expecting more of a commitment from your overlords when it comes to their loyal fans.

 

Everyone is taking this so personally when some people just choose not to sugar-coat things... The truth is supposed to hurt.

[Yumi]

Damn Billy. Their's no way you had as many donuts in 2014 as I did so unless you want to be defeated, don't post how many you ate. I have a platinum Dunkin Donuts credit card.

BLAR, smoking is bad for you. Please quit.






PS I think you've handled this situation incredibly well Billy. Everything you've said has been factual. I like to think I'm a paragon of patience but you must be some kind of newborn God.

[Apollexander]

I think if someone had posted an article on the DragonAge official website, announcing that there will be no more DLC and patch on XBOX 360 and PS3, then it would be better because it would be more official and formal. Billy doesn't need to be the person who first announced us and then be the scapegoat facing the anger.

 

PS: There are tons of people crying 'EA is evil' for whatever reasons everyday and everywhere. I bet most of them don't even know Billy.

[Denrok1]

To troll Billy:  

- Misuse "there", "their", and "they're" as often as possible in your posts.

- Ask about how much I've spent on donuts in 2015 (be prepared to cry if I respond).

- Remind me about how I don't have any Hakkon weapons in MP yet.

 

Q: What does a Winnipeg Jets fan do when his team wins the Stanley Cup?
A: He turns off the PlayStation.

 

[DragonRacer]

Q: What does a Winnipeg Jets fan do when his team wins the Stanley Cup?
A: He turns off the PlayStation.

 

 

WOW.

 

Shots fired.

[Denrok1]

WOW.

 

Shots fired.

 

Hahaha. All in good fun .

[Billy Buskell]

Billy,

 

Why so defensive? Of the last several pages on this thread, I don't see anyone attacking or threatening you. We're just calling you out on how you and your team have handled this situation, and how BW/EA's lack of transparency has lead to our current frustration. Own up to it and move on. We get that your job is hard.

 

3. When we reach out to our fellow community to inform them of this momentous change in support, we are scolded for our efforts and accused of rabble rousing. Seriously? (I'm speaking of course of your earlier scolding of Brewskin's post, that was pretty childish of you)

 

 

I believe there is some confusion here.  

 

My tone of "here is what is actually happening" to correct misinterpretations, theories, and assumptions has remained constant since my first reply (original post was simply stating the news).

 

While I appreciate the feedback that the message could be in additional places, such as social media, the fact that we posted it here was for transparency.  We realized that based on posts on the forums (there may be similar on social media, I just haven't seen them) regarding the topic of DLC and Patch support for PS3 and Xbox 360.  Rather than allow it to continue to spiral, we addressed the issue to clarify for those asking.  We addressed the issue where it surfaced.  It's that simple.

 

Regarding scolding Brewskin's post.  In my response on the forum, I called attention to the mass message I was included in on PSN.  In that post I noted, if you are going to incite a user base about a topic, in hopes of getting folks riled up to take action, don't include the person that posted the news you're upset about.  This has actually happened to me 4 times this month, from 4 different players, on 4 different topics (3 prior to Brewskin).  Each time so far, the person had added me due to seeing my gamertag on the forums and forgot they were messaging a dev when sending an angry call to action.  This is why I brought attention to it this time.  It was becoming a pattern (not with a specific individual, but overall).  Did I need to be included in the mass message?  No.  Not in my opinion.  But, in his opinion it was the right thing to do to provide me a heads up.  Brewskin and I spoke via DM about what the intentions were with the mass message, and we're all squared as far as I am concerned.  Following that, Conal simply clarified for everyone by restating that including a dev on a mass message/call to action in response to something a dev has posted is not something that should be done, especially via PSN/XBL/Origin.  Can you send a mass message/call to action to incite a group regarding a topic?  Absolutely.  100%.  Just don't include the devs on it.  At best it looks like a mistake, at worst it looks like an attack/dragging the dev through it.  I don't expect everyone to agree with that.  You don't have to.  But, if that request is not respected, we have communicated that it's not acceptable, and not in the spirit of what the forums are meant for.

 

I don't think I've ever asked for any sympathy regarding my job at the company.  My first response stated that I am well aware of the responsibilities of my job and role at the company.  I chose to be the one to post the clarification to the boards.  I cleared it with several key stakeholders to ensure that the post was worded in such a way that it should remove any remaining ambiguity on the topic.  When I chose to be the one to post, I was very aware of what could, and did, follow.  I believe that qualifies as owning up to it.  For each post that says "move on", there have been 5 stating "you've gone silent" or "you refuse to respond", sometimes from the same poster claiming we need to move on.  I've continued to respond to provide additional clarity where I can.  

 

 

Billy

[Billy Buskell]

Q: What does a Winnipeg Jets fan do when his team wins the Stanley Cup?
A: He turns off the PlayStation.

 

 

HAHA! Awesome! Prior to posting that response, I actually had a suggestion about mocking my favourite teams, but I didn't want any other Jets fans to suffer for my actions :-)

[Billy Buskell]

LMAO you actually fixed it!

 

I might not be a fan of Bioware anymore, but you're a ok in my book.  haha!

 

Your a cool guy Billy.  Their, there, and they're must be you're biggest pet peeve.

 

I wish I could claim this one... but that is the work of a very crafty Community Manager :-)

 

Billy

[DragonRacer]

Hahaha. All in good fun .

 

Oh, yeah, I knew it was.

 

Still, though... soccer/futbol, American football, and hockey are the triumvirate of testy sports fans. Dem's always have the potential of being fightin' words.

 

 

I wish I could claim this one... but that is the work of a very crafty Community Manager :-)

 

Billy

 

He did the Maker's work.

 

Lord knows if I was ever a mod, I'd probably spend 90% of my time just fixing all the typos everywhere due to mental compulsion. 

[ParthianShotX]

 

I won't say if this is right or wrong, but reiterating 1) won't do anything
 

 

There are more corporate fingers in this mix than is immediately obvious, I'll wager. MS and Sony want their pound of flesh, after all.

[HeHateMe2626]

Not sure if this violates the TOS but there is a petition on change.org about this subject. Please take a min to review and sign if you feel strongly about it.

[Innarra]

Not sure if this violates the TOS but there is a petition on change.org about this subject. Please take a min to review and sign if you feel strongly about it.

 

 

Huh? I dinnah see nuthin on there.

[Dekibra]

Huh? I dinnah see nuthin on there.

 

just checked, it's on there