Here are some suggestions I would give to Bioware to make the upcoming Andromeda the best game it can be. These are all my opinion and are in no way meant to belittle.
1. Prioritize customization for the player character. Not the party members.
Nothing is better than being able to choose different armor/clothing sets. But only for the character you're playing as. Why do I care about giving an Asari shades? My character wants to look cool, not the party members. Let me enjoy it! This has literally been a problem since I began loving Bioware in KOTOR 1. because they have focused on making "blank slate characters" but neglected to actually make that blank slate character worth playing as in terms of aesthetics and what have you.
2. Don't spell out the romance options in dialogue.
Takes all the fun and nuance away from figuring it out yourself. Don't even make it an option IMHO. It will help the writers come up with more subtle dialogue that's interesting.
3. Adhere to your strengths
Bioware, you are pretty good at character interaction and really good with overarching story/plot. You are also good at making the gameplay fresh and interesting, especially for RPG/action hybrids. Focus on the stuff you're good at in Andromeda. You may certainly try to experiment and risk a few things and that's alright. It's good to get out of your comfort zone. But try not to bite off more than you can chew. I don't care if Andromeda is open world. I just want it to be detailed and highly interactive, with varying planets and stuff to do. Instead of focusing on the entire forest try several acres of trees and wildlife. If that makes any sense.
4. Customization for the player character, less for party members
So important it needs to be iterated twice.
5. Find really, really good hair programmers
Hair has kind of been your weakness for a long time. But it doesn't need to stay that way. Try hiring fresh talent or something along those lines. Again, focus on the small stuff that matters, rather than the big things that don't.
6. Try to make the choices come with consequences/impact/different outcomes.
It doesn't necessarily have to be a consequence down the line either. But most of the choices I made in Mass Effect 3 did not matter. Either instantaneously or further down the time river. Making choices in a consequence-less vacuum is pointless. Andromeda could really be an opportunity to get this down. Although, keep in mind it doesn't necessarily have to be a consequence.
7. Don't worry about having 100 different endings.
If you find someone who wants this to occur, you probably shouldn't be listening to them. The Witcher 3 accomplished it with just three different endings, essentially. Instead of focusing on the STORY outcome (which can be really difficult for a AAA game of this size), focus on character and character arcs, AND small plot-arcs outcomes. Not only will that make your jobs easier, it will probably end up pleasing more people. Trespasser ending was brilliant because of this. It didn't resolve the story, it resolved STUFF within the story while keeping things reasonably concluded. If you try to conclude something based on your strengths rather than try to tie the bow around the black box as neat as possible, it will be glorious.
8. You don't have to listen to fans. But you should pay attention if there is a collective concern.
(Last one because any more and I'll come across as haughty)
I know you guys were listening. And I appreciated that you made it known on the old forums. But I fear the actual concerns of the collective went in one ear and right out the other. Don't rebuke the community if or when something like that happens. Don't presume to know what the problem is or speak for the fans or the consumer. It never works in anyone's favor. You listened I suppose but you interrupted the fans half way into their spiel and deduced the "real" problem for yourselves.
The customer is always right IMHO. But sometimes they're not always right in how they criticize or how they present the concern. Take that as you will. Thank you for the memories Bioware, if nothing else.





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