383 réponses à ce sujet

[Saberchic]

Conal Pierce said the decision to shut down the BSN wasn't a money issue, while Chris Priestly revealed that certain unnamed higher ups in Bioware had wanted to shutter the BSN after DA2 and ME3's ending controversy, while he fought to keep it going.

That gives the impression that those unnamed higher ups finally got their way, and this has more to do with trying to stifle criticism of Bioware by removing any central hub to discuss its products.

Once again, Bioware utterly fails at PR. In four years the company learned **** all.

Agreed.  I also really don't think they liked it when we basically "used" the forum to mobilize and show our displeasure. That must have felt like a slap to the face.

[katamuro]

Agreed.  I also really don't think they liked it when we basically "used" the forum to mobilize and show our displeasure. That must have felt like a slap to the face.

 

Well a lot of people thought the ending of ME3 was a slap in the face and the same cave thing in DA2...

[Terminator Force]

Conal Pierce said the decision to shut down the BSN wasn't a money issue, while Chris Priestly revealed that certain unnamed higher ups in Bioware had wanted to shutter the BSN after DA2 and ME3's ending controversy, while he fought to keep it going.

That gives the impression that those unnamed higher ups finally got their way, and this has more to do with trying to stifle criticism of Bioware by removing any central hub to discuss its products.

Once again, Bioware utterly fails at PR. In four years the company learned **** all.

 

Told you guys it wasn't about the money or lack of BioWare butt kissing.

[Spectr61]

Obviously I'm not Bioware, but I would have silenced people like you a long, long time ago. I don't have patience for intentional and persistent hostility.

"Silencing" people because you don't like what they say?

That's not very progressive, or pro free-speech.

Plus, tone doesn't = wrong.

But how many people are "attacking" the devs over social issues? You're conflating criticism of shoddy products with bigotry, which is pretty vile IMO.

Sam Maggs

Most of the criticism I've seen is exactly as he says, based on perceptions of flawed design rather than progressive social issues.

[Saberchic]

Well a lot of people thought the ending of ME3 was a slap in the face and the same cave thing in DA2...

I was one of them. LOL

 

And I really think the motivating factor behind the forum closure is what transpired after the fan backlash. The anger from fans was so great that news articles were written all over the internet about how livid we were and what we were trying to do about it. The heat was very real for Bioware; I think they don't want a repeat of that, and putting an end to a common "meeting place" is a tactical move on their part to try to disperse and control it.

[Amirit]

The final laugh would be if MEA turns out to be awesome and there will be no forums to praise it

[CronoDragoon]

"Silencing" people because you don't like what they say?

As with almost everything outside the realm of bigotry and straight up immoral stuff, it's about how you say it. For example, I could say, "your post misses the point of why one might ban someone for hostility." And we could talk about that. I could also say "you're either being willfully stupid or simply can't read, since psuden said he'd ban you for hostility, not criticism." The latter subjects me to moderation, the former doesn't.

(I don't actually believe you're stupid or can't read, it's just an example)

[vbibbi]

For all people who are basically saying we deserve this and have an undercurrent of smugness to the closure...are you still on these forums posting to say nyah nyah nyah to the community at large? People are legitimately upset that their community is being closed, how about a little empathy rather than gloating that you've "won" against fellow consumers? It's an arrogant attitude and doesn't make anyone look good.

[Bourne Endeavor]

This definitely reeks of BioWare culling any potentially negative attention towards Andromeda. Retake Mass Effect proved what an organized mass of fans can accomplish when they properly direct their ire. EA has already ensured heavy fire for The Sims 4 and Sim City. We cannot yet say whether ME:A will be underwhelming given the complete lack of information, but doubtless they are closing down the forums as a preemptive strike. They couldn't attempt with during DA:I's launch because the backlash coming off ME3 would have been immense. Now that they have decent reception again and ME3's controversy is years removed from present day, they can quietly remove a direct source of potential negative criticism. Anyone saying forums are a dated platform need only look at other companies-- many of whom still make use of them. 

 

BioWare/EA should be careful though. The recent poor community with Pokemon Go has resulted in a huge backlack. And they lack a direct forum. Reddit has become increasingly popular for even the hardcore fans. If ME:A does turn out bad, they won't be able to just bury their heads in the sand. That being said, Andromeda doesn't carry with it the same weight ME3 did. So I doubt we'll see as much a response.

[N7M]

Underwhelming? How about the mother of all BW/EA **** storms etched into game history? A lot of questions, including these ones, to be answered soon.

[Il Divo]

As with almost everything outside the realm of bigotry and straight up immoral stuff, it's about how you say it. For example, I could say, "your post misses the point of why one might ban someone for hostility." And we could talk about that. I could also say "you're either being willfully stupid or simply can't read, since psuden said he'd ban you for hostility, not criticism." The latter subjects me to moderation, the former doesn't.

(I don't actually believe you're stupid or can't read, it's just an example)

 

Crono, brilliant as always.

 

I think we should sticky this at the top of the forum page for any newcomers who show up in the days leading up to Andromeda's release. 

[The Hierophant]

Conal Pierce said the decision to shut down the BSN wasn't a money issue, while Chris Priestly revealed that certain unnamed higher ups in Bioware had wanted to shutter the BSN after DA2 and ME3's ending controversy, while he fought to keep it going.

That gives the impression that those unnamed higher ups finally got their way, and this has more to do with trying to stifle criticism of Bioware by removing any central hub to discuss its products.

Once again, Bioware utterly fails at PR. In four years the company learned **** all.

This is like something out of a Black comedy.

[masster blaster]

I call bull

 

Told you guys it wasn't about the money or lack of BioWare butt kissing.

I call bull. CP went full harsh on the ITers, banned any from all talks, removed them from even all talks about it anywhere ME related. All placed in groups only to have him come onto there and further restrict them there. He slandered his way to saying such cruel things that was his own doing. NO job required him to do so. Heck even those that didn't take sides during the whole entire ME3 bomb shell thought CP was going too far.

 

For him to say " i tried to keep things going" is a HUGE SLAP to the face, and a dagger in the back.

[Oldren Shepard]

This isn't the place for you (spinachdiaper), "thankfully" this site will no longer exists, you'll have to find somewhere else for your  cough complaining cough opinion in something that isn't come yet.

[Shinobu]

I remember hearing about that, but I'm not getting the name. One of those anti-SJW crusades. (We really need a term for people who are SJWs, but on the other side.)

Anti-SJW's? How about Social Injustice Apologists (SIAs).

[Spectr61]

As with almost everything outside the realm of bigotry and straight up immoral stuff, it's about how you say it. For example, I could say, "your post misses the point of why one might ban someone for hostility." And we could talk about that. I could also say "you're either being willfully stupid or simply can't read, since psuden said he'd ban you for hostility, not criticism." The latter subjects me to moderation, the former doesn't.(I don't actually believe you're stupid or can't read, it's just an example)

If you took the time to read the posts, you would see that psuden was talking about banning someone else, not me as was referenced in your post.

I was merely pointing out that offensive or disagreeable speech should be protected, not banned.

Unless of course it takes a personal note or threatening tone, much like your response.

Calling someone willfully stupid or ignorant, even with a pseudo-retraction, is taking the discussion to a personal level, it is offensive, and reportable.

Now, got some more snark?

[Icinix]

Most forums are a left over from a bygone era.

These days social media and public events are king.

For every one strong active forum somewhere - there are dozens languishing. I imagine in the next few years more and more forums will follow BSN.

 

As for Andromeda - BioWare isn't their powerhouse self they were - their games aren't the trend setters they once were. While I'd love them to go back to their style of old - fortunately other companies are now doing BioWare better than BioWare are doing so it's no biggie.

[Icinix]

I was merely pointing out that offensive or disagreeable speech should be protected, not banned.

Unless of course it takes a personal note or threatening tone, much like your response.

 

 

Pretty much this - and I think that was one of the cultural shifts in BioWare that has led to such a dramatic change in their games.

After the DA2 horror of the old social forums they took shelter in the die hardest of die hard fans (would have been hard not to - the stuff that they copped was extraordinary). Which had the effect of eliminating any dissenting voices about their games. It was impossible for a long time to say anything even slightly negative without being destroyed by those die hard fans or being banned. I remember seeing a video once with I think it was Walters at a public event and using some firm language about how the people that attended in costume were the only real fans of BioWare.

Sadly - forums tend to fluctuate between the extremes and the moderate voices in the middle get silenced the most.

[Laughing_Man]

Most forums are a left over from a bygone era.

 

That's debatable. Most especially when it comes to forums about video games.

 

Besides, I don't see Reddit suffering from a lack of traffic.

[Spectr61]

Pretty much this - and I think that was one of the cultural shifts in BioWare that has led to such a dramatic change in their games.
After the DA2 horror of the old social forums they took shelter in the die hardest of die hard fans (would have been hard not to - the stuff that they copped was extraordinary). Which had the effect of eliminating any dissenting voices about their games. It was impossible for a long time to say anything even slightly negative without being destroyed by those die hard fans or being banned. I remember seeing a video once with I think it was Walters at a public event and using some firm language about how the people that attended in costume were the only real fans of BioWare.
Sadly - forums tend to fluctuate between the extremes and the moderate voices in the middle get silenced the most.

Agreed.

Why don't people cherish hearing divergent and different views from their own?

I personally learn very little from hearing what I already know.

[Icinix]

That's debatable. Most especially when it comes to forums about video games.

 

Besides, I don't see Reddit suffering from a lack of traffic.

 

It is debatable sure, but forums like Reddit are incredibly broad in topics and also services.

Specialised forums like game forums, despite however strong and engaging their communities are, are a much smaller piece of what is accessible through the newer types of social media (and also removes the ease to be anonymous).

Going back a number of years - it was common to see the same names engaging across multiple forums, and the participation rate was higher, with 'online members' at the bottom of many forums loaded and ending with +11,000 more and 27000 guests (or similar things along the lines). These days a lot of those same forums the online members at one time can oft be counted on your hands.

[SurelyForth]

I was merely pointing out that offensive or disagreeable speech should be protected, not banned.

 

Why do you think this? Why do you think people who are offensive towards a company on forums hosted by said company should be protected? Bioware isn't a government, and forums aren't a service that you pay for. 

 

I suspect that you don't actually know what free speech is because it definitely isn't the right to be a jackass, consequence free.

[SmilesJA]

 

I suspect that you don't actually know what free speech is because it definitely isn't the right to be a jackass, consequence free.

 

You can be offensive or just insulting to everyone, but that doesn't mean you are not free from the consequences.

[Icinix]

Why do you think this? Why do you think people who are offensive towards a company on forums hosted by said company should be protected? Bioware isn't a government, and forums aren't a service that you pay for. 

 

I suspect that you don't actually know what free speech is because it definitely isn't the right to be a jackass, consequence free.

 

Being a jackass or an ass-wipe or a scumbag or any number of more descriptive terms isn't the same as being offensive.

I could say something I find rather funny and witty, and you might be offended by it - even if it doesn't have a particular reference to anyone or anything.

If you're being a total jerk - then sure - bans, deletion etc are fine - but simply writing something that might be offensive shouldn't be discarded on that basis alone.

[Spectr61]

Why do you think this? Why do you think people who are offensive towards a company on forums hosted by said company should be protected? Bioware isn't a government, and forums aren't a service that you pay for. 
 
I suspect that you don't actually know what free speech is because it definitely isn't the right to be a jackass, consequence free.

Naw, you'd be wrong.

Simple concept really, even given the seemingly hard-to-folllow jump from government regulation to applying the concept in a company owned forum.

What is a hard concept for me to grasp however, is real life mind reading.

How exactly do you know what others do or do not know?