First, I will tell you I work in executive communications - 22 years.
Second, let me say I am appalled at the complete disregard to consumer (and internally with employee) communications rampant in this industry, whereas investor relations gets high marks.
Third, my experience directly communicationg with BW "communications" specifically has been to wait on CS-sales reply for over 2-months on a promise of 48 hours. (Sales as in I want to buy not complain, please respond) And the lame excuse sorry we were unexpectedly busy is insulting.
Four, this is arrogance and ingratitude in its purest form. The acid test is if BW were my girlfriend, I couldn't be faithful to her with this level of communications. The game is a playable, engaging game as far as I can see, my communications issues aside. It speaks to Brand loyalty same as the difference between the girls we date and the girls we marry.
I will buy DA:A But I will be holding onto it, unopened, until I - personally - get the memo this patch issue has been resolved; expecting it will be and that no-one will be informed about it. That fits the pattern here. I may install the game once my interest in DA:O is sated 100%. I have yet to play a Rogue character, for example. It may take me a year. I will not buy anything more, including DLC for worry of this patch SNAFU.
By then I will own a sealed copy of the historic DA:A. BioWare may have noticed/fixed (and informed me) about the problem by that time. I am not so certain how they will handle the configuration resolves by February 2011 but by then a lost fan base will be disinterested.
This communication problem is an industry-wide situation and it creates an opportunity for another company with a little more human-contact savvy to step in an claim the market - hence my prediction of a lost fan base (moving on to something else, bored with this girl).
Poor communication makes this otherwise solid, fun CRPG of the year a focal point for another game to be crowned CRPG 2010.
Shame. I am already buying an antique on 16.03.
They call me,
Pen-N-Paper
Five, I am grateful to everyone who has contributed ahead of me in this topic. Thank you all for your warning and explanation.