Mass Effect

[TheMightyEthan]

they're already doing what EA tells them to do.

 

That's not the way it works, I've said this plenty of times before. Studios make their own decisions as to artistic direction and story. Unless you work for either the studio or publisher involved or can produce a quote from either one to that effect please stop saying "X makes Y do Z."

 

I honestly don't even really know what I meant by that... I didn't mean EA said to Bioware "make an ABC ending" though, and I can't remember what I was saying well enough to better articulate it, so I retract my statement.

 

some wanted a completely revamped ending in the core game.

 

Yeah, I don't see that happening.

[Strangelove]

I have a feeling that these people still arent going to be happy with the different/extra ending. I just know it.

[Thursday Next]

I retract my statement.

 

Thanks. Just a pet peeve of mine.

 

There's an interesting article on GI.biz http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-03-30-fanning-the-flames draws an amusing parallel between the people clamouring for a change to the story and Kathy Bates in Misery (imho they have a point).

[TheMightyEthan]

I think there's one critical flaw in that article, where it says that Mass Effect is Bioware's story. As I said before:

 

From the get-go Bioware sold the Mass Effect series as a player-authored experience, but then they shat on that concept with the ending. I think if we were talking about a strictly developer-authored game I would be on the side saying don't change it. The Legend of Zelda isn't the player's story, it's Zelda and Link's story, and it's definitely a developer-authored experience. Mass Effect, on the other hand, was always billed as a player-authored story and as a result I don't think it's unreasonable for players to expect some acknowledgment of their story.

 

Mass Effect isn't Bioware's story, it's every individual player's story. I don't think it's video games generally that are different from other media, I think it's Mass Effect specifically, and other player-authored experiences, that are.

[Strangelove]

Shit, I don't want to be an unimaginative magic killing asshole, but...it's Bioware's story. We chose choices that have already been picked by them. Its a modern read your own adventure book. There are only so many paths and a lot of them lead to the same places. If youve played one of their games more than once, you'll see how little things matter. This series was headed in the direction they chose from the start. Weve just been riding along.

You cant go outside their parameters. Shit, the game even forces you to be a "good" guy. Renegade is just another choice for "meanie." Youre never evil. You cant side with Cerberus or the Collectors or the Reapers. You're still always a boy scout. That's not choice. Even something as blowing up the collector base or keeping it doesn't matter. Even if half of the characters die in ME2, it doesn't matter. Theyre written off or replaced and the game keeps going as planned.

 

As long as others write our stories, they're not our stories. Simple as that.

[TheMightyEthan]

Sure, the major shape of events is determined by Bioware, but then I'm not one of the people saying they should change the ending they already put in, I just want some kind of epilogue to acknowledge what happened later as a result of my actions.

 

*Edit* - I would also argue that the "story" of Mass Effect isn't a story about the events, it's a story about the characters, and that IS determined largely by the player (how you interacted with them, who you formed attachments to, who died, etc).

Edited March 30, 2012 by TheMightyEthan

[Thursday Next]

The article does point out that Bioware made a rod for their own backs by openly involving the public in the creative process. What they should have done is made clear that while they are interested in what the public think and they will take comments under advisement, Bioware will remain the owners of the story. In trying to win over the community they seem to have strayed into "design by committee" territory, which is a shitty place to be.

[TheMightyEthan]

I think a larger part of the problem is Bioware's misrepresentation of what the endings would be like. One of the devs actually said there wouldn't be an ABC ending. There was also a lot of talk about how now that they don't have to bring it together for a sequel the endings can diverge wildly. I don't think there would have been this same kind of backlash and demands to "fix" it if they had lived up to those statements, even if people still ultimately didn't like the outcomes.

[Eleven]

I hate Tali you guys

[deanb]

It's worth remembering no matter what they do:

 

(Mainly the second part. Especially since no matter what Thursday says I've a strong feeling EA, the publisher, is the one that sets the launch date so that part is kind of out of their hands)

 

Also I'm with Ethan. They spent three games going "hey your'e the player, pick your choices, shape your galaxy!". Even specifically noted how varied and bespoke your ending will be with ME3 and specifically how it won't be ABC choices. Then right at the end they took away all the player choice, the shaping of the galaxy and went "this is how it will be, pick your ABC RGB choices.". I don't really care if they get a new ending, re-write it, add in DLC, whatever, I don't aim to play it again. I'd at least like them to apologise for lying their arses off. No "oh we love our passionate fans" bull shit. They lied, they should get called out on it and apologise. Pretty simple.

[Hot Heart]

I am not a fan of Tali. I don't mean it to sound rude, but I do not see the appeal.

 

EDIT: I saw that picture from that Reddit thing. It's a good saying, but then I think it centres around Nintendo's policy of making sure the game is all ready and shouldn't need patching. Problem is, everyone else seems to think differently. And, of course, BioWare could 'patch' the game. Although, I'm kinda worried they really did mean that ending sincerely...

Edited March 30, 2012 by Hot Heart

[TheMightyEthan]

I like Tali, I just don't like like her.

 

/flashback to middle school

[Hot Heart]

Yeah, I mean, I don't hate her, and she has an important role to play, but I always found her a bit annoying. Too much whining and such. Part of that could be the voice. And, for a romance, she feels too clingy or immature.

[Maritan]

Still discussing the ending? *sigh*

Well, another reason for me to post *another* picture...

 

Wow. Now I'm 100% sure that he's a total retard.

[Eleven]

So I started my renegade run...

 

 

I just made Miranda cry.

And then Ashley chewed me out.

"Miranda Lawson? Ring a bell? ... I wear armor into battle, not swimwear!"

lolololol...

 

[CorgiShinobi]

If I ever get the time during the summer, I'm going to do a FemShep run with the Mass Effect 3 defaults and do whatever I want without worry of the consequences. Having seen some of the renegade scenes, it would be interesting to see where it all leads.

 

Savoir of the Galaxy? Nah, I'm going to make sure we go out with a bang!

 

It's not like my original run was my "Paragon" run, just I tend to be a peaceful Shepard... who might shoot you or punch you in the gut.

[Hot Heart]

 

And that is still there as of today. No joke.

[Thursday Next]

Hahaha, that's stupid. Seriously? You didn't like the ending? You feel betrayed by Bioware? Waaaa. It's totally as described on the Amazon site.

[Hot Heart]

It is foolish. Thing is, as it's only on the 360 version, I'm guessing it has something to do with the idea that you don't have to play multiplayer to get the 'optimal' ending. Not that it even makes a difference anyway...

[Eleven]

Just finished the renegade run of Tuchanka. My god.

 

 

"You're not going up..."

"... How can you change your mind now?"

"I MADE A MISTAKE!"

...

"Walk away."

...

"... Stop me if you must"

 

 

NOOO! WHAT HAVE I DONE!?

 

Didn't play out exactly as my scene, since I destroyed Maelon's data, but in case anyone wants to see it:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=L-1FAxiUAoo

 

 

Edited April 2, 2012 by elev3n

[Hot Heart]

Latest ACAVYOS video.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Hot Heart

[Little Pirate]

[CorgiShinobi]

Only worth watching if you're a fan of anyone (Egoraptor, etc) in the group.

(Personal favorite is the party catering one.)

[Waldorf and Statler]

Huh it's weird to see how 3/5 of the guys there I'm subscribed to. I also had no idea Jax was tittie chewbacca or that Ross was such a handsome fellow.

[Thursday Next]

Incidentally, that Amazon thing, totally not an RME / not as described issue.