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13Mar 12
*******BEWARE OF MASS EFFECT 3 SPOILERS*******
If there is a way one could sum up the past 12 months for EA it's that, despite some scrappy competition the past few years, they've certainly reaffirmed their place in gaming as the premier leader of exploiting and alienating fanbases. Everything from the drawn out Dragon Age II debacle, to the increasingly shameless handling of The Sims franchise with turning what was previously $30 expansion content into a couple of rehashed $40-$50 expansions and a handful of $20 DLC packs, to even questioning the average gamer's disposition for virtual child murder while beginning to shove Origin down their throats through Battlefield 3.. it's been a year long road of controversy that led to the 'cherry on top' that was the launch of Mass Effect 3, and they saved some of their worst for last didn't they?
When looking over the headlines amidst the time leading up to and including the launch it felt like I was reading off their checklist on how to systematically infuriate the very gamers they're trying to hit up:
Spend an exorbitant amount of time focusing on how fans will only get the "full experience" if they plunk some money down towards one of the most expensive lineups of launch DLC in the history of gaming? Check.
Insult the intelligence of fans while trying to prod along more of that lovely day one, "partial on-disc" DLC? Check.
Have a half-a** follow through on the long awaited face reveal of a masked fan favorite character by making it seem like an unpaid intern was sent out and given 20 minutes to photoshop a random stock photo? Check.
Have the Executive Producer completely contradict himself by having the game ending be exactly what he led fans to believe it wouldn't be?:
Check.
Follow the "army of sentient giant space robots intent on cutting down those they deem too big for their britches" theme of your cash cow series by unleashing an unprecedented fleet of pocketed critics to take swings at gamers who dare question your 'critically acclaimed' product and policies as well as completey miss the point when attacking those who are understandably pissed about ridiculous narrative choices made in the supposed finale? Check and check.
Personally, it wasn't the contrived MP component or DLC absurdity that got to me the most.. considering EA is the pioneer of the modern approach to DLC and online passes the overload wasn't remotely surprising. The From Ashes controversy wasn't much of a surprise either, if anything it at least had some comedic value for how overblown it has become. I mean, someone should really take a moment to explain to EA / Bioware that if they treated it as a free online redeemable bonus for buying the game new (as they did with Zaeed for ME2) instead of charging an additional $10 for it while dealing in semantics and half-truths to defend it, the blowback would have been a mere fraction of what it ended up being.
The sparring between critics and displeased fans that occured was another unsurprising matter. Fan discontent flooding the internet and subsequent disagreement by antagonistic contrarians amongst the game media regardless of any questionable logic used to do so, or even the legitimacy of the mass complaint, is an inevitable cycle of modern gaming politics.
Hell, despite being an embittered Silent Hill fan I'm even a bit numb towards the increasingly bastardized series becoming more 'mainstream friendly' (this is ofcourse made sadly ironic by the fact that I have a copy of newly released Downpour beside me as I write this).
No.. the part of all this ME3 melodrama that I, and from what I have noticed the past week many others as well, took the hardest was without question 'the ending'. Up until that point I was successful in avoiding all the sideshow antics distracting away from the fantastic story driven experience and greatly enjoyed the ride leading up to it. I won't go too in-depth as to why I found it so bitterly disappointing, there have already been quite a few others that have voiced in appropriate detail sentiments that I also hold on the matter, some more humorously dramatic than others ofcourse.
The fan outrage that I also share has nothing to do with dismay over the lack of some campy fairy tale ending, but the egregious amount of clumsiness and laziness in which the ending was executed.. something completely uncharacteristic in relation to the rest of the series.
An ending so bizarre that I can't help but view it as being far less to do with any allusions of maintaining artistic integrity in regards to how the team in their right frame of mind may have wanted to end this story, and much more to do with a combination of a rushed developer's indecision, overzealous remnants of the old lead writing staff falling FLAT on their face in attempts to give the series an unforgettable end by making it so for all the 'wrong' reasons, and the gimping of what should have been a natural conclusion for the sake of future plans to artificially continue milking the franchise.
All rampant fan speculation to make any sense of it aside, one thing I feel 'is' clear: getting the ending's full context will most likely require more than what was shipped with the base game.. which means it will potentially only get worse for fans who naively thought EA would let them off the hook with just a one time purchase to any get any desired amount of closure with this series.
The manner in which the ending was handled is also one of many reasons why I can't help but call bull**** when hearing others attempt to downplay the mass disappointment with the last 10 minutes of ME3 as nothing more than bellyaching from insatiable crybabies who wouldn't be satisified with any ending Bioware could come up with and are simply 'looking for things to complain about'. This is without question one example of that characterization being completely incorrect.
Over the years there have been many notable games that featured tragic, highly interpretive conclusions that have become celebrated by it's fans.. the likes of Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and Shadow of the Colossus are prime examples. The difference is that those endings also had a level of quality and refinement that not only allowed it to seamlessly blend with the journey leading to it, but helped add an immense level of depth that allowed further appreciation of said experience instead of cheapening it. The other notable difference is ofcourse the fact that players received a complete ending without having to worry about any part of it being DLC.
Even if one wanted to put Mass Effect 3 on a different plateau due to it being a years in the making anticipated 'finale', I'll make more of a similarly circumstanced ending comparison:
Metal Gear Solid 4
Several games, two decades, 27 hour dramatic epilogue that, while feeling as longwinded and convoluted as the series it was capping, left fandom completely fulfilled and fond memories of previous games intact.
Mass Effect 3
3 games, five years, completely undermined in 10 minutes. Met with an end so nonsensical and inconclusive that it caused the questioning of not only time spent with the franchise, but gaming as a hobby in general.
Yet, besides all of this nonsense being incredibly disheartening for various fans, especially for those who invested plenty of time and money in the 5 years since the first Mass Effect came out, the fact remains that it would be wiser for fans to think about their reactions logically. Even with all of my own complaints.. I realize that what's done is done, there is no real way that Bioware can undo their mistakes or even pacify those unhappy with the ending without things being taken down a road fans would eventually greatly regret.. whether it be due to the further eroding of the integrity of the franchise or even higher levels of exploitation.
I'm in no way saying that all those frustrated with the sideshow or the ending should sit back and take it, what I am saying is the likes of clamoring for an actual 'new ending' through forums and petitions will only compound the problems that led to all of this in the firstplace -
- Jeff Gerstmann Twitter post
While I very rarely agree with what this toad has to say, this is one thing I can say we are in agreement on. For affected fans to truly push forth change, they need to express their displeasure through what they choose not to buy, not what petition they choose to sign. Even if you are among those that are fine with the ending but are disgusted with the way it's being marketed, throwing money at it is not going to fix the problem. Giving a company the impression that they will continue to enjoy the same level of attention and money regardless of the mistakes they make or the arrogance they display is the worst message a consumer can possibly send.
When examining the alternatives, it really is for the best to just move on and regroup. The reality of the matter is that it's EA and Bioware's game.. it's their 'product' to manipulate as they see fit. A fact that they and any critic defending them conveniently only seems to reiterate when trying to excuse unpopular decisions involving it.. and well after your money has already been taken for it.
As hard as it may be, the less time spent dwelling on what could have been with an already finished game and the more time spent assessing where future gaming dollars are directed will have a greater influence on projects going forward.. thus providing a much longer lasting resolution for what caused the mess surrounding Mass Effect 3 than settling for any "Sorry We Picked the Worst Time to Get Cute" patch or "Pay for Our Reactionary Fan Response" DLC ever could.
As for me at moment: That copy of Downpour I mentioned? Borrowed. Any future Silent Hill added to my collection will have a nice big "used" sticker on it until Konami gets their act straight regarding the franchise. And as far as EA and Bioware? I'll allow the internet the pleasure of providing me any alternate/extended storyline for this game without having to condone additional EA nickel & diming, I consider the money spent on that special edition of Mass Effect 3 the last time my fandom allows my wallet to be held up by them until they start cleaning up their act as well.. from what I've gathered, it's well past due.
39 comments
Brilliant! You summed up my thoughts exactly. There's a genre very specifically and masterfully created for people who want a game universe and its story to never end.. It's called an MMO. Seeing what Mass Effect turned into has raised serious doubts about what the future of gaming holds. It seems like publishers want to turn all of gaming into a "connected content portal" or "product." This generation has crapped on everything.
Brilliant! You summed up my thoughts exactly. There's a genre very specifically and masterfully created for people who want a game universe and its story to never end.. It's called an MMO. Seeing what Mass Effect turned into has raised serious doubts about what the future of gaming holds. It seems like publishers want to turn all of gaming into a "connected content portal" or "product." This generation has crapped on everything.
@SpookyJacK - Mate, that last statement made me so sad, only because its so true. Finished Mass Effect 2 last night, I did a pretty thorough playthrough. Picked the game up in bargain couple of weeks back.I have no idea who Zaeed is. And I'm not buying any DLCs. I was waiting for ME3 price cuts, but I'll probably skip it completely now. And really, if people buy a DLC for an "alternate ending", it'll all serve EA/Bioware even more into their hands. How stupid is it making gamer's intelligence look like??
@SpookyJacK - Mate, that last statement made me so sad, only because its so true. Finished Mass Effect 2 last night, I did a pretty thorough playthrough. Picked the game up in bargain couple of weeks back.I have no idea who Zaeed is. And I'm not buying any DLCs. I was waiting for ME3 price cuts, but I'll probably skip it completely now. And really, if people buy a DLC for an "alternate ending", it'll all serve EA/Bioware even more into their hands. How stupid is it making gamer's intelligence look like??
Mass Effect: The biggest nerd circle jerk next to Skyrim. At least wth Skyrim it doesn't feel like you're watching a movie. Honestly star wars is the only good sci-fi story. In the same way that lord of the rings is the only good fantasy story. Once its been done, it just isn't good anymore. I prefer games with less story but high setting. I like games like Braid or Metroid Prime where I can use some imagination. Hell even mario games tell better stories than Mass effect
Mass Effect: The biggest nerd circle jerk next to Skyrim. At least wth Skyrim it doesn't feel like you're watching a movie. Honestly star wars is the only good sci-fi story. In the same way that lord of the rings is the only good fantasy story. Once its been done, it just isn't good anymore. I prefer games with less story but high setting. I like games like Braid or Metroid Prime where I can use some imagination. Hell even mario games tell better stories than Mass effect
@Victorious_Fize - I think a lot of gamers share your sentiments. It always amazes me how much of a uniting force anger and the grieving process can be, thanks to all the controversy surrounding the game this has to be some of the highest levels of gamer comradery and the least amount of system warring I have seen with a major multi-platform release. It kind of feels like how siblings are alright with picking on each other, but band together the second an outsider oversteps their bounds.
The thing I hated the most about ME3 was Galaxy at War. Really? Play two games, exclusive to IOS, in order to affect the ending? Really? I understand playing a next-to-impossible MP to affect the main game. MP is part of the game, but when you go and make games that affect the main story exclusive to the IOS, that's where I have a major problem. And the reason I went Android was because when I got it, the iPhone was exclusive to Cingular/AT&T. Now I can't afford an Iphone.
The thing I hated the most about ME3 was Galaxy at War. Really? Play two games, exclusive to IOS, in order to affect the ending? Really? I understand playing a next-to-impossible MP to affect the main game. MP is part of the game, but when you go and make games that affect the main story exclusive to the IOS, that's where I have a major problem. And the reason I went Android was because when I got it, the iPhone was exclusive to Cingular/AT&T. Now I can't afford an Iphone.
I'm just gonna say I feel lucky for not getting into the ME universe and I sympathize with my brothers in gaming that did... EA treated them like crap.
I'm just gonna say I feel lucky for not getting into the ME universe and I sympathize with my brothers in gaming that did... EA treated them like crap.
Great read. It's a shame this madness will only continue, we all know that alternative-ending is gonna cost money and enough people are mad enough to pay for it. Thruth is that the days of Bioware RPG's are over. They are now about mainstream "action" games with a mainstream fanbase willing to accept everything that is thrown at them. I've stopped purchasing their games and will continue to do so until they change, which they never will thanks to all the encouraging money they bring in from this hideous business model. We gamers are the one's to blame not Bioware. So if people can do without an extra armor and a pissy side-mission in the future this will end, if not the ball will keep rolling and expressing our frustration on forums is totally pointless.
Great read. It's a shame this madness will only continue, we all know that alternative-ending is gonna cost money and enough people are mad enough to pay for it. Thruth is that the days of Bioware RPG's are over. They are now about mainstream "action" games with a mainstream fanbase willing to accept everything that is thrown at them. I've stopped purchasing their games and will continue to do so until they change, which they never will thanks to all the encouraging money they bring in from this hideous business model. We gamers are the one's to blame not Bioware. So if people can do without an extra armor and a pissy side-mission in the future this will end, if not the ball will keep rolling and expressing our frustration on forums is totally pointless.
Wonderfully covered and written. I was nearly sleepless the night I beat Mass Effect 3, the thought of all the hard work I put into the series, into creating my own Shepard's story, was thrown right out the window in the last ten minutes of the game. It kinda left a mark, considering it had quickly become one of my favorite game series. But I've moved on, and I'm now focused on Max Payne 3.
Wonderfully covered and written. I was nearly sleepless the night I beat Mass Effect 3, the thought of all the hard work I put into the series, into creating my own Shepard's story, was thrown right out the window in the last ten minutes of the game. It kinda left a mark, considering it had quickly become one of my favorite game series. But I've moved on, and I'm now focused on Max Payne 3.
Bioware seem to keep on taking well-designed series and mucking them up. Dragon Age, now Mass Effect...what next? ME3 should have been spectacularly hard for them to mess up. Yet somehow...they achieved it...
Bioware seem to keep on taking well-designed series and mucking them up. Dragon Age, now Mass Effect...what next? ME3 should have been spectacularly hard for them to mess up. Yet somehow...they achieved it...
I'm not going to bother buying ME 3 because of how it ended. I'm done with Ea/ Bioware.
I haven't played ME 3 and to be honest I didn't have it in my plans, but after reading this blog, I think I will get this game when its prices drops out of pure curiosity to see with my own eyes how much EA have f.. up the franchise. I mean it's shocking even for the standards of EA.
I haven't played ME 3 and to be honest I didn't have it in my plans, but after reading this blog, I think I will get this game when its prices drops out of pure curiosity to see with my own eyes how much EA have f.. up the franchise. I mean it's shocking even for the standards of EA.
You know something.. .it is entirely possible for me to the live the rest of my life never playing this game. I mean, hell... if I never got around to finishing Xenosaga II and even playing III as the first is one of my favorite RPGs of all time, then I can just as easily disregard Mass Effect from this point on. I will NOT buy any of their DLC, and after hearing about the ending, I have zero interest in picking this game up any time soon. I consider myself blessed with the ability to not care, as it lets me comfortably give up a game that closes (whatever definition you chose to subscribe to) a saga that I have waited so long for to conclude. A lot of gamers have witnessed this franchise change for the wrong reasons, yet they haven't been able to fight off their compulsion to get this game, and they just suck it up and enjoy the story... until that is... the ending.
You know something.. .it is entirely possible for me to the live the rest of my life never playing this game. I mean, hell... if I never got around to finishing Xenosaga II and even playing III as the first is one of my favorite RPGs of all time, then I can just as easily disregard Mass Effect from this point on. I will NOT buy any of their DLC, and after hearing about the ending, I have zero interest in picking this game up any time soon. I consider myself blessed with the ability to not care, as it lets me comfortably give up a game that closes (whatever definition you chose to subscribe to) a saga that I have waited so long for to conclude. A lot of gamers have witnessed this franchise change for the wrong reasons, yet they haven't been able to fight off their compulsion to get this game, and they just suck it up and enjoy the story... until that is... the ending.
I finished Mass Effect 3 this past weekend and after it was all said and done Mass Effect 2 is still my favorite. I was really surprised by all the negative reactions so I felt tentative going in, but after a bit (without giving anything away for other people who want to play it) I started feeling right at home. I definitely don't want to buy used I just think I need to not let hype get the best of me in regards to titles in the future AND wait for a price drop (for example: I only spent $5.00 on Rage for the PS3). Plus, it wouldn't hurt to play a demo every now and again to get a feel for upcoming titles. A well written blog for sure too.;)
I finished Mass Effect 3 this past weekend and after it was all said and done Mass Effect 2 is still my favorite. I was really surprised by all the negative reactions so I felt tentative going in, but after a bit (without giving anything away for other people who want to play it) I started feeling right at home. I definitely don't want to buy used I just think I need to not let hype get the best of me in regards to titles in the future AND wait for a price drop (for example: I only spent $5.00 on Rage for the PS3). Plus, it wouldn't hurt to play a demo every now and again to get a feel for upcoming titles. A well written blog for sure too.;)
Great read,you really coverd it all up,don't know what more to say :) Indeed,the only way to fight this is to vote with your wallet,move on,and that's exactly what Im doing here,NOT buying ME3.Really sad how low such a great trilogy plummeted,though :cry:
Great read,you really coverd it all up,don't know what more to say :) Indeed,the only way to fight this is to vote with your wallet,move on,and that's exactly what Im doing here,NOT buying ME3.Really sad how low such a great trilogy plummeted,though :cry:
This is really well written and sadly all true:( i have a perfect response to this kind of practices that i recommend to all who feel cheated/betrayed.. wait for the ultimate edition and buy it USED:)))
This is really well written and sadly all true:( i have a perfect response to this kind of practices that i recommend to all who feel cheated/betrayed.. wait for the ultimate edition and buy it USED:)))
I loved Mass Effect 3. I've been a fan of the series since the beginning and I was really enjoying seeing the conclusion of this epic story.... until the ending. I don't know what they were thinking.
I loved Mass Effect 3. I've been a fan of the series since the beginning and I was really enjoying seeing the conclusion of this epic story.... until the ending. I don't know what they were thinking.
one of the best blog posts I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Handsomely done good sir. and needless to say, I agree with you in full. to be honest, even without the issues you've detailed, ME3 is still only a 7/10 type game for me, as I'm honestly just finding the game to be fairly mediocre.
one of the best blog posts I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Handsomely done good sir. and needless to say, I agree with you in full. to be honest, even without the issues you've detailed, ME3 is still only a 7/10 type game for me, as I'm honestly just finding the game to be fairly mediocre.
Rich coming from Gerstmann. I imagine he hated the ending, but didn't say how much it sucked in his review. (I say this in 100% ignorance.) Oh, and don't tell them to move on! Where's the fun in that for an outsider? GET MORE PISSED OFF PEOPLE!
Rich coming from Gerstmann. I imagine he hated the ending, but didn't say how much it sucked in his review. (I say this in 100% ignorance.) Oh, and don't tell them to move on! Where's the fun in that for an outsider? GET MORE PISSED OFF PEOPLE!
Never got into the Mass Effect games and from the looks of it, I never will. --- "Any future Silent Hill added to my collection will have nice big "used" sticker on it until Konami cleans up their act regarding the franchise." Bloody seconded. --- Damn it! What the hell happened to gaming?! I used to turn on a console with such joy... Now turning on a console is like walking into a crowded shopping mall full of advertisements and consumer drones wandering about, mindlessly gobbling down bottom quality fast-food products.
Never got into the Mass Effect games and from the looks of it, I never will. --- "Any future Silent Hill added to my collection will have nice big "used" sticker on it until Konami cleans up their act regarding the franchise." Bloody seconded. --- Damn it! What the hell happened to gaming?! I used to turn on a console with such joy... Now turning on a console is like walking into a crowded shopping mall full of advertisements and consumer drones wandering about, mindlessly gobbling down bottom quality fast-food products.
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