BioWare Supports Beleaguered Writer

[Brad Shepard]

I have my own opinion, so i must be a troll, classy.

Did you read the post?
That wasn't his point.

I really couldn't care less, I get told to GTFO, im not going to read his post, simple as that.

 

[Macgyvercas]

As crazy as I think it is to work in the industry and not like playing games, I don't think that warrents hatred when that hatred could just as easily be directed at, say, Rick Santorum for being a homophobic fundimentalist tosspot.

 

[Knight Templar]

I have my own opinion, so i must be a troll, classy.

Did you read the post?
That wasn't his point.

I really couldn't care less, I get told to GTFO, im not going to read his post, simple as that.

That was a big mistake, since now you really do look like a troll. If you don't read the post don't respond next time, save yourself the trouble.

 

[Brad Shepard]

I heard about her new book, how piss poor it is, plus she wrote some really bad parts of DA:O and I just have to say this, the fact that they are adding male homosexuality in the last installment of Shepard's story seems very off if you ask me.

All the same, saw the title of this article, had to grab this.

What parts? She wrote most of the Dwarven stuff, which was all fantastic, IMO.

Not to mention, as so many people like to disregard, she has NOTHING to do with Mass Effect.

never said she did.

This person is someone who posts on forums with content concerning their own opinions in current affairs. It is often theorised by social commentators that people who post forums with content concerning their own opinions in current affairs are moronic, homosexual twats.


See what I did there? It might look like I just called you a moronic, homosexual twat, but in actual fact, what I wrote were two completely unrelated sentences (the accuracy of the second notwithstanding). Still, because both sentences featured a similar "linking" theme (ie. people who post on forums with content regarding their own opinions in current affairs), there is an implication that I called you a moronic, homosexual twat.

For another example of this literary phenomenon, I shall draw your attention to the author's original statement. First of all, it is one single, long sentence, but can be split into two, which feature seemingly-related topics.

The first,

"I heard about her new book, how piss poor it is, plus she wrote some really bad parts of DA:O..."

draws attention initially to the author's opinions regarding [Hepler's] writing in EA games, specifically how "piss poor" it is. Notably, half of the author's opinion is based solely on word-of-mouth reviews of [Hepler's] new book, and thus doesn't even really represent his actual views. Not relevant for the purposes of this analysis, but interesting nonetheless.

The second,

"...and I just have to say this, the fact that they are adding male homosexuality in the last installment of Shepard's story seems very off if you ask me"

draws upon the similar theme of the writing in EA's games. Examined closely, it clearly shows no mention of [Hepler's] writing, or suggestion that she was part of the writing team for Mass Effect. However, seeing as it's relationship to the actual topic being discussed (ie. Hepler's writing] is cursory at best, one would question its relevance to the discussion at all. In truth, the answer is none: there is no relevance. However, coupled with the previous statement, regarding [Hepler's] writing, and further exemplified by the linking of the similar underlying theme, ie. writing in EA's games, there is no reason why the reader shouldn't come to the conclusion that the author is of the opinion that [Hepler] is responsible, at least in part, for a very specific aspect of Mass Effect 3's plot, which for unspecified reasons he feels are "off". Thus I have established the presence of an "implication" in the author's writing.

However, after having this implication drawn to his attention, he denies partaking in any such opinion, or so it would appear. Instead, he specifies that he "never said [Hepler had anything to do with Mass Effect 3]" which is, as I have demonstrated above, entirely accurate. Instead of denying that this is his opinion, clarifying his original statement, or showing any indication that he has given the matter more than the most cursory of deliberations, he simply brushes off the accusation with an accurate yet misleading comment.

The fact that the author didn't even attempt to separate the two original sentences throws further suspicion on his supposed obliviousness to the implication he was making. The use of implications in both writing prose and everyday conversation is universal and far-reaching, and thus I surmise that the author is suitably familiar with the concept, enough to know exactly what he is implying, and is therefore being purposefully obtuse and inflammatory, with the intention of "trolling", disguised as a (poor) attempt at simply appearing critical.

tl;dr: GTFO troll.

I have my own opinion, so i must be a troll, classy.

Whether you were trolling or not (I don't believe you were) you have to admit, that guy can analyze a sentence like a boss.

Oh, and re: what you didn't like about DA:O, fair enough. I disagree, but hey, opinions are opinions.

Well, I thank you at least for being respectful about this.

 

[Lunar Templar]

You seem to have missed the part where she fanned the flames by retorting to her detractors. Honestly, this is a situation where I just hate everyone involved. Responding to torrents of bile with the phrase "I just figure they're jealous that I get to have both a vagina AND a games industry job, and they can't get either." is just asking for trouble.

asking for trouble? yes

its still all kinds of win.

besides, they people are running on the 'i don't like it so it shouldn't exist' header, they don't deserve any kind of respect from any one

 

[ZeroMachine]

I have my own opinion, so i must be a troll, classy.

Did you read the post?
That wasn't his point.

I really couldn't care less, I get told to GTFO, im not going to read his post, simple as that.

That was a big mistake, since now you really do look like a troll. If you don't read the post don't respond next time, save yourself the trouble.

Hilariously awesome as that guy's breakdown of Brad's sentence was, he never did, and doesn't now, look like a troll. If the guy had left the troll accusation out of that explanation, it would have simply been a hilarious explanation of why I thought he said that.

As it stands now, it's equally inflammatory.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

I'm not gonna question Helper's ability to write in this thread, I will however question not only her's, but Aaryn Flynn's response to it. Flynn, in defense of her told several people to fuck off and called them 'fucking morons' (He didn't even have the hindsight to delete the tweets.) and Helper believes that the hate stems from jealousy and hate toward her career and vagina for some reason :/ I really wish I was making that up too. I don't care what the fuck anyone does to you. You're representing a business and if you're gonna throw a hissy fit like that as soon as someone insults you, you should be fired ASAP, especially if you're gonna start PR nightmares like Flynn did.

Not only that, but if you're in the entertainment business, regardless of position, isn't one of the key rules to 'think before speaking?' I don't know why she was surprised at the outrage. Gamers getting mad because you believe that skipping the part of the medium that defines it would be best? Who would have guessed! If you don't like the gameplay, you're working for the wrong industry.

 

[GeneralFungi]

It's funny how people can seem to put all of the weight of Bioware's supposed 'downfall' on the shoulders on one or two people. Even if they're complete waste of money due to their terrible work production. That's like holding 2 leeches responsible for a whale's heart failure. (Strange analogy, but I think it works.)

As if there really is really a big decline in Bioware's quality and not just a big group of self entitled fans completely hopeless to satisfy hunger for someone to take out their fustrations on and nostalgia clouded minds.

As crazy as I think it is to work in the industry and not like playing games, I don't think that warrents hatred when that hatred could just as easily be directed at, say, Rick Santorum for being a homophobic fundimentalist tosspot.

I sort of agree with you, but there's a lot of people in the games industry who don't play games at all. Why doesn't the gaming community just flame all of the publishers and other people working inside of the games industry but don't actually play the games? Because you know, alienating our pass time from others will most certainly benefit us in the end.

 

[Andy Chalk]

Mrs Hepler is not really talented in her domain

She's good enough to get and keep a job at BioWare, and work on some very high-profile projects. Regardless of what you think of BioWare's recent games, that puts her in some very exclusive company and speaks rather highly of her abilities.

More importantly, it's entirely irrelevant. Disagreeing with her or disliking her work is perfect valid, but calling her horrid names and demanding that she kill herself automatically invalidates any opinion you may hold. The quality of her work has absolutely zero bearing on what's happened to her over the past week.

You're representing a business and if you're gonna throw a hissy fit like that as soon as someone insults you, you should be fired ASAP, especially if you're gonna start PR nightmares like Flynn did.

I disagree and fortunately, so does BioWare. Some people - like the people who started all this - deserve nothing more than a casual "fuck you" and perhaps a ban from whatever forum they've infested. "The customer is always right" is a lie; sometimes the customer is a piece of shit and needs to be told about it.

 

[Souplex]

I heard about her new book, how piss poor it is, plus she wrote some really bad parts of DA:O and I just have to say this, the fact that they are adding male homosexuality in the last installment of Shepard's story seems very off if you ask me.

All the same, saw the title of this article, had to grab this.

What parts? She wrote most of the Dwarven stuff, which was all fantastic, IMO.

Not to mention, as so many people like to disregard, she has NOTHING to do with Mass Effect.

But how much did she have to do with the abomination that was DA: II?

 

[Macgyvercas]

It's funny how people can seem to put all of the weight of Bioware's supposed 'downfall' on the shoulders on one or two people. Even if they're complete waste of money due to their terrible work production. That's like holding 2 leeches responsible for a whale's heart failure. (Strange analogy, but I think it works.)

As if there really is really a big decline in Bioware's quality and not just a big group of self entitled fans completely hopeless to satisfy hunger for someone to take out their fustrations on and nostalgia clouded minds.

As crazy as I think it is to work in the industry and not like playing games, I don't think that warrents hatred when that hatred could just as easily be directed at, say, Rick Santorum for being a homophobic fundimentalist tosspot.

I sort of agree with you, but there's a lot of people in the games industry who don't play games at all. Why doesn't the gaming community just flame all of the publishers and other people working inside of the games industry but don't actually play the games? Because you know, alienating our pass time from others will most certainly benefit us in the end.

I'm sorry, but what? I don't quite understand your quote (apologies, but it's late and I'm tired). I can only assume you're sarcastically agreeing with me to make some kind of point, but what that point is, I haven't a clue.

If I've completely missed the mark, feel free to flame me, but again, in my defense, I am rather tired and can't think straight at the moment.

 

[ZeroMachine]

I heard about her new book, how piss poor it is, plus she wrote some really bad parts of DA:O and I just have to say this, the fact that they are adding male homosexuality in the last installment of Shepard's story seems very off if you ask me.

All the same, saw the title of this article, had to grab this.

What parts? She wrote most of the Dwarven stuff, which was all fantastic, IMO.

Not to mention, as so many people like to disregard, she has NOTHING to do with Mass Effect.

But how much did she have to do with the abomination that was DA: II?

From the DA Wiki:

Hepler wrote Anders, Bethany, Leandra, Elthina, Cullen, and Sebastian Vael. She also wrote most of the Legacy DLC for Dragon Age II.

For the record, I loved Dragon Age 2. Not as much as the first, but I still loved it. And I thought Legacy was amazing.

 

[GeneralFungi]

I'm sorry, but what? I don't quite understand your quote (apologies, but it's late and I'm tired). I can only assume you're sarcastically agreeing with me to make some kind of point, but what that point is, I haven't a clue.

If I've completely missed the mark, feel free to flame me, but again, in my defense, I am rather tired and can't think straight at the moment.

I probably should have used an indent or something.. the sarcasm was intended for the people who are being childish (not you).

 

[Baresark]

Yeah, wouldn't want someone who gives a shit about writing to work on your games? That is just idiotic. I feel for this woman and I can sympathize. It's not a big deal that she doesn't like to play video games. I don't really understand why anyone would attack her for it. Her job isn't to play video games, or to program code, it's to write stories. I give her props for her good work.

 

[Eleima]

For the life of me, I don't understand what the big deal is. She's a *writer*, she doesn't have to like playing video games, as long as she keeps writing great stories for them! I, for one, like her work, and am glad that the higher ups came out and defended her.

Although her "I just figure they're jealous that I get to have both a vagina AND a games industry job, and they can't get either" response was pure win, in my book. If it's fanning the flames, then for once, I don't care.

 

[ResonanceSD]

Mrs Hepler is not really talented in her domain

She's good enough to get and keep a job at BioWare, and work on some very high-profile projects. Regardless of what you think of BioWare's recent games, that puts her in some very exclusive company and speaks rather highly of her abilities.

More importantly, it's entirely irrelevant. Disagreeing with her or disliking her work is perfect valid, but calling her horrid names and demanding that she kill herself automatically invalidates any opinion you may hold. The quality of her work has absolutely zero bearing on what's happened to her over the past week.

Andy, ever tried posting criticism, well researched, well argued criticism on the bioware forums? It gets a) pulled pretty fast by mods or b) you get shouted down by the people who spend all day there like drones. Yes, the criticism went way too far, but when it's done in the "official" setting of the BW forums, it's not there for long before it's pulled.

 

[lacktheknack]

As much as those people are fucking morons, he shouldn't have come out and said it. But yeah, it is cute that we want our community to be taken seriously when stuff like this is still happening.

Huh? Of course he should have. They're a bunch of cunts. It should be highlighted, and as many people as possible should condemn them for it.

I know they are, but he needs to show professionalism.

I fail to see how backing your own member of staff, who has been subjected to an inordinate amount of online abuse, is unprofessional.

That is practically the definition of professionalism.

He's talking about "Whatever, fucking moron."

Which was quite unprofessional, but they've made up for it with this update.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

They call this bullying? *facepalm* Fucking really? I understand and support Bioware's decision even though I don't understand - can she not get a writing job somewhere else? I don't even. But insulting (over the internet even) someone is not bullying, dammit. Have you been bullied before? Cry me a river.

"I just figure they're jealous that I get to have both a vagina AND a games industry job, and they can't get either."

This too. What the fuck?

Also I want to know if she's responsible for the Anders' part of DA2. That was done really bad. It didn't even feel like Anders off of Awakening - it felt wrong ='(

 

[Darkmantle]

The irony of course is that the majority of the hate comes from "her" decision to write in gay subplots



But she isnt a ME wirter! LAWL