BioWare Uses Stock Photo for Tali in Mass Effect 3

[Aisaku]

The thing is, those people they're based on are their voice actors, so it makes sense.

This was literally some graphic designer googling up a random image, spending 5 minutes in photoshop, and putting it into the game as the face of a character whose looks had been a mystery for 2 entire games.

And I agree it's lazy as hell, but still this isn't the biggest transgression on this front so far... ripping off random internet images for final product scenes? Ripping the damn Walking Dead for their marketing materials? It's disrespectful... of their audience, and of their own reputation.

Some acknowledgement, an olive branch must be extended. Otherwise the crapstorm will continue. At least tease some of the planned DLC... that would drain the wound, and give the naysayers something to speculate about.

 

[Dalvyn]

I'm not upset that they used a stock photo. I am upset however, that it is a terrible photo, that she has hair when quarians aren't suppose to, and she is outside. Wouldn't she be in a ship? And her posing all sexy like that just seems out of character....

Also why is it so grainy? It's the future, I'm sure every damn camera is better than HD.

 

[unoleian]

Everything about this reveal was handled badly.

First, they took the easy way out by making her predictably good-looking.
Then, they took the lazy way out by spending less than a half hour tweaking a stock photo.
Then, they phoned it all in by turning one of the most anticipated reveals into a three second scene using said barely-altered stock photo.

It's disappointing, yeah. I was all game for a massive UN-reveal that ends with just another tease, or a horrifying snake-tentacle monster-face, which would have been even more awesome (and a gloriously hilarious F-U to all the unhealthily-obsessed Tali-mancers).

Instead, the entire character will now be remembered as a dispassionate phone-in and not much else.

There's nothing about this that wasn't a massive fumble on their part.

Lesson they should have learned from LOST: When struggling with revealing a big mystery, sometimes it's best to leave it unanswered at all.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

You know, at first, I was just a little bit upset at hearing that they used a stock image for the base of Tali's face, pardon the rhyme, but now, I just don't care, and for several reasons.

Firstly, it doesn't change Tali as a character. It does not affect her personality, the character growth shes gone through, and the only thing it does change is the image for whats under the mask.

Secondly, despite the method in which they came up with the final image of Tali's face, really, it doesn't look that bad. Shes kind of cute. And if all Quarian's look like that, there's potential for some really sexy Quarian babes underneath those suits, and for Kal'Reegar to pretty much just be an alternate, alien version of Jayne. Which, really, would make sense if you think about it.

And lastly, it doesn't make the game less fun, or draw me in any less. I'm still having a blast fucking up Cerberus, I'm still wanting to know how its all going to end, and I still had my Man-Shep make sweet love to her again, since hey, Tali is sweet. The shotgun helps too.

For all of those upset because of how they made that picture, yes, it does seem a little cheap, but really, the end result isn't bad. For those upset because she doesn't look like Dr. Zoidberg, well, I'm not really sorry you didn't get to have a laugh at the expense of those who decided to romance her, at least not because of that. Besides, you know that a fair amount of us would probably have romanced her again, anyway, even if she did look like Zoidberg. Or a Zerg, for that matter. I know I would've.

 

[Braedan]

Hahaha. I love watching all this ME3 hate.

She was going to look either stupid, or exactly like a human anyways. You all asked for this. I'm not sure how relevant it is that this was a stock photo or not, if it was a GOOD stock photo edit you all wouldn't care. I think everyone is just angry that she doesn't look like the same Tali that they imagined boning under that space suit. Because, how could she? she wasn't Photoshopped by you...

 

[PortalThinker113]

I would continue banging my head on a desk, but by this point if I continue, I may not be able to type coherently.

Seriously? Is this the level of pettiness we've sunk to in this ridiculous crusade against the evil sins of BioWare and the "WORST GAME EVAH," Mass Effect 3? Honestly? This was just a bit of a lackluster face reveal. Nothing more, nothing less. Tali is still one of my favorite characters in the series, and this does not change her personality, character development, or just general likeability one damn bit. No matter what face was revealed, SOMEONE would have gotten upset. And apparently usage of photos = poor writing now? That's cool, guys. That makes perfect sense.

For the record, I've been playing Mass Effect 3 for the past two days, and I'm loving every second of it. Sue me, but it's true. I'm going to go back to enjoying my game now instead of bitching about any tiny shred of information that comes out of BioWare.

 

[icnfde]

Statements like the above make it hard to understand exactly why people are upset. According to some, BioWare is lazy for using an image service instead of crafting the image from scratch, while others seem to use this as evidence for something else they didn't care for, like the writing. Could have BioWare have used a custom image? Yes. Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

Wait, isn't this the same guy that praised Dragon Age II for it's "innovate gameplay and masterful storytelling"? Not a direct quote obviously, but the review was practically gushing. And we're supposed to trust this guy's opinion because...?

Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

You couldn't be more ignorant if you tried. The fact that you said this makes me question whether or not you're an actual fan of the Mass Effect series at all or you're just a paid shill all dolled up on corporate endorsements from big daddy EA. The fact that a company actually spent money sending copies of their game into ****ing space only to cheap out on the graphics and art depart is spectacularly lazy design, intensified even moreso by the fact that this is supposedly a modern AAA developer.

 

[theonecookie]

Question why did they bother any thing they where going to do was going to get do was going to get a broadside side full of hate anyway thinking about it that probably why they did such a lazy piece of work

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Statements like the above make it hard to understand exactly why people are upset. According to some, BioWare is lazy for using an image service instead of crafting the image from scratch, while others seem to use this as evidence for something else they didn't care for, like the writing. Could have BioWare have used a custom image? Yes. Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

Wait, isn't this the same guy that praised Dragon Age II for it's "innovate gameplay and masterful storytelling"? Not a direct quote obviously, but the review was practically gushing. And we're supposed to trust this guy's opinion because...?

Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

You couldn't be more ignorant if you tried. The fact that you said this makes me question whether or not you're an actual fan of the Mass Effect series at all or you're just a paid shill all dolled up on corporate endorsements from big daddy EA. The fact that a company actually spent money sending copies of their game into ****ing space only to cheap out on the graphics and art depart is spectacularly lazy design, intensified even moreso by the fact that this is supposedly a modern AAA developer.

If I had a quid for every time somebody hinted that part of the escapist crew are being payed for their reviews, I'd be a very rich man.

Say what you want about his argument, but please, stay fucking classy.

 

[icnfde]

Statements like the above make it hard to understand exactly why people are upset. According to some, BioWare is lazy for using an image service instead of crafting the image from scratch, while others seem to use this as evidence for something else they didn't care for, like the writing. Could have BioWare have used a custom image? Yes. Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

Wait, isn't this the same guy that praised Dragon Age II for it's "innovate gameplay and masterful storytelling"? Not a direct quote obviously, but the review was practically gushing. And we're supposed to trust this guy's opinion because...?

Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

You couldn't be more ignorant if you tried. The fact that you said this makes me question whether or not you're an actual fan of the Mass Effect series at all or you're just a paid shill all dolled up on corporate endorsements from big daddy EA. The fact that a company actually spent money sending copies of their game into ****ing space only to cheap out on the graphics and art depart is spectacularly lazy design, intensified even moreso by the fact that this is supposedly a modern AAA developer.

If I had a quid for every time somebody hinted that part of the escapist crew are being payed for their reviews, I'd be a very rich man.

Say what you want about his argument, but please, stay fucking classy.

You obviously haven't seen his DA:II review then.

I never said paid reviews either, it's a known fact that a lot of these publications get deals on the side for giving positive endorsements, and spinning negativity around onto the consumers whenever something like this occurs. It's happened somewhat recently too when Activision threatened to pull advertising from a review site that criticized MW:3 only to have their PR agency pull an about-face and claim it was all a misunderstanding after a public backlash.

 

[sargeant15]

This is just lazy. Tali is a character that a lot of people know and love, so when you just copy some stock photo like this to represent what she looks like, fans do have the right to be angry. Now, if this were to be the case if the game's story was actually written well, I don't think people would be AS angry. But, considering everything that BioWare has done with ME3 that has angered fans as of late, this just fuels the fan rage (and rightfully so). Fans should really be vocal about things like this to show that doing stuff like this is unacceptable. We need to show BioWare that they really have done something wrong and not just write it off as a "who cares?" or "oh well!". I'm sorry, but I am incredibly disappointed with BioWare lately.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Statements like the above make it hard to understand exactly why people are upset. According to some, BioWare is lazy for using an image service instead of crafting the image from scratch, while others seem to use this as evidence for something else they didn't care for, like the writing. Could have BioWare have used a custom image? Yes. Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

Wait, isn't this the same guy that praised Dragon Age II for it's "innovate gameplay and masterful storytelling"? Not a direct quote obviously, but the review was practically gushing. And we're supposed to trust this guy's opinion because...?

Does using a stock image diminish your experience of the game? No.

You couldn't be more ignorant if you tried. The fact that you said this makes me question whether or not you're an actual fan of the Mass Effect series at all or you're just a paid shill all dolled up on corporate endorsements from big daddy EA. The fact that a company actually spent money sending copies of their game into ****ing space only to cheap out on the graphics and art depart is spectacularly lazy design, intensified even moreso by the fact that this is supposedly a modern AAA developer.

If I had a quid for every time somebody hinted that part of the escapist crew are being payed for their reviews, I'd be a very rich man.

Say what you want about his argument, but please, stay fucking classy.

You obviously haven't seen his DA:II review then.

I never said paid reviews either, it's a known fact that a lot of these publications get deals on the side for giving positive endorsements, and spinning negativity around onto the consumers whenever something like this occurs. It's happened somewhat recently too when Activision threatened to pull advertising from a review site that criticized MW:3 only to have their PR agency pull an about-face and claim it was all a misunderstanding after a public backlash.

I did, and I also don't think DA2 was as bad as everyone made out.

Greg loved the game, it was in his top 5 of the year, reviews aren't objective, obviously he didn't think the faults of the game had a huge impact on his opinion.

Now, either provide evidence that isn't speculative, or stop hinting at what I know you're hinting.

 

[Rad Party God]

Perhaps characters who are masked should stay that way. I'm looking at you, Samus Aran.

She was already "unmasked [http://www.platypuscomix.net/interactive/justinbailey.html]" with great detail in the 8 and 16 bit era.

OT: Now I'm even more afraid of playing ME3... but I just can't resist, I must see how Tali looks like >.<'

 

[almostgold]

I really, honestly cannot understand what there is to get mad about here? Not trying to be an ass, I just really don't get the reaction. Could someone who is insulted by this please explain it to me?

 

[T'Generalissimo]

Wow, and I thought the Asari were bad. Bioware must really work hard to be able to take all the myriad creative possibilites that an entire imagined galaxy provide and then only produce attractive human woman for the alien females. I don't suppose they manage to make up for it in other parts of the game do they?

 

[Fr]anc[is]

I really, honestly cannot understand what there is to get mad about here? Not trying to be an ass, I just really don't get the reaction. Could someone who is insulted by this please explain it to me?

You have a table reserved at your favorite restaurant, it makes all sorts of delicious meals that you love. You've been waiting all week to go because the workweek was awful and your coworkers can't stop bitching about EA. You finally arrive, sit down and order something delicious. Your cook then completely forgets about your order, and 45 minutes later throws a TV dinner in the microwave, and that is what is served to you. That's why people are upset.

 

[almostgold]

anc[is]

I really, honestly cannot understand what there is to get mad about here? Not trying to be an ass, I just really don't get the reaction. Could someone who is insulted by this please explain it to me?

You have a table reserved at your favorite restaurant, it makes all sorts of delicious meals that you love. You've been waiting all week to go because the workweek was awful and your coworkers can't stop bitching about EA. You finally arrive, sit down and order something delicious. Your cook then completely forgets about your order, and 45 minutes later throws a TV dinner in the microwave, and that is what is served to you. That's why people are upset.

Bold part made me laugh.

Let's imagine that stock photo didn't exist though, but Tali's in-game photo was still the same. Nothing has changed. The experience of playing the game is in no way different, but presumably fans wouldn't get mad.

Or is it just that most people simply don't like the way she looks, and the 'stock photo' aspect has little to do with it?

 

[Savber]

Talimanchers were going to be pissed either way... Stock photo or not!

 

[Fr]anc[is]

Bold part made me laugh.

Let's imagine that stock photo didn't exist though, but Tali's in-game photo was still the same. Nothing has changed. The experience of playing the game is in no way different, but presumably fans wouldn't get mad.

Or is it just that most people simply don't like the way she looks, and the 'stock photo' aspect has little to do with it?

Oh I'm sure some would still be upset that she is just a reskined human, and that I can sort of understand. All of the ME races except Asari were pretty unique and not just humans with one different thing. Personally I'm kinda numb to it along with the rest of the hate. After digesting this information I remembered I actually kinda liked this pic:

Spoiler