Casey Hudson, Mass Effect's Project Director, Leaves BioWare

[Mike Hoffman]

[tweet t="https://twitter.com/bioware/status/497479962866503680"]​

Many Mass Effect fans blame Hudson for the infamous ending to the trilogy. I'm sure Hudson was involved in a lot of things that we loved about Mass Effect, but there are some crazy talented people at that company that should hopefully get more of a voice in projects. That is, if certain people (Patrick Weekes and David Gaider, please) get to move up in the company.

 

[Elfgore]

I thought Casey and his buddy were absolved of the ending drama? Something like they had to do it because of EA being EA.

Anyway, shame to see him go. Creative guy and a key person in Bioware. This is equal to me seeing Todd Howard leave Bethesda. I'd probably cry.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Would've laughed if it was his leaving letter was just "I should go."

Probably for the best. Took a lot of shit, rightly or wrongly (probably wrongly in most forms, if I know the internet), for how Mass Effect 3 turned out. The statement about the endings in particular kinda killed him, credibility wise.

 

[Erttheking]

For all the crap he may or may not have done, his departure leaves a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about the quality of ME4. And the feeling was already pretty bad before I got this news.

 

[Zhukov]

Good fucking riddance.

Okay, that's probably a bit harsh. He was a big part of Mass Effect from the start, and I do of course love me some Mass Effect. So a good chunk of what I loved about the series is probably owed to him.

However, the whole ending... thing kinda tainted his name. The trilogy is over, for better or for worse and I'm not sorry to see him go.

Now someone promote Patrick Weekes to head writer and we'll be all set.

 

[Vault101]

For all the crap he may or may not have done, his departure leaves a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about the quality of ME4. And the feeling was already pretty bad before I got this news.

if what I hear is true (him being responsbile for that....clusterfuck of an ending) then I cry no tears

I thought Casey and his buddy were absolved of the ending drama? Something like they had to do it because of EA being EA.
.

I can understand that.....though I don't agree with:

1. disengeniously defending it based on some artistic wank c'mon we all know whats up

2. I mean I get it...your in a tight spot...but christ you still [i/]dun fucked up[/i]

However, the whole ending... thing kinda tainted his name. The trilogy is over, for better or for worse and I'm not sorry to see him go.

at this point I'm not bothered, its "over" it can only get better and if it gets worse its no issue

that said I don't think that means things HAVE to get worse....we don't always need to put the success/failure of certain projects on one or two specific people/known names

 

[Zhukov]

However, the whole ending... thing kinda tainted his name. The trilogy is over, for better or for worse and I'm not sorry to see him go.

at this point I'm not bothered, its "over" it can only get better and if it gets worse its no issue

Yeah, that's basically my attitude toward it too. I'll happily buy ME4 if it looks good, or even just looks decent, but I'm not auto-buying it because it happens to have the name of one of my favourite series stuck on the front.

If it sucks, then hey, whatever, series over, no longer my problem.

Plus, of course, I am curious (perhaps morbidly curious) to see how they go about bolting another game onto ME after, well... y'know.

I think this is for the best. He's got some definite cred, but deciding to write an entire ending by himself and Mac Walters without the rest of the writing team shows a serious lack of judgement.

Was the whole Hudson-and-Walters-barricaded-themselves-in-the-writing-room story ever actually proven or confirmed in any way?

I mean, I love a good rumour as much as the next clown and it's nice to be able to pin it on two specific individuals, but a rumour really is just a rumour.

 

[NemotheElvenPanda]

I just hope there's someone to replace him, along with all the other writers that've left Bioware in the pass few years after DA2 was released. It worries me if Bioware loses too many people that EA will start getting their claws further into their games than they are already. DAI is looking amazing, but how long will that last?

 

[Vault101]

Plus, of course, I am curious (perhaps morbidly curious) to see how they go about bolting another game onto ME after, well... y'know.

all that and the fact we've gone almost as low as its possible to go...

anyway I'm beting it will be side-qul....possibly pre quel

[quote/]
I mean, I love a good rumour as much as the next clown and it's nice to be able to pin it on two specific individuals, but a rumour really is just a rumour.[/quote]

if all else fails blame EA

DAI is looking amazing, but how long will that last?

I don't like my chances but I am hoping it will be good....

 

[IceStar100]

Good fucking riddance.

Okay, that's probably a bit harsh. He was a big part of Mass Effect from the start, and I do of course love me some Mass Effect. So a good chunk of what I loved about the series is probably owed to him.

However, the whole ending... thing kinda tainted his name. The trilogy is over, for better or for worse and I'm not sorry to see him go.

Now someone promote Patrick Weekes to head writer and we'll be all set.

I could not agree more. To be honest his leaving mostly a good thing. Best of luck to him in the future but stay out of vida games.

 

[TristanBelmont]

I thought Casey and his buddy were absolved of the ending drama? Something like they had to do it because of EA being EA.

Wellllllll it's kind of confusing to figure out exactly what happened with all that and I think it's best to leave sleeping dogs be but I'll try to sum it up simply.

Due to EA wanting the game out YESTERDAY the production was rushed, but at the same time Hudson kinda wanted to end the trilogy his way, so there is shared blame to be shared all around the sharers.

 

[Fox12]

I'm not saying this is a good thing, I'm just saying

 

[putowtin]

this is the greatest news....

seriously so happy! I know he did good work to begin with, but that ending still hurts, but what hurt more were the lies, telling fans to like it or lump it.

Go, do other things and allow someone new to steer the series from this point on.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Wait, I thought the problem with the Mass Effect series was that each game was handled by different writers. Sure Casey might've been responsible for the dismal ending, but the writing was already on the wall with ME2 doing nothing to progress the plot. I don't know how much weight Casey Hudson had at the company, but I doubt he was the sole reason everything went a bit shitty. And ultimately Bioware is still owned by EA.

I'm really not expecting Bioware to suddenly become less... Bioware due to Casey Hudson leaving.

 

[The Lunatic]

So, do you think when leaving the building for a final time, he took the front door, back door or garage exit?

Whilst obviously EA rotted Bioware to the core, it's good to see it's no longer tainted by this guy specifically.

Not that I think the next Mass Effect will be remotely decent, but, hey, at least we won't have to choose between Magenta, Teal and Crimson.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

That's rather unfortunate. There was a time when emotion ran high and I would've been ecstatic to hear this. But I realize now, having had time to cool down, that it isn't healthy to hope someone resigns or gets fired because of a decision they made that you don't like. I hope that he finds a new position that keeps him solvent.

But, since I'm still a little bitter, I'll admit that this does perk me up just a little bit.

 

[mmiki]

EA sucked the soul out of Bioware ages ago. Him staying or going doesn't change much in that respect. And yes I'm still bitter because of ME3 and it wasn't just the ending.