Dragon Age II - Final Thoughts (Bioware interview)

[wasalp]

-Depth simply isn?t important. Being able to outfit your party just isn?t worth them not looking the way the artist wants them to look.

I can actually give him this. Considering how bad armor (robes in particular) looked in DA:O, and that two or more characters wearing the exact same armor was a bit of a turn-off, it wasn't a bad decision. I just wish they had implemented it a little better, I especially wish they would have taken advantage of the 3-year gaps and changed the character armors (if only just a little) between years, both to indicate that time had passed and to reflect how each character developed over the years.

...umm they did.

edit: oups for one character(Avelyn). I admit that armour should have progressed(a bit) with time.

My biggest issue with the game was the copy pasted dungeons, yuk!

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

I am impressed with how long you guys can keep the hate train churning without running out of steam, getting bored, and going on to do something not pointless.

This might go on as long as the Oblivion hate train, which still hasn't ended.

Imagine how bad it'll get when Skyrim releases....I'll be in my bunker.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I'm totally shocked that a developer of a game would deign to defend their work against criticism. I mean, everyone knows that it's the real honest and serious fans of previous games in the series that should determine the direction a series takes and not the minds behind it's development. I also think said real honest and serious fans of a series will never ever pay attention to this developer ever again.

.. ahem. Great interview. My only issue with it is that it doesn't include the one real factual complaint about DA2 that both fans and haters of the game bring forward, the apparent rushed nature of the game best demonstrated in the constantly regurgitated environments and dungeon maps. Given the developers candour in the rest of the interview, I would have liked to hear his stance on that topic.

 

[Canadish]

I hate to get personal, as its not relevant to the discussion, but...

I cant help but get the feeling of a greasy used car salesman from Mike Laidlaw. I cant listen to him for more then a minute without getting the creeps.

On topic;
As a new Bioware fan, particularly of Dragon Age Origins, this interview does not make me feel better. The franchise is going away from what it was, and looks to become something I dont want to buy.
Dragon Age 2 was a big let down after Origins. And Bioware has not seemed to notice the problems. Or they're choosing not to acknowledge it.
It wasn't all awful. But there is very little good I have to say about it.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

I am impressed with how long you guys can keep the hate train churning without running out of steam, getting bored, and going on to do something not pointless.

This might go on as long as the Oblivion hate train, which still hasn't ended.

Imagine how bad it'll get when Skyrim releases....I'll be in my bunker.

I wasn't around here back when Oblivion was released. Was the hate train really so bad that you'd want a bunker for the Skyrim release?

Also that avatar equals a thumbs up from me given what game it's from.

It was more the rage across the net. And considering the die-hard Morrowind fans on here, it could get ugly. And thanks. I love P4.

 

[Joshica Huracane]

I never really had a problem with not being able to personalise my companions armour. I liked that Isabela or Varric would ALWAYS look the way they did, because that look suited them. Should Bioware have added variations on it? Probably, yes. In my opinion I think they should allow you to use a piece of equipment for its benefits, but still have the look of another piece.

In Dragon Age Origins, I changed sten's armour, simply because they would add to his stats. It was never a cosmetic choice for me.

 

[Canadish]

I agree that he should have admitted that some things needed to be changed but at the same time the game wasn't extremely bad (it was good enough NOT to ruin the entire series, but yes it had it's disappointments here and there.)

I also feel bad for him because the Dragon Age team were actually quite confident that everybody would love the game (really confident) and the vitriol/rudeness on the Bioware forums has pissed them off a lot (and their developers are actually very sensitive lol...)

We needed less of this;

And more variety.

 

[Coldie]

And another thread about DA2 devolves into a flame war. White Knights and Flamers do make for good entertainment, though.

This is more fun than trying to play DA2 a second time, definitely. And that's hilarious sad terrible.

I think there was a ZP quote, about how fans will never be happy no matter what you do, that would fit very well here, but the exact wording eludes me.

It was displayed after each and every video for a long, long time:
"Fans are clingy complaining dipshits who will never ever be grateful for any concession you make. The sooner you shut out their shrill, tremulous voices the happier you will be for it. Incidentally, why not buy a Zero Punctuation t-shirt?"

And yeah, DA2 team is far too defensive in all their interviews and forum posts. No apologies or even acknowledgments, just "we like it the way it is", occasionally somewhat hostile in delivery. What a disaster of a game release.

 

[Susurrus]

Whoever typed up the interview fails, because Child of Bhaal is spelled like that, not Baal. If it was an emailed interview, and Laidlaw wrote it, he fails.

Also, he doesn't really seem to have listened to criticism. It very much sounds like this is the game he wanted to make, that he enjoys it, and damn everyone else.

 

[postblitz]

Laidlaw's opinions may be dissapointing for some, encouraging for others but there is one thing that stands above all considering people's thoughts on DA2.

Why does everyone act like they own the game, the direction of development and what is right or wrong with it?

In my opinion the game was a step forward concerning many little annoyances the first one had. Sure, some things may appear devolved from my perspective.. but who am I to say its better or worse?

There's this comment on the OP link that struck me:
"whitemute

Posted Apr 4, 2011 9:36 am PT

I'm just so tired of giving my money to these greedy people...."

So ... this guy is complaining that he gives away money -FREELY- to bioware and he dislikes what he's doing? Maybe you shouldn't do it then, you twat! Why do you and everyone else think demos/reviews/previews and dev interviews exist?

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TLDR: Do you think Leonardo da vinci working on Mona Lisa (or wtv other masterpiece) cared what some customers that bought his work think?

Make no mistake: games are art! If games would be made mechanically to stardards like cars or other engineering products they would all be dull!

About the aspect of finances I'd reckon if they'd have trouble selling DA2 they will take measures like retcons in comics.

PS: i hate that isabella didn't upgrade her armor(in looks/style) as merril did. Other than that.. i liked the chars iconic gear and i hate mages'shoulderpads being made of feathers and fur.

 

[AVATAR_RAGE]

-Depth simply isn't important. Being able to outfit your party just isn't worth them not looking the way the artist wants them to look. Being able to move the camera so that real tactical combat is possible isn't as important as having nice scenery.

I'd agree with them on this. It's hard to make a character look iconic if they are all wearing the same armor. As the the tactical camera, never really saw the need for it so...

I am on the fence with this, I think if devs are gonna have a set attire for a character in long games such as DA they should have a few alternate versions or different clothes all together, built into the system.

 

[Hiphophippo]

It always amuses me how irate mankind is willing to get when they don't like a product they've purchased.

Don't like DA2? Sorry. Get over it. You haven't been "betrayed" and it wasn't "personal", but judging by some of you people's posts you'd think it was. There are people in this thread that wish the developers physical harm.

Jesus christ, get over yourselves. It's a game. I enjoyed the first DA a fair bit more than the second but every game deserves to be judged on it's own merits. Some of you people need to take a few deep breaths and go play another game.

Why do people expect Bioware to own up to mistakes with the game? I liked the game quite a bit, so why would we assume people who spent a couple years making would feel otherwise?

 

[Susurrus]

Whoever typed up the interview fails, because Child of Bhaal is spelled like that, not Baal. If it was an emailed interview, and Laidlaw wrote it, he fails.

Also, he doesn't really seem to have listened to criticism. It very much sounds like this is the game he wanted to make, that he enjoys it, and damn everyone else.

isnt that his right ?

I mean it's not like the game has "for the greater good of mankind"slapped on its front
Busaco Toblifh indeed captcha

Well, it's potentially not the right attitude if you want to sell games in the future. It suggests a lack of honesty in his ability to view his own product, and is an indication that there probably won't be changes based on the criticism. Sure, he can do it if he wants, but I won't be buying another Bioware product whilst he's lead designer. That's all I can. It's a personal opinion only, clearly, but there it is.