Forbes thinks Retaking Mass Effect 3 is a good thing.

[Teh Jammah]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

OK, bro, so, since this isn't an officla press statement or an advertising campaign, let me tell you about my new game which is gonna be available in the next 10myears or so. This is non officla, but its gonna involve holdeck technonlogy and basiclly be the best game ever. in fact i'm gonna take on board your and every one else who expresses an interest's opinoon as toi how to make it the best game ever. because you, my internet buddies are really like, my co-writers. Buy shares in my new company now, guys.

Spoiler: if you click this you can't sue me, or dispute anything i said above as anthing but incontroverible fact

I actually know fuck all about programming and would be lucky to make a shitty DoS game, with a 'rescue kidnapped princess' storyline

This is gonna be the best story ever.

... strawman? what're you talking about bro?

 

[Thoric485]

First part of the quote he was talking about what they are doing, the rest of it are vague descriptions of how the ending will be like.

Best of luck convincing a judge that this is "false advertising".

I haven't said anything about a judge (a legal battle against EA would be a pretty foolish endeavor in any case) and i don't see anything vague about Mr. Hudson explicitly stating that the ending is not in the A,B,C format.

An ending that wasn't in the A,B,C format was DA:O's - there were hundreds of unique endings depending on the Landsmeet, the archdemon fight, your origin story, your romances, every zone main quest. It was great, it really was a recent RPG of theirs where you couldn't classify an ending as A,B,C.

But ME3's ending is definitely like that, and saying that it wasn't in an interview in January was a blatant lie.

 

[Faerillis]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfwOqlnCKQs&t=2m29s


People invested too much time and concern over a mediocre sci fi story, spent entirely too much time on bioware forums and holding bioware to what they interpret to be a promise when no such promise was actually made. Ive still yet to see an actual advertisement or official press release before the game was released that said the game would have 17 different endings, and those endings would be reflective of your choices in the game and that they would all conclude the storyline in one cohesive vein. Its a paradox.

There is no logical ground to stand on. If you dont like a product, you stop buying products from that company in direct protest. Much like the notion of an (mostly)"always on" and Origin required Sim City 5 stops me from buying it. I didnt trust Sim City after as poor as I felt Sim City 4 was, so I used that skepticism and let it guide my purchase. So I wont be buying it. So ME zealots need to take this as a learning experience (why exactly didnt they prepare for this after the release of DA2 is beyond me) and make your wallet act as your voice. Like it or not this trying to force bioware to cave to the will of the irrational populous is not only illogical but counterproductive and damaging for the industry, as well as the customers.

All this has been said before by me or someone else, so instead of responding to quotes should they come, Im going to better utilize my time by.... demanding George Lucas rewrite and remake the prequel trilogy, all because I dont like it. At least then it would be fixing the error of what was an actually decent sci fi saga.

There are so many faults with this that I'll just address the three biggest ones.

First, You are talking past the actual points of Retake Mass Effect movement, which is all those against the movement have been able to do.
Second, you call Mass Effect a "mediocre" SciFi and Star Wars a good one... I don't know how you judge quality but here is a list of comparisons. More thoroughly developed universe; point Mass Effect. More real characters; Mass Effect. More moral reflection; Mass Effect. Cooler alien races; Mass Effect. Cool laser swords; Star Wars.
Third, there was promise after promise from the Devs regarding the ending ? all of which fell flat.

Show me the evidence that clearly states what the developers promised you. If you can't, then you don't really have much of a case of any kind - not even a "false advertising" one.

Except the vast collection of quotes from the Devs like Casey Hudson who explicitly stated that the endings would not be a clear A, B, C, choice and you wouldn't be able to tell how many endings there were. These quotes weren't hinting at that, but explicitly state that when clearly it was an A B C ending.

Don't just tell me. Show me where he said that.

I'm asking out of curiosity.

Well from Casey Hudson specifically:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/10/mass1525-effect-3-cas5ey-fdsafdhudson-interviewae.aspx?PostPageIndex=2

Yeah, and I?d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don?t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we?re taking into account so many decisions that you?ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It?s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.

It?s more like there are some really obvious things that are different and then lots and lots of smaller things, lots of things about who lives and who dies, civilizations that rose and fell, all the way down to individual characters. That becomes the state of where you left your galaxy. The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them. It would be interesting to see if somebody could put together a chart for that. Even with Mass Effect 2?s...

This was in GameInformer, a magazine run by GameStop, clearly advertising for the game.

But it's still an interview, not an advertisement, and thus claims of "false advertising" are not applicable.

No, it means that it doesn't fit within the legally challengable definition of False Advertising, and nowhere in here did I support the one fan who took it to the FTC. It is still an interview done solely for the sake of marketing the game, it is still a deplorable business practice, and in a perfect world they would either have to rectify their mistake or be fined.

Also these descriptions might have been vague, but even so they completely contradict the actual ending. Vague and All Encompassing are different.

 

[BreakfastMan]

First, that a developer has to live up to fan expectations, or else its reputation will be tarnished.

Whelp, there goes every developers reputation. Sorry every modern developer. Bethesda, you have to stop making Fallout games like Fallout 3. I know you really want to, but the fans say you should not, so I guess your reputation is irrecoverably tarnished.

PS: The "Retake" thing is still asinine.

Ok... I'm sorry but what?
What is the point you are trying to make there?
Sure, if the majority of fans didn't want more Fallout games to be made, and didn't want them, then Bethesda probably wouldn't make them. And if it did make them, they wouldn't be purchased by those fans.

The point I was trying to make is that bending to the fans every whim, like Forbes says developer should, is a very bad idea. Before Fallout 3 came out, only fans of the original Fallout games were Fallout fans. Most hated the idea of the new game and did not want it to be made. They hated it when it came out, despite the fact that it was one of the best games of 2008. If Bethesda had listened to Forbes, we would not have gotten that game. So I am very wary of making something to "appease the fans". Make a good game, and the fans will come. But, they should not feel beholden to the fans every whim, like Forbes suggest here. We would not get innovation, or even any new games then.

 

[deadish]

First part of the quote he was talking about what they are doing, the rest of it are vague descriptions of how the ending will be like.

Best of luck convincing a judge that this is "false advertising".

I haven't said anything about a judge (a legal battle against EA would be a pretty foolish endeavor in any case) and i don't see anything vague about Mr. Hudson explicitly stating that the ending is not in the A,B,C format.

An ending that wasn't in the A,B,C format was DA:O's - there were hundreds of unique endings depending on the Landsmeet, the archdemon fight, your origin story, your romances, every zone main quest. It was great, it really was a recent RPG of theirs where you couldn't classify an ending as A,B,C.

But ME3's ending is definitely like that, and saying that it wasn't in an interview in January was a blatant lie.

Well, someone did log a complain with the FCC ...

Either way, IMHO this incident will have a "chilling effect" on the industry - especially if the FCC sue Bioware/EA and they lose. You can expect developers to be ultra-careful about what they say now and every interview will take a run through the legal department just to make sure their asses are covered - any statement too concrete or specific, that might be used against them in the future should development not go as planned and something has to be cut, will be purge from the interview.

Oh well, I suppose we can kiss candid interviews good-bye. Every interview now will literally be treated as a press release. If that's the way gamers insist game developers communicate with them, then they will oblige.

 

[Warachia]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfwOqlnCKQs&t=2m29s


People invested too much time and concern over a mediocre sci fi story, spent entirely too much time on bioware forums and holding bioware to what they interpret to be a promise when no such promise was actually made. Ive still yet to see an actual advertisement or official press release before the game was released that said the game would have 17 different endings, and those endings would be reflective of your choices in the game and that they would all conclude the storyline in one cohesive vein. Its a paradox.

There is no logical ground to stand on. If you dont like a product, you stop buying products from that company in direct protest. Much like the notion of an (mostly)"always on" and Origin required Sim City 5 stops me from buying it. I didnt trust Sim City after as poor as I felt Sim City 4 was, so I used that skepticism and let it guide my purchase. So I wont be buying it. So ME zealots need to take this as a learning experience (why exactly didnt they prepare for this after the release of DA2 is beyond me) and make your wallet act as your voice. Like it or not this trying to force bioware to cave to the will of the irrational populous is not only illogical but counterproductive and damaging for the industry, as well as the customers.

All this has been said before by me or someone else, so instead of responding to quotes should they come, Im going to better utilize my time by.... demanding George Lucas rewrite and remake the prequel trilogy, all because I dont like it. At least then it would be fixing the error of what was an actually decent sci fi saga.

There are so many faults with this that I'll just address the three biggest ones.

First, You are talking past the actual points of Retake Mass Effect movement, which is all those against the movement have been able to do.
Second, you call Mass Effect a "mediocre" SciFi and Star Wars a good one... I don't know how you judge quality but here is a list of comparisons. More thoroughly developed universe; point Mass Effect. More real characters; Mass Effect. More moral reflection; Mass Effect. Cooler alien races; Mass Effect. Cool laser swords; Star Wars.
Third, there was promise after promise from the Devs regarding the ending ? all of which fell flat.

Show me the evidence that clearly states what the developers promised you. If you can't, then you don't really have much of a case of any kind - not even a "false advertising" one.

Except the vast collection of quotes from the Devs like Casey Hudson who explicitly stated that the endings would not be a clear A, B, C, choice and you wouldn't be able to tell how many endings there were. These quotes weren't hinting at that, but explicitly state that when clearly it was an A B C ending.

Don't just tell me. Show me where he said that.

I'm asking out of curiosity.

Well from Casey Hudson specifically:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/10/mass1525-effect-3-cas5ey-fdsafdhudson-interviewae.aspx?PostPageIndex=2

Yeah, and I?d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don?t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we?re taking into account so many decisions that you?ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It?s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.

It?s more like there are some really obvious things that are different and then lots and lots of smaller things, lots of things about who lives and who dies, civilizations that rose and fell, all the way down to individual characters. That becomes the state of where you left your galaxy. The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them. It would be interesting to see if somebody could put together a chart for that. Even with Mass Effect 2?s...

This was in GameInformer, a magazine run by GameStop, clearly advertising for the game.

But it's still an interview, not an advertisement, and thus claims of "false advertising" are not applicable.

Bullshit, there are a few things wrong with that statement: 1. You're dismissing what you asked for in the first place,
2. An interview where you talk about the good features in your game specifically to get people interested in your game is a form of advertising, and 3. Even if it wasn't an advertisement, it would still be a lie, and all he said was Bioware lied about the ending, which as he pointed out, is completely true.

 

[viranimus]

/eyeroll

Ok here we go again.

Casey Hudson:

Yeah, and I'd say much more so, because we HAVE the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don't have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. [bThis story arc is coming to an end with this game.] That means the endings CAN be a lot more different. At this point we're taking into account so many decisions that you've made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It's NOT even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.

Bold A: We HAVE the ability .. No where does he say that they WILL use it.

Bold B: The endings CAN be, there is no implication this will be utilized.

Bold C: People skip ahead to the ABC bit and completely ignore the fact where he specifically says the ending will NOT be like traditional endings, He basically is saying Yes there is only going to be one ending ... because.... "This story arc is coming to an end with this game"

Now for the love of god will people Quit trolling out this comment as some sort of proof when the only thing this proves is people cant even comprehend what they read. This is why I said people needed to do something else with their time then fawn over the bioware forums and soak up ever little scrap of useless info on the game.. because of shit like this. People simply cannot comprehend what they read or reread something to see if it was implied in a different way then what they assume the meaning of what was said. This is why I personally want a press release or an advertisement for what "promises" were made because I have yet to see those promises were made outside of the ones that people have assumed.

Basically Casey warned the world. No one could hear him over all the imaginary scenarios they were busy dreaming up over their own misinterpretations.

 

[Azex]

After watching numerous videos about indoctronation theories, seeing sources and twitter feeds and the final words of ME3 itself being 'downloadble content' i am forced to believe that they are gonna ship us the 'real' ending later, and say it was an ilaborate mindgame.

On one hand very well played, you made me feel just like an indoctronated person would, i fell for your ending, but dont make me pay even more money for the actual conclusion. The 'real ending' dlc better be free...or ALL games are gonna be a lot worse in the future. This is just like the end of that prince of persia, where the ending was an extra $10.

Sad times ahead

 

[Strain42]

"Forbes is the only magazine that seems to agree with us. Therefore they're the only ones with intelligent insight into the situation."

I'm sorry, but speaking as an outsider, that's seriously the only vibe I get from this whole thing.

Almost every article I've read from people in the industry who acknowledge the controversy without really being that bothered by it, I see a lot of fans going "Wow, way to miss the whole point, guy. You clearly don't understand what we're upset about."

 

[Savagezion]

On the other hand, Forbes magazine is taking the time and effort to look at this issue seriously, and offer intelligent and reasonable advice! It's not just saying "You idiot kids. Shut up.", they're treating the fans as if the fans are the equivalent of any other consumer out there. This is awesome.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

 

[Strain42]

On the other hand, Forbes magazine is taking the time and effort to look at this issue seriously, and offer intelligent and reasonable advice! It's not just saying "You idiot kids. Shut up.", they're treating the fans as if the fans are the equivalent of any other consumer out there. This is awesome.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

Open your eyes. Look up to the skies and seeeeeeeeeee

 

[Savagezion]

/eyeroll

Ok here we go again.

Casey Hudson:

Yeah, and I'd say much more so, because we HAVE the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don't have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. [bThis story arc is coming to an end with this game.] That means the endings CAN be a lot more different. At this point we're taking into account so many decisions that you've made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It's NOT even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.

Bold A: We HAVE the ability .. No where does he say that they WILL use it.

Bold B: The endings CAN be, there is no implication this will be utilized.

Bold C: People skip ahead to the ABC bit and completely ignore the fact where he specifically says the ending will NOT be like traditional endings, He basically is saying Yes there is only going to be one ending ... because.... "This story arc is coming to an end with this game"

Now for the love of god will people Quit trolling out this comment as some sort of proof when the only thing this proves is people cant even comprehend what they read. This is why I said people needed to do something else with their time then fawn over the bioware forums and soak up ever little scrap of useless info on the game.. because of shit like this. People simply cannot comprehend what they read or reread something to see if it was implied in a different way then what they assume the meaning of what was said. This is why I personally want a press release or an advertisement for what "promises" were made because I have yet to see those promises were made outside of the ones that people have assumed.

Basically Casey warned the world. No one could hear him over all the imaginary scenarios they were busy dreaming up over their own misinterpretations.

Nice try. Seriously, it was a nice attempt but the reason people use that quote is because in or out of context, it makes the same false claim. First, it is a direct answer to this question:

"[Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] "Is that same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?"

He said yes, "much more so". The final NOT you bolded, makes no sense. How do you get that he said "only 1 ending" when everything about the response is talking about being able to be more diverse with their endings. They don't need to "consolidate the endings" because it is the end. That is the context and clear message of the quote.

EDIT: You seriously think he meant:
We HAVE the ability, but we aren't going to use it (goes without saying he figured.)
The endings CAN be a lot more different. (But they won't be, again goes without saying)
I still don't get what you are trying say by NOT. It doesn't have 1 ending, it has 3. It has exactly what he said it wouldn't have.

 

[Sarge034]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfwOqlnCKQs&t=2m29s


People invested too much time and concern over a mediocre sci fi story, spent entirely too much time on bioware forums and holding bioware to what they interpret to be a promise when no such promise was actually made. Ive still yet to see an actual advertisement or official press release before the game was released that said the game would have 17 different endings, and those endings would be reflective of your choices in the game and that they would all conclude the storyline in one cohesive vein. Its a paradox.

Challenge accepted.

>Official Mass Effect Website
http://masseffect.com/about/story/

"Experience the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any
other, where the decisions you make completely shape your experience
and outcome."

>Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)
http://www.360magazine.co.uk/interview/mass-effect-3-has-many-different-endings/

"There are many different endings. We wouldn't do it any other way. How
could you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and
then be forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can't
say any more than that..."

and for the finally...

>Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/10/mass1525-effect-3-cas5ey-fdsafdhudson-interviewae.aspx?PostPageIndex=2

Interviewer: [Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] "Is that
same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?"

Hudson: "Yeah, and I'd say much more so, because we have the ability to
build the endings out in a way that we don't have to worry about
eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is
coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot
more different. At this point we're taking into account so many
decisions that you've made as a player and reflecting a lot of that
stuff. It's not even in any way like the traditional game endings,
where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got
ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a lot more sophistication and
variety in them."



Challenge completed....

Next challenge?

 

[Chairman Miaow]

The truth is, this reaction would've happened no matter how good the ending was because it wasn't "their" ending. It wasn't how they saw it in their head.

No offence, but this is just insane amounts of closed minded. I cared far more about the ending to the ending to the first Deus Ex game, and I was happy with it. Same with countless TV shows, films, book series. This is not people just over-reacting because they are sad that the game is ending, or that it was a sad ending.

 

[Sylveria]

This is all irrelevant. If you don't like bioware's story, too bad. It's theirs, they wrote in such a way to leave it open for DLC while trying to wrap things up in a satisfying way. The truth is, this reaction would've happened no matter how good the ending was because it wasn't "their" ending. It wasn't how they saw it in their head. You that support this, need to get over the idea that somehow mass effect belongs to you. It does not. You are not the writers, you didn't put in the time to program the code. The only thing you did do, was buy and play. You didn't put any real work in, therefore, you are NOT entitled to the ability to change it.

Consumer product failed to meet expectations. Criticism and demands for compensation/reparations are perfectly valid regardless of their basis or expectations. Likewise, the product manufacturer has the right to refuse claims it finds are unfounded unless those failures violate consumer protection laws and consumer rights, but in doing so harms the relationship with the consumer.

Consumers are exercising their rights, deal with it.

 

[Gatx]

On one hand, it is absolutely insane, and utterly embarrassing for the gaming community with Forbes magazine is the best source for intelligent analysis of the Mass Effect 3 situation. The gaming community should be able to handle this one, and it's dropped the ball. Heck, it tied its hands behind its back and jumped back behind cover when the ball got dropped.

On the other hand, Forbes magazine is taking the time and effort to look at this issue seriously, and offer intelligent and reasonable advice! It's not just saying "You idiot kids. Shut up.", they're treating the fans as if the fans are the equivalent of any other consumer out there. This is awesome.

But then again a lot of the arguments I've seen against the ME3 ending seem to be based around gamers being different from all other consumers in how they interact with the medium, that they're more invested or something because of the interactive nature as opposed to people who watch movies or read books - namely all the people who complain about Moviebob's criticism of the movement by saying that he's treating the gaming audience like a movie audience.

 

[Sylveria]

"Forbes is the only magazine that seems to agree with us. Therefore they're the only ones with intelligent insight into the situation."

I'm sorry, but speaking as an outsider, that's seriously the only vibe I get from this whole thing.

Almost every article I've read from people in the industry who acknowledge the controversy without really being that bothered by it, I see a lot of fans going "Wow, way to miss the whole point, guy. You clearly don't understand what we're upset about."

I'm on the outside of this whole thing also, but I agree with the people who are reading "garme jernalisms" and thinking that the writer doesn't understand. We saw Bob's twitter where he just called everyone entitled whiners cause they didn't get the ending they wanted, completely ignoring that most people don't complain about only what the endings were but rather how you arrived at them (being forced to pick an A, B, or C option at the very last instant by a macguffin star baby which completely disregards all previous choices and tells you nothing beyond the immediate actions. It also ignores the outcomes for every other being in the entire game from your closest comrades to doods you've never met on far away planets). Admittedly, what they were was pretty underwhelming to since, as I said, it tells you nothing beyond "Boom, the end."

I have an interesting perspective cause I compare this mess to FF13-2s ending. The ending is equally bleak and depressing.. but the difference is that even though I didn't get the ending I "wanted" I got an ending that made sense. Sure, its a downer ending, but some of the last dialogue in the game before the final engagement is "Hey don't do that shit you're gonna do or bad stuff is gonna happen," You, as both a player and the characters, choose to move forward regardless because you don't believe it. You're fighting the good fight to save the world, how could anything bad come of that? But, sure enough, bad stuff happens. 13-2 also has the looming shadow of "Buy the future DLC to get the 'real' ending" also. But, 13-2's ending leaves room for additions. ME3s, in my opinion, does not; not any additional content that would mean anything though without extensive retconning at least.

Getting back to the idea of "other articles," the game journalism "industry" lives on trolling and flaming their readers because rage = attention. Even the act of that not engaging with a subject beyond acknowledgement could be considered as such when it is something of this magnitude. I think that a lot of game writers aren't as well versed in what they cover as they'd like us to believe. As Forbes said, this could be a precedent that changes how the developers work and I can't cross my fingers enough for that to happen, but how many articles on the ME3 have taken the stand that such broad consumer outcry could serve as a catalyst to get the industry to start giving a shit about their products again? Few to none, cause it's easier to say "Cry more, entitled nerds," and get more hits.

 

[Sylveria]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

OK, bro, so, since this isn't an officla press statement or an advertising campaign, let me tell you about my new game which is gonna be available in the next 10myears or so. This is non officla, but its gonna involve holdeck technonlogy and basiclly be the best game ever. in fact i'm gonna take on board your and every one else who expresses an interest's opinoon as toi how to make it the best game ever. because you, my internet buddies are really like, my co-writers. Buy shares in my new company now, guys.

Spoiler: if you click this you can't sue me, or dispute anything i said above as anthing but incontroverible fact

I actually know fuck all about programming and would be lucky to make a shitty DoS game, with a 'rescue kidnapped princess' storyline

This is gonna be the best story ever.

... strawman? what're you talking about bro?

Being credible and coherent are important factors when promoting a product. But, since you wanted to put it out there, if you said you were making a game and provided a place for people to pre-purchase that product or invest in that product/business based on your claims, and then never delivered, you would be open for litigation because you committed fraud. Bro.

Hey, remember Big Bro from Final Fantasy 7? Your speech patterns remind me a lot of her.

 

[Warachia]

If there was an actual advertised promise made there might be a case for it, but all anyone is able to cite is what they have interpreted to be incontrovertable promises amounting to a response that boils down to...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfwOqlnCKQs&t=2m29s


People invested too much time and concern over a mediocre sci fi story, spent entirely too much time on bioware forums and holding bioware to what they interpret to be a promise when no such promise was actually made. Ive still yet to see an actual advertisement or official press release before the game was released that said the game would have 17 different endings, and those endings would be reflective of your choices in the game and that they would all conclude the storyline in one cohesive vein. Its a paradox.

There is no logical ground to stand on. If you dont like a product, you stop buying products from that company in direct protest. Much like the notion of an (mostly)"always on" and Origin required Sim City 5 stops me from buying it. I didnt trust Sim City after as poor as I felt Sim City 4 was, so I used that skepticism and let it guide my purchase. So I wont be buying it. So ME zealots need to take this as a learning experience (why exactly didnt they prepare for this after the release of DA2 is beyond me) and make your wallet act as your voice. Like it or not this trying to force bioware to cave to the will of the irrational populous is not only illogical but counterproductive and damaging for the industry, as well as the customers.

All this has been said before by me or someone else, so instead of responding to quotes should they come, Im going to better utilize my time by.... demanding George Lucas rewrite and remake the prequel trilogy, all because I dont like it. At least then it would be fixing the error of what was an actually decent sci fi saga.

There are so many faults with this that I'll just address the three biggest ones.

First, You are talking past the actual points of Retake Mass Effect movement, which is all those against the movement have been able to do.
Second, you call Mass Effect a "mediocre" SciFi and Star Wars a good one... I don't know how you judge quality but here is a list of comparisons. More thoroughly developed universe; point Mass Effect. More real characters; Mass Effect. More moral reflection; Mass Effect. Cooler alien races; Mass Effect. Cool laser swords; Star Wars.
Third, there was promise after promise from the Devs regarding the ending ? all of which fell flat.

Show me the evidence that clearly states what the developers promised you. If you can't, then you don't really have much of a case of any kind - not even a "false advertising" one.

Except the vast collection of quotes from the Devs like Casey Hudson who explicitly stated that the endings would not be a clear A, B, C, choice and you wouldn't be able to tell how many endings there were. These quotes weren't hinting at that, but explicitly state that when clearly it was an A B C ending.

Don't just tell me. Show me where he said that.

I'm asking out of curiosity.

Well from Casey Hudson specifically:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/10/mass1525-effect-3-cas5ey-fdsafdhudson-interviewae.aspx?PostPageIndex=2

Yeah, and I?d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don?t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we?re taking into account so many decisions that you?ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It?s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.

It?s more like there are some really obvious things that are different and then lots and lots of smaller things, lots of things about who lives and who dies, civilizations that rose and fell, all the way down to individual characters. That becomes the state of where you left your galaxy. The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them. It would be interesting to see if somebody could put together a chart for that. Even with Mass Effect 2?s...

This was in GameInformer, a magazine run by GameStop, clearly advertising for the game.

But it's still an interview, not an advertisement, and thus claims of "false advertising" are not applicable.

Bullshit, there are a few things wrong with that statement: 1. You're dismissing what you asked for in the first place,
2. An interview where you talk about the good features in your game specifically to get people interested in your game is a form of advertising, and 3. Even if it wasn't an advertisement, it would still be a lie, and all he said was Bioware lied about the ending, which as he pointed out, is completely true.

I didn't ask for it, the other guy did. I was just giving my thoughts.

And my main point is that he's "guilty of misleading the fans" rather than "guilty of breaking the law", and that the two should not be confused as one and the same. One's punishable with fines, the other's only really punishable with people not buying your game.

Then I am very sorry about that, and for point #1; I would like to ask a question, when does it stop being misdirection, and start becoming a lie? One could make a case that they bought this (or any) product based on something the creator said about it that turned out not to be true, and since interviews are a form of advertising, this one was clearly false.
I'm not saying it would be a good idea, just that you could make a feasible argument with it.