It turns out Bioware doesn't hate you all

[Phlakes]

I think I'll just leave this here-

There?s been a lot of discussion and debate about the conclusion of Mass Effect 3, so I thought I?d share my perspective with you here. I?ll avoid outright spoilers, but I?d still recommend finishing the game and experiencing it for yourself before reading this.

For the last eight years, Mass Effect has been a labor of love for our team; love for the characters we?ve created, for the medium of video games, and for the fans that have supported us. For us and for you, Mass Effect 3 had to live up to a lot of expectations, not only for a great gaming experience, but for a resolution to the countless storylines and decisions you?ve made as a player since the journey began in 2007. So we designed Mass Effect 3 to be a series of endings to key plots and storylines, each culminating in scenes that show you the consequences of your actions. You then carry the knowledge of these consequences with you as you complete the final moments of your journey.

We always intended that the scale of the conflict and the underlying theme of sacrifice would lead to a bittersweet ending?to do otherwise would betray the agonizing decisions Shepard had to make along the way. Still, we wanted to give players the chance to experience an inspiring and uplifting ending; in a story where you face a hopeless struggle for basic survival, we see the final moments and imagery as offering victory and hope in the context of sacrifice and reflection.

We've had some incredibly positive reactions to Mass Effect 3, from the New York Times declaring it ?a gripping, coherent triumph?, to Penny Arcade calling it ?an amazing accomplishment?, to emails and tweets from players who have given us the most profound words of appreciation we've ever received.

But we also recognize that some of our most passionate fans needed more closure, more answers, and more time to say goodbye to their stories?and these comments are equally valid. Player feedback such as this has always been an essential ingredient in the development of the series.

I am extremely proud of what this team has accomplished, from the first art concepts for the Mass Effect universe to the final moments of Mass Effect 3. But we didn't do it on our own. Over the course of the series, Mass Effect has been a shared experience between the development team and our fans?not just a shared experience in playing the games, but in designing and developing them. An outpouring of love for Garrus and Tali led to their inclusion as love interests in Mass Effect 2. A request for deeper RPG systems led to key design changes in Mass Effect 3. Your feedback has always mattered. Mass Effect is a collaboration between developers and players, and we continue to listen.

So where do we go from here? Throughout the next year, we will support Mass Effect 3 by working on new content. And we?ll keep listening, because your insights and constructive feedback will help determine what that content should be. This is not the last you?ll hear of Commander Shepard.

We look forward to your continued support and involvement as we work together to shape the remaining experiences in the story of the Mass Effect trilogy.

Thanks for taking this journey with us.

Casey Hudson

This was just posted at the Bioware forums [http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/324/index/10089946]. While you were raging about the betrayal and accusing that they could never actually be listening, it turns out... Actually, nevermind. I won't even try anymore. Make of this what you will and take a chillaxative either way, we all need that.

EDIT: And sorry if this has already been posted. I don't think it has but I could've just missed it.

 

[mattttherman3]

I don't know, I always hoped his great sacrifices would lead to him living in the best ending...

 

[AlternatePFG]

I'm tired of hearing about the ending. It was a shitty ending to a great game, certainly, but people really just need to get over it and move on with their lives.

What Hudson said what they intended for the ending was not what it was like at all.

 

[Phlakes]

So basically, a bunch of PR wank with promise of more dlc's.


This topic has been illuminating.

Only two posts in and Zeel is here? Thread bookmarked. And I'm glad I could illuminate you, by the way. Checking that off my bucket list right now.

 

[Tomeran]

I find this at least somewhat reassuring, actually. They have listened to fans before and I am putting my hopes that they will again. I've never seen the ME fanbase rage like this, so if they're ever been given a clear picture of something many fans dont like and something that should be fixed, its now.

Question remains how long it will take, but at least the likelyhood of some sort of action went up.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

So just some generic PR fluff that doesn't say anything about what they are doing in particular? Okay....

 

[Erttheking]

Uh yeah. I'm sorry but that ending was godawful. You're not winning me back over until you seriously unfuck it and do it in a damn impressive and satisfying way.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

He's not really saying anything at all there, is he.

It's also Casey Hudson, the man who promised us we wouldn't be getting any A, B, C bullshit, so served us Red, Blue, Green instead.

I guess as non-statements that admit to nothing and promise less go, it's alright. At least he didn't accuse everyone of wanting a HAPPY ENDING.

From Jessica Merizan, after 30 pages of people howling for the blood of Hudson's first born:

Guys, this is an ongoing dialogue. Casey's post is not the final definitive answer to your concerns. This is a collaboration.

In order to be successful in this, I need you to help me gathering feedback and tell us what you want to see. I understand that people are still feeling emotionally raw or untrusting, and I'm not saying it's not valid to feel that way. However, if you want to see your feedback implemented, this needs to become constructive and rational.

Complaining more isn't going to get you what you want. Tell us what you need. Make polls, collect your thoughts. Chris and I are gathering this information and the developers are listening.

This is a partnership. Let's have hope and make your voice heard - that includes positive feedback too (if you like something we're doing, tell us so we know to keep it up!).

Much more positive and appropriate given the tone of the community. I do hope people listen and are constructive.

 

[distortedreality]

Yeah, I think the time for rage has passed.

Bioware are reaching out - I think now is the time to do the same in a respectful and useful manner. Constructive criticism is really what should be happening now.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Worth reading...long posts from a PR guy on the forums about how Bioware is handling damage control right now, updated today:

Spoiler: Post One

I don't think Bioware is out of touch with their customers though I agree with an earlier poster that right now they are assessing their options. Nor do I think that everyone speaking up for them at the moment is a "yes man" or shill. That said:

I don't for a moment think there are any other endings, this was a hallucination, etc. Bioware/EA is letting these speculations go on for two reasons. First, they are letting people vent. Secondly, they are weighing options.

Years ago, I worked for a PR damage control team and everything right now is going by the book. First, re-affirm and ignore (also known as doubling down), then try and define the detractors in the mainstream with things like "this is all a big mistunderstand", etc. while remaining civil in the hopes the detractors go rabid. Meanwhile go dark and use countermeasures through third part sources to prop up your position and brand the outcry as driven by hacks, haters or a minority trying to wear out the detractors on these outlets or "shock troops" while protecting the corporate core. Next, offer something distracting (notice SWTOR is free this upcoming weekend) known as the "faux olive branch"/ask the angry people to explain their concerns (without agreeing to commit to a compromise), buy more add time (definitely going on right now), and hope it dies down. If the pressure is still on, determine the economic viability of 1) ignoring the outcry and banking on the fickle nature of consumers to get over it or 2) determining if we can make money off of fixing it.

If it is any consolation, the decision whether or not there is a fix DLC, etc, won't be made by the writers so illusions to things they wanted to convey don't matter much atm (to wit: the leads comments yesterday). I suspect he's been called in and politely told by the PR guys to not do that again. This is now a corporate problem, not an artistic struggle with fans. Somewhere in the EA bunker, attorneys, PR guys, writers and brass are sharing numbers b/c in the end this will come down to hard currency.

As one who despises the endings, I'm hoping the suits tell the visionaries that the customers are loud enough and numerous enough to swollow their pride and get them out of this storm. For those that love them, I readily accept your position and respectfully disagree.

Spoiler: Post Two

A couple follow-up thoughts for those wondering what is likely going on with the other side of the mirror in the last couple days:

First, Operation Goliath, the free Star Wars online weekend, and the recent noncommittal overtures to listen arefaux olive branches. Sorry. Customers intrinsically want to believe companies they patronize listen and when they stop believing that, the company has to say they are listening and do anything to get the detractors off-message. There are a dozen names for this, but the most memorable was "The Shell Game."

You will know that there?s a genuine need for dialogue in the corporate bunker when the message turns from ?we?re listening? to ?we acknowledge we may have a disconnect with our consumers and are willing to discuss a meaningful solution to the problem.? It signals an end to non-committed deflection and opening genuine talks to solve the problem (it?s knows as ?Exposing Your Throat? btw). At present, you?ll notice Bioware/EA has only said they will ?explain? the endings. That?s not a give, that?s a delay tactic.

But here?s the part that amazes me as an old PR guy and is totally new. The disenfranchised base here is changing the old methodology. It?s akin to comparing old-style bunker PR defenses to new blitzkrieg-style consumers. To date, the ?bunker strategy? was always used because it was virtually foolproof. However, social media and the 24 hour news cycle have simply changed everything. Twenty years ago, you could not mass 30,000 protesters into a networked base without some luck, money, a GREAT cause and (most importantly) time. By the time you did get organized, folks were either burned out or lost interest. Groups like Take Back have altered the landscape and suddenly the contest is taken from the old paradigm to a crazy new (and wonderful IMO) place. Preorder sales took away customers biggest weapon in the past (i.e. don?t buy the product). Now customers who feel they have received poor value have been potentially re-empowered by the internet. Bioware/EA is feeling the full brunt of this thing while passion is hottest. They are deploying countermeasures faster than the old strategies ever would have ever suggested. To some degree, they are being outmaneuvered atm. But now it depends on how long the protest/outcry holds up.

Two more quick points and I?ll close. First, the Child?s Play movement was brilliant. Notice over the past few days how some of the most visceral detractors to the outcry have had to shift their vitriol from ?you?re spoiled selfish haters? to ?sure you gave to charity, but you are spoiled selfish haters.? Nobody is drinking that Kool-Aid. Better yet, some outlets are now saying ?maybe the game has problem but its still art? from the precedent message ?best game ever.? That won?t fly with the mainstream. If its one thing they know is that when ?art? hits the marketplace, it is a commodity, nothing more. You?ve changed the countermeasures from "unbiased" critics of the movement into drum beaters simply trying to get you angry. EA?s PR guys probably envy you (grudgingly) atm.

Second, don?t buy the only X people voted in the poll out of 1 billion customers, so they don?t care. That?s bunk. Are there "drum beaters" on both sides of this issue that just want to see controversy, sure. But if I was sitting in an office looking at that Bioware poll, I?d be reaching for a cigarette.

Finally remember, they have much more data at their disposal. They know how sales are going, how much time people are playing that are synced into Origin, etc. They will watch those numbers this weekend. If sales slow, watch for price cutting within 10 days (just over the two week US release date). It will mean that retailers are getting nervous and will slow new unit orders. As I?ve said before, this will come down to hard currency. If the protests start having an effect on that front, the response will come.

 

[Vegosiux]

Turns out the BioWare PR department is doing what a PR department is supposed to be doing, but that's about it.

Money talks is my guess on this, however.

 

[isometry]

If the game was a "labor of love" they would not have used a stock photo for Tali. The whole reason fans are upset over that mistake is that fans do love the series, and they love Tali, so seeing EA cut corners and use a stock photo to save some $$$ reminds them that the game is commercial schlock, not a labor of love.

Imagine a great painter like Leonardo picked up a stock painting at the town bazaar, painted some new features on it, and then sold it as his own. Would you think that is a "labor of love", or just some commercial schlock he doesn't care about and threw together to get paid?

Anyway, all this PR blurb says is "we've been listening to you and we'll have some more DLC later this year to answer your questions." But we already knew that, of course they are going to release a bunch of DLC, and what else would it be about if not continuing the story. If the blurb were honest it should say "all this outrage plays perfectly into the plans we made last year, to ship the game without a proper ending and then sell you the ending later as DLC."

 

[Redd the Sock]

All I ask from the DLC is some aftermath text and the ability to get enough resources to get the best ending without playing fraking multiplayer.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

So basically, a bunch of PR wank with promise of more dlc's.


This topic has been illuminating.

I look forward to watching the fans spin this into "OMG NEW ALTERNATE ENDING!!!!!!!!"

Dude, give it a rest.

We know you don't like Bioware, we know you don't like ME3, and that's fine.

But we don't need you to tell us in every single post you make

 

[Fr]anc[is]

use countermeasures through third part sources to prop up your position and brand the outcry as driven by hacks, haters or a minority trying to wear out the detractors on these outlets or "shock troops" while protecting the corporate core.

In other words, tell all the gaming sites to call the consumers entitled and say "It's their art, you can't mess with it." Those are two excellent posts.

 

[Phlakes]

If the game was a "labor of love" they would not have used a stock photo for Tali. The whole reason fans are upset over that mistake is that fans do love the series, and they love Tali, so seeing EA cut corners and use a stock photo to save some $$$ reminds them that the game is commercial schlock, not a labor of love.

Right, because they took one shortcut for something that barely mattered in the long run, the entire game is a cash in. That's some damn fine logic right there. I mean, there's no way they could've put effort into, I don't know, the combat, and the dialogue, and the character interactions, and other things that a game needs.

 

[Emiscary]

*Sigh* Lemme parse this:

We totally delivered on all our promises guys. Totally.

We wanted the ending to be bad. And good. And also bad. So we settled on abrupt and totally inconclusive.

The people we pay to say nice things have said nice things! So have the nonzero percentage of the fanbase that liked it!

We acknowledge some of you have grievances. Twice, to avoid having to discuss all those false promises we made.

And it was a GREAT game guys! Whose design we totally included you in from start to finish. You know, 'cause of that one thing we did in ME2. Also the fact that we made basic improvements to the mechanics of the games over the years indicates our deep respect for you.

So, we'll be expecting you to buy whatever we put out next on faith. Even though we'll tell you as little as possible about it and (given recent events) lie to you about it beforehand too. We cool? Yeah, we're cool.

 

[Vegosiux]

Right, because they took one shortcut for something that barely mattered in the long run, the entire game is a cash in. That's some damn fine logic right there. I mean, there's no way they could've put effort into, I don't know, the combat, and the dialogue, and the character interactions, and other things that a game needs.

"Barely mattered"? Some fans have grown to like that character. No, of course it doesn't change anything from pure gameplay perspective, but from the perspective of personal involvement, hell yeah, it matters.

 

[distortedreality]

Right, because they took one shortcut for something that barely mattered in the long run, the entire game is a cash in. That's some damn fine logic right there. I mean, there's no way they could've put effort into, I don't know, the combat, and the dialogue, and the character interactions, and other things that a game needs.

"Barely mattered"? Some fans have grown to like that character. No, of course it doesn't change anything from pure gameplay perspective, but from the perspective of personal involvement, hell yeah, it matters.

Not defending Bioware, but I tend to think they would of been screwed no matter what face they put on Tali, mainly because of the amount of love for her in the community.