Mass Effect 3 Message Board older than one year ago

#opinion Today people got angry about Mass Effect 3—for a new reason. More »

#bastion You know why everyone's up in arms about Mass Effect 3's ending? Because it doesn't mean what they want it to. But, whether you liked the ending, hated it or lobbied to have it changed, BioWare's sci-fi franchise does means something because it aims to be a metaphor. And I wish more games would do that. More »

#peripheralvision Whether you are fine with Mass Effect 3's original ending or plan on waiting until BioWare fixes up a fresh finale, this trio of branded Razer PC peripherals add comfort and coolness to your conclusion. More »

Not finished talking about the ending of Mass Effect 3? Bring your ideas to Kotaku Game Club tomorrow at 4pm eastern. We'll be having our own climactic battle over the ending and the controversy, so don't miss it! More »

I don't think any of these clarifications will explain Tali's face being a stock photo.

It's physically impossible to step figurative foot onto any Internet forum or blog dedicated to video games of late without seeing some kind of commentary on Mass Effect 3's various endings. There are those who hate those endings, those who hate them with the fiery passion of a thousand suns, and also apparently a few people who either don't mind them or are--*gasp*--totally cool with them. But as with all things on the Internet, the fiery passion of a thousand suns folk generally tend to dominate these discussions, which has made the last couple of weeks exceedingly uncomfortable for anyone who just wanted to talk about Mass Effect without getting shouted at by angry people.

Presumably, BioWare would have to be among those most exhausted with getting shouted at, because lord have they been shouted at loudly and frequently lo these last couple of weeks. With petitions popping up demanding the ending be changed, and even some crazy person filing an FTC complaint claiming false advertising, the developer has been getting it from all ends. So it is perhaps unsurprising that Dr. Ray Muzyka took to the BioWare blog today to announce that through future updates to Mass Effect 3, the developer will be providing clarifications to the ending.

Said Dr. Ray:

Exec Producer Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. You’ll hear more on this in April. We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received. This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue.

This has led some on various forums and social media outlets (myself regrettably included, as I first read about this on Twitter) to postulate that this means a straight up retconning of Mass Effect 3's ending, but reading Dr. Ray's statement, it doesn't sound like it'll be quite that drastic. More likely this would simply entail some kind of DLC update with story exposition that fills in some of the larger plot holes people have been complaining about.

Dr. Ray also addressed the rather vitriolic tone this whole Mass Effect 3 conversation has taken on, in just about the most polite way possible.

Some of the criticism that has been delivered in the heat of passion by our most ardent fans, even if founded on valid principles, such as seeking more clarity to questions or looking for more closure, for example – has unfortunately become destructive rather than constructive. We listen and will respond to constructive criticism, but much as we will not tolerate individual attacks on our team members, we will not support or respond to destructive commentary.

So, there you have it. Whether you hated Mass Effect 3's ending or didn't, you're getting extra content designed to make you understand it better. Of course there's no guarantee that these clarifications will actually sooth any of the current unrest over the ending, but one can presume that if they don't, this whole petitioning and insulting cycle will just begin itself anew, and continue repeating itself until everyone gets the exact ending they want. Because that's how the world works now, I guess.

I’m not entirely sure how to take this statement from BioWare’s Dr Ray Muzyka regarding the astonishing drama surrounding the conclusion to the Mass Effect trilogy. It’s not saying outright they’ll change the ending of the game, but there’s this:

Building on their research, Exec Producer Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received.

Which seems to suggest something. More endings, rather than changing what they’ve laid out? I can’t see them setting out to rewrite the story, because it would undermine the universe they created, but there’s the suggestion of clarification and expansion. If you’re playing the game right now, you might want to stop and hold off until April when whatever it is they’re working on is released. I’d read the entire statement, too, because Muzyka has clearly been stung by the reaction. He’s proud of the game, but he also wants the fans to know they’re important. Whatever this means, expect ending-related DLC.

Earlier this month, BioWare responded to Mass Effect 3's "polarizing" ending and later confirmed that it was considering making changes. Now, BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka has confirmed that new content is in the works to provide additional closure...

BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka has become the latest company exec to address his constituents' myriad of complaints regarding Mass Effect 3's contentious ending. In addition to reiterating BioWare's company-wide policy on seeking out and consuming constructive criticism, Muzyka also gave a small bit of insight into the developer's plans for said feedback:

"Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions," he said, "providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. You'll hear more on this in April." Muzyka stressed that BioWare is actively working to maintain the story's artistic integrity, and that these new "content initiatives" are separate from the company's pre-existing plans to continue the Mass Effect universe's expansion. "Rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue."

#masseffect Calling criticism of Mass Effect 3's ending "incredibly painful," the co-founder of BioWare, the studio behind the game, said today that changes for the game's conclusion are in the works. More »

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer balance settings have been tweaked. If you're the kind of person who wants to know that the Claymore Shotgun's "Damage increased from [152.8-191.0] to [167.8-206.0]", then read the official update. The stick thread is updated regularly. More »

#masseffect SPOILERS AHEAD. More »

#masseffect People been complaining about the end of Mass Effect 3. Saying there isn't enough of this kind of business. More »

I wonder how refunds are handled in the Mass Effect universe. Probably with omni-gel?

There are reports floating around that Amazon is offering refunds to open copies of Mass Effect 3, seemingly a reaction to the game’s ending, which has caused a polarizing reaction amongst players.

According to Amazon customer support representative I spoke with this morning, this isn’t Mass Effect 3 specific, and offering a refund is standard Amazon policy for disappointment customers.

“Once you open the package and if you are not satisfied you can return it for refund,” said the representative. “It applies for the all the items shipped and sold by Amazon.”

I’ve embedded our entire conversation below, and I've also sent a note to Amazon public relations.

Me: Hi, I was considering buying Mass Effect 3 from Amazon, after being told my friend that Amazon is accepting opened returns if consumers are disappointed with the game's ending. Is this true?

Rep: Hello, I'll be happy to help you.

Me: Thanks.

Rep: Patrick. once you open the package and if you are not satisfied you can return it for refund.

Me: Is this only for Mass Effect 3? Or does this apply to other video games on Amazon?

Rep: Yes. It applies for the all the items shipped and sold by Amazon.

Me: OK, thank you.

Rep: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you today?

Me: No, that's all.

Rep: Thanks for visiting Amazon.com. We hope to see you again soon.

My own experience backs this up. I’ve returned plenty of items to Amazon that were opened, and had no problem.

There are reports of refunds via Origin, too, but I've not been able to confirm those.

#masseffect Last November, the Internet obtained a copy of the script to Mass Effect 3, the popular sci-fi role-playing game that came out earlier this month. More »

#masseffect Cosplay specialist Chris "ammnra" Myles, who knows a thing or two about amazing Mass Effect costumes and props, has commemorated the release of Mass Effect 3 with another piece of incredible craftsmanship. More »

#fineart Brian Sum is a concept artist who has worked for Canadian developers BioWare since 2007. Before that, he'd been at Sierra and Microsoft's FASA Studio. More »

#masseffect The Mass Effect 3 Datapad is a free iPad and iPhone app that lets people read about the game's alien races and other lore while they are on the go. More »

If you're still trying to finish the fight against the Reapers, the Microsoft Store is offering a pretty sweet deal on Mass Effect 3 for Xbox 360. While the game is listed there for $59.99, adding it to your shopping cart reveals a much cheaper price: $39.99, complete with free shipping.

#masseffect3 Fan outrage over the ending of Mass Effect 3's been boiling over since the week that BioWare's hotly anticpated threequel came out, with charity protests, complaints being made to the Federal Trade Commission and noises about closure from BioWare. People want to something else for their Shepards, even if they don't know what it is. More »

Mass Effect 3's ending has proven controversial, to say the least. The IGN experts want to discuss every last detail of the epic story with you. Join us for the live Mass Effect 3 Spoilercast this Friday, March 23 at Noon Pacific...

#masseffect With all of this focus on Mass Effect 3's more human failings, it's easy to overlook the true heroes of this epic space adventure: the pigeons that traveled to the farthest reaches of the galaxy, spreading their universal message of "give us food or we'll poop on you". How did these brave birds make it to the Citadel? More »

As promised, we've updated our Mass Effect 3 review to include a discussion of the online multiplayer features, now that they've been available really to experience. More »

The obsession with endings is a peculiar one. Perhaps it’s a result of having been indoctrinated by a lifetime of movies with “surprise twists”, or stories so poorly written that they rely on their final hook. But however we’ve come to this place, it’s one that fails to recognise the real pleasure of being told a story. Mass Effect 3 tells a story, and I’m here to defend it.

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BioWare has provided a new statement about the ending of Mass Effect 3, noting that it is considering fan feedback and has not yet made a decision about altering it...

The developer posted on Facebook today to say it is "collecting and considering" fan feedback about the controversial ending. BioWare did not mention whether it will be going to the FTC to complain about its fans. [Facebook] More »

Initially I had a load of things I wanted to say and analyse about Mass Effect 3′s ending, but then a week passed and I realised I’d stopped personally being bothered by what that notorious final cutscene did or didn’t answer. I’d had an adventure, and now it was time for another one. Mass Effect games have always been peculiarly adept at entirely dominating my thinking for a while, but quickly enough something else always comes along to distract me. The concluding moments of the game remain a bone of contention for many, however, and so much so that it’s taken me nearly 700 words just to document the current state of the online debate.

I’ve avoided all direct spoilers and narrative details in the below, but there are a few oblique references to the manner in which the conclusion is presented which you might want to steer clear of if you’ve not finished the game.(more…)

#masseffect There's the usual hours logged and enemies killed in this multiplayer stats report from BioWare, but the most interesting - percentage of players only playing in the first place because they felt they were forced to - seems to have been left out. More »

#masseffect Surprisingly, this whole "unnecessary censorship" gag hasn't entirely worn out its welcome, as this very dramatic clip from Mass Effect 3 shows. More »

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer has more depth than a panel at the "I'm A Reality TV Star And I Have More Twitter Followers Than You" convention (IARTVSAIHMTFTY Con), or at least that's what we think BioWare developers are trying to get across in the two mulitplayer strategy videos viewable right here.

The above video explains tactics for taking out specific enemies in multiplayer combat, and the one below discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each combat class. Get educated:

Franchise director Casey Hudson has previously spoken out in brief defense of the Mass Effect 3 endings, but now he's made it official in a written message that explains BioWare's dedication, passion and reverence for the series and the feedback it receives from fans -- all of it. Yes, even the popular "you deserve to be skinned alive, made into jerky and eaten by rabid goats" (paraphrased) feedback.

Hudson avoids spoilers, but suggests finishing the game for yourself and forming your own conclusions before reading his missive: "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," Hudson writes. "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." Hudson stresses that the Mass Effect team takes fan feedback seriously and often incorporates it into the games directly, and says it is still listening to that response now. "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."