Mass Effect 3

[CameronMcDonald]

Excellent. :)

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/106053-Mass-Effect-3-Trailer-Confirms-Earth-is-Screwed

[kavoven]

Sweet!!!!
Such an amazing game! =)

[bhaz]

Hopefully they don't fill the gap between the two games with another "Bionic Man" resurrection, I might've questioned that if ME2 didn't end up being so damn good. That, and keeping the current characters without wiping them off to the side with minor roles again.

[kavoven]

Hmm, I guess they'll give him some basic powers but no complete reset. And you will be able to import your ME2 character, so my nice romance with that Cerberus lady (forgot her name...damn!) can continue :D

[CameronMcDonald]

Miranda. Nice bow and stern on that one, for a bunch o' polys.

[TheSun]

I was so waiting for this one!

[Tonci87]

Wohoo!!!

[DM]

Hopefully they don't fill the gap between the two games with another "Bionic Man" resurrection
They've made it pretty clear that if your Shepard dies in ME2, then there will be no point importing that character to ME3.


Miranda. Nice bow and stern on that one, for a bunch o' polys.
Agreed :cool:


I actually just got done with a full ME 1 & 2 playthrough, so super-psyched about ME3.

[RavoC]

Epic, been waiting for this!:D

[4 IN 1]

I have to deck that reporter the 3rd time!!!! :D

[CameronMcDonald]

I have to deck that reporter the 3rd time!!!! :D

Yep. Although if you've got Shadowbroker, you'll see that others have been jumping on the bandwagon... :)

[Flash Thunder]

give us some freakin exploration Bioware and bring back the Mako.

ME2 was boooooooooring.

[Tonci87]

Jesus this planet scanning in ME2 was really boring. I hope they bring something better than that

[zigzag]

I think the planet scanning was pretty fun, it was interesting to read about the planets history and so.

[Tonci87]

I agree on that, but this stupid Scanning for minerals was really boring

[DM]

I agree on that, but this stupid Scanning for minerals was really boring

Second.

This was/is about the only thing I dont like about ME2.

Driving around in the mako was a lot more fun, I just wish its physics didnt suuuuck.

[Prydain]

I spaff continuously when playing ME or ME2, ME3 will probably not be an exception. The scene of blighty being destroyed in the trailer, along with the narration, really shows what ME3 will be about, which is a nice change. Something most trailers these days always miss is a concise revelation about the story and opt for the "look how cool our 'splosions are" take on what a trailer should be.

I just wish that they didn't have giant walkers in the trailer, walkers ruin every sci-fi story, game and film.

[maionaze]

I spaff continuously when playing ME or ME2, ME3 will probably not be an exception. The scene of blighty being destroyed in the trailer, along with the narration, really shows what ME3 will be about, which is a nice change. Something most trailers these days always miss is a concise revelation about the story and opt for the "look how cool our 'splosions are" take on what a trailer should be.

I just wish that they didn't have giant walkers in the trailer, walkers ruin every sci-fi story, game and film.

Those were not walkers mate , they were the reapers .

[DM]

Those were not walkers mate , they were the reapers .

I was gonna say the same thing, but they do seem to walk once landed.

[maionaze]

I was gonna say the same thing, but they do seem to walk once landed.

Or rather crawl. There the universe's creepy crawlers :p

[kavoven]

The ME2 reaper was able to walk, too. I don't see a problem with that =)

[Sith]

I do hope that for once they'll manage to put some narrative fidelity in the main storyline. BioWare's characters and side quests have always been rather well fleshed out and diverse, but the main story never really goes much beyond "there's this uber-baddy bent on destroying the world, go and stop him". Which, after following a straight trail void of doubt or reconsideration, stopping said uber-baddy, always left me wondering how a world populated by such interesting characters can only be shaped by events with the dramaturgic subtlety of those wartime Disney cartoons.

If they have the guts to let the ethnic polarization and other inter-species tensions act as more than Codex entries and conversation branches, actually structurally reshaping the world(s) around you, I'll be a happy Shepard. But alas, knowing BioWare my money's on a rather plain "unite all races to save the glorious human race, who's supposedly rather insignificant home planet is considered the Reaper's primary strategic target.

[maionaze]

I do hope that for once they'll manage to put some narrative fidelity in the main storyline. BioWare's characters and side quests have always been rather well fleshed out and diverse, but the main story never really goes much beyond "there's this uber-baddy bent on destroying the world, go and stop him". Which, after following a straight trail void of doubt or reconsideration, stopping said uber-baddy, always left me wondering how a world populated by such interesting characters can only be shaped by events with the dramaturgic subtlety of those wartime Disney cartoons.

If they have the guts to let the ethnic polarization and other inter-species tensions act as more than Codex entries and conversation branches, actually structurally reshaping the world(s) around you, I'll be a happy Shepard. But alas, knowing BioWare my money's on a rather plain "unite all races to save the glorious human race, who's supposedly rather insignificant home planet is considered the Reaper's primary strategic target.

They already gone down the action-RPG path, I doubt will get a true RPG adaptation of a novel like storyline .
There writers have to keep it short and to the point , otherwise they would have to develop even more RPG gameplay elements and they don't want that since the game is primarily developed for consoles . Creating a true RPG for consoles would be suicide .

[Sith]

They already gone down the action-RPG path, I doubt will get a true RPG adaptation of a novel like storyline .
There writers have to keep it short and to the point , otherwise they would have to develop even more RPG gameplay elements and they don't want that since the game is primarily developed for consoles . Creating a true RPG for consoles would be suicide .

But why would RPG elements be required for, say, Reapers coaxing humans and Turians into a renewed war, generating territorial claims/shifts and ramping up the loyalty issue for Garrus? Or violent ethnic repression becoming a mainstream human habit, rather than a naughty Cerberus exclusive? Something that has to be physically reflected in both your team and the world around you, rather than just getting a quick mention in one of the dialogue branches. Something where Shepard has to exist as part of a vulnerable and imperfect world, without the reassurance he'll get to fix it all in time for dinner.

These things are not bound by genre-based features. They can be introduced as fully linear plot events in the most traditional of action games. But for some reason the "seeds" for these, well, flashpoints (:blues:) seem to be kept as far away from the main storyline as possible. As if the design doc states "Upon reaching a main plot point, the player should express 'Oh, ok' and walk on, rather than 'Oh, wow' and stop."

Still, I can't wait to get my hands on the third iteration. I really want to see where they'll take all the characters. They'd better not mess up ME3 Tali as badly as they did with ME2 Liara (pre-LotSB). A game character forcing me into adultery was awesome in hindsight, but I will not let go of my feisty Quarian! :nono: :o :p

[CameronMcDonald]

Still, I can't wait to get my hands on the third iteration. I really want to see where they'll take all the characters. They'd better not mess up ME3 Tali as badly as they did with ME2 Liara (pre-LotSB). A game character forcing me into adultery was awesome in hindsight, but I will not let go of my feisty Quarian!

Amen. A shot of her actual face would be even better. That was the biggest let down of ME2 for me.


...unite all races to save the glorious human race, who's supposedly rather insignificant home planet is considered the Reaper's primary strategic target.

This I would disagree with.

I was of the impression that the Reapers enjoyed burning the candle at both ends, i.e. attacking everywhere at once, then waiting and stamping out remnants here and there. I strongly doubt that all the Reapers went to Earth alone, especially since Sovereign partially regurgitates that famous line about blocking out the sun.

[Sith]

Amen. A shot of her actual face would be even better. That was the biggest let down of ME2 for me.

Personally, I could live with that decision.
Was entirely to be expected after the weight put on this very act, but I think any and all revealing of a face would've been a sore disappointment. Regardless of how she looked.


This I would disagree with.

I was of the impression that the Reapers enjoyed burning the candle at both ends, i.e. attacking everywhere at once, then waiting and stamping out remnants here and there. I strongly doubt that all the Reapers went to Earth alone, especially since Sovereign partially regurgitates that famous line about blocking out the sun.

And that represents exactly the conflict between "background story insinuation" and "main plot simplification" I mentioned ealier. If you don't want to be disappointed beforehand, don't read the following quote straight out of the ME3 announcement press release:
"Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth."
:rolleyes: :( :mad:

[CameronMcDonald]

Hmmm, we'll have to hope that's not taken too literally.

I agree with you in that having the Reapers concentrate solely on mankind would be a giant KFC bucket of gay.

And yeah, my Shepard was forced into adultery as well... just couldn't turn 'em down. So far in the series he's had trouble getting it together with human females though. Poor devil.

[DM]

Hmmm, we'll have to hope that's not taken too literally.
Thats a bit freaking dissapointing if it does end up that way.

ME2 was all about the Reapers destroying the whole galaxy, hence uniting all the different species to fight them. But if it turns into a "targeting the humans only" deal, then thats really poor writing and a big let down...


And yeah, my Shepard was forced into adultery as well... just couldn't turn 'em down. So far in the series he's had trouble getting it together with human females though. Poor devil.
Heh, I know how that one goes. Somehow, after getting so far with Ash, I ended up with Liara, god knows how that happened. Some conversation choices are not worded clearly enough for their outcomes... :j:

[Tonci87]

Earth as primary target? Well I can see why. Shepard killed two reapers, so they must believe that the humans are an uber race or something like that, and that they need to be taken out first.....
(Of course Im would prefer the "the whole galaxy is screwed solution")

[CameronMcDonald]

Heh, I know how that one goes. Somehow, after getting so far with Ash, I ended up with Liara, god knows how that happened. Some conversation choices are not worded clearly enough for their outcomes... :j:

The best bit was the absolutely filthy look on my dudes face when he started down the "...why do I have to choose?" path.

"What if you, and me... and her...?" :P

[Sith]

Earth as primary target? Well I can see why. Shepard killed two reapers, so they must believe that the humans are an uber race or something like that, and that they need to be taken out first.....
(Of course Im would prefer the "the whole galaxy is screwed solution")

The fact that they invade by the thousands indicates they expect to be facing opposition capable of inflicting quite a few losses. Why on Earth (pun intended) would the most highly evolved lifeform in the galaxy subsequently decide to get bogged down in an all-out attack on one of the smaller (http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Treaty_of_Farixen) military entities amongst the council races? Just because Shepard managed to take out 1 and a half Reaper with more than a fair bit of luck?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the press release was indeed simplistic for the sake of not having to delve into the game's back story too much. It would be a shame not to see how noble all these races remain amongst each other in the face of total annihilation :cylon:

[Flash Thunder]

In the future Humans are still egocentric.

Joy!

the one thing i hate about the mass effect series is how every level is just a Box with a bunch of crates stacked up in a corner they really need to put more effort into their level design.

ME1 had a cool level where you're driving the Mako around in a foot of water that was refreshing everything else gets way to repetitive I was extremely disappointed I thought this area was going to get more development time in ME2

also ill skip on the PC version this time around ME2 on PC was utter garbage.

[Prydain]

Those were not walkers mate , they were the reapers .
That is like saying "bakery cake" in response to me saying "cake". They are walkers, Reapers or not, it is irrelevant. My hatred of walkers grows every time they are included in any sci-fi universe, they are just unimaginative and scream "creatively lazy" to me. I mean, if the Reapers can land on earth then surely they could wipe out humanity with biological weaponry instead. Being able to turn into a walker is a poor design feature for something that can fly around spraying a human-killing virus.

Still, the ME story may explain why Earth is under attack yet, there may be an explanation as to why it is happening in ME3 that we, obviously, can't see yet.

[ST_Dux]

also ill skip on the PC version this time around ME2 on PC was utter garbage.
What was wrong with it? I didn't notice any problems.

[Flash Thunder]

What was wrong with it? I didn't notice any problems.

input was consolized couldnt use mouse wheel small things like that, and they didnt implement 360 controller usage so I had to be hunched over while playing the game.

ill just get the console version PC is too irritating.

[TechnoTerrorist303]

The Reapers are probably going for Earth because the Humans are responsible for stopping their invasion in ME1 and then screwing up the creation of a new Reaper in ME2 thus drawing their attention. Alternatively the attack on Earth could be a way to get Shepherd involved as they seem a bit fixated on getting hold of him.

I'm really looking forward to ME3, ME1 was just a fantastic game on every level. Sure the actual design of the missions could have done with some work but the story was told very well. ME2 didn't seem that good to start with but picked up after a while... I might have to play through the whole thing again so I can bone the dirty bird on the engineering deck.

[Flash Thunder]

Had nastalgia So i put mass effect 1 back into my Xbox for a night

somethings that are still prevelant in ME2 and wish are fixed in ME3

Lame level design consisting of block layouts and furnished with generic looking shipping crates, along with usually poor use of lighting and environmental effects.

Facial animation for me is good although could be drastically improved seeing the LA noire tech demo, sometimes the characters in ME universe seem too soulless especially NPC's in cities it really breaks the immersion.

Squad AI, need i say more they're still horrendously dumb I got to micro manage there every move it seems.

Lack of good Animated skyboxes and backdrops, ME1 I feel was much better in this field, the backdrop on Illium was just poor, I was expecting much more when I that first video with the flying cars.

Vehicles, more vehicles more exploration, this is a space RPG game right? Why does 90% of the game take place in cubicals filled with shipping crates?? :o

and Bioware if you're going to make a PC version you could at least give us some better textures, the textures on clothing and armor in this game is astrocious, nothing worse than getting a nice close up of some blurry paint splats. graphically I can say i thought me1 was better

[Prydain]

Vehicles, more vehicles more exploration, this is a space RPG game right? Why does 90% of the game take place in cubicals filled with shipping crates?? :o
It is an interactive story first. Harvesting materials from planets and driving around a stupid looking armoured lander were the worst activitys in both the first two games. Bioware should focus on the story, the interactions and fine tuning what they have.

I have to say, playing through the first two again has opened my eyes to the holes and flaws in the story that I would usually not care about. One of the worst parts about the story is how you can compare some key parts to key parts in The Matrix but without the overly worked-in deeper messages and some of the more interesting ideas.

[Heatseeker]

I thought ME2 looked great, then i watched some actual gameplay... and couldnt stop laughing.

[kavoven]

I thought ME2 looked great, then i watched some actual gameplay... and couldnt stop laughing.

Why?

(grr, the message you entered is too short... right, this will solve it :D)

[Krycek]

I hope they make bigger places to explore.I enjoyed ME2 but c'mon Omega was a huge bar and a few corridors and that was considered an hub world.:eek:
When I saw Nos Astra I wanted so much to explore a lot more but what the fuck,it was the same a bar and a few rooms with shops.

ME1 had fewer locations as hub worlds but the Citadel was very interesting to explore.Even Kotor 1 had more interesting and bigger places to explore(and I'm not even an SW fan).I think Maanan was larger than all the ME1&2 locations combined.


I truly hope this time we actually get to do some exploration in this fantastic ME universe and more diversity in sec quests.Not the type of diversity like in ME2:kill the salarian mercs,kill the human mercs oh how about kill the krogan mercs.
Although I'm afraid we will get a corridor shooter with stats as the rpg part.


Another thing I'm worried is how will they make the Reapers part.It will be the most pathetic thing ever if we find a "switch" to turn them off.:Oo:


I'm actually dissapointed with Bioware,since they've been aquired by EA their quality went down.

[MadDogX]

Anyone else planning on buying this game? I've been playing the demo in MP and it's a blast! (When you can find a game where the host doesn't ragequit after dying.)

Mass Effect is already great for the story, but it looks like the online factor is going to add a lot to the game this time. If anyone wants to get together for some friendly coops (now with the demo and later with the full game) let me know.

[Dead3yez]

Anyone else planning on buying this game?

Yeah. But, I'll be waiting for a sale or for it to at least drop a little in price (plus that would give the opportunity to play the game after it's been patched a couple times). Only downside is that, I could be waiting a while since I only see the game available on origin.

[Mr. Charles]

It's also on g2play.net for 39€. Played a bit of MP and it was quite enjoyable, also played ME1 and ME2, so i won't miss on ME3 ;)

[Krycek]

I'm gonna wait and see how big the hubs part and exploration is,if they are like in ME2 where Omega was a friggin bar and two shops I'll pass it(ahhh I miss Manaan).
I'm sure I can find crapload of other GoW cover shooters.After I got screwed so bad with DA2 I'm gonna be very suspicious of other Bioware stuff.Sadly the demo was made only to attract the shooting crowd.

[Tonci87]

And that leads me to believe that the whole game will be "made for the shooting crowd". I might get it if it doesn´t require Origin

[VanhA-ICON]

Well, I still have the save files from both predecessors so I guess this is a must as well..
However.. I tried so hard scoring with Samara in ME2 that it made my nuts ache.... damn. No score.
I want a harem mod in #3!

[CameronMcDonald]

Hah, I've got 3 profiles from ME1 and 2 ready to go. I'm a big fan o' the series, so regardless of the dodginess it'll be nice to get closure.

[Krycek]

Well, I still have the save files from both predecessors so I guess this is a must as well..
However.. I tried so hard scoring with Samara in ME2 that it made my nuts ache.... damn. No score.
I want a harem mod in #3!

Don't worry,under EAs "great vision" Bioware will add romance options for reapers,salarians,rachni maybe even volus if you're feeling kinky.
I went classic way in ME1 with G.I. Jane aka Ashley and Miranda in ME2,no alien sex on my ship.:p

Btw check this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gayz4s82LHs&feature=youtu.be&t=47s
Watch from 0:48 and especially 2:15 for some funny shit.

[MadDogX]

y0EWIsXYzpI

Here's some full HD multiplayer gameplay footage from last night. :)

[Maddmatt]

Combat is still as crap as it was in ME2. Feels like you're repeatedly clicking on them to make the health bar shrink instead, you know, shooting at them and killing bad guys.
With they removed the stupid health bars and made the weapons feel like guns that kill instead of tools to slowly drain health bars.

Story in the first part of the demo seemed really cool though. Was epic seeing the reapers all over the city. Second part felt like the usual simple repetitive combat mission from ME2.

Maybe when it's cheap I'll pick it up. Felt like I was just playing ME2 again, which I did really enjoy at the time, but I don't feel like more of the same right now.

[Dead3yez]

The Reapers are probably going for Earth because the Humans are responsible for stopping their invasion in ME1 and then screwing up the creation of a new Reaper in ME2 thus drawing their attention. Alternatively the attack on Earth could be a way to get Shepherd involved as they seem a bit fixated on getting hold of him.

Personally I think they are attacking the human colonisations and Earth because they have the greatest threat against them (the alliance), but also because the need to start harvesting more ground troops (husks) to do their dirty work and maybe even complete a human reaper.

[SiC-Disaster]

Sweet baby jesus those jogging animations are HORRIBLE.
Watching Anderson walk with his pistol in the first mission completely killed it for me, even though the graphics, sounds voiceacting etc are all top notch.
I've seen mod teams do a better job with animation. How the hell did their animation team get away with this?

[colossus]

I agree. I almost have the feeling they are worse then ME2. Although I personally think it's been going downhill since ME1.
There was also a bit of a problem keeping the character to the wall instead of rolling around all the time, but that might just be me not handling the controls good enough. ;)

They also seem to have changed the facial structure a bit. Anderson looks very long in his face now, and my own character looked very chubby compared to the last two games (cheeks were all messed up).
http://kingtoko.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/mass-effect-anderson.jpg?w=500 http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110607024759/masseffect/images/thumb/8/80/Anderson_ME3_Character_Shot.png/150px-Anderson_ME3_Character_Shot.png
See what I mean? :(

[Dirty Haz]

I will be def buying this as I have all the others. I am buying mine from here (http://www.gamersgate.co.uk/DD-ME3DDUK/mass-effect-3-n7-digital-deluxe-edition-uk) tho.

[VIPER[CWW]]

I'll get it on hard copy if I can, never with origin, having one game on that is more then enough. £50 from gamersgate for a digital download == daylight robbery, £30 is the max I will pay for any pc game.

[Wolfrug]

;2108649']I'll get it on hard copy if I can, never with origin, having one game on that is more then enough. £50 from gamersgate for a digital download == daylight robbery, £30 is the max I will pay for any pc game.

I'm betting you can't evade Origin no matter what you do, hard copy or not. Sadly that might be the reason I'm not getting ME3 :( Origin Do Not Want. At least until they amend their privacy snooping, although honestly I'd prefer not to have yet another DRM program kicking around for no good reason.

Regards,
Wolfrug

[MadDogX]

I'm betting you can't evade Origin no matter what you do, hard copy or not.
Yup, the last I heard was that ME3 will require Origin. If you get a disc version, you will still need to activate it through Origin, similar to what happens with "Steam only" games.

[kavoven]

I agree. I almost have the feeling they are worse then ME2. Although I personally think it's been going downhill since ME1.
There was also a bit of a problem keeping the character to the wall instead of rolling around all the time, but that might just be me not handling the controls good enough. ;)


I experienced the same.

I played ME2 for the storyline and I guess I'll get ME3 when the lowered the price, but the begining didn't blew me away...

[Blu3sman]

www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/22/mass-effect-3-from-ashes-day-one-dlc-confirmed-collectors-edition-owners-get-it-free/
No comments...:mad:
The series seriously degraded since ME1.

[CameronMcDonald]

Yeah, that day-one-DLC shit really needs to get nuked. EA again. FPDR

[Tonci87]

You can expect stuff like that from EA. I won´t buy the game until it has dropped in price and until it is on Steam. I don´t want Origin.

[colossus]

Although I have ME1 and ME2 I don't think I'll be getting this one either. I despise Origin, there are no benefits having that program. Even though they took out the middle man they still kept the same prices, and at times even higher prices. I think what Gabe Newell said about providing a better service then what the pirates can do also applies to other competing companies. Meaning, EA doesn't provide a better service then Valve, other retailers or pirates.

[ST_Dux]

I think you all are crazy not to buy ME3 because of Origin, but I love the series.

[Hellfire257]

If you guys truly like the series you'll get it anyway. By boycotting Origin you're also harming BioWare. There isn't much they can do with EA's tentacles pinning them down. Back in '08 EA were not the monster they are today.

[colossus]

This is a very popular serie with a massive fanbase. A few people's choice not to buy Mass Effect 3, for whatever reason, can hardly be deemed harmful to a company that can spend ~550 million dollars on SW: The Old Republic, which has 1.7 million active subscibers, after 2 million people bought it, and this in a time of recession. BioWare is not a small company anymore and they have EAs full support behind them.

[Papanowel]

You can expect stuff like that from EA. I won´t buy the game until it has dropped in price and until it is on Steam. I don´t want Origin.

I'm afraid that you will never play ME3, it wont be sold on steam.

[Tonci87]

I'm afraid that you will never play ME3, it wont be sold on steam.
Thats what they want you to believe, so that you go and use Origin. I guess it will go on Steam half a year after Release, they want to grab the extra cash.

[Serclaes]

Or maybe they'll combine Steam and Origin. Like some MS Live games.

[MadDogX]

As much as I am looking forward to this game, the many, many issues with the MP part are really detracting from the overall experience. So far:

- I almost always have trouble finding an MP session. The ironically named "quick game" function is a royal pain in the ass.
- Occasionally the game just sticks on "connecting" for ages (2 minutes?). This cannot be aborted.
- Some people obviously don't have a sufficient connection to host the game (or are downloading stuff while hosting), resulting in extreme lag.
- Sometimes the lobby is buggy/inconsistent. At times I have seen my name disappear, followed by a CTD. Other times the "ready" button / space doesn't work, so I cannot ready up.
- After a match, I have (twice so far) experienced loss of items that I bought right before the host left. The items simply disappeared after host migration was complete.
- I occasionally have a sound problem where some channels aren't played, resulting in extremely diminished situational awareness. Restarting the game fixes this.
- Also rarely, I will not be able to see any enemies. I can see my team mates shooting at stuff, and I will take hits from all over the place, but I can't see any enemies to shoot at.
- Starting a game after host migration almost always results in major bugs. Most recently, the first wave was also the last ("get to the shuttle!"), and once we were successfully away it said "Mission failed!".


Not to mention that the "random" way of recieving items is thouroughly unsatisfying. I don't use sniper rifles at all, but the game seems to really, really, REALLY want me to. At least judging by the amount of sniper upgrades I have recieved.

[ziiip]

Yeah, that day-one-DLC shit really needs to get nuked. EA again. FPDR

This isnt anything new since like ~2010.

[CameronMcDonald]

This isnt anything new since like ~2010.

And since 2010, my opinion hasn't changed.

[BangTail]

Day 1 DLC = Automatic No purchase for me.

FU EA, and your disgusting 'business' practices as well.

I will, of course, heap a lot of the blame on the people who encourage these business practices by continuing to support these greedy assholes, those people are the reason it keeps happening.

Stop supporting crap like this and you'll see how fast they stop producing it. The only way to invoke any kind of change with EA and their ilk is to speak to them in the only language they understand, money.

[ST_Dux]

I will, of course, heap a lot of the blame on the people who encourage these business practices by continuing to support these greedy assholes, those people are the reason it keeps happening.
Count me among the blamed, then. I don't see the problem with day-one DLC. The price for just about every AAA video game has been $60 for many years now; everything else has been going up in price while the price of games has stagnated. They're past due for a price increase, and I for one am glad that the increase is coming in the form of optional content rather than simply being tacked on.

And seriously, what's with the demonizing? How is offering DLC a "disgusting business practice"? EA is a for-profit company that's trying to maximize its profit by using a business model that involves DLC. Bohemia Interactive is another company that fits that description. I don't see the problem. If you really hate DLC, don't buy it.

[BangTail]

Count me among the blamed, then. I don't see the problem with day-one DLC. The price for just about every AAA video game has been $60 for many years now; everything else has been going up in price while the price of games has stagnated. They're past due for a price increase, and I for one am glad that the increase is coming in the form of optional content rather than simply being tacked on.

And seriously, what's with the demonizing? How is offering DLC a "disgusting business practice"? EA is a for-profit company that's trying to maximize its profit by using a business model that involves DLC. Bohemia Interactive is another company that fits that description. I don't see the problem. If you really hate DLC, don't buy it.

If you can't see why that's wrong, there isnt much for us to discuss. Maybe when you can't even afford games because it will effectively cost you hundreds of dollars to play, you'll understand why we should not support this kind of practice.

Comparing BIS to EA in this particular instance is entirely out of context. I don't object to DLC in general (anymore), I do object to DLC being released on the same day as the game, it's quite simply insulting.

Please don't try to use that ' they are a business and they have to make money' nonsense either, it's a really weak argument. There is no shortage of revenue generation where EA is concerned, Origin is a prime example of their unmitigated greed.

At the end of the day, we'll just have to agree to disagree :)

[Krycek]

And seriously, what's with the demonizing? How is offering DLC a "disgusting business practice"? EA is a for-profit company that's trying to maximize its profit by using a business model that involves DLC. Bohemia Interactive is another company that fits that description. I don't see the problem. If you really hate DLC, don't buy it.


Optional content my ass,90% it's cut content to make an easy buck.Except very few devs,almost all DLC content it's cut from the original.
It's a disgusting business practice because before we had add-ons,that was additional content.Devs added value to their games by making entire new areas,campaigns and so on.Now if it isn't cut from original then they add silly stuff like new skins,a map,maybe a pistol and other pointless crap.It's easy and lazy,why bother with quality optional content when they get easy money this way.Add-ons went the way of the dodo since consoles started to promote DLC.

[Sniperwolf572]

Count me among the blamed, then. I don't see the problem with day-one DLC. The price for just about every AAA video game has been $60 for many years now; everything else has been going up in price while the price of games has stagnated. They're past due for a price increase, and I for one am glad that the increase is coming in the form of optional content rather than simply being tacked on.

And seriously, what's with the demonizing? How is offering DLC a "disgusting business practice"? EA is a for-profit company that's trying to maximize its profit by using a business model that involves DLC. Bohemia Interactive is another company that fits that description. I don't see the problem. If you really hate DLC, don't buy it.

If we assume a base price of 50 euros, I'd agree with you if the prices of the base game dropped by the same amount a day 1 DLC costs. Unfortunatley, that's not the case with ME3 or any other game out there with such content.

On an more on topic note, I've been playing the first two parts in preparation for the third. Demo disappointed me a bit with the sound and texture quality (Hopefully it's because of the demo size considerations). Some animations were a bit off-putting and I'm baffled at the choice to make the enemy health/protection bars so low key. In ME2 they hit the sweet spot as I could tell the status of an enemy purely by peripheral vision as the bars were big, contrasted and bright, while in the demo I had to glue my eyes to the top just to see what's going on.

[ST_Dux]

Maybe when you can't even afford games because it will effectively cost you hundreds of dollars to play, you'll understand why we should not support this kind of practice.
This is a ludicrous slippery slope argument. Games won't be costing hundreds of dollars anytime soon because no one would buy them if they did. A $10 optional DLC on release is not indicative of a an impending massive price increase, and as I said before, it's really about time for a small price increase. We can't expect games to stay $60 forever as long as inflation is a reality.


Please don't try to use that ' they are a business and they have to make money' nonsense either, it's a really weak argument. There is no shortage of revenue generation where EA is concerned, Origin is a prime example of their unmitigated greed.
EA is a for-profit company. They have a responsibility to their shareholders to maximize their profits; it would be irresponsible for them to intentionally ignore the profit that can be gained through DLC. You might not like this, but it is an essential feature of capitalism.


Optional content my ass,90% it's cut content to make an easy buck.Except very few devs,almost all DLC content it's cut from the original.
The content is still being made optional regardless of whether it was developed before or after the decision to make it DLC. Would you rather it be included with the "original game" and made mandatory (along with its $10 price tag)? This whole idea that the game developer somehow owes you whatever content was developed before the game is released -- regardless of the quantity of that content -- for the arbitrary set price of $60 (for a AAA title) is ridiculous. If the DLC were exactly the same but released a few months later, how would that be any better? How is offering day-one DLC fundamentally any different from game developers charging the same amount of money for games of varying levels of content?

If you're really having an ethical crisis over supporting day-one DLC, I recommend simply pretending that the content doesn't exist. After all, if ME3 were released exactly as is without the optional DLC, I'm sure that no one would feel that it was lacking in content for its $60 price tag. The only reason you feel entitled to the DLC content is because you know that it exists.


If we assume a base price of 50 euros, I'd agree with you if the prices of the base game dropped by the same amount a day 1 DLC costs. Unfortunatley, that's not the case with ME3 or any other game out there with such content.
Then the price would effectively not be going up at all. My point is that it's really not unreasonable for game prices to be rising at this point, and it's better for gamers that it is in the form of an optional increase at first rather than a mandatory one.

[Sniperwolf572]

This is a ludicrous slippery slope argument. Games won't be costing hundreds of dollars anytime soon because no one would buy them if they did. A $10 optional DLC on release is not indicative of a an impending massive price increase, and as I said before, it's really about time for a small price increase. We can't expect games to stay $60 forever as long as inflation is a reality.


EA is a for-profit company. They have a responsibility to their shareholders to maximize their profits; it would be irresponsible for them to intentionally ignore the profit that can be gained through DLC. You might not like this, but it is an essential feature of capitalism.


The content is still being made optional regardless of whether it was developed before or after the decision to make it DLC. Would you rather it be included with the "original game" and made mandatory (along with its $10 price tag)? This whole idea that the game developer somehow owes you whatever content was developed before the game is released -- regardless of the quantity of that content -- for the arbitrary set price of $60 (for a AAA title) is ridiculous. If the DLC were exactly the same but released a few months later, how would that be any better? How is offering day-one DLC fundamentally any different from game developers charging the same amount of money for games of varying levels of content?

If you're really having an ethical crisis over supporting day-one DLC, I recommend simply pretending that the content doesn't exist. After all, if ME3 were released exactly as is without the optional DLC, I'm sure that no one would feel that it was lacking in content for its $60 price tag. The only reason you feel entitled to the DLC content is because you know that it exists.


Then the price would effectively not be going up at all. My point is that it's really not unreasonable for game prices to be rising at this point, and it's better for gamers that it is in the form of an optional increase at first rather than a mandatory one.

There's no need for the prices to be going up. Profit is what matters, and it has been demonstrated many times that the lower prices reap higher profits because of the increase in customers which are suddenly able to afford your product.

But let's stop this discussion here, if you wish discuss this (game pricing, impact of day 1 DLC on the gamers, etc) with the community, please open up a new thread. I'd love to discuss this in more detail as well, but let's keep this thread relevant to the actual game itself, instead of polluting it with profit discussions and day 1 DLC gripes. :)

[paecmaker]

I have wanted to get this game since I first heard about it, but I am going to wait for a while, just to see how people think it is and see if the price goes down some.

[Mr. Charles]

I preordered on G2play.com for 39€. let's see how this one turns out :cool:

[Hellfire257]

I presume you've all seen the trailers they put out recently? BioWare are certainly big fans of Two Steps From Hell. Mind you, who isn't? :)

[maionaze]

I don't know if you guys like rock, but here is a decent rock cover of the ME3 theme
U7q5PosDms4

[Soul_Assassin]

Should be getting it in the mail tomorrow :) can't wait!

[Lester]

I loved the Series, but Origin is a absolutly no-go for me ... this would be the first Game i would miss a lot, but i don't support things like Origin !

Additional things like 1-Day DLC are also a slap in the face for customers, it's pinpoint the marketing course.

[Tonci87]

AS I already said, I will wait util the GOTY Edition that includes all DLCs hits the shelves or steam. No Origin on my PC

[Mr. Charles]

I'm playing the MP first, as you need War Assets from it to get a good SP end cutscene (yea i know). Turns out you don't have to play that much MP tho. After 2 failed missions and 1 successful i am at 61%.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/03/06/mass-effect-3-war-assets-and-readiness-how-multiplayer-affects-your-ending/

Add me on Origin for a nice game ;)

[ST_Dux]

I'm playing the MP first, as you need War Assets from it to get a good SP end cutscene (yea i know).
You don't really need it. Getting good "war assets" in MP just means that you don't have to do as many side quests in SP. According to the producers, if you are a completionist, you should have no problem succeeding fully in SP alone. The MP is actually pretty fun, though.

[Hellfire257]

I need to do a bit of MP as well. I'm currently sitting at around 2000 war assets (that's including the multiplier of .5) so I need to get that up a bit. To all you abstainers, you are missing out!

[Jeza]

hadent played any of the series two weeks ago, but now managed to complete ME1&2 in a couple of weeks, really enjoyed it, cant wait for this one to come out.

[PuFu]

hadent played any of the series two weeks ago, but now managed to complete ME1&2 in a couple of weeks, really enjoyed it, cant wait for this one to come out.
it IS out :)

[Jeza]

it IS out :)

UK out on the 9th, so have to wait a little bit longer.

[Hellfire257]

Pah, don't believe that rubbish Jeza!

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1038459219#post1038459219

[Tonci87]

I'm playing the MP first, as you need War Assets from it to get a good SP end cutscene (yea i know). Turns out you don't have to play that much MP tho. After 2 failed missions and 1 successful i am at 61%.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/03/06/mass-effect-3-war-assets-and-readiness-how-multiplayer-affects-your-ending/

Add me on Origin for a nice game ;)

That exactly what I feared would happen. They damage the SP experience to make you play MP to make you buy stupid extra stuff.

[Krycek]

I had a bad feeling about this and I'm pretty glad I didn't bought it.
I played(and still playing) on a friend's crapbox360 so I don't know how much is different on pc(mostly regarding graphics since I'm playing on ancient hardware).

Bad things:
-graphics,these guys returned to 2002 and I didn't knew,using sprites in lots of locations (Purgatory is the perfect example),2d smoke,low quality textures or so stretched that it looks ridiculous.I remember when I played ME2 on my pc stuff like this wasn't so bad.Of course I'm comparing xbox graphics to pc,but after I played the demo on my pc I assume there aren't many improvements there too.Also they said because they have the engine developed with ME2 things should go smoothly with ME3 so wtf happened??
-pathetic animations(again wtf happened since ME2??)
-this should be funny after ME2 but the rpg part is very streamlined,in fact I would say it's totally gone,all you do in this game is shoot,watching cutscene and choose one of the 2-3 dialogue options
-the fetch quest system from DA2 is present here too,you find crap on different locations then you run around Citadel giving that crap to random npcs
-streamlined dialogue with all your squad mates like you had with Zaeed or Kasumi in ME2
-even less hub worlds than ME2,after the hobbit hub worlds in ME2 I thought they improved them in size and scope.Right now I only see Citadel as hub world,yay for more recycled locations in such a vast universe.Oh and the size of ME1 Citadel still beats the crap out of the current one.Of course they could use the war excuse for not making more hub worlds,I call it laziness.I really wished to visit Thessia or Palaven as hub worlds.
-no diversity in secondary quests or exploration,all I saw until now is "go to this location and shoot something".
-saw some pretty big plot holes but I won't even add them as spoilers since game is pretty new
-the so called war assets are nothing more than smoke and mirrors,I haven't reach the end but I assume all it does is "different number,different cutscene"

Good parts:
-combat is truly more interesting than previous versions,no more hiding in a corner and pop everyone from there.You get assaulted from different positions and is not safe staying in one location,good combo of high lvl enemies and lower grunts
-the new reaper enemies are interesting,I got tired killing millions of mercenaries in ME2
-my friend imported his save and the decisions he made in past games tied in nicely here,big bonus here for Bioware
-some of the writing is pretty good when it's not plagued by cheesy lines
-the presentation and atmosphere is pretty nicely done,you have the feeling the Reapers are indeed some space monsters although the reaction of different species is pretty weird.
For example extinction threatens everyone,planets are ravaged and entire fleets are destroyed,but turians and krogans are still pissed at each other and other examples like these
-story is pretty interesting for now(my opinion may change when I reach the end)

I only reached Tuchanka so I assume there is a lot more before that.Since I won't have access to the game for awhile I'm not sure how interesting the game would become in the later stages.
Now I know ME1&2 never had too much rpg in them too,but I believe ME3 just turned into some CoD space game or the MTV of rpg games.
Can't really know how can you streamline something that was already streamlined starting with ME2,but EA&Bioware did it.
Fantastic universe but gimped by idiotic devs or idiotic decisions.

[ST_Dux]

That exactly what I feared would happen. They damage the SP experience to make you play MP to make you buy stupid extra stuff.
As I stated in an earlier reply, you don't need to do any of the MP stuff to get a perfect ending in SP. Putting hours into MP (you never need to buy extra stuff) just means that less side quests are required for a perfect SP ending, but you can of course still do whatever you want.

[Tonci87]

As I stated in an earlier reply, you don't need to do any of the MP stuff to get a perfect ending in SP. Putting hours into MP (you never need to buy extra stuff) just means that less side quests are required for a perfect SP ending, but you can of course still do whatever you want.
Who told you that? Some gaming press, repeating EA PR?

[ST_Dux]

Who told you that? Some gaming press, repeating EA PR?
It was stated by at least one BioWare producer, but it's also fairly self-evident once you've been playing the game for a while (as I have). Trust me, MP is 100% optional, and it does not diminish the SP experience.

[Krycek]

It was stated by at least one BioWare producer, but it's also fairly self-evident once you've been playing the game for a while (as I have). Trust me, MP is 100% optional, and it does not diminish the SP experience.

Yes if you want to have a better score at the end and not touching the MP the alternative is to play this stupid mini-game called "Reapers chasing you" in which you have to scan most of the Reaper occupied systems for war assets.In ME2 you used that awful planet scanning mini-game,but at least you were encouraged to use it for finding secondary quests.Heh and people complained about Mako exploration.

[Hellfire257]

As I stated in an earlier reply, you don't need to do any of the MP stuff to get a perfect ending in SP. Putting hours into MP (you never need to buy extra stuff) just means that less side quests are required for a perfect SP ending, but you can of course still do whatever you want.

This is correct. You either play MP or go and complete more sidequests and/or scan more systems. Your choice entirely. Pick your poison.

[Defunkt]

Yeah, that day-one-DLC shit really needs to get nuked. EA again. FPDR
I find this position totally irrational. All products enter a free market at whatever the producer feels they can get for them, there's no sacred law that says games must be $60 or less, make a bigger or better game and of course you should expect to be able to charge more for it (and AAA games become bigger and more expensive to make every year). Do you imagine all cars must cost $X and manufacturer options are the devil's work? Each person can decide for themself what part or parts of the product represent good value but there's nothing inherently wrong with it, it's normal. I'll never understand why gamers feel so habitually entitled (other of course than the fact that children are disproportionately represented amongst them).

All of that said, a (mostly) single-player, over the shoulder space opera's worth exactly zip to me.

[Wray]

Nice!

[GRS]

Am I the only one that actually kind of liked Mako exploration? Yeah it needed some work in the physics and variety department but I thought the concept was pretty neat and not THAT horribly executed.

[Salvatore_Lee]

Without spoiling too much, the endings are too fucking dissapointing.

[Hellfire257]

I liked the Mako somewhat.

Regarding the endings, I'm hoping they come up with something better. The amount of fuss being kicked up over them is tremendous so I hope Bioware will take note and add a few more endings. I'm keeping a save just before the point of no return for this reason.

[colossus]

I broke to "public" pressure and bought it. I'm almost regretting it now, seeing how the endings were. :(

4H_A7SeawU4

I mostly agree with this guy about the ending. Although I'd probably be willing to pay for a better ending, seeing that it might take some effort and time - in contrast to what they've done already. :rolleyes:

[Krycek]

Rofl so now they want to make a DLC ending??Wonder when we will start to see "Video options" DLC or "Main quest" DLC.
Don't get me wrong,I fully agree with people pissed about the endings after I watched them on youtube.
I thought the lack of secondary quests(retardo fetch quests doesn't count) or locations to visit was bad,but those endings are simply terrible,it's like you made choices in ME1&2&3 only to see the final sequence full of plot holes or complete nonsense.
Of course now they're in damage control acting like they planned this only to add later the real ending,seriously ending DLC?!:icon_lol:

Also to the people that thought From Ashes wasn't cut from the original game I found this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRpGlmtws8

Should make it clear what is the difference between additional content dlc and chop off stuff and sell it for extra bucks.

[Dead3yez]

If any of you guys want to play the DLC without buying it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWtOiOFPsY

+ parts 2,3,4,5,6 :p


Despite the direction bioware / EA have taken the series. It is still very good. But, they are really really pushing it to the limit....

Another gripe of mine, with a new character at the beginning on insanity things were very tough which was good and also very distressful at certain points which is also probably a good thing, considering the chosen difficulty. However, as you level up, the drop down in difficulty becomes very large and the last missions become easier than some of the first ones where. Just to put things in perspective, I was able to complete the very last mission facing 4/5 brutes while being shot at by a reaper etc on my second attempt. I am thinking if it became this "easy" on insanity (w/ level 45-47) character in role-playing mode, then it really makes me wonder how challenging it must be on any difficulty that is lower.

[Tonci87]

Nearly every day one DLC is ripped out of the main game. Of course they are not going to admit it. And to all the people that keep defending such BS by repeating the same old PR BS that this content wasn´t taken out of the main game, some artists where just already finished with their part and ahd a little time to work on the DLC: STFU
Why do you play games like ME? You play them because of the story! Well guess what, the story is written before game development starts. That means the full story, including the Prologue that the Devs cut out to sell it seperately. So you basically pay for the main plot, you are free to pay for the Prologue that helps to understand the Main plot and now they even want to charge you for the new Epilogue because the old one was uninspired and plain unworthy shit? Seriously? Are you OK with that? Doesn´t it really bother you?

EDIT: By the way

Casey Hudson a few weeks before the release:



"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."

[colossus]

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8323/uxgajbbe.jpg

:p From Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5893123/mass-effect-3-director-didnt-want-you-to-forget-the-games-ending).

Well it's not entirely true, because the time I tried the "evil" way I ended up incinerating Earth rather then just killing the Reapers. But the part about the Mass Relays and Normandy seems to be the same, regardless of ending. Which is the part I have serious issues with.

[Dead3yez]

Make the galaxy red or blue. Those are your ending choices.

The two minute ending was horrible, I was like "wtf just happened"... And there was very little clues to speculate what would happen if there is to be yet another ME.

[OnlyRazor]

Make the galaxy red or blue. Those are your ending choices.

The two minute ending was horrible, I was like "wtf just happened"... And there was very little clues to speculate what would happen if there is to be yet another ME.

Halo was supposed to be a trilogy, and there's a Halo 4 in development... I think. Anyway, a trilogy is rarely, if ever, a trilogy.

[Krycek]

Casey Hudson a few weeks before the release:

"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."


Nice one Tonci,I missed that interview,Casey Hudson is so full of shit that he should be a politician.

Btw,a very good read explaining what is wrong with the ending:
CONTAINS SPOILERS
http://www.gamefront.com/mass-effect-3-ending-hatred-5-reasons-the-fans-are-right/

[Dead3yez]

Halo was supposed to be a trilogy, and there's a Halo 4 in development... I think. Anyway, a trilogy is rarely, if ever, a trilogy.

I think ME3 should have brought the story to a closure. Though, I know that now they have the market, Bioware is undoubtedly thinking about or planned to milk the franchise as much as possible along with the planned movie.

Possibilities I expect are an FPS/RTS on the Krogan rebellions and Rachni War. Though, Commander Shepard and the humans may be an invaluable marketing strength to lose.

[Sniperwolf572]

With so much rage and disappointment focused on the endings, many are forgetting that the entire game leading up to the endings is awesome. I have my own interpretation of the ending (Initially i went green), but the best thing to do is wait and see how EA/Bioware plays it out with patches/additional paid content.

My most despised moment of the ending block is the last talk with TIM. I could not pick the last Paragon line with the maxed out Paragon rep just because of the interface fail during the first meet. I went with an option on the left, "Investigate", side of wheel thinking it's going to bring me back to choices, but it actually counted as the "Move conversation forward" line.

[MadDogX]

Wow. I kept seeing complaints about the ending all over the place, but I avoided spoilers and kept playing regardless. All the while I thought to myself, "nah, it can't be that bad. Surely people are just disappointed about some minor detail or something..."

Boy was I wrong. The whole last 10-15 minutes were so bad, I almost felt disenchanted - I actually (briefly) felt like I had been deluding myself the whole time about how good the ME series really is, because ultimately it was all for nothing. It took half an hour of cooling off and reading some other experiences on the internet to realize that the games themselves are still as awesome as ever. It's just the end that really fucks it up nine ways to sunday. This article (http://www.gamefront.com/mass-effect-3-ending-hatred-5-reasons-the-fans-are-right/) sums up perfectly what is wrong with it, btw.

I've come across bad endings in dozens of other games, but never have I felt so throroughly disappointed as I am now. I guess it's because of how emotionally invested I am in the story - and I'm not afraid to admit that. It's just like what happens when reading an awesome, dramatic book, or watching a great film, or even a good TV series (the Battlestar Galactica remake comes to mind for me personally). I never thought a game could be so gripping, but as far as I'm concerned Bioware pulled it off... and then undid it all at the end. Such a shame.

[4 IN 1]

The ending is so Deus Ex: Human Revolution that I don't want to buy it even if it don't require origin.

Oh wait, even DE:HR have a ending D

[[APS]Gnat]

Was looking at the PS3 version tonight, but after reading above posts ........ giving it a miss!

[Hellfire257]

The game is stellar, but the endings are so crap! 98% of your game time you will love. 2% you will hate with extreme bitterness.

[Tonci87]

What if?
http://chzvideogames.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/video-game-memes-mo-money-mo-problems.jpg

[Hellfire257]

You really hate EA, don't you?

[OnlyRazor]

It is a constitutional right to hate the winner of the annual 'Worst Publisher' award. At least it should be :rolleyes:

[MadDogX]

After looking around on YouTube and reading some tweets from Bioware employees, I for one have come to the conclusion that the ending is not all that it seems.

1. Firstly there's the fact that the citadel-catalyst-entity appears in the shape of the boy from the beginning of the game, who later repeatedly appeared in Shepard's dreams. How could the catalyst entity have known about him, and why did it choose that particular form? This is left completely unexplained, and oddly enough Shepard doesn't even question it. In any case, this is a clear indicator that there is more to the ending than meets the eye. No matter which way you spin it, either the catalyst (and therefore the reapers, by extension) got into Shepard's head at some point - meaning the end could easily be some indoctrination fantasy - or the ending sequence is simply another dream.

2. One particularly telling tweet by a Bioware employee (I believe the game's executive producer) in response to a fan complaining about the ending indicated that there is more to it than meets the eye, and that people will see it very differently soon. I don't have access to Twitter right now, but I'll look the tweet up later.

3. Mass relays - the Mass Effect universe simply dosn't work without them. If the ending we saw is to be taken literally, any DLC for the game will have to take place before the final assault on Earth. Then there's the fact that Bioware aren't simply going to "give up" on the Mass Effect universe. Yes, Shepard's story was always intended as a trilogy, but Bioware have often stated that they intend to keep the franchise going way beyond that. So unless they intend to release nothing but "prequels" in future, they will have to put a different spin on the ending. Either that, or they have something else up their sleeves that none of us can anticipate.

[4 IN 1]

What it mean is that the ending is so bad that fans wanted to be dreaming rather then accept this crapy ending as the real one.

[MadDogX]

What it mean is that the ending is so bad that fans wanted to be dreaming rather then accept this crapy ending as the real one.
Well yeah, there's a lot of wishful thinking and grasping at straws involved, but the clues are still there.

Of course there is the possibility that Bioware simply dropped the ball and screwed it up at the last moment, but after five years and (almost) three full games worth of consistently excellent story-telling, I find it impossible to believe that this craptastic, nonsensical ending is anything but an elaborate plot twist that will ultimately be resolved. The one thing Bioware has already admitted is that the ending was designed to get people talking, i.e. they made it intentionally controversial. And why would they do that? To sell DLC of course.

The folks at Bioware aren't stupid, and I will maintain that assumption until proven wrong.

[Hellfire257]

I agree with you, MadDog. They've either pulled off one helluva ending (there's a lot of clues to suggest this, but these could be coincidental) or really screwed up.

[Tonci87]

You really hate EA, don't you?

Well yes kind of, they ruined so many studios/games and continue to do so and they have an habbit of taking this DLC madness really way to far. I guess that are enough reasons to not like them.

[Dead3yez]

Everyone who played to the ending and was like "WTF" (if you weren't like WTF, then clearly you didn't pay enough attention to anything) should watch this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZOyeFvnhiI

It's about a theory that Shepard became indoctrinated, and it kind of makes sense. In short, it's saying the ending was a dream. Even if this were to be completely made up, this theory makes the story so much better than the real "ending".

Not really a spoiler. :p

[Tonci87]

Nice Theory and defiantely better than the "real" ending

[Dead3yez]

lol. "real" "ending". ;)

[Hellfire257]

http://blog.bioware.com/2012/03/21/4108/

No comment with this one - I think it speaks for itself.

[Tonci87]

Well technicaly he is right, games are art and the maker can decide how they are going to be.

[Hellfire257]

I'll use the analogy I used on the BW forums for this.

Photography is an art form. Therefore, a photo of a turd is art.

It doesn't change the fact that it is still a turd though.

[colossus]

It's an interesting theory. However, it's still just a theory. Neither proven nor unproven. There are things that suggest this indoctrination had a part to play, yes. But I still don't understand why they choose to make it such a closely guarded secret (ready to be revealed in a DLC I guess?) Or at least to some difficult to interpret as indoctrination. As the video suggests, there are several clues extending over all three Mass Effect games, but to remember all of these quotes and facts about indoctrination after so many years? It's a bit of a gamble if they expected that.

Even if they did imply that this is all part of an indoctrination, what ever happened the vastly distinctive endings? And if you chose the path the Reapers wanted you to go, why not send Shepard's mind off to "happyland" to complete the illusion? Where the Mass Relays don't explode, everyone got go home safe and sound, huge celebration, him- or herself still alive and well and so on. Alive, dead or indoctrinated; that would be the ending I would have thought I'd get if I choose blue or green. Otherwise I'd probably think something was wrong ..which it was, in my mind. :rolleyes:

[MadDogX]

Excellent video - nice find, Dead3yez! The part about Shepard's eyes in the blue and green endings was the clincher for me. It's subtle but definitely there, and pretty much a dead give-away once you've seen it. That simply can't be a coincidence.

[Hellfire257]

Okay, so after the $80,000 donated to Childs Play, the latest initiative saw people raise $1000 for...cupcakes? :p

Yep, that's right. The plan is to ship out 400 cupcakes to BioWare HQ in 3 different colours to represent the endings; red, green, and blue. All of them will taste exactly the same.

That $1000 was raised in under 30 minutes.

I really admire the passion at which people do this sort of thing. I just hope BioWare listens to their fans.

[4 IN 1]

Well it wasn't like that they have a statue in space for a thousand of protesters shoot at to send the developers a message :p

[MadDogX]

I really admire the passion at which people do this sort of thing. I just hope BioWare listens to their fans.
Agreed. The cupcake thing is hilarious btw. :D

It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks, especially as the whole situation around the endings is still very unclear at this point (unless you take the cynical "it's just crappy writing" point of view, of course). Bioware has been really vague and sometimes self-contradictory on the matter (tweets vs. public statements), which is frustrating to say the least. I still want to believe in the indoctrination theory - simply because it would give the ending a lot of depth and leave interesting possibilities for continuing the story - but I've found that much of the "evidence" for it crumbles under scrutiny and the rest may simply be coincidental.

[Krycek]

Okay, so after the $80,000 donated to Childs Play, the latest initiative saw people raise $1000 for...cupcakes? :p

Yep, that's right. The plan is to ship out 400 cupcakes to BioWare HQ in 3 different colours to represent the endings; red, green, and blue. All of them will taste exactly the same.

I would had replaced those 400 cupcakes with 3 turds.Packaged very well to don't suspect a thing until it's already too late(kinda like they did with their game).I'm more surprised that people still think it's the same Bioware that was a few years ago.

[4 IN 1]

How about cupcake that tasted like turds?

[Dead3yez]

:huh: Freaks...

[4 IN 1]

:huh: Freaks...

They deserved that :j:

[Hellfire257]

You've got to draw the line somewhere. Keeping things civil is the best way of doing things in this case.

Here's a message from the rEApers as well for you all:



The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Game companies rise, evolve, advance, and at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. Bioware is not the first. By utilizing our funding, game companies develop along the paths we desire. They exist because we allow it, and they will end because we demand it.

[Salvatore_Lee]

Here, a more flashier version :p

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg201/scaled.php?server=201&filename=1332574991702.jpg&res=medium

[Tonci87]

Here, a more flashier version :p

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg201/scaled.php?server=201&filename=1332574991702.jpg&res=medium

Nice...
:D

Put it on
http://videogames.memebase.com/submit/

[colossus]

Have you seen this one yet? It was posted two years ago (!). I stumbled upon it when I was reading about hints (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/29/mass-effect-3-ending-hinted-at-by-mass-effect-1-after-all/) in Mass Effect (1) regarding Mass Effect 3. Amusing reading.



Exactly. There are two endings I wouldn't like for ME 3. One being a random GOD LIKE force that saves the Galaxy or another being that to defeat the Reapers, everyone has to become a primitivst and destroy the Relays, Citadel, etc. Both would make me pretty unhappy as those endings have been done to death.

I imagine without the Collector base there will be some sacrifice to be made. Using the combined fleets as a distraction (like the Black Gate in Lord of the Rings) while Shepard and his team find some other way to defeat the Reapers? Triggering a star into Supernova while the Reapers are present, killing everyone but ending the Reaper cycle? Hell, it may even be Earth is used as the graveyard of the Reapers, a tempting bait for their fleet. Either way, please no Battlestar Galactica "return to simple ways" ending...

That is true and anyway Bioware would have had to develop the "ancient" race for some time. A quick appearance at the end would be terrible. I am all for the idea of the current sentient races finding a way to defeat the Reapers on their own, without having to end galactic civlization OR rely on ancient God aliens.

Source: Bioware forums (http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/105/index/970146/1)

Original ending, huh? :rolleyes: :p

[Krycek]

Triggering a star into Supernova while the Reapers are present, killing everyone but ending the Reaper cycle? Hell, it may even be Earth is used as the graveyard of the Reapers, a tempting bait for their fleet.



This could had been better than the 3 choice crap,lure their main fleet in a system but with a proxy fleet of yours instead of sacrificing all the combined fleets you've gathered.Then drop a meteor into the relay like in the ME2 Arrival,resulting supernova will destroy the system.After that the huge combined fleet you got could had easily cleanse system by system of remaining reapers since their main force was on Earth.
Heck this is basically what reapers have done in all those extinction cycles,cut off and isolate systems before harvesting&orbital bombing.

[Krycek]

Yay?!:j:
http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut/

So basically they're going to expand on the crap endings with some cutscenes.

[Tonci87]

BioWare will expanding on the ending to Mass Effect 3 by creating additional cinematics and epilogue scenes to the existing ending sequences. The goal of these new scenes is to provide additional clarity and closure to Mass Effect 3.


Am I the only one who expected more than that?

[colossus]

I expected this. The way the letter from the director was written seemed to indicate exactly this. I remain skeptical, though. How can they explain the part about Normandy, the Mass Relays, and the massive fleet; and still make sense of it all? I don't know. How they can make that happening with a couple of cutscenes is beyond me. And for free, nonetheless!

PS:
On another subject. An interesting podcast I was listening to the other day. Had me entertained at least :)
Escapist Podcast: Mass Effect - part 1 (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escapist-podcast/5468-Bonus-Mass-Effect-3-With-Spoilers-Part-1)
Escapist Podcast: Mass Effect - part 2 (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escapist-podcast/5483-Bonus-Mass-Effect-3-With-Spoilers-Part-2)
Escapist Podcast: Mass Effect - part 3 (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escapist-podcast/5543-Bonus-Mass-Effect-3-With-Spoilers-Part-3)

[CameronMcDonald]

The most frustrating part of the game I've played so far (not much) is simply the horrible character importer. I know they are working on fixing it in the next patch, but who's genius idea was it to totally remove scars?

My renegade adept didn't opt to get facial surgery and therefore looked like he was slowly coming apart at the seams, not to mention his fucking awesome glow-in-the-dark eyes. How the crap am I meant to simply explain this away in ME3 where his face is now as smooth as a baby's arse again?

Shitpot antics.