BioWare Defends Mass Effect 3 Launch-Day DLC

[AstylahAthrys]

I feel like gamers don't understand how freaking complex and long game development process is. Also, the entitlement is ridiculous. Essentially, people are bitching they aren't getting a DLC character made for the collector's edition for free with the standard. Bioware is actually being more chill than most devs who never offer the special stuff to fans who didn't want to shell out the money for the CE. It's not like you won't be able to bear the game without this character. For people saying that the employees aren't doing their job or being too lazy, it's opposite. They decided to not twiddle their thumbs during test, which is a freaking long process.

I dunno, maybe I'm pissed that gamers feel like they're entitled to something that was part of a package I paid $20 more for. I like the incentive I feel for supporting people that make games I like. Or maybe I feel like people are blowing this out of proportion, like gamers tend to do. Everything is the worst thing ever and ruining everything, we see it every time a AAA game comes out, without fail.

I think this is the proper response for this:

[large image snip]

This. This so much. Thank you.

 

[Mycroft Holmes]

It is NOT necessary content - and I see no reason that I ever would have considered it such. You do NOT need it - you simply want it 'cause it would be cool to have a Prothean squad mate.

I agree. Actually when you think about it, you don't really need any squad members at all to win the game. Imo they should charge 10$ for every squad member because they aren't really necessary, its just 'cool' to have them. And they can just add an NPC helmsman with no personality, I mean its cool and all to have Joker and EDE, but really they aren't necessary to the game at all. If you really want joker back you can just pay a 5$ fee, 'cus its just not necessary content. Voice actors also cost money, and the game can get its plot across pretty well in text. I think you should have to pay a 1$ to each voice actor before the audio turns on.

 

[Ix Rebound]

christ im getting sick of downloadable content, especially when it involves some pretty heavy game/story stuff in it too

 

[Aroddo]

Bioware is full of shit.

They did the same on-launch-DLC move with Dragon Age 2. A whole new squad member and some quests, too. Exactly the same as in ME3.

And now try again telling me that they "couldn't" include it in the regular game ....
Complete and utter bullshit.

They develop their game and cut choice parts OUT to sell them seperately. It worked before, why shouldn't it work again?

Imagine they'd release Skyrim with Whiterun Markath or Riften only available as DLC. Or Left 4 Dead with a three-player mode, four-player mode as optional DLC.

Nah, Bioware is full of shit.

 

[kurokenshi]

How about those of us who WANTED to get the collectors edition but couldn't because by the time they had the money for it it was sold out? That doesn't make me any less of a fan of the series...

Then buy the DLC after the game comes out? You actually end up paying less money than you would for the CE. "From Ashes" is $10 and the CE is $80 a full $20 more.

You get alot more DLC & extras for that $20.

I don't understand the problem with the DLC, they have been doing it with all their games since DA:O. Why the sudden outcry now? What am I missing?
What they should really be shouting about is forcing Origin on people.

 

[kurokenshi]

How about those of us who WANTED to get the collectors edition but couldn't because by the time they had the money for it it was sold out? That doesn't make me any less of a fan of the series...

Then buy the DLC after the game comes out? You actually end up paying less money than you would for the CE. "From Ashes" is $10 and the CE is $80 a full $20 more.

You get alot more DLC & extras for that $20.

I don't understand the problem with the DLC, they have been doing it with all their games since DA:O. Why the sudden outcry now? What am I missing?
What they should really be shouting about is forcing Origin on people.

Mostly cosmetic stuff though, and things like the artbook and soundtrack. In terms of actual game content if you wanted to have the same as someone with the CE it would be cheaper.

Fair enough. Other option is to just wait until the all dlc is bundled together in an ultimate edition later.

 

[Dandark]

I would have been fine with this if it was given free to all people who buy a new copy of the game. They do that already and im fine with that since they want to reward the people who buy the copies that they profit from.

This though is just them being greedy, im not even going to buy ME3 now. It's not so much boycotting it in protest as it is deciding it's not worth it, if they are doing this then they will do a lot more DLC too and to feel like I get the full experience for my money I will need to spend even more on both this and whatever other DLC they release, and it just ain't worth it.

There are other titles out there I want to get as well that don't make me pay even more money just to get the full experience. Im downloading the Crusader kings demo now, maybe i'll buy that game instead, or use the money I would have spent on ME3 to buy Metro: last light.

My point is that those who are complaining. Ask yourself this. Do you want the full experience, that is the full game and all the DLC? If so then are you willing to pay the large amount they are asking for? If so then great, if not then I urge you to just buy other games and not complain on the forums.
By all means make your displeasure with it known but nobody wants 5 topics per day ranting about it.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

don't like it, stop moaning and just don't buy it. simples.
rent it if you're desperate to see how the story turns out.

 

[Madman123456]

I'm a bit on the Fence with Zaeed, the day one DLC Character for mass effect 2; It's a Jab at the used Games Market and one may or may not see why this could very well harm the Guys who jabbed themselves.
At best, this makes the Industry look a bit shady. Car Companies that see me driving around with their Age old Product are glad to see me driving their Product and their Company Logo around. Otherwise i might be in a new Car from another Company.

But whatever, the People want to give the Customers who buy their Product new a Bonus, fine.
That's what it should be, a Bonus.

In direct Comparison to ME3, this looks really good. In ME3, i get a new Character not as a "buy new" bonus, not as a Preorder Bonus, only if i buy the Collectors Edition. And that's ok unless i'm missing something Plot or Lore important.

If i can get every Lore important Dialogue from this Character or maybe a stand-in, that would be ok as far as i'm concerned.
We don't know that yet and my Decision wether i buy the Game or not has been made because of the Spyware "Origin".
Still, Bioware could be treading new Grounds here. If they where about to try to sell me this epic giant Game for more Money, because it costs more to produce and develop then your average FPS then i might just buy that.
I'm not big on Multiplayer. Can i get double the Playtime out of a Game like ME3 then i could get from "Call of Duty: I dunno maybe Libya this time"?
I think so.
I may be convinced to pay more for that. Maybe someone like Bethesda will make a giant Game, way bigger then Skyrim (because that's not *that* big) and charge more for that. Pay double Price for a humongous Game every few Years? I can dig that.

Biowares Business Practice however leaves a bad Taste. It seems like they want to push the sales of Collectors Editions with a valuable Piece of Lore. The Lore has been a Reason why i bought and played the first two Games and was fascinated with them.
Now Bioware seems to try to lure me with that.
I thought Bioware was above that. Well, maybe they are, seeing that we don't know if we just get a Squadmate with the CE and the Lore will be available to anyone who buys the Game.

On the other Hand, they are working with EA.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

It is NOT necessary content - and I see no reason that I ever would have considered it such. You do NOT need it - you simply want it 'cause it would be cool to have a Prothean squad mate.

I agree. Actually when you think about it, you don't really need any squad members at all to win the game. Imo they should charge 10$ for every squad member because they aren't really necessary, its just 'cool' to have them. And they can just add an NPC helmsman with no personality, I mean its cool and all to have Joker and EDE, but really they aren't necessary to the game at all. If you really want joker back you can just pay a 5$ fee, 'cus its just not necessary content. Voice actors also cost money, and the game can get its plot across pretty well in text. I think you should have to pay a 1$ to each voice actor before the audio turns on.

and the award for funniest comment goes to..... this guy!

 

[votemarvel]

While the DLC may not be directly relevant to the plot of Mass Effect 3, it is directly relevant to the overall story.

After all how could the last member of the race that unlocked the secrets of Reaper tech with the Conduit, wrote code to over-ride Reaper control of the Keepers and the Citadel, the race which allowed the events of Mass Effect to happen in the first place not be extremely important to the overall story of the trilogy.

Cut from the game or developed after the main game was complete, I believe the thinking behind it was simple.

People are going to want to this character, someone is who quite obviously very important to the overall story of the Mass Effect universe, and they'll be willing to pay for it. Whether that payment is from buying the Collectors Edition or the Day-1 DLC.

Just speaking for myself I'm more upset about going from the Cerberus Network with free single player content to an online pass for a multiplayer I wont touch.

 

[Karathos]

Why am I not surprised Zeel instantly pounced on this thread like a hungry cheetah on meth? I guess it's just become a bit of a recurring gimmick for him, 's all I'm saying.

I recall explaining this exact process in that thread he made about the subject. But without reading all eleven pages of this thread, I'm going to assume the explanation still hasn't sank in.

I'll probably get the DLC in due time, what with you know, WORKING for a living so I can buy things. A return to Eden Prime sounds like fan service, and Bioware usually knows how to tickle peoples nostalgia just the right way.

 

[Jimmybobjr]

This is fine, to me. Ill eventualy get ME3 for Ps3 (Or buy it for PS3 then crack it for PC so its origin-free - Hey im still buying a copy of the game, leave me alone!) And since its
a) NOT essential to the storyline
b) Completely optional to buy
c) A Addition that, in the end, is really minor (Yet another squad-mate? You can take only two with you in the first place! Another person to be ignored in my line-up, no doubt)
d) Most likely cheap DLC anyway (<$15 im talking about)
e) Most likely a character tht i would hate (I just spent the past game fighting these things, who have little/no real backstory (Other than being the original *Spoiler* Race; At least legion was a part of a more fleshed out race)

And, finally,

F) Bioware has a good excuse for releasing DAy-One DLC; as explained above.

So i would eventualy Buy it (Or.. you know.. With a DLC patch). Its completely fine with me.

(And is it really pirating if i still give the company money for the game? IE; Getting a PS3 copy and grabbing a copy off the internet? Cos, im generaly against pirating except for games that are old and you cant find anymore - Im trying to rationalise it here guys)

 

[TemplateResponse]

I think i'll bite here, not because i like whats going on, I don't. but this is it.

I will not start anymore of EA's large franchises if they have this sort of dlc every ten minutes. its ridiculous.

I started mass effect before all of this dlc bullshit and i'd like to see it through, but if you think this will be acceptable when you launch your next big franchise? sorry pal you've lost a customer.

 

[Gunner 51]

I'm getting rather annoyed at the publishers continuously over-charging for their games. I love games for being an art, but as a business - it stinks.

If this is the new face of Day 1 DLC, this will set a very unscrupulous and extortionate precident of charging full whack for half a game. The gamers should be voting with their wallets and if it so offends them - not buying it.

However social pressure and a heavy marketing campaign on EA's part make this a very difficult thing to do.

Having said all this, people shouldn't be angry at Bioware itself, they just make the game. But it's the publishers who chop it up and sell it on and put the squeeze on everyone else.

Either way I'll have a good think about cancelling my pre-order for Mass Effect 3. I'm tired of being ripped off every time I buy a game.

Yes, all we ask is you think about it. We all know the game is tempting. I loved the series too but if we keep letting them do this, they wont stop. I do take issue with your its EA not Bioware. EA is Bioware now. stop confusing them as different entities.

I'd say atleast wait for the reviews. If they are ball out of the park. Even I wont be able to deny that Bioware got results.

I am confident that the reviews will all be glowing ones singing the praises of the new installment of Mass Effect. Though in this day and age, reviewers shouldn't be trusted too much. Especially in light of the fallout from the Dragon Age 2 review here. (Boy, did that get nasty...)

However, I wasn't aware that EA is Bioware. I always thought the two of them were separate entities. Bioware handling the writing, assembly and creation while EA decides how to sell it to the gamers and how much of it. It's sad to see that EA isn't leaving Bioware alone to do thier thing and not cut their work up like this for the sake of a few quid...

 

[BlackStar42]

ITT: People seeing the perfectly reasonable explanation given by Bioware and going WAAAHHHH WAAHHHHH I WANT FREE STUFF BECAUSE FUCK EA. Seriously, quit the bitching people, this happens every single fricking time Bioware gets mentioned.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

(And is it really pirating if i still give the company money for the game? IE; Getting a PS3 copy and grabbing a copy off the internet? Cos, im generaly against pirating except for games that are old and you cant find anymore - Im trying to rationalise it here guys)

i'd say it isnt, as you've paid, but i bet you get a warning

 

[Jimmybobjr]

(And is it really pirating if i still give the company money for the game? IE; Getting a PS3 copy and grabbing a copy off the internet? Cos, im generaly against pirating except for games that are old and you cant find anymore - Im trying to rationalise it here guys)

i'd say it isnt, as you've paid, but i bet you get a warning

Im worried about getting a warning from the escapist crew, so im actiualy trying to be vague here.

I know it isnt completely morealy correct, but i prefer PC gaming to PS3, and i want it on PC without Origin... Sooooo yeah. :/

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Oh, I'm enjoying this. It doesn't affect me because I decided against buying it a while back. As much as I think he is really hit and miss, TotalBiscuit nailed this one.

 

[Android2137]

Paying for alternate appearance DLC, I can understand. Paying for weapon DLC, I can understand. It's having to pay for a squadmate that really ticks me off.