BioWare Making Mass Effect 3 More Accessible for New Players

[Joccaren]

You get to the second episode, and every conversation explains what happened in the previous episode before moving on to what's happening in this one, just for new viewers.

Ah, I see your point. I definitely don't want every conversation in Mass Effect 3 to be an explanation of what came before. It's a good thing that this article is stating something completely different to that! It doesn't even make a difference to people who have played the game before. This is nothing but a benefit to the act of making money. New fans are happy. Old fans are hypothetically happy, since they don't have to put up with it if they import a save.

Well, not necessarily. If an old player wants to play through and see what the story would be like if they had followed the default options, they get a ton of exposition dumped on them. Its why I think it would be better as a toggleable option that a set thing, which it might be. We don't know.

Hell, imagine if comic books did that, stated exactly what happened in the previous book in the next one, just to help people know what happened last book. It would get annoying.

A lot of comics do that. A short few narration boxes in the first couple of pages explaining the current story. It's no biggie whatsoever.

Much like the short fill in comic at the start of ME2. Now imagine when characters were talking to each other they kept explaining what happened last episode for those who hadn't read it, not just an intro sequence of sorts. That sort of thing is what people are worried about. Rather than your intro sequence, characters will dump info on you because you didn't import a save.
Thankfully we don't know everything about this yet, and imported saves will be immune to it (Thank god), and I have already stated that the hate against this is a bit much. I'm cautious about it, as it has the potential to go horribly wrong, but it could also be alright.

 

[Joccaren]

Hope you wern't trying to import that from your steam collection of ME titles XD

AS far as I know that has no effect. You simply copy your save files into a folder in the new ME game, like you did with every previous ME game. I don't think EA would have gone back to ME and ME2 post release and added in a specific flag to the save files that checked if you were running the game off Steam then set that flag to yes so all your save files were useless. As many bad decisions that they (And most other publishers) have made, they aren't that stupid.

by the way i'm very intrigued to know how the story line will be constructed, since according to bioware a dead sheppard stay dead...

Yep, if your Shepard died in ME2 you cannot import the save. No running around as Joker sorry (That would be awesome. Harbinger, why so serious?).

 

[AndyFromMonday]

The third game in a trilogy is not the time to make a series more accessible.

 

[CrazyBlaze]

I hope that they also add an option that goes in far deeper than the comic for two. There should be a page that you can use at the start of a new game to select all the options that would affect the third game in anyway. It should not by a synopsis, that should be different. This should allow you to completely choose your story with out having to make all the choices in the first two games.

 

[justnotcricket]

snip

I dislike the phrase, yes, but only because it makes people who clearly didn't read the article through gripe about the developers 'making the game easier'. If you take a minute and read the full text, you'll see that this pertains to 'the story thus far' exposition, which Bioware wants to include for new players to catch them up but doesn't want to dump on people who are continuing with a previous save file and know what's going on. I fail to see how that's a bad thing.

If that one line is making you give up on Mass Effect 3, then you clearly weren't that interested in it in the first place.

Aye, you have me there. After the amazing dissapointment that was Mass Effect 2 and the abortion that was Dragon Age 2 I have little to no interest in Mass Effect 3.

Still my distain for the recent Bioware products doesnt mean I dont have my right to complain and gripe.

What I see is that new players wont start with the last game advertised to be an epic trillogy, it would be like somebody watching Return of the Jedi first and then saying "So why does Luke wear that black glove?". The whole feature is a pointless endeavour for this series. However In some series that span different consoles over the peroid of many years it is necessary (see Yakuza and Metal Gear Solid which did have features similar) but for a series like Mass Effect there isnt a need for a "Previously on Mass Effect option".

It is just a waste of hours and man power that is going to pull away from the main game, that's why it is a bad thing.

Also as for my comment on "More Accessible for New Players" that is just my general opinion on the phrase and ones like it, big red warning lights go on when I hear developers say words like that. I did not articulate my words properly in my first post.

The 'more accessible' phrase is an odd turkey, really. It makes longer term players see red, and honestly I'm not sure if anyone new to the series was really 'concerned' that they wouldn't be able to get into Mass Effect 3. I imagine most people wanting to get into a trilogy will go pick up the first game, or else just not care and play the third one anyway. I can't fault Bioware in the sense that, as a PS3 player (my home PC is good at DOS games...=P), I didn't *have* the option of picking up the first game, and it's a nice sentiment, but I'll admit I'm not sure it's really *necessary* in the third game of a series. I guess that's the trap you fall into when your games are continuity/story driven, like Bioware's often are, rather than gameplay driven.

Skyrim is the opposite case; Bethesda never have to worry about this sort of thing because each story is unique - the game is gameplay-based, and no-one has to care about catching up on the story or characterisation..it's a flaming pile of arse anyway. (In case it wasn't obvious, I'm a subscriber of the 'Can't we have the story and characterisation of a Bioware game with the gameplay/open world of Skyrim?' theory of RPG development).

Although I don't think catching new players up on the 'story thus far' will take away sufficient man hours from the development to cause problems with the rest of Mass Effect 3, you're well within your rights not to want the game. You just set off my facial tic because it seemed like you were reacting to a nonexistent issue. ;-P

 

[CJ1145]

Sorry, but I think Bioware's making a very wrong move here. I can understand wanting to attract new players (this is a business, after all), but using the final act of an epic trilogy is definitely not the time to do it. And what this inevitably ends up doing is screwing over the already existing fans of the game. I -want- my AI squadmates to go "Hey Shepard, remember that time we..." It gives the game personality, and it makes the story feel like it's mine.

Excited as I am for this game, I don't like this at all.

It says in the article if you're importing a save then this doesn't affect you.

 

[Darren716]

BioWare Making Mass Effect 3 More Accessible for New Players

Does anyone else hate the phrase "More Accessible for New Players" as much as I do, it pretty much translates to "We making the game easier for people who are under twelve, fuck the people who played the previous games.". You know like the did with Dragon Age 2.

Yeah im not buying Mass Effect 3.

I hate this streamlining bullshit too, why should fans of a series have to play a watered down version show the publisher can make money of the dumbasses who were too thick to comprehand the previous games. I believe this guy explains it well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPZ1BSD5g90&feature=channel_video_title (embedding wasn't working for me)

 

[Phlakes]

No, don't say that word! That word brings out the selfish, elitist, "new player are ruining our games" crowd!

Anyway, good for them, now more (yes, more) people will be able to enjoy the experience and the rest of us won't be affected at all. Seriously, actually read the article this time, it'll do you good.

BioWare Making Mass Effect 3 More Accessible for New Players

Does anyone else hate the phrase "More Accessible for New Players" as much as I do, it pretty much translates to "We making the game easier for people who are under twelve, fuck the people who played the previous games.". You know like the did with Dragon Age 2.

Yeah im not buying Mass Effect 3.

Like you. You've generalized "accessible" to mean "dumbed down" either because of your experience or the internet. If you read the article, "accessible" in this case means it'll be easier for new players to understand the story, and absolutely nothing else.

 

[Atmos Duality]

I'm curious how they intend to make it even MORE accessible.
The first two games didn't have any gameplay challenge whatsoever.

So...maybe it's referring to just the story?
I mean...it's not exactly difficult. Hell, the vast majority of Mass Effect 2 was just padding towards the central plot.

 

[alik44]

So bio ware assume people will buy the concluding Epic finnaly to mass effect without play or even knowing the story of the game. umm can they just but the other games they not that or expensive

 

[Susan Arendt]

IM not debating the merits or downsides to introducing people to a late trilogy, Im just stating that your statement, right there, which I quoted is flawed, therefore you should amend it or replace it for another one.

What part of it is flawed? As I already mentioned, the Episode titles that hinted at previously unexplored backstory were only added to the original films later on after they were already released. Return Of The Jedi is a perfect example of a trilogy conclusion which requires knowledge of the prior events in order to understand what is going on. Why is that such a contentious issue for you?

The crawl at the beginning of Star Wars says "Chapter IV" and always has. You're right that the "official" name changed later, of course.

 

[Zen Toombs]

I don't think that this is a completely bad move - if done correctly, newer players get the exposition they need, and veterans get to dive right into the meat of the game. Everybody wins!

If Bioware does it right.

 

[Sixcess]

Removing the need for existing players to sit through the obvious story-so-far info dumps is actually a very good idea, though I occassionally rely on them to remind me what the hell I'm supposed to be doing in a series I haven't played for a while.

Maybe they should have 3 settings - New Player, Veteran and Didn't Pay Attention.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Trying to make the third game in a story heavy trilogy more accessible for new players.

You're doing it wrong.

Remember that time when someone complained that The Return of the King was too confusing because it wasn't accessible to new viewers of The Lord of the Rings?

No, me neither.

Yes, cause a game where the NPC's make a few extra comments to fill in the details will just RUIN FUCKING EVERYTHING and means they're just cattering to noobs for more money. It's such obviously good logic, why HAVEN'T they realized this?

Oooo, oooo, I've got this one.

Sarcasm, right?

I'm not saying that they shouldn't help new players along, but when was the last time you heard someone say 'man, the third entry in this trilogy is really confusing, it's like, there was stuff before this or something.'

Most people are going to know that the last game in a story heavy trilogy isn't going to go over every little detail from the last games, and most fair minded people wouldn't expect them too.

It's great that Bioware are catering for both new and old players, it just seems a bit silly in my mind.

 

[sifffffff]

Trying to make the third game in a story heavy trilogy more accessible for new players.

You're doing it wrong.

Remember that time when someone complained that The Return of the King was too confusing because it wasn't accessible to new viewers of The Lord of the Rings?

No, me neither.

In what way are they doing it wrong. Did you even read the article before replying? If you import a save file there will be more exposition of events because you've already played them. That's a win for returning gamers. If you haven't played the game before there won't be. That's a win for the new gamers.

So what's the problem?

I'll tell you what I think it is. You're upset that Bioware keeps trying to get more people to play their games. In some sort of twisted idea if they deserved to be playing Mass Effect 3 they should have played the other two first.

Accessibility doesn't necessarily mean "dumbing down."

One other thing. Arguing in absolutes makes any argument invalid because it literally cannot be true. Implying NOBODY thought ROTK wasn't accessible is false because on a planet of 6+ billion people there was at least one person who felt that way.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

From how I read it, it seems there is entirely different dialogue depending if you import a save or not. My first reaction to the article title was "Oh goodie, they have dumbed down the gameplay even more. Now it'll be a 'Press "X" to win' game."

Now for the counter point; If you start playing a game that has "3" on the end without playing 1 or 2, then your own dumb-ass deserves to get lost in even the most basic of game elements.

 

[TheDooD]

Oh, great - they still want the CoD crowd, don't they?

Expect ads plastered everywhere, with guns out and the deeper elements of story and universe-building that defined the first game-and-a-half conspicuously absent.

"Epic space opera? All I see is this game about guns and power armor! Look, no boring conversations to distract you! Look, it works as a standalone B-movie FPS! You don't even have to play those old, moldy RPGs we made! Please, CoD fans! Buy our game! Give us your money! Help us compete with Activision!"

...

...Please?

Why are you all still playing CoD? Don't you want other games?"

This made me laugh because I have a feeling SOMEBODY at Bioware was thinking this.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Trying to make the third game in a story heavy trilogy more accessible for new players.

You're doing it wrong.

Remember that time when someone complained that The Return of the King was too confusing because it wasn't accessible to new viewers of The Lord of the Rings?

No, me neither.

In what way are they doing it wrong. Did you even read the article before replying? If you import a save file there will be more exposition of events because you've already played them. That's a win for returning gamers. If you haven't played the game before there won't be. That's a win for the new gamers.

So what's the problem?

I'll tell you what I think it is. You're upset that Bioware keeps trying to get more people to play their games. In some sort of twisted idea if they deserved to be playing Mass Effect 3 they should have played the other two first.

Accessibility doesn't necessarily mean "dumbing down."

One other thing. Arguing in absolutes makes any argument invalid because it literally cannot be true. Implying NOBODY thought ROTK wasn't accessible is false because on a planet of 6+ billion people there was at least one person who felt that way.

Don't attempt to pressume what I think, I don't give a flying ferret fuck about Bioware's marketing camapaign, or whether or not they want new players and I've never bought into the 'dumbing down' of games. All I care about is the game.

Ever read a book trilogy? Ever been interested in a TV series with any kind of continuity?
Would you recommend Stephen King's the Dark Tower series if the person was starting with the seventh bloody book?

I want as many people to enjoy this series as possible, but anyone starting at the 3rd game just isn't going to get the same kind of experience. I don't think they shouldn't play it, I think it's a shame that they've missed out on most of the story, and if it gets them to buy the two prequals, brilliant! But it's like starting a fine meal with dessert.

Convenient that you failed to use the quote button, and instead quoted me in such a way so that I don't get notified.

 

[sifffffff]

I have you on my ignore list so I can't directly quote you. Every so often I take a peek at what people I've ignored have to say and every time I regret it. Sometimes I can't help but respond. Help them confront their own bias ya know?

All you care about is the game? So the first thing you do when you read this article is tell them "they're doing it wrong." Even though the way they're doing it is going to have no effect on the game for you.

No I wouldn't recommend somebody start on the third game but it doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to.

But you're backpedaling from what you initially said after myself and several others called you on it. So if the real point of them "doing it wrong" is just that you feel bad for the people who missed out on the other two games what's the point in saying "you're doing it wrong."

To me it seems like you're hating on Bioware just to hate on them. No real reason you just see a Bioware topic and you need to hate.

How would you suggest Bioware "Do it right?"

Edit: And please don't take the whole "you're on my ignore list personally." I have 262 people on it so far. I use it because I try to abide by the forum rules and so if I read something I can't respond to in a polite manner or I see someone who I don't think I can have an actual discussion with I put them on the list.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I have you on my ignore list so I can't directly quote you. Every so often I take a peek at what people I've ignored have to say and every time I regret it. Sometimes I can't help but respond. Help them confront their own bias ya know?

All you care about is the game? So the first thing you do when you read this article is tell them "they're doing it wrong." Even though the way they're doing it is going to have no effect on the game for you.

No I wouldn't recommend somebody start on the third game but it doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to.

But you're backpedaling from what you initially said after myself and several others called you on it. So if the real point of them "doing it wrong" is just that you feel bad for the people who missed out on the other two games what's the point in saying "you're doing it wrong."

To me it seems like you're hating on Bioware just to hate on them. No real reason you just see a Bioware topic and you need to hate.

How would you suggest Bioware "Do it right?"

Edit: And please don't take the whole "you're on my ignore list personally." I have 262 people on it so far. I use it because I try to abide by the forum rules and so if I read something I can't respond to in a polite manner or I see someone who I don't think I can have an actual discussion with I put them on the list.

Why would I hate on Bioware?

And I wasn't being entirely serious with the whole 'you're doing it wrong' to the point that I actually think Bioware shouldn't do it. More like a 'rolling my eyes' kind of way. Like I said. Like starting a meal with dessert. You're doing it wrong.