Mass Effect 3 Writer Allegedly Slams Controversial Ending

[Canadish]

Sounds like someone just committed professional suicide... Shouldn't he know the unwritten rule of working in an industry like this? You never criticize the project, no matter how controversial. Did Harrison Ford talk bad about Crystal Skull? No. He went into every interview, put on that big "shit eating grin" and answered the questions he was asked. When Shia LeBouf was quoted as saying the movie was terrible, Ford basically called him an asshole and said you should never second guess the director if you personally don't have the power or pull to do anything about it.

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

Why the hell is he an asshole for being truthful and exposing this?

Are you seriously suggesting that loyalty to a company is better than the Truth?

Harrison Ford is the only ass in your example by picking on the kid who was genuinely sorry for his part in the self-destruction of a once beloved franchise.

That takes alot humility. And ALOT of balls.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Casey is really smart and really analytical. And the problem is that when he's not checked, he will assume that other people are like him, and will really appreciate an almost completely unemotional intellectual ending.

Everyone, Casey is now the new Peter Molyneux.

A pity that he didn't have the same sort of talent of pre injecting-pure-crazy-into-his-eyes Molyneux (aka Bullfrog era Molyneux)

 

[drednoahl]

I posted this in another thread - should have posted it here, to me it makes more sense.


I watched the endings to Mass Effect 3 on youtube and thought "this is what happened to Bioware when EA got them - good team scattered or merged with something alien, all infrastructure wrecked, small team left on their own with no means to communicate... with a threat that everything will get smashed up again in a few years; regardless the team strives to endure missing those who departed. I don't think it's giving the middle finger to fans - it's giving the middle finger to EA.

I think that Bioware want fans to make a choice for them - the end that matters. At least to me, the endings to Mass Effect 3 are a cry for help from the remains of the Bioware team; under EA their future is hopeless, they need to get out but don't know a way. I could be accused of "reaching" here, but I know enough devs in real life to that it would be something they'd do if they worked for someone like EA where you can't complain and your very thoughts belong to EA.

If I was a fan of Bioware, I'd be on kickstarter right now trying to find a way for Bioware to get out from under EA.

 

[Benjamin Grin]

The creators and proponents of that petition may feel that they were turning a negative into a positive by channeling that rage and discontent into charity donations, but the link can go both ways, and few charities would want to be viewed as being associated with rage and discontent. It was a well intended idea that was executed without fully considering the possible consequences.

So, what you're saying is that BioWare can use charities for PR and to sell more products as they did in the past e.g.:
http://www.vg247.com/2011/04/18/bioware-charity-auction-for-japan-relief-fund-offers-awesome-prizes/
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/114827-Children-Become-Voice-Actors-in-Hilarious-Dragon-Age-Video
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/02/biowares-dr-ray-muzyka-responds-to-the-bullies/
http://blog.bioware.com/2009/12/15/dragon-age-origins-ebay-auction-for-childs-play-charity/
http://greywardens.com/2009/12/bioware-child%E2%80%99s-play-and-the-gift-of-the-yeti/ (Even Child's Play)

Today on the BioWare Blog they ask Dragon Age fans to help them raise $10,000 for a charitable donation to ?Child?s Play?, by playing their Facebook application called Gift of the Yeti. You play and BioWare will pay.

But as soon as consumers do it, there's somehow a negative light?

They also don't seem to have a problem with people promoting Mass Effect: http://masseffect.g33kwatch.com/news/mass-effect-marathon-2-5-schedule-for-may/

Somehow I'm not inclined to believe that there is nothing else behind this... but that might just be the cynical side of me...

Child's Play aren't taking any more money from it because people were asking for their money back. People thought this was essentially a kick-starter, and when they found out it wasn't, said "Why the fuck should sick kids get shit when I don't?" A charity turning down money? Yeh, that'd be weird. A charity instituting a policy of "Charity must be the cause, not something to hang a cause on" is not so weird, especially, and I don't think I can possibly overstat this, people were asking for their money back.

So, yeah, there was something else behind it. It was the fact that, say it with me, people were askign for their money back. If you read Tycho's newspost, that you were linked to, you'd see that.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Bad guys monologue is interrupted by Shepard's over wrought dialogue

Or a Renegade Interrupt.

Kick the little fucker in his tiny holographic balls and toss him into the Crucible beam.

GALACTIC CIVILISATION SAVED!

 

[The Ubermensch]

Bad guys monologue is interrupted by Shepard's over wrought dialogue

Or a Renegade Interrupt.

Kick the little fucker in his tiny holographic balls and toss him into the Crucible beam.

GALACTIC CIVILISATION SAVED!

Or Paragon Interrupt, and Shepard spends the next 30 minutes making out with Liara. NOW THAT'S ART!

I Support Paragon Interrupt Kisses... With Liara

 

[Something Amyss]

According to Casey Hudson the post was fake.

Really, A massive info leak that basically tells the infuriated masses "Casey's to blame!" and the first thing Casey does is try to cover his arse? Either someone on the outside knows an awful lot about the inner workings of Bioware's writing team or the situation in there is just as tense and chaotic as out here.

On the other hand, any post from a Bioware writer could equally be attributed to ass-covering. Let's not take a side so readily, when both sides would have reason to cover asses.

 

[Fappy]

According to Casey Hudson the post was fake.

Really, A massive info leak that basically tells the infuriated masses "Casey's to blame!" and the first thing Casey does is try to cover his arse? Either someone on the outside knows an awful lot about the inner workings of Bioware's writing team or the situation in there is just as tense and chaotic as out here.

On the other hand, any post from a Bioware writer could equally be attributed to ass-covering. Let's not take a side so readily, when both sides would have reason to cover asses.

I'm not so sure about this. If he was covering his ass he would not have traded fan anger for employer anger. Unless he was a fucking masochist.

 

[tzimize]

Very Interesting read OP.

I can totally believe it, although I dont see how that help with anything unfortunately.

At least its keeping this conflict alive, and anything that gives me hope for a decent ending is something I'll care about.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Why the hell is he an asshole for being truthful and exposing this?

Are you seriously suggesting that loyalty to a company is better than the Truth?

Harrison Ford is the only ass in your example by picking on the kid who was genuinely sorry for his part in the self-destruction of a once beloved franchise.

That takes alot humility. And ALOT of balls.

I didn't say I agreed with the situation. I'm merely stating the fact, no matter how gruesome or unfair it is. The guy has effectively ended his career as a writer in this medium, no matter his intentions, good or bad.

So, loyal > truth.

You know what, I'd meant this post to mock that notion, but even if I hate it, that's right. We are at a point where loyalty to a company (that has no loyalty to you, mind) is prized more than the truth, if not in rhetoric, certainly on paper, and in the ability to make money for your family.

This is why I find myself hoping this was fake, even when my heart says it wasn't. This is simply because I don't want someone fired for actually having scruples, even when I'm glad he had them, or maybe because I'm glad he had them.

Unfortunately, that's just how the business is. Gotta play the game if you want to work. Morals aren't what studios value.

 

[Loonerinoes]

Very interesting read...and to be honest...this doesn't read like some fanboy or detractor making it up. It does, in fact, read very much like from whom it is speculated.

Though obviously nothing is 100% confirmed. But yeah, it's pretty much the reason why I feel it would be okay to add (without any retcons) something to that ending without the story losing any bit of integrity (specifically right after Anderson's death and Shepard passing out after Hackett calls you for the last time).

Intriguing indeed. But as usual I can see people using this to validate their personal opinions and goals in either direction so...let the madness continue I guess.

 

[Sandytimeman]

I really like reading through this, it makes things very clear as to what happened with the story.

 

[McMullen]

Sounds like someone just committed professional suicide... Shouldn't he know the unwritten rule of working in an industry like this? You never criticize the project, no matter how controversial. Did Harrison Ford talk bad about Crystal Skull? No. He went into every interview, put on that big "shit eating grin" and answered the questions he was asked. When Shia LeBouf was quoted as saying the movie was terrible, Ford basically called him an asshole and said you should never second guess the director if you personally don't have the power or pull to do anything about it.

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

How does that make him an asshole? Yeah, it's not good for the people making the movie or game, but it's good for the people who are considering watching the movie or purchasing the game. He's warning them not to waste their time and money with it. He's helping more people than he's hurting.

Besides, the movie makers and game makers who produce bad work are not victims. If they get called on doing bad work, that's their own problem. If they want to avoid it, they need only have some actual fucking talent. If they consistently fail to do so, then they need to recognize that they don't belong in that industry.

I agree that he shouldn't expect things to be easy for him after this, but he's doing the consumers a service, and I respect him for having the courage to point out how things went wrong.

I'd like you to consider how different and better the entertainment industry would be for the consumer if this sort of thing were normal before calling him an asshole.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

And to be clear, I don't even really wish Shepard had gotten a ride-off-into-sunset ending. I was honestly okay with Shepard sacrificing himself. I just expected it to be for something with more obvious differentiation, and a stronger tie to the core themes -- all three of them.

^YES! That's perfectly fine. I didn't want Shepard to live either but... the way that they did it... Suuuuccckkksssss

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Sounds like someone just committed professional suicide... Shouldn't he know the unwritten rule of working in an industry like this? You never criticize the project, no matter how controversial. Did Harrison Ford talk bad about Crystal Skull? No. He went into every interview, put on that big "shit eating grin" and answered the questions he was asked. When Shia LeBouf was quoted as saying the movie was terrible, Ford basically called him an asshole and said you should never second guess the director if you personally don't have the power or pull to do anything about it.

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

How does that make him an asshole? Yeah, it's not good for the people making the movie or game, but it's good for the people who are considering watching the movie or purchasing the game. He's warning them not to waste their time and money with it. He's helping more people than he's hurting.

Besides, the movie makers and game makers who produce bad work are not victims. If they get called on doing bad work, that's their own problem. If they want to avoid it, they need only have some actual fucking talent. If they consistently fail to do so, then they need to recognize that they don't belong in that industry.

I agree that he shouldn't expect things to be easy for him after this, but he's doing the consumers a service, and I respect him for having the courage to point out how things went wrong.

I'd like you to consider how different and better the entertainment industry would be for the consumer if this sort of thing were normal before calling him an asshole.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's a good thing he got fired. I'm sure his comments were made with the best intentions. But the fact is, you aren't allowed to call the project you worked on shit and continue to work in the industry. Ever hear the phrase about not biting the hand that feeds you? Shit like this is how you get black listed. I genuinilly feel for the guy, you never feel good about hearing that someone may lose their job, especially when it's over a game I loved. But studios don't want their employees talking shit about them or their projects, and this guy just signed his own professional death warrant.

 

[McMullen]

Sounds like someone just committed professional suicide... Shouldn't he know the unwritten rule of working in an industry like this? You never criticize the project, no matter how controversial. Did Harrison Ford talk bad about Crystal Skull? No. He went into every interview, put on that big "shit eating grin" and answered the questions he was asked. When Shia LeBouf was quoted as saying the movie was terrible, Ford basically called him an asshole and said you should never second guess the director if you personally don't have the power or pull to do anything about it.

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

How does that make him an asshole? Yeah, it's not good for the people making the movie or game, but it's good for the people who are considering watching the movie or purchasing the game. He's warning them not to waste their time and money with it. He's helping more people than he's hurting.

Besides, the movie makers and game makers who produce bad work are not victims. If they get called on doing bad work, that's their own problem. If they want to avoid it, they need only have some actual fucking talent. If they consistently fail to do so, then they need to recognize that they don't belong in that industry.

I agree that he shouldn't expect things to be easy for him after this, but he's doing the consumers a service, and I respect him for having the courage to point out how things went wrong.

I'd like you to consider how different and better the entertainment industry would be for the consumer if this sort of thing were normal before calling him an asshole.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's a good thing he got fired. I'm sure his comments were made with the best intentions. But the fact is, you aren't allowed to call the project you worked on shit and continue to work in the industry. Ever hear the phrase about not biting the hand that feeds you? Shit like this is how you get black listed. I genuinilly feel for the guy, you never feel good about hearing that someone may lose their job, especially when it's over a game I loved. But studios don't want their employees talking shit about them or their projects, and this guy just signed his own professional death warrant.

Ok... now I'm even more confused. If that's your position, why call him an asshole?

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

I don't see how I can avoid misunderstanding you when you specifically say that is your position.

 

[votemarvel]

Perhaps the facts are in dispute here but it really would explain how the ending took on an almost completely different tone to the rest of the game.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Ok... now I'm even more confused. If that's your position, why call him an asshole?

No matter my personal feelings about the endings are, my only response to this is, "Good luck getting another job in the industry asshole".

I don't see how I can avoid misunderstanding you when you specifically say that is your position.

I guess it was the first thing that came to my mind that seemed appropriate for someone who went out of their way to ruin their career.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I don't see, at this point, why they just don't go, "Oh, It was indoctrination theory ALL THE TIME", even if it wasn't and then 800 BW points for the "Real" endings in two months time. Even if it wasn't their plan, lie and say it was, ME will be know forever for the PR stunt with critical acclaim, more so if it was free.

What gives credence to the writers backlash is that, and i know some would disagree, the endings ATM are so-far-below the abilities of the Mass Effect writing staff, and even if you think that its about on par, then the style is all wrong. Bad guys monologue is interrupted by Shepard's over wrought dialogue, not Shepard going "Eyup".

I cant accept the people who made Liara give me nonstop bedroom eyes gave me that ending, the only answer was that two people were in a room, taking acid, tripping balls and going "Nah man, the endings to awesome, we're gonna blow some minds, change it!"

The true winning move is to claim the Indoctrination Theory as valid, release The True Ending as a free patch that removes the color shifted explosions and continues seamlessly from the point of the choices(kind of like Portal's stealth patched ending changer) , and then sell half a dozen equipment and appearance DLC packs to pay for the development cost of the patch. We get an awesome ending, newcomers have to go to Youtube to see what the big fuss was about, and Bioware doesn't get crucified(more) for selling the ending while still making money off the whole thing. Everyone wins.

EDIT: I've gotten "face the music" as my captcha three times in a row now... I'm scared.

 

[martyrdrebel27]

hahaha, i don't know why, but that picture of the credits from the 3 games really amuses me, and makes a LOT of sense. in my head, it made a cartoon. specifically, Spy VS. Spy.

White Spy is running a succesful lemonade stand and Black Spy's is not doing so well, so he brings his lemons and sugar to the White Spy's table, suggesting collaboration. White Spy agrees, and they make lemonade. Then, Black Spy shoots White spy in the head, keeping all the lemonade. and money.