I imagine you know the exploit wherein running Gold matches against Geth on Firebase White is easy as pie?
You cannot imagine...well, *you* probably can...how I've farmed the hell out of that setup. Earning credits has not been an issue for me since I learned the exploit. I have bought many more 99,000-credit Reinforcement Packs, whatever they're being called this week, than I probably had a right to. And that actually informed my decision to tackle this subject on First Person. If *I* haven't even unlocked all the default class variants yet, I can't imagine what it's like for someone who *can't* hang on Gold consistently and earn all that money.
I take issue with the idea that RPG mechanics have anything to do with judging the mechanics of a survival-mode cover-based third-person shooter. Multiplayer and campaign are two completely different beasts in Mass Efect 3. Arguing that RPGs make us grind, and therefore grinding through a random die roll while getting garbage is reasonable, doesn't hold water with me. We're not talking about an RPG in this, specific context. We're talking about a shooter.
My larger point is that no, I'm not enjoying playing anymore, precisely because this random mechanic finally got on my nerves. None of my friends are playing anymore, and the Reinforcement Packs and boredom with them had something to do with it. You're getting those sorts of responses in the comments here, as well. It's a shame it's happening, because I truly believe the multiplayer mode is brilliant *except for this one decision.*
I'm aware of the FBW/G/G strategy, and such frequent use of it is likely responsible for your exasperation with the game setting in so quickly. I completely understand why players resort to it - as I mentioned earlier, Bronze and Silver really don't provide enough credits for frequent Gold unlocks and Gold is a real challenge with any other set up - but it really kills the game. Grinding the same map, enemy and strategy over and over in the name of unlocking weapons in the hope of adding more variety to your game is bound to wear thin quickly.
We'll have to agree to disagree on whether the presence of RPG mechanics ought to factor in to the judgement of the game. I'd argue that the presence of multiple choices for character classes and how those characters are built, weapon progression and varying character roles in play(such as the typical support, tank, DPS, etc) make the multiplayer an RPG. An RPG with the story hacked out, certainly, but walking and talking like a shooter doesn't make those aspects any less present.
In any case, if you're not enjoying the game any more due to frustration with the unlock system, I certainly can't argue with that. I can't tell you you're wrong for being irritated by it and - having experienced frustration at the hands of those packs myself - I can't even say I don't understand it. But I will refer to the first paragraph of this response, and say that you might still find the game worth playing if you find a decent team that can handle a variety of enemies, maps and strategies. You may never approve of the unlock system, but you may begin to enjoy the rest of the game enough to have fun in spite of it.
If you ever decide to make a return, my team are casual and easygoing guys and you - along with anyone else who has grown tired of the game - are welcome to join us.
Edit:
Oh! And a friendly heads-up in case it's not too late to make adjustments to your article; the new DLC didn't add a new mode of play, but it did add new permanent variants of existing temporary equipment and a new in-match objective.
Out of curiosity, what is your take on the new Ex-Cerberus characters? I played the mp a lot when the last free pack came out, but have only remembered me3 again recently.
More specifically to the article; the reason they do the random packs thing is because it is like TCGs such as Magic: The Gathering - it is really addicting opening those packs, especially when you are guaranteed something of particular rarity (even if it is one of the "crappy" rares). They basically built the model around that as a way to encourage people to keep playing. I know I certainly played longer my first time around the mp because of that reason.
They just designed it to pad their MP numbers so a completely shit mode did not get made to look like complete shit.
Think about it.
If they let you buy what you wanted, people would have stopped playing a long time ago really.
The main reason I play is to just unlock stuff to give it a try.
Its a very pathetic offering and it pales compared to most other MP.
They need to add a VS mode, Capture the Flag, Territory control, Objective mode, VS for those last to.
They need BIG maps with tons of people playing, not this ...half assed horde mode.
Left For Dead 2 and Team Fortress 2 kept me coming back since they had tons of modes to try and co-op, and VS.
It has the possibility of greatness...but as of now its just very lackluster.
Well surely by this argument borderlands is crap cause its all luck whether you get a gun that suits your class, same with diablo or any other loot based game the whole point is you grind until you get the gear you want and nobody is forcing you to buy it.
But in Borderlands and Diablo yo DO have access to ALL the classes from the very beginning.
Not being able to get a gun is one thing. But not being able to get a Turian Sentinel for 2 months (?) now is a bit, if not a lot, frustrating.
Let us not kid ourselves. The ME3 MP mode was tacked on. We know it was meant as being its own game but was altered. As such it is a perfect place to experiment. Experiment with unlocks, monetization, modes, powers, classes and so forth. Enter the randomized Reinforcement Packs. This method is actually interesting and despite the frustration of a bad draw it is a good way to do it. The elation of a good draw, encouraging experimentation for the players and providing an rpg like drop system (this last one it not so much a pro/con thing but just an observation but it does keep the MP mode true to the roots of ME1).
Let me just dwell a bit on the RPG like drop mechanic. It is actually there and it has far more in common with a Diablo 3 drop system then might be readily apparent. In diablo 3 (and its ilk) you are drowned in gear that drops but the frequency of drops you can use is far lower than that. The time between useful drops grows progressively longer and longer the stronger you get. The system here works similarly. As you get the better weapons and the better options the time between getting something else grows. The only difference really is that instead of items dropping you get credit that you put into the random loot generator and it creates your loot. You get your health potions, mana potions, resurrection scrolls and consumable items as well as the weapons you were after (or not as the case may be).
Now the monetization I think they could have done better. Instead of letting you buy the "booster packs" I think it would have been better for them to let you buy the weapons and classes you wanted. Not having seen how much they have made on the random loot I can't say with any certainty if it would have been more profitable than the "Booster Pack" method, but I do suspect it would have been.
As multiplayer games fitted onto what is in reality a single player game this one works just fine. The updates are free and while you have to unlock the classes and weapons that comes out the system has not changed appreciably. What has changed is that now there are new maps to master and when you get the new weapons and classes there are those to master as well.
People decry the need to play multiplayer to get the best ending, but in reality... you don't. There is quite enough army strength points in the game to make the multi player readiness thing redundant. What it does represent is another way to get there though. Personally I can't see the bad in that.
Now if you choose to play the game to grind new items I can understand your frustrations. But if that is the case why play at all. If the game itself does not hold enjoyment for you why play? I find the game fun because I am not really that good a player. I have never been that good at shooters. I suck with snipers (incidentally I have all the infiltrators unlocked... the salarian is maxed). But the game offers other options. "Spellcasters" if you will. And I can curve powers with the best of them and when a good powercombo goes off I always laugh (especially fire burst). Even when playing soldier I usually go for a powerful concussive shot and fast cooldown and send small enemies flying all over the place.
So in closing I say that I disagree with the article. It may not be the best system in the world but it is certainly not the worst and if you feel the "loot system" drives you away I am going to wager there are... other unexplored reasons as well. Maybe you just got tired of the gameplay.
Play for fun
when it gets grindy turn it off. use different weapons, try different classes. This article is very negative. I havent spent any real cash. I pick up and play when I feel like it. I have a healthy amount of rares and even a super rare...all from in game credits. There is no reason to burn yourself out grinding.
Out of curiosity, what is your take on the new Ex-Cerberus characters? I played the mp a lot when the last free pack came out, but have only remembered me3 again recently.
The Ex-Cerb characters aren't very good. They're identical except that the Vanguard has Biotic Charge where the Adept has Singularity.
To explain a little;
Singularity is a bad, bad power in multiplayer. It won't lift anything that's protected by shields/barriers/armour, and on Gold that's about 90% of the enemies on Gold. It also has a tiny area of effect.
Lash is actually a decent ability, it's like Pull on steroids. It can even yank enemies that are protected with a particular evolution, and it can both set up and detonate Biotic explosions. The problem with it is that it hurls enemies so far and so fast that's often not possible to self-detonate if you use it as a primer.
Smash is poor all around. It's incredibly slow to start up, locks you in place while it starts, offers no invincibility frames (like Charge and Nova) and has a tiny range - 1.5 metres. All for less damage than a Lift or Frag grenade - Grenades which can be thrown, instantly, from a distance, with an impact radius ranging from 6 to 8 metres. It shares a cooldown with Charge, so it can't be used like Nova. All in all, it's a high-risk, high-reward ability that forgot the high-reward part.
It may not be the best system in the world but it is certainly not the worst and if you feel the "loot system" drives you away I am going to wager there are... other unexplored reasons as well. Maybe you just got tired of the gameplay.
You could not be more entirely wrong. I love the gameplay. I think multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 is actually a better Horde mode than Horde mode in Gears of War. The combat and power systems of Mass Effect lend themselves shockingly well to 4-player co-op survival play.
It's really only the randomization nonsense that got under my skin and drove me away, because the mode got boring. When you can rock Gold-level matches consistently with your tight group of squadmates, that level of challenge goes away. New maps might stay interesting for a while, but then you master those, as well.
What keeps multiplayer fresh is the exercise of options. Randomization of gear acquisition effectively truncates the exercise of options. It's a very simple proposition - and perhaps as someone who is a veteran of multiplayer shooters of all sorts my patience for the randomization is less than someone who isn't a shooter player by nature and hasn't enjoyed the usual methods of progression such that they have a method of comparison here. I'll cop to that.
But using the same guns over and over again is boring. Not being able to try new classes is just frustrating. If you gave me new classes and new weapons I'd have a reason to still be playing Mass Effect 3 multiplayer because I'd have substantive, new things to do.
I definitely had fun playing the multiplayer mode when ME3 came out, and in the beginning there were enough different options to fool around with that it was merely annoying that I couldn't play with the aliens. Sure, I wanted to see what all the races felt like, but I was having fun trying new classes and new maps and just trying to beat Bronze.
Once I finished the ME3 campaign, though, I found myself less motivated to keep playing. By that time I had also maxed out a couple characters, gotten a few different alien races, and generally started to have my fill of the multiplayer. I got excited when the first DLC pack came out, but I was very frustrated when I couldn't get any of the new characters (I wanted to play so much as the Geth!). I came back to ME3 multiplayer this past week when the new DLC came out, played a bunch of rounds, saved up for the best pack, and crossed my fingers, but all I got were upgrades for my sniper rifle and a nice new shotgun. Good items, surely, but not at all what I was interested in. You said it best - the second DLC pack had come out, and I couldn't even play with the characters from the first DLC, let alone the default characters.
Dana Brandt said:
As for the idea that EA/Bioware is money grubbing for this DLC- there is that opinion, but that is a flawed ideal. Unlike other games where DLC becomes a tiered experience by those who bought the DLC for XYZ map pack (thereby shrinking the player pool and in effect pointedly stating that those who do not pay, can't play), you still have the option of playing with the characters you unlock and use. The company still has to find a way to make money and distribute content, without alienating players, and this is by far my favorite move. Instead of paying $5 and having no 'reward' for unlocking the equipment, I still have the option of continuing to play and get some of the cool new items FOR FREE. What's that? The investment is my own time, playing a game I like? Sweet. I don't like the new stuff, I am not at a loss. I didn't spend a penny.
Likewise if you are such ridiculous puppet that you're practically hemorrhaging your money in order to get some new shiny toys instead of just enjoying the game, feel free to pay whomever your game provider is for instant extra equipment packs. Go on, all you have to do is cut that jugular and bleed some more the money you didn't have to spend in the first place. Woe is you.
In my mind the main thing wrong with the DLC is how you pay to unlock more packs, and you cannot pay a one-time fee to unlock all the content. (For one, paying to unlock more packs feels straight out of a F2P iPhone game, which is a bit insulting after already shelling out $60.) But more than that: even players who pay for extra packs are not guaranteed to get access to all the content.
You write as if everyone who would be willing to pay to unlock this free DLC is irresponsible and playing a game you like should be reward enough while you unlock packs. But you see, I hate randomization - in games, in life, everywhere. In my experience, whenever something comes down to chance, it feels like it always comes out the wrong way for me. And because of that, I'd much rather prefer to grind extra if it means no randomness involved. On top of that, I simply don't have time to play ME3 enough to unlock everything. (Work can do that to a person.) However, I do have disposable income (see previous: work).
My point is this: I agree it's a really great idea to try some sort of F2P model on DLC so that the playerbase is not fragmented by those who buy it and those who do not. But I think asking people to pay for unlocks isn't the way to do it. If I could pay, say, $5 to unlock the characters from the DLC, I probably would have done it twice by now. I'd get entertainment out of it, EA/Bioware would get money, and the entire playerbase could play together. But I'm not going to pay for random unlocks, the way they have it now, and it makes it frustrating to me that there's theoretically a way I could pay to get the DLC, but I refuse to literally gamble real world money on virtual unlocks.
I'm sure EA/Bioware thought about this alternative, and they must have decided that random unlocks would make them more money, which I find really interesting. I'd love to see the numbers on how profitable the DLC unlocks are for them. I just know that personally, I would have preferred (and probably paid for) flat-rate DLC that would unlock everything at once (or at least, the characters).
Dennis Scimeca said:
Who Put The CCG In Mass Effect 3?
Is extra content no one gets to play actually extra content?
I see that you're responding to comments in this thread and humbly hope you might have the time to think about what I have to say. I've been reading your articles and they're my favorite new column on the site.
Dunno about other multiplayers but the one in ME3 had the most garbage system of unlocking that I've ever seen. As much as I despised RE5's multiplayer at least you picked what you unlocked.
My experience with it was like this:
Buy pack -> Human Male Engineer (Well shit I don't even play that class)
Buy pack -> Alien Pistol I (I don't even use pistols, I'm a sniper!)
Buy pack -> Human Male Engineer Training (What the hell?)
Buy pack -> Alien Pistol II (But I'm still not gonna use it!!)
Buy pack -> Human Female Engineer (%$$%#^#&@#$%^&**&^%#$#!!!)
To this day my female infiltrator and vanguard have the basic 2 color armor and have level 3 guns each. I downloaded the batarian/geth pack, never unlocked a single one, and didn't bother with this vorcha one, as I haven't touched the game since the batarian pack came out.
Personally I put it down because playing the same thing over and over on the same few maps gets tiresome after a while, no matter how fun it is to begin with.
Versus multiplayer only lasts longer because of how the challenge changes each game. One match you might slaughter the team over and over, the next you might get a surprise ass kicking, it has variation in it.
I agree with the dislike of the system though. I kept getting useless upgrades or weapons that I didn't need. Once I had the Geth shotgun, I did not need that level 4 upgrade for the starter shotgun, honest.
Plus the constant ammo packs I received that are worthless most of the time due to the amount of weapon caches scattered around the maps.
The entire thing is designed to push you towards buying booster packs with real money. If they weren't there, the randomized nature of the unlocks would simply be annoying and pointlessly frustrating. But they are there, and every time a 'free' DLC comes out it gives people more things to want and lowers the chances of getting the old things, and therefore more reason to skip the grind and gamble with real money. Just because you can grind like a mofo and cross your fingers doesn't make the setup any less obnoxious.
Well surely by this argument borderlands is crap cause its all luck whether you get a gun that suits your class, same with diablo or any other loot based game the whole point is you grind until you get the gear you want and nobody is forcing you to buy it.
Main difference here is that you also have a wide variety of vendors who may be carrying neat gear that you can just buy on the spot without spinning a wheel, granted it's not the top of the line rares but they work in most situations.
also, I thought they split equipment sets into different packs to avoid altering the odds, which would have made more sense really
The game launched with just six maps, right now there are still bugs that have been in the multiplayer since the beta and Bioware are still on damage control from their enourmous failure with the ending. All good reasons for "free dlc".
Furthermore, the multiplayer mode allows people to buy the random packs with cash (microtransactions). Now while you or I may not do this, evidently some people do - if Bioware leave the multiplayer to whither and die through lack of variation and incentive to keep playing, then people stop paying those microtransactions. It's not free out of the goodness of their hearts, it's buisness - and an alienating buisness model as far as I'm concerned.
The entire thing is designed to push you towards buying booster packs with real money. If they weren't there, the randomized nature of the unlocks would simply be annoying and pointlessly frustrating. But they are there, and every time a 'free' DLC comes out it gives people more things to want and lowers the chances of getting the old things, and therefore more reason to skip the grind and gamble with real money. Just because you can grind like a mofo and cross your fingers doesn't make the setup any less obnoxious.
I would argue that if you saved up 99,000 credits for a Premium Spectre Pack, which takes about 80-90 minutes if you're starting at 0 and play 4 games at silver difficulty and get nothing good, you're less likely to gamble real money to possibly get nothing. Now I did buy a pack with "real money", i.e.: my loose change MSPoints that isn't good for anything else unless I put it towards other DLC, and I can see how EA may get something out of this, but there's a good chance most people don't bother paying anything. On the flip side, there's probably people with deep pockets who'll happily take the pay to win approach and buy a lot.
My point is, none of it is forced on you. I can play the game just fine with an M8-Avenger and a human adept or vanguard. Having the Drell Adept, Krogan Battlemaster or Vorcha Sentinel with a Black Widow or Reegar Carbine or whatever is just a bonus.
I imagine you know the exploit wherein running Gold matches against Geth on Firebase White is easy as pie?
You cannot imagine...well, *you* probably can...how I've farmed the hell out of that setup. Earning credits has not been an issue for me since I learned the exploit....
So is this a prime example of a player who cheats cheating only themselves? All games are just illusions. Just a bunch of numbers and statistics covered with a veneer of something else. So now you've cheated and found a shortcut to discovering this universal truth, and you want to whine about it? You want to claim that they're actually cheating you?
That's rich! You are a funny guy--you should do stand-up.
It wouldn't be nearly as bad if you stopped finding character cards of races that you've already maxed out, but with the current model it is actually possible to play the game for an infinite amount of time and not get all of the character unlocks.
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