official Mass Effect 3

[Draken]

any one knows if the savegame after finishing the game keep track of your decisions? (like in ME1 and ME2) in that case why?

[Lexcyn]

95% of the game was amazing.

Ending was terribad.

Going back to play the series from the beginning because I love me some Mass Effect. I even bought the books and the graphic novel & have the model Normandy on my desk! :p

[Noveed]

Most people feel the ending does suck and for them to come out and publicly acknowledge that lots of people are not happy with them is nice to see.

The endings just feel disconnected from the rest of the game and not having closure on a number of issues is annoying. If it is the end of the arc for Sheppard that there should be closure on everything that involves Sheppard.

If they are going to release DLC and charge people for the "closure" then **** them I will not bother supporting Bioware any more with any purchases.

Nail in the coffin would be Paid DLC alternative ending content.

The game was great the ending was bad. I could not care any less if they all die or whatever just do it in a logical and understanding manner with closure on everything in the Sheppard Arc!

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

Genius Bioware: Makes crappy ending, charges more for better ending.

[Miuku.]

any one knows if the savegame after finishing the game keep track of your decisions? (like in ME1 and ME2) in that case why?

You can bet your gonads that there will be a Mass Effect 4 with a new character and a new storyline far enough in the "future" that will allow them to use existing races that have rebuilt their empires after reapers.

They'll most likely take some choices from your old save file, such as whether Shep did this or that and use those as "historical markers" to refer to.

[TheLegendOfMart]

any one knows if the savegame after finishing the game keep track of your decisions? (like in ME1 and ME2) in that case why?

Yes. Someone on the team, might have been Casey, said that people would want to keep your savegame for the future....

The gaming press are really irritating me, in the news and on twitter making sarcastic comments like John Davidson (formerly 1UP)

The ending of my lunch wasn't what I wanted, I'm going to complain to the guys at the deli and get them to change it

I don't understand why people are being so defensive of Bioware, making sarcastic remarks about the people who read their articles and ultimately keep them in a job is a bit of a ****ty attitude to take.

[ViperAFK]

I think it worked fine, just people didn't want that kind of ending. They wanted to see the outcome of their choice to the fullest degree. See HOW their choice affected the galaxy. Without that they feel the ending is crap even if the ending really isn't crap. Everything that needed to be wrapped up was wrapped up properly while leaving enough unknowns for us to keep talking about it. Many developers do this on a consistent basis with their games, leaving little things at the end that open up something completely new or leave things open to keep the universe fresh and mysterious. I really don't see a problem with the events post choice not being explained and being left to the imagination and discussion of the community.

Also, prolonged exposure to something can desensitize you to its pro's/con's. Working on the same game for 2+ years can sometimes make it impossible for you to see what is and isn't good in it anymore. Things like this can easily happen without fresh eyes/ears on a project. Judging from the time constraint I'd say that wasn't available.

If no one liked it, it really didn't work. IMO its a very poor ending all around. Brings no real closure and contains significant plot-holes.

[Emn1ty]

If no one liked it, it really didn't work. IMO its a very poor ending all around. Brings no real closure and contains significant plot-holes.

What plot holes? Are there any major plot holes?

[Muhammad Farrukh]

What plot holes? Are there any major plot holes?

None that I know of :p

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Who wins when Mass Effect 3's ending changes?

BioWare is revisiting its sci-fi series climax in response to fan outrage.

See how the reactions of GameSpot and Giant Bomb editors compare with those from gamers around the world.

This morning, BioWare released a statement from co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka addressing user uproar over the ending to Mass Effect 3. In light of the complaints, Muzyka said the development team is working on "game content initiatives" to answer lingering questions and provide fans with more closure. It's unclear what form those initiatives will take, whether they will change existing parts of the game, or if players will be asked to pay for them, with specifics on those expected next month.

While concrete details on the subject are lacking, concrete opinions are not. Rather than let one or two staffers speak for the site with stand-alone editorials, we've compiled the Twitter posts from staffers of GameSpot and new CBS Interactive sibling Giant Bomb, and present them below in chronological order, starting in the moments after BioWare published its statement. And to better reflect the full spectrum of opinions on the matter, we've also including a running feed of thoughts from readers who include the #gamespotme3 hashtag on their Twitter posts.

Ryan Davis ? @taswell

BOO BIOWARE. ****ING BOOOOOOOOOO

Brendan Sinclair ? @BrendanSinclair

Respect for BioWare? fading.

Jeff Gerstmann ?@jeffgerstmann

Mass Effect 3's problems are larger than its ending. Slapping a happier-colored bow on the package doesn't fix any of that.

Giancarlo Varanini ?@gvaranini

So many of you wish it was George Lucas instead of Bioware right now.

Patrick Klepek ? @patrickklepek

Disappointed but not surprised at BioWare's decision.

Alex Navarro ?@alex_navarro

I hope the new Mass Effect 3 ending is just Shepard turning to the camera and flipping you dual birds while humming C-Lo's "**** You."

Jeff Gerstmann ?@jeffgerstmann

Anyone complaining that I spoiled the ending: DON'T WORRY GUYS, THEY'RE WRITING A NEW ONE!!!!!11

Kevin VanOrd ?@fiddlecub

The Internet accused Bioware of selling out. Then, it demanded Bioware sell out. Congratulations, Internet: you got what you wanted.

Giancarlo Varanini ?@gvaranini

Just saying people wouldn't have a problem with Lucas changing more stuff, as long it was changed in the way they wanted.

Carolyn Petit ?@carolynmichelle

Bioware? More like BOO-oware, AMIRITE?

Kevin VanOrd ?@fiddlecub

Remember: something doesn't stop being art just because you don't like it; great art doesn't need your approval.

Kevin VanOrd ?@fiddlecub

Still, Bioware has joined a long line of novelists, composers, playwrights and filmmakers who have adjusted their creative visions.

Jeff Gerstmann ?@jeffgerstmann

I guess I'll avoid repeating it, but if you didn't think that was one of the several possible outcomes?Did you not play the previous game?

Giancarlo Varanini ?@gvaranini

Loud voices!

Alex Navarro ?@alex_navarro

This whole ME3 ending thing has just brought out a very ugly side of the dev/player relationship. One that frankly makes me uncomfortable.

Kevin VanOrd ?@fiddlecub

I'm reminded of Beethoven, who made extensive revisions to Fidelio (and its overtures), in part based on audience disapproval.

Alex Navarro ?@alex_navarro

There's nothing wrong with focus-testing or fan feedback in updates. And if that's all this ends up being then I retract what I said before.

John Davison ?@jwhdavison

Hope they're serious about "maintaining balance" or this is a case of never being able to put genie back in the bottle.

Tyler Winegarner ?@THE_REAL_TYLERW

Now I gotta play ME3 before they **** up the ending with kittens and rainbows and lesbians holding hands? So much for playing on MY time!

Alex Navarro ?@alex_navarro

But it's all taken on such an ugly tone that it's hard to sympathize. Coherent discussion is too often shouted down by the enraged minority.

Alex Navarro ?@alex_navarro

Whatever. Just Poochie the Dog the **** out of ME3 for all I care now. I want to get back to the important ****. Like new Frogger games.

Giancarlo Varanini ?@gvaranini

I rewrote the Super Mario Bros 2 ending years ago in my fan fiction. Turns out it was Bowser all along!

Kevin VanOrd ?@fiddlecub

We're all spending too much time talking about Mass Effect 3 anyway. More importantly, there is more Dark Souls coming!

Tyler Winegarner ?@THE_REAL_TYLERW

@fiddlecub Also, Sine Mora is out. lets talk about that.

Brendan Sinclair ? @BrendanSinclair

If BioWare's just making the same DLC as before and positioning it like this to appease angry fans, that's even worse.

Brendan Sinclair ? @BrendanSinclair

I guess it's time to start #RetakeJourney so TGC will give it a happier ending with "Don't Stop Believin'" over the ending credits.

Brendan Sinclair ? @BrendanSinclair

So if the government comes knocking, games are art. But when we hate the ending, they're products and the customer is always right. Got it.

Patrick Klepek ? @patrickklepek

Just spent 30 minutes talking with @EWDocJensen about the ending of Mass Effect 3, the concept of fan entitlement, and, uh, LOST, of course.

Lark Anderson ?@Larrrk

Bioware revisiting the Mass Effect 3 ending is literally the worst thing to happen since World War 2.

Carolyn Petit ?@carolynmichelle

@Larrrk I think it's a dead heat between that and the news that Michael Bay is making a TMNT movie.

Lark Anderson ?@Larrrk

TODAY IS THE WORST!

Kurtis Seid ?@KurtisSeid

I'm fine with the fact that your choices didn't really effect ME3's endings. It's not like it mattered in the last two games.

Lark Anderson ?@Larrrk

@KurtisSeid I am going to spoil your face with my fists

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

Mass Effect 3 is a game about death, and viewing it as such provides an illuminating way to interpret the reactions to the ending.

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

The end of the game is like the end of the trilogy, like the end of a life. Consider, then, The Five Stages of Grief.

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

1. Denial - "This can't be the real ending, there must be DLC." "If you analyze it deeper, the symbolism points to a truer, better ending!"

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

2. Anger - "Bioware has betrayed me! How could you distill the long hours I spent in Mass Effect to one stupid choice! CHANGE IT!!"

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

3. Bargaining - "Look, I'm not bitter. I respect BioWare. But, please, I'll donate thousands of dollars to charity to support a new ending."

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

4. Depression - "Nothing I ever did in Mass Effect 3 even mattered in the end. It was all just sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Chris Watters ?@CTWatters

5. Acceptance - "I may not like the way it ended, but I loved the time I spent with the Mass Effect series, and I'm thankful for that."

Brendan Sinclair ? @BrendanSinclair

@CTWatters The difference is that when someone dies, the Bargaining stage never works.

Tom Mc Shea ? @TomMcShea

Bioware is the only developer brilliant enough to create Mass Effect and the only one spineless enough to cave under fan pressure.

Carolyn Petit ?@carolynmichelle

Sometimes art should let us down, depress, disappoint, frustrate. We do not get to mold the world or art to fit our expectations and desires.

John Davison ?@jwhdavison

The ending of my lunch wasn't what I wanted, I'm going to complain to the guys at the deli and get them to change it.

Eddie Makuch ? @EddieMakuch

(At least, this is what Eddie would have posted if he hadn't given up Tweeting for Lent.)

If BioWare offers a new ending to ME3, the studio is setting a dangerous precedent for its own future games, as well as others'.

Laura Parker ?@lauralovescake

I'm happy that BioWare at least acknowledged the existence of artistic integrity in all this, so here's hoping they stick by it.

[S00N3R FR3AK]

What plot holes? Are there any major plot holes?

Why Joker was in a mass effect jump and how my two squadmates who were suppose to be sprinting towards the beam with me didn't make it and then end up on the Normandy.

We spend 3 games making choices for these characters and then the ending doesn't give us a ****ing clue what happened to any of them minus the 3 I just mentioned(which is still crazy vague) I don't want to interpret the ending I want to see what my choices did.

[Noveed]

I think there are many people that are unhappy, it's not that is was not a fairytale ending. I do not think majority of people expected that. All 3 games have said the odds are stacked against us, fighting impossible odds etc etc so I think people knew some squad mates would die. Before release there was rumours and speculation about the death of Garrus and that stirred things up.

They are unhappy because of the lack of closure. Lack of insight into the supposed/alleged indoctrination theory. Those who did not play Arrival do not have the slightest idea why Sheppard was grounded until later on in the game. You do not find out what happens to you squad mates (what's left of them). The endings are and feel disconnected from the story to a certain extent and some parts just leave you baffled.

I hope the release and Epilogue and NOT an altered version of the ending.

Just want some closure to this and if this was a gimmick to get more DLC out the door and charge people for a fail of an ending then bye bye bioware it was good while it lasted but my faith in the company has diminished.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

There are so many things missing in the ending. Only in the ending.

I don't wanna blame the whole game. Just the ending :(

[Emn1ty]

Why Joker was in a mass effect jump and how my two squadmates who were suppose to be sprinting towards the beam with me didn't make it and then end up on the Normandy.

We spend 3 games making choices for these characters and then the ending doesn't give us a ****ing clue what happened to any of them minus the 3 I just mentioned(which is still crazy vague) I don't want to interpret the ending I want to see what my choices did.

I don't know why but I don't see those as story destroying plot holes. In fact, I see them as very minor plotholes.

[Knightwolf20024]

Mass Effect 3 Writer Allegedly Slams Controversial Ending

BioWare writer Patrick Weekes is well known on the Penny Arcade forums as user Takyris. Earlier, that account allegedly posted a fairly damning diatribe about Mass Effect 3's controversial ending. In it, the author claims that the game's finale was written by Casey Hudson and lead writer Mac Walters without any input from the rest of the team, and many protests from the other writers were ultimately ignored.

Read

[Muhammad Farrukh]

There is gonna be a new Mass Effect soon, and there was a clear indication of it in Mass Effect 3.

2 bucks says you don't know the answer :p

[spacer]

I don't know why but I don't see those as story destroying plot holes. In fact, I see them as very minor plotholes.

You really don't consider plot-holes that completely disregard the core themes of all three games and 100% contradict the personalities of the established characters at the very end of the saga to be story-destroying?

[Emn1ty]

You really don't consider plot-holes that completely disregard the core themes of all three games and 100% contradict the personalities of the established characters at the very end of the saga to be story-destroying?

Disregard core themes? What does it disregard? Showing you what happens? Core themes my arse. And contradicts character personalities? All we saw was a tiny glimpse of what was going on. Nothing near concrete enough to make these claims. Exaggerating much?

Read

Interesting, but even then it barely changes things. All we'd get is a few more cinematics of things we basically already saw (maybe not in action, but were still apparent) and get slightly more different ending cutscenes which from what I read were based on galactic readiness (which would be even MORE annoying than that mechanic already is). Still, it seems to me that no matter what is said, the ending is what is.

[spacer]

All we saw was a tiny glimpse of what was going on. Nothing near concrete enough to make these claims. Exaggerating much?

Haha, that is exactly the point.

[Emn1ty]

Haha, that is exactly the point.

... You just admitted to making baseless claims, ergo your argument is dead. It seems to me people are constructing reasons to hate the game at this point.

[Miuku.]

... You just admitted to making baseless claims, ergo your argument is dead. It seems to me people are constructing reasons to hate the game at this point.

He claims the ending doesn't have enough depth, lacks story, takes away the conclusion to the arch and fails to show what happens after the actual event.

You say it doesn't show anything and thus his claim is baseless.

I think you need to brush up on your logic because you're severely lacking it.

Every single post you make, you sound more and more like the Bio-drones on the BSF. Bioware can do no wrong, it's art - even though it's not art but entertainment.

[Emn1ty]

He claims the ending doesn't have enough depth, lacks story, takes away the conclusion to the arch and fails to show what happens after the actual event.

You say it doesn't show anything and thus his claim is baseless.

I think you need to brush up on your logic because you're severely lacking it.

Every single post you make, you sound more and more like the Bio-drones on the BSF. Bioware can do no wrong, it's art - even though it's not art but entertainment.

He made claims that are baseless because there is nothing to base it on. I understand he's mad about the fact the information is lacking, but that doesn't give him the ability to pass judgement based on fabricated evidence either.

Bioware can do wrong, I am just of the same opinion as the "possible" writer in the above article. I didn't love the ending, but I didn't hate it either. It could have been done better but it certainly isn't worthy of the current amount of rage its getting.

FYI: I'm playing devil's advocate. I usually do this to get GOOD arguments. Personally I want more from the ending as well, but I'm up for waiting for DLC to see what that is. I really wish that they had been more informative in particular about what was going on with the mass relays.

[Phouchg]

2 bucks says you don't know the answer :p

Scumbag Shepard says you don't have 2 bucks. He hacked your savings and cleaned the ATM while being on a mission nearby :D

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

OK, so I finally got to the end, and chose

to destroy the reapers

. I'm going to go back and play the alternatives, but I must admit that the ending hysteria is waaaaaay out of hand. Sure it wasn't the best ending of all time, but its not that bad. I can see why people would be irritated by the lack of closure, but I'd be happy enough calling it a day for the Mass Effect franchise based on that ending (not that I want to).

The thing that got to me wasn't that it was a bad ending as in a "poor" ending, but the fact that the end was bad for everyone (in my one at least) in the game world. Mass relays destroyed, earth destroyed, Normandy stranded, Citadel destroyed, Geth wiped out, it paints a pretty bleak picture. The thing that made me legitimately sad though was that I maintained the romance with Liara for all three games and in the end I got her stranded on an uncharted planet for, most likely, the rest of her life. :'(

All-in-all. Great game, definitely 9 thumbs up from me. One point knocked off because of the day 1 DLC. Still bitter about that, and as far as I'm concerned its a much bigger "screw you" than the ending was. I've changed my opinion of Javik somewhat since he does make for a cool character in the game, but it still wasn't worth ?6/$10, it should have been free. Were such a thing possible, I'd have asked for a refund, but hey, welcome to the world of PC gaming right?

[soniqstylz]

Were such a thing possible, I'd have asked for a refund, but hey, welcome to the world of PC gaming right?

Ummm...

http://www.examiner.com/video-game-in-honolulu/how-to-get-a-refund-for-mass-effect-3-on-origin-and-amazon

To get a Mass Effect 3 refund through Origin:

Step 1: Open Origin and log in.

Step 2: Click the white question mark that appears at the top right of the page. A window will open.

Step 3: Near the top edge of the new window that opened is a ?Live Chat? link. Click this. Another new window should open that says please wait.

Step 4: Once you are connected to an agent, tell them you want to return a product that was significantly different than advertised. Use quotes from Casey Hudson?s pre-release statements about the game, if necessary, though it probably will not be necessary.

If you are returning a digital product you may encounter some hesitance to accept a return. Insist on speaking with a manager and ask if there is any way possible that you can get a refund. It can be done and the manager knows that. Be persistent but polite.

Step 5: Thank the representative for helping you. Your debit/credit card should be refunded in 5-7 days.

Step 6: Optional. You?ll then get a customer service survey to take. Feel free to tell them exactly why you returned Mass Effect 3 for a full refund. Include quotes if you like and if you never plan to buy another Bioware/EA product again, tell them.

What to have with you:

Order number

Last four digits of your credit/debit card number