Something done right

So here we have another update here, and this is in lieu of some awesome development along the Mass Effect 3 ending debate.  Someone actually answered our angry calls, and they answered right!! Dr Ray Muzyka, co-founder of Bioware has made a statement himself about the ending and whats going to happen, and I feel like analyzing it for anyone that will read.

EDIT: Here's an interesting read as well: here.

The man himself.

So, lets start!! Dr. Muzyka starts off with a pat on the back to Bioware.  He says:

 "As co-founder and GM of BioWare, I’m very proud of the ME3 team; I personally believe Mass Effect 3 is the best work we’ve yet created. So, it’s incredibly painful to receive feedback from our core fans that the game’s endings were not up to their expectations. Our first instinct is to defend our work and point to the high ratings offered by critics – but out of respect to our fans, we need to accept the criticism and feedback with humility."

Just the fact that he acknowledges that they messed up is HUGE.  Think of it this way, there were so many "expert sources" that were telling us just to accept the ending and move on. Bioware shows us that they truly do care about their fanbase, and want to continue to have us.  Rightfully so I say! In addition, just to point out, he is right when he says the Mass Effect 3 was their best work ever created, it was just the fact that the ending sucked... and i think everyone can agree on that. Then Dr. Muzyka describes how they have devoted tons of work to trying to fix this.  They seem devoted to fixing this. Later in the piece, he goes on:

"The reaction to the release of Mass Effect 3 has been unprecedented. On one hand, some of our loyal fans are passionately expressing their displeasure about how their game concluded; we care about this feedback, and we’re planning to directly address it. However, most folks appear to agree that the game as a whole is exceptional, with more than 75 critics giving it a perfect review score and a review average in the mid-90s. Net, I’m proud of the team, but we can and must always strive to do better. "

Its funny how he says that they accept everything with humility, however they are constantly trying to show us that many official reviewers gave it "perfect scores" and "mid 90 averages". I feel that we cant put too much stock into official reviews, because we don't know anything about the political happenings behind the scene that might sway a review.  I'm not saying there are, but we never know. In addition to that, reviewers are mostly of the same mindset: one of an artistic mindset. This mindset would probably be the one that would appreciate the "artistic" current ending that Bioware gave us.  It is not a representation of the masses. It seems to me that he is trying his best to make us seem like they are humbly accepting that they did wrong, however I think its purely the fact that their fanbase is going bananas that's causing any change around here. But just the fact that they are acknowledging their failure is HUGE, so dont discount that.  Dr. Muzyka then finishes off the piece calling out for help.

"If you are a Mass Effect fan and have input for the team – we respect your opinion and want to hear it. We’re committed to address your constructive feedback as best we can. In return, I’d ask that you help us do that by supporting what I truly believe is the best game BioWare has yet crafted. I urge you to do your own research: play the game, finish it and tell us what you think. Tell your friends if you feel it’s a good game as a whole. Trust that we are doing our damndest, as always, to address your feedback.  As artists, we care about our fans deeply and we appreciate your support."

Now after reading this, I think everyone should give their support and send in what they think to Bioware.  This would benefit us two ways: first of all, everyone has at least one great idea, and I think that Bioware would make a totally original story by taking those good ideas we have and combine them. Im certainly going to do that, in fact I shall do so right here!

Dear Bioware, 

<3 Little blue babies

I, in addition to every loving fan of yours was terribly upset with the ending. I dont think you can deny that one bit. In a fit of inspiration and devastation I myself made an ending. You can find it here. Please read it, but its not the exact ending that I want, because I trust that you will have an even greater ending to tell. First of all, keep the current ending in, but add on. My first point is that I think it would be incredibly rewarding for players to go through the real endgame with their romance option, be it Liara in my case.  In that, you could truly make some emotional scenes.  We want the ending to move us, to make us cry, to make us feel accomplished.  For me at least, I want Shepard to live because I want him to have those little blue babies with Liara. But that's because you guys made me really care about all the characters, not just Shepard. But to be honest, I don't care if Shepard dies (ok maybe i lie) as long as it is not in vain. Just think of the awesome story telling you can do with the romance option with Shepard in his last minutes, or to be there when they survive and defeat the reapers. It would be amazing I say!!
I also feel that having some more involvement with the squad in the final endgame is important too.  If they die, I want to hear their last words on the comm.  If they're in the squad, I want original dialogue for the battles on Earth. It would be a lot of work, but it would pay off.
We didnt see the fruits of our labors as well.  I would look into the sky in London, or even on the Crucible, and all I could see were Alliance ships. Where were the Turians, Quarian, and Geth fleets?? There were some glimpses of those working together, but I feel that the point wasnt totally driven home.  How great would it be if Wrex was shouting inspiring words not just to Krogan troops, but all Human, Turian, and even Salarian? There are so many things that could have been done in that respect that I feel was lost.
Bioware you have enchanted me with your games for a while now. The Mass Effect series was incredible but my journey with you guys didnt just start there.  Kotor blew my mind and was my staple rpg for the longest time, I still play it too. Dragon Age: Origins was an amazing confirmation that Bioware is still the Bioware that I knew. Heck, I even went to Good Old Games and bought Baldur's Gates 1 and 2 because I loved your company and its games so much.  Then Mass Effect 3 tore me to pieces, I felt so betrayed.  Its not just the ending that betrayed me, but the fact that it was soooooo good before the end. Please fix this, I believe that you indeed are listening, even if you dont respond to me (it would make my life if you guys did though wink wink). If you really are watching and reading everything we say, I expect an ending that will blow me away with all the different endings that people put together combined into one gigantic amazing ending that really matters... and brings a true end to our labors. It might have been Shepard in the game, but we were the ones that were/are actually saving the galaxy.  And boy do we want to save it.

NotCras