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You're one of my fav writers!
I do agree that people should speak with their wallets... in that if they don't like a game, don't buy it (and paying for the game you want to be created will likely never satisfy anyone as it's almost impossible to truly create the vision, and even if created, it may well disappoint anyway).
However... it's so often difficult to gauge a game without playing it and I fully support people's right to bitch and whine about a game they bought but didn't like. I think that devs can learn from negative criticism and I think it's nice for bloggers to simply get it out of their system (not to mention that a well done rant is often very entertaining reading!).
Still... you're also right that negative criticism shouldn't overwhelm the purchase. Not liking the ending to a story doesn't negate the journey to get there as you noted.
I do agree that people should speak with their wallets... in that if they don't like a game, don't buy it (and paying for the game you want to be created will likely never satisfy anyone as it's almost impossible to truly create the vision, and even if created, it may well disappoint anyway).
However... it's so often difficult to gauge a game without playing it and I fully support people's right to bitch and whine about a game they bought but didn't like. I think that devs can learn from negative criticism and I think it's nice for bloggers to simply get it out of their system (not to mention that a well done rant is often very entertaining reading!).
Still... you're also right that negative criticism shouldn't overwhelm the purchase. Not liking the ending to a story doesn't negate the journey to get there as you noted.
Thanks! I don't need to tell you the same, I think you already know. ;)
I seem to have written a few blogs criticizing criticism, so to speak. Judging something isn't what bothers me, but that overwhelming idea of "I could do it better." That seems to be so prominent among so many people, when all I think when I hear it is "bullshit." There is a reason certain people are qualified to be storytellers and certain people are not, and just because someone likes good stories doesn't mean they can write one themselves. I myself have tried to spin many a yarn, and they all failed miserably. I think people are just too often so narcissistic that they really do feel they can do anything better than everyone else, and that is what this recent Bioware stuff reeks of. Honestly, I wouldn't trust a guy who hangs out in a video game forum all day to write me a fucking book report about Green Eggs and Ham let alone try to "improve" upon a game as complex and sprawling as Mass Effect.
I seem to have written a few blogs criticizing criticism, so to speak. Judging something isn't what bothers me, but that overwhelming idea of "I could do it better." That seems to be so prominent among so many people, when all I think when I hear it is "bullshit." There is a reason certain people are qualified to be storytellers and certain people are not, and just because someone likes good stories doesn't mean they can write one themselves. I myself have tried to spin many a yarn, and they all failed miserably. I think people are just too often so narcissistic that they really do feel they can do anything better than everyone else, and that is what this recent Bioware stuff reeks of. Honestly, I wouldn't trust a guy who hangs out in a video game forum all day to write me a fucking book report about Green Eggs and Ham let alone try to "improve" upon a game as complex and sprawling as Mass Effect.
You flip flop on your post to much Elsa.
And more importantly, how can a person gauge the ending IF THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME.
More to the point, ME3 DOES in fact negate the journey.
The point of the game is to build relationships, establish and armada, broker peace between factions that have been warring for years, NONE of this comes into play at the end of the game, just 3 magic buttons and a child out of nowhere telling you what to do.
You don't see ANYTHING you recruited in your adventure fighting, the only thing the most war readiness provides you is one extra cutscene with Shepard breathing.
Where are my Rachni warriors?
Where's grunt ripping shit apart?
Where are the geth fighting alongside the Quarians?
You do so much legwork for absolutely no payoff, you are railroded into making 3 choices, 3 choices that do not change the ending one single bit, if they where significant that would be on thing, but they aren't, mass replays explode in all the endings, the normandy crashes, all that changes is the color of the explosion.
That begs more questions.
The citadel is on earth as are millions of alien species, what are these species going to do on our planet, species who need their own food and planets.
Why was the normandy running away from the explosion, why wasn't it on earth
Why do the party members I picked, who I find dead after a huge attack, suddenly come out of the Normandy during the ending, all fine and dandy.
Your name is appropriate manchild, because you are the only acting like an asshole here, Mass Effect is a franchise that has been going on for 5 years, your decisions carry over, your character carries over, endings bring closure, all this ending did was tell players they've wasted their time through out all these games and their decisions mean nothing, and ultimately the ending posed more questions than it answered.
You are also incorrect in your statement that people will continue to bitch(shocker considering this blog), I point you to Fallout 3, people despised the ending, it was awful, abysmal.
Guess what, DLC changed it AND PEOPLE LIKED IT.
I'll say what I say to every single person that points at someone who hated the ME3 ending and yells ENTITLED.
Fuck you, if you enjoy shit then by all means go shovel as much as you can into your mouth, fans deserve better.
I'd like to point, I have not played ME3, I did finish 1 and 2 and enjoyed them but I can understand the controversy, I am a chef and baker, I demand perfection of myself, I don't demand the same from things I did not create but I expect quality, not a middle finger after 5 years of playing the same franchise.
Oh yea before I forget Mr Manchild, technically ME fans have spent 180 dollars on these games, DLC not withstanding or special editions, I say they are entitled to whatever the fuck they want, especially when they are they will PAY for a better ending.
And more importantly, how can a person gauge the ending IF THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME.
More to the point, ME3 DOES in fact negate the journey.
The point of the game is to build relationships, establish and armada, broker peace between factions that have been warring for years, NONE of this comes into play at the end of the game, just 3 magic buttons and a child out of nowhere telling you what to do.
You don't see ANYTHING you recruited in your adventure fighting, the only thing the most war readiness provides you is one extra cutscene with Shepard breathing.
Where are my Rachni warriors?
Where's grunt ripping shit apart?
Where are the geth fighting alongside the Quarians?
You do so much legwork for absolutely no payoff, you are railroded into making 3 choices, 3 choices that do not change the ending one single bit, if they where significant that would be on thing, but they aren't, mass replays explode in all the endings, the normandy crashes, all that changes is the color of the explosion.
That begs more questions.
The citadel is on earth as are millions of alien species, what are these species going to do on our planet, species who need their own food and planets.
Why was the normandy running away from the explosion, why wasn't it on earth
Why do the party members I picked, who I find dead after a huge attack, suddenly come out of the Normandy during the ending, all fine and dandy.
Your name is appropriate manchild, because you are the only acting like an asshole here, Mass Effect is a franchise that has been going on for 5 years, your decisions carry over, your character carries over, endings bring closure, all this ending did was tell players they've wasted their time through out all these games and their decisions mean nothing, and ultimately the ending posed more questions than it answered.
You are also incorrect in your statement that people will continue to bitch(shocker considering this blog), I point you to Fallout 3, people despised the ending, it was awful, abysmal.
Guess what, DLC changed it AND PEOPLE LIKED IT.
I'll say what I say to every single person that points at someone who hated the ME3 ending and yells ENTITLED.
Fuck you, if you enjoy shit then by all means go shovel as much as you can into your mouth, fans deserve better.
I'd like to point, I have not played ME3, I did finish 1 and 2 and enjoyed them but I can understand the controversy, I am a chef and baker, I demand perfection of myself, I don't demand the same from things I did not create but I expect quality, not a middle finger after 5 years of playing the same franchise.
Oh yea before I forget Mr Manchild, technically ME fans have spent 180 dollars on these games, DLC not withstanding or special editions, I say they are entitled to whatever the fuck they want, especially when they are they will PAY for a better ending.
You know what, IM NOT DONE, I'm gonna use a food analogy.
Order a 30 dollar steak in a fancy restaurant
It comes to you well done and slathered in A1
You demand it be taken back
Chef says : FUCKING EATER ENTITLEMENT, JUST BECAUSE YOU PAID FOR SOMETHING EXPECTING IT TO BE GOOD DOESNT MEAN YOU GET TO BE ANGRY ABOUT IT WHEN IT ISN'T. NOW BUY THIS 15 DOLLAR DESERT TO GO WITH IT.
You're the chef, that's how dumb you sound.
Order a 30 dollar steak in a fancy restaurant
It comes to you well done and slathered in A1
You demand it be taken back
Chef says : FUCKING EATER ENTITLEMENT, JUST BECAUSE YOU PAID FOR SOMETHING EXPECTING IT TO BE GOOD DOESNT MEAN YOU GET TO BE ANGRY ABOUT IT WHEN IT ISN'T. NOW BUY THIS 15 DOLLAR DESERT TO GO WITH IT.
You're the chef, that's how dumb you sound.
I haven't played the ending to ME3, so I don't know if it ruins the franchise. For all I know it's all about killing babies and what not. However, this was interesting:
"how can their be any kind of motiviation or creative spark on the part of the developers when they are literally being paid to implement certain ideas?"
Simple, creativity can happen at any time for any reason. Funneling that creativity in to something they are tasked for is the difference between a good and bad employee. If I give you an outline for XYZ and you create XYZ as best you can using what you know, you are still creating it and using your abilities to make it work.
The motivation meanwhile goes to funding the person to do said project.
Restraints on the working environment are what hurt creativity. Not the people that ask for the product.
"how can their be any kind of motiviation or creative spark on the part of the developers when they are literally being paid to implement certain ideas?"
Simple, creativity can happen at any time for any reason. Funneling that creativity in to something they are tasked for is the difference between a good and bad employee. If I give you an outline for XYZ and you create XYZ as best you can using what you know, you are still creating it and using your abilities to make it work.
The motivation meanwhile goes to funding the person to do said project.
Restraints on the working environment are what hurt creativity. Not the people that ask for the product.
Hm, you seem like one of the people who feel they got "screwed" because they willingly gave up their money with demands that were never met. Because everyone of your comments in Dtoid is a bunch of cliche, predictable hate filled vitriol (this one notwithstanding) I will offer you this:
Hahahahahaha! Sucker!
More seriously though, you are fucking WRONG. Bioware doesn't owe you, or any other gamer who payed up ANYthing. They don't. Plain and simple. They provided you with 40-60 hours of entertainment, I'm not sure how much it was realistically. They spent thousands of man hours crafting a game which you had to spend almost zero effort to enjoy. If you were really that worried about the end result, you would have only needed to wait a day for their to be enough information and game footage available to get a very strong idea if you would enjoy what your money bought you or not, up to and including the "SHITTY OMG ENDING" which, by the way, thanks for the spoiler alert...I'm sure the people who haven't reached the end reading the blog will really enjoy that.
Fans paying to have a game which caters specifically towards them is not actually a terrible idea in some ways. The problem? "Fans" don't know what the FUCK they want because the opinions between them are so varied. The point of the article was, if every developer, storyteller, filmmaker catered their work towards the will of the "fans" we would have a clusterfuck of stupid unfocused bullshit. These are artistic creations as much as they are a product, and Bioware has a RIGHT to do whatever they want with that. You have a right to complain, too, and I am not saying that criticisms should go unheard; but they certainly don't need to be acted on, the game does not need to be changed retroactively, because it is already out there, finished, complete. And no fanboy, no matter how much they yell or how much they swear has a right to change that.
If you want to write a blog about this instead of filling up the comments box with twenty paragraphs of psychotic fanboy ranting, it would be really easy to do so, by the way.
Hahahahahaha! Sucker!
More seriously though, you are fucking WRONG. Bioware doesn't owe you, or any other gamer who payed up ANYthing. They don't. Plain and simple. They provided you with 40-60 hours of entertainment, I'm not sure how much it was realistically. They spent thousands of man hours crafting a game which you had to spend almost zero effort to enjoy. If you were really that worried about the end result, you would have only needed to wait a day for their to be enough information and game footage available to get a very strong idea if you would enjoy what your money bought you or not, up to and including the "SHITTY OMG ENDING" which, by the way, thanks for the spoiler alert...I'm sure the people who haven't reached the end reading the blog will really enjoy that.
Fans paying to have a game which caters specifically towards them is not actually a terrible idea in some ways. The problem? "Fans" don't know what the FUCK they want because the opinions between them are so varied. The point of the article was, if every developer, storyteller, filmmaker catered their work towards the will of the "fans" we would have a clusterfuck of stupid unfocused bullshit. These are artistic creations as much as they are a product, and Bioware has a RIGHT to do whatever they want with that. You have a right to complain, too, and I am not saying that criticisms should go unheard; but they certainly don't need to be acted on, the game does not need to be changed retroactively, because it is already out there, finished, complete. And no fanboy, no matter how much they yell or how much they swear has a right to change that.
If you want to write a blog about this instead of filling up the comments box with twenty paragraphs of psychotic fanboy ranting, it would be really easy to do so, by the way.
@manasteel - You make a good point with that. I guess the first thing I thought when I saw that was the Poochie episode of The Simpsons where the creators of Itchy and Scratchy are asking the kids what they want to see in a show. "So let me get this straight. You want a show that deals with the issues you face everyday...but which also has time travel and magic robots?"
I just think when it comes to endeavors like this, as a lot of authors say, you can't write for the fans. You can hear people out to an extent, but you need to do what is right for you in the end. When it comes down to it, there was obviously a writer or team of writers behind this series, and I seriously doubt the end conclusion was just some vague after thought.
I just think when it comes to endeavors like this, as a lot of authors say, you can't write for the fans. You can hear people out to an extent, but you need to do what is right for you in the end. When it comes down to it, there was obviously a writer or team of writers behind this series, and I seriously doubt the end conclusion was just some vague after thought.
"Hm, you seem like one of the people who feel they got "screwed" because they willingly gave up their money with demands that were never met. Because everyone of your comments in Dtoid is a bunch of cliche, predictable hate filled vitriol (this one notwithstanding) I will offer you this:
Hahahahahaha! Sucker! "
I haven't commented on D-toid in years, that's the most I've ever typed here in ages.
But congrats on not reading anything I said apparently, just one small part, checked my comment history and went "LOL IM SO MUCH BETTER" *types reply with smug look*
Seriously re-read what I said, I even mentioned at the end that I do now own ME3.
And its funny you talk about vitriol when your entire blog is exactly that, just hatred and vitriol aimed at ME fans, plus pigeonholing every single one of them into being basement dwelling neckbeared virgins.
And this comment "There is a reason certain people are qualified to be storytellers and certain people are not, and just because someone likes good stories doesn't mean they can write one themselves."
Tells me that you are just a child, when you go out there to the real world, you will find just how incredibly incompetent people you work with are, more than that, the biggest idiot is going to be your boss.
And why would I write a blog about this, I am replying to YOUR blog, so I'll fill up the comment box with whatever the hell I want.
But whatever, you'll just read one line of this post go "LOL U MAD KID" and go back to acting like a smug condescending prick.
Hahahahahaha! Sucker! "
I haven't commented on D-toid in years, that's the most I've ever typed here in ages.
But congrats on not reading anything I said apparently, just one small part, checked my comment history and went "LOL IM SO MUCH BETTER" *types reply with smug look*
Seriously re-read what I said, I even mentioned at the end that I do now own ME3.
And its funny you talk about vitriol when your entire blog is exactly that, just hatred and vitriol aimed at ME fans, plus pigeonholing every single one of them into being basement dwelling neckbeared virgins.
And this comment "There is a reason certain people are qualified to be storytellers and certain people are not, and just because someone likes good stories doesn't mean they can write one themselves."
Tells me that you are just a child, when you go out there to the real world, you will find just how incredibly incompetent people you work with are, more than that, the biggest idiot is going to be your boss.
And why would I write a blog about this, I am replying to YOUR blog, so I'll fill up the comment box with whatever the hell I want.
But whatever, you'll just read one line of this post go "LOL U MAD KID" and go back to acting like a smug condescending prick.
I feel I did address some of your criticisms personally. Is it the fact that I didn't agree with you what ticked you off? I am not criticising fans of anything; just people who seem to feel they have the right to demand a developer change the ending of their fucking game just because they didn't like it. There also happen to be quite a lot of people who were satisfied with the ending, so I suppose because their opinion isn't the same, it shouldn't be taken into account? Are THEY wrong for liking it?
I read your posts. I thought I'd rib on you a bit because you felt it appropriate to call me a child, tell me to fuck off, and then call me an idiot. Did you expect a more cordial response to your aggressive venom spewing nonsense? Who is being childish here?
I also love how you somehow assume from a simple comment that, in my real life, I am some drooling retard who can't be trusted with anything. I am assuming nothing about you personally except that, like many others (and maybe myself) you seem to feel VERY confident behind a keyboard. I don't know anything about you personally and wouldn't be so unwise as to assume. You could be an undersea welder for all I know. But since that isn't the point of this discussion, why does that even matter, and why would you bring it up?
My post very specifically singled out a certain demographic of rage inspired self entitled whiners; not ME fans in general. I didn't pigeonhole anyone, and screw you for saying so. I am quits sure it is a vocal few who are losing their shit over a fucking video game, and not the mass majority. If it is, we are really in a sad state of affairs; but I seriously doubt it.
But I will admit; as someone who was my own boss for several years, I have to agree. I couldn't picture working for somebody more incompetent and lazy...it was a wonder I never fired myself, really.
I read your posts. I thought I'd rib on you a bit because you felt it appropriate to call me a child, tell me to fuck off, and then call me an idiot. Did you expect a more cordial response to your aggressive venom spewing nonsense? Who is being childish here?
I also love how you somehow assume from a simple comment that, in my real life, I am some drooling retard who can't be trusted with anything. I am assuming nothing about you personally except that, like many others (and maybe myself) you seem to feel VERY confident behind a keyboard. I don't know anything about you personally and wouldn't be so unwise as to assume. You could be an undersea welder for all I know. But since that isn't the point of this discussion, why does that even matter, and why would you bring it up?
My post very specifically singled out a certain demographic of rage inspired self entitled whiners; not ME fans in general. I didn't pigeonhole anyone, and screw you for saying so. I am quits sure it is a vocal few who are losing their shit over a fucking video game, and not the mass majority. If it is, we are really in a sad state of affairs; but I seriously doubt it.
But I will admit; as someone who was my own boss for several years, I have to agree. I couldn't picture working for somebody more incompetent and lazy...it was a wonder I never fired myself, really.
I'm in agreement with Elsa mainly, but I do feel as though you're brushing the genuinely valid complaints of some complainers under the carpet. I understand (from your later comments) that you're specifically referring to a subset of fans, but the blog doesn't really read that way - although I think that may be mainly down to the aggressive writing style (not a criticism) rather than anything else.
I'd also like to offer a counter point to this comment:
"The fact that so many people felt Mass Effect came to an unsatisfying conclusion makes me question one thing; how much did they really enjoy it to begin with? If it had been a fun riveting experience, a thrill ride set over three long, satisfying games, then why did a simple ending piss everyone off so much?"
Because of the investment they had in the characters and story. Yes, the journey is also important but it can still be soured with an ending that flies in the face of what people have experienced during that journey. Some players felt it did that. For many it's not even that it was an unhappy ending merely that they feel it was poorly told in comparison to the rest of the 3-game story.
I'd liken it to eating an apple only to get to the last bite and finding a worm in it. You may have enjoyed the rest of the apple but I'm pretty sure you'd probably have a bad taste in your mouth upon the discovery.
I'd also like to say that I totally agree with your comment here:
"Judging something isn't what bothers me, but that overwhelming idea of 'I could do it better'."
But I don't think that's necessarily the case with all the fans complaining. Rather I think it's that a lot of them think that Bioware can do better - as evidenced by the fact that they've invested so much into the story up until this point. I think it's more a genuine feeling of disappointment rather than anything else - it's a bit of a strawman argument to say that they all think they're capable of writing a better ending.
I did enjoy reading your blog though, it offered some interesting viewpoints regardless of whether I wholly agree with them or not.
Thanks =D.
I'd also like to offer a counter point to this comment:
"The fact that so many people felt Mass Effect came to an unsatisfying conclusion makes me question one thing; how much did they really enjoy it to begin with? If it had been a fun riveting experience, a thrill ride set over three long, satisfying games, then why did a simple ending piss everyone off so much?"
Because of the investment they had in the characters and story. Yes, the journey is also important but it can still be soured with an ending that flies in the face of what people have experienced during that journey. Some players felt it did that. For many it's not even that it was an unhappy ending merely that they feel it was poorly told in comparison to the rest of the 3-game story.
I'd liken it to eating an apple only to get to the last bite and finding a worm in it. You may have enjoyed the rest of the apple but I'm pretty sure you'd probably have a bad taste in your mouth upon the discovery.
I'd also like to say that I totally agree with your comment here:
"Judging something isn't what bothers me, but that overwhelming idea of 'I could do it better'."
But I don't think that's necessarily the case with all the fans complaining. Rather I think it's that a lot of them think that Bioware can do better - as evidenced by the fact that they've invested so much into the story up until this point. I think it's more a genuine feeling of disappointment rather than anything else - it's a bit of a strawman argument to say that they all think they're capable of writing a better ending.
I did enjoy reading your blog though, it offered some interesting viewpoints regardless of whether I wholly agree with them or not.
Thanks =D.
I WISH I COULD READ THIS BUT IT'S ABOUT MASS EFFECT AND I HAVE A SELF-IMPOSED BOYCOTT OF ALL MASS EFFECT INFO UNTIL I'M DONE WITH #3 I'M SURE IT'S GREAT THOUGH!
@ LsTr - Thanks for your much more calm and rounded addressing of the issues you took with my blog, it's appreciated, trust me. :D
I will admit my blog probably came off as aggressive. I have a tendency to do that without really realizing it sometimes, but I'm glad you understand where my criticisms stem from.
I can understand what it feels like to really enjoy something and have it end with a whimper. The only thing that immediately comes to mind is a cartoon I really liked, an anime called Kenshin where the first season was sort of muddled, the second season was fantastic, but then the third was literally comprised exclusively of filler material and didn't bring the story to a conclusion. I have to admit being disappointed, but the idea of losing it on a forum and even demanding a change to the actual ending is something I guess I just can't personally relate too...then again, I did get fired up every now and again when the Star Wars prequels came out, so I guess that alone makes me something of a hypocrite.
After putting a little more thought into this, one possibility I could see being reasonable would be producing a directors cut; both financially for Bioware, and for the fanbase. Everybody would kind of win in that situation; people who weren't satisfied with the conclusion could quite literally pay to download a new one, and Bioware would continue to print themselves an endless flow of wonderful, delicious money.
At the very least it would definitely prove my point about careless consumerism in any case ;)
I will admit my blog probably came off as aggressive. I have a tendency to do that without really realizing it sometimes, but I'm glad you understand where my criticisms stem from.
I can understand what it feels like to really enjoy something and have it end with a whimper. The only thing that immediately comes to mind is a cartoon I really liked, an anime called Kenshin where the first season was sort of muddled, the second season was fantastic, but then the third was literally comprised exclusively of filler material and didn't bring the story to a conclusion. I have to admit being disappointed, but the idea of losing it on a forum and even demanding a change to the actual ending is something I guess I just can't personally relate too...then again, I did get fired up every now and again when the Star Wars prequels came out, so I guess that alone makes me something of a hypocrite.
After putting a little more thought into this, one possibility I could see being reasonable would be producing a directors cut; both financially for Bioware, and for the fanbase. Everybody would kind of win in that situation; people who weren't satisfied with the conclusion could quite literally pay to download a new one, and Bioware would continue to print themselves an endless flow of wonderful, delicious money.
At the very least it would definitely prove my point about careless consumerism in any case ;)
DISCLAIMER: I have yet to play ME3 because I dont support EA titles.
You argue yer points well but I cant help but feel you took the low road like many others and just attacked a nebulous caricature of of the lowest common denominator. There are thounds up in arms about this. All of whom are individuals with individual Shepards and individual claims. To try and mash all these talking points into a contrived singular representation of a "whining over entitled" player is not only false but just plain ignorant. People have a right to their feelings and a right to act on them regardless of how stupid or petty they may seem. Cherry picking the retards and then using their example to casually write off an entire group or movement achieves nothing outside of ones own self satisfaction. Dont get me wrong you have every right to do that but ive been seeing a lot of it these days and mostly from posters I respect so its kind of a bummer.
That's not why im here though... I dono if this is how you actually feel but the blog suggests that Xenoblade is "a half decent RPG". ITS GREAT MAN! YOU GOTSTA PLAYS ITS!
You argue yer points well but I cant help but feel you took the low road like many others and just attacked a nebulous caricature of of the lowest common denominator. There are thounds up in arms about this. All of whom are individuals with individual Shepards and individual claims. To try and mash all these talking points into a contrived singular representation of a "whining over entitled" player is not only false but just plain ignorant. People have a right to their feelings and a right to act on them regardless of how stupid or petty they may seem. Cherry picking the retards and then using their example to casually write off an entire group or movement achieves nothing outside of ones own self satisfaction. Dont get me wrong you have every right to do that but ive been seeing a lot of it these days and mostly from posters I respect so its kind of a bummer.
That's not why im here though... I dono if this is how you actually feel but the blog suggests that Xenoblade is "a half decent RPG". ITS GREAT MAN! YOU GOTSTA PLAYS ITS!
@Browneye - I still feel like, individuals or not, there is a definite sort of mob mentality when people gather in a forum, and opinions expressed are more extreme because everyone is patting eachother on the back the whole time. But yeah it may be an overdone sentiment at this point to attack things from such a broad angle...what's be done is done, but I agree I could have handled certain aspects of it differently.
As for Xenoblade, I actually do have it on pre-order...not The Last Story though. That game just doesn't look very interesting to me. Xenoblade reminds me of FFXII, and I really loved that game.
As for Xenoblade, I actually do have it on pre-order...not The Last Story though. That game just doesn't look very interesting to me. Xenoblade reminds me of FFXII, and I really loved that game.
"I have to admit being disappointed, but the idea of losing it on a forum and even demanding a change to the actual ending is something I guess I just can't personally relate too...then again, I did get fired up every now and again when the Star Wars prequels came out, so I guess that alone makes me something of a hypocrite."
Haha, I actually agree with you there. The people flipping their respective sh*t is as contemptible as it is regressive to their cause. It's far better to calmly and respectfully offer criticism rather than to JAM ON THE CAPS LOCK AND SCRAME INCEHONTALEE. At least with the calm and collected approach you might get your point across and there's goodwill on both sides that might lead to things being improved - whether you've asked for it or not.
That said I'm sure we've all unnecessarily flipped at some point - as you say. Doesn't necessarily make you a hypocrite so long as it's something you're not liable to do again. ;) Just means you speak from experience!
Haha, I actually agree with you there. The people flipping their respective sh*t is as contemptible as it is regressive to their cause. It's far better to calmly and respectfully offer criticism rather than to JAM ON THE CAPS LOCK AND SCRAME INCEHONTALEE. At least with the calm and collected approach you might get your point across and there's goodwill on both sides that might lead to things being improved - whether you've asked for it or not.
That said I'm sure we've all unnecessarily flipped at some point - as you say. Doesn't necessarily make you a hypocrite so long as it's something you're not liable to do again. ;) Just means you speak from experience!
I ain't even mad bro, its the gist of your argument is so insulting.
I buy 4 new tires, they end up being crap, according to your argument if I where to demand more of the service I paid for then I am being entitled.
I go to a doctor, I get misdiagnosed, I end up nearly dying or worse, if I where to go back to said doctor and demand some form of compensation then I am being entitled.
Or much like the food argument I used above, you order one thing, you get brought something else, you asked for what you wanted originally and that makes you entitled.
Not to mention the constant ad-hominem attacks on the fanbase in general or pigeonholing into the same group of people, as far as you are concerned any person complaining about said ending, or hell any ending to any game in the near future that's shit, is being entitled.
Your argument is dumb and not well thought out.
I buy 4 new tires, they end up being crap, according to your argument if I where to demand more of the service I paid for then I am being entitled.
I go to a doctor, I get misdiagnosed, I end up nearly dying or worse, if I where to go back to said doctor and demand some form of compensation then I am being entitled.
Or much like the food argument I used above, you order one thing, you get brought something else, you asked for what you wanted originally and that makes you entitled.
Not to mention the constant ad-hominem attacks on the fanbase in general or pigeonholing into the same group of people, as far as you are concerned any person complaining about said ending, or hell any ending to any game in the near future that's shit, is being entitled.
Your argument is dumb and not well thought out.
You are comparing apples and tires here, honestly.
Mass Effect 3 was "crap" in ending alone, and even that is a subjective opinion. I am referring specifically to that game, and the controversy surrounding it. A meal that is exactly not what you request, a set of tires not working out is completely different than an artistic piece of entertainment which people pay for and you know it; your analogy is just as dumb and thoughtless as my blog.
You are also, once again, misinterpreting me. People can be as critical as they want. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. What is WRONG, and as a chef, you might be able to understand, would be your customer coming into the kitchen and telling you what to put in their meal, ingredient by ingredient. Even if you know Paprika shouldn't go on their chocolate pudding, and nobody in their right mind would fucking do that in your profession. It's the fact of the consumer, the customer, knowing what is "best". But in reality, since everybody wants something different, you as a chef don't have the time to cater to each individual who wants a Paprika Pudding Surprise because that isn't what is on the menu.
ME3 was not a case of a botched meal, or a flat tire, or...malpractice? (What the fuck are you talking about, seriously?) It was a matter of taste. If anything, it was using butter on a roll instead of margarine, or putting just a tad too much rum in a rum in coke; some people like the taste, and are fine with it, others find it unpalatable, but people like you and others are treating it like a disaster, and are implying that the ending somehow ruined the rest of the game. I am hearing a LOT about the ten minute end sequence, and not a whole lot about the game itself.
Again, people can complain that the soup had too much pepper, but they don't have a right to burst into the kitchen and tell the chef how to improve because, very simply; they aren't the fucking chef, and if they had to take over the kitchen for a night, none of them would be able to agree what the fuck should go in the soup instead. It's not so much about entitlement as it is about unfair judgement, and wrongly assuming they could do it better. I am not trying to single out an entire fanbase, but this IS happening, so me talking about it isn't being unfair; this bullshit happens all the time and you know it does, and sometimes it is frustrating to witness.
Oh yeah and fuck you for making me hungry by the way. Goddamn food analogies...
Mass Effect 3 was "crap" in ending alone, and even that is a subjective opinion. I am referring specifically to that game, and the controversy surrounding it. A meal that is exactly not what you request, a set of tires not working out is completely different than an artistic piece of entertainment which people pay for and you know it; your analogy is just as dumb and thoughtless as my blog.
You are also, once again, misinterpreting me. People can be as critical as they want. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. What is WRONG, and as a chef, you might be able to understand, would be your customer coming into the kitchen and telling you what to put in their meal, ingredient by ingredient. Even if you know Paprika shouldn't go on their chocolate pudding, and nobody in their right mind would fucking do that in your profession. It's the fact of the consumer, the customer, knowing what is "best". But in reality, since everybody wants something different, you as a chef don't have the time to cater to each individual who wants a Paprika Pudding Surprise because that isn't what is on the menu.
ME3 was not a case of a botched meal, or a flat tire, or...malpractice? (What the fuck are you talking about, seriously?) It was a matter of taste. If anything, it was using butter on a roll instead of margarine, or putting just a tad too much rum in a rum in coke; some people like the taste, and are fine with it, others find it unpalatable, but people like you and others are treating it like a disaster, and are implying that the ending somehow ruined the rest of the game. I am hearing a LOT about the ten minute end sequence, and not a whole lot about the game itself.
Again, people can complain that the soup had too much pepper, but they don't have a right to burst into the kitchen and tell the chef how to improve because, very simply; they aren't the fucking chef, and if they had to take over the kitchen for a night, none of them would be able to agree what the fuck should go in the soup instead. It's not so much about entitlement as it is about unfair judgement, and wrongly assuming they could do it better. I am not trying to single out an entire fanbase, but this IS happening, so me talking about it isn't being unfair; this bullshit happens all the time and you know it does, and sometimes it is frustrating to witness.
Oh yeah and fuck you for making me hungry by the way. Goddamn food analogies...
"Your argument is dumb and not well thought out."
In all fairness the way you've approached your argument is arguable more 'dumb'. In fact you're making other, more level-headed, people that agree with you look bad by association. People reacting the way you are, are what's giving people such a negative view of those that disliked the ending.
All you're doing is feeding that which is pissing you off and continuing discourse in the manner you've chosen is only going to worsen things - name calling is just plain stupid and doesn't get anyone anywhere.
In all fairness the way you've approached your argument is arguable more 'dumb'. In fact you're making other, more level-headed, people that agree with you look bad by association. People reacting the way you are, are what's giving people such a negative view of those that disliked the ending.
All you're doing is feeding that which is pissing you off and continuing discourse in the manner you've chosen is only going to worsen things - name calling is just plain stupid and doesn't get anyone anywhere.
Hear, hear! To be quite honest, I've been staying away from the site and cblogs for a bit. Way too much bitching and moaning going on over certain games of late. Not saying that people don't entirely have a right to complain, but it's getting a tad bit ridiculous, IMO.
I've been keeping a tally, and from my count just about every anticipated release in the past 4 months has received more than a handful (or two) of people gripping about this and that, and when they tire of complaining over somewhat valid points, they begin crying over things like homosexuality and day one DLC.
Games are suppose to be fun, something you do for entertainment. If you can't find that in what you're doing, then perhaps it's time for a new hobby. I hear bowling's rather enjoyable.
By the way - Mass Effect 3 is an awesome game! I'll be enjoying the hell out of it while everyone else stresses out over the ending. ;)
I've been keeping a tally, and from my count just about every anticipated release in the past 4 months has received more than a handful (or two) of people gripping about this and that, and when they tire of complaining over somewhat valid points, they begin crying over things like homosexuality and day one DLC.
Games are suppose to be fun, something you do for entertainment. If you can't find that in what you're doing, then perhaps it's time for a new hobby. I hear bowling's rather enjoyable.
By the way - Mass Effect 3 is an awesome game! I'll be enjoying the hell out of it while everyone else stresses out over the ending. ;)
@Manchild: I don't know Manchild, you seemed to feel Square-Enix owed you something in your Improvements: Final Fantasy article.
"Final Fantasy deserves better, and as a paying consumer, so do you."
Maybe I'm taking this article the wrong way, but I really don't like being called a "chump" for my participation in Operation Rainfall. Is it really so wrong to let a company know what products interest you?
"Final Fantasy deserves better, and as a paying consumer, so do you."
Maybe I'm taking this article the wrong way, but I really don't like being called a "chump" for my participation in Operation Rainfall. Is it really so wrong to let a company know what products interest you?
@King Chrono - To be honest, I support Operation Rainfall, but not some of their aggressive desperate measures which is what I was referring to specifically. Part of their campaign was continuously asking people to buy other products from Nintendo, RPG's, VC games, etc. I found that to be a desperate cry for attention that demanded people put their money forth in order to actively, possibly try to receive ANOTHER product that hadn't been then planned our announced. I only pointed that out to illustrate the willingness of people (and there were people who did it, of course.) to frivolously toss money around, just like with the Sega thing I mentioned, in order to "get their way" so to speak.
Really, I was talking about two entirely seperate points in one blog post. But that also made it a particularly poor blog post on my part. If I indicated you were a chump, I guess I am a chump too because I did pre-order Xenoblade. I just wasn't about to jump on the "BUY EVERYTHING!" bandwagon some people thought would help indirectly. It seemed counterproductive.
The Final Fantasy article is a pretty poor choice of examples because I was talking about broad, sweeping decline in both the quality of the overall storyline due to an overemphasis on melodrama as well as the game mechanics themselves. The only goddamn complaint I have heard about ME3 is about the ending, which is what people are up in arms about. When an entire franchise plummets from the number 1 spot due to game after game of relative mediocrity, that is something sad to see. The Mass Effect games have become better overall as they continue to be release, yet everyone is focusing on the last part of the game and being extremely negative in their efforts. I don't think what I am saying in the FF article contradicts my point here.
@Jaded - Actually, it's all really making me want to try the series now to be honest. I have a feeling it will end up being like Dragon Age and I will be bored after a few hours, but the constant controversy has piqued my interests somewhat. Like you, I too have gotten really tired of article after article being about fucking Mass Effect, so that is probably why I banged out this blog. It's a real hot topic right now, that's all.
And yeah, games have always been, for me anyways, a way to kill a few minutes when nothing else is happening. I have amassed a sizeable collection of games, the industry and news interests me so I keep up on it, but I'll be damned if I have time to play for more than a few hours a week anymore. It's pretty tough to get passionate about, or invested in ANY thing when you have about a half hour a day to spend with it. Most people who are in love with Mass Effect beat the entire game in just a couple days, if that...it would take me a fucking year!
Really, I was talking about two entirely seperate points in one blog post. But that also made it a particularly poor blog post on my part. If I indicated you were a chump, I guess I am a chump too because I did pre-order Xenoblade. I just wasn't about to jump on the "BUY EVERYTHING!" bandwagon some people thought would help indirectly. It seemed counterproductive.
The Final Fantasy article is a pretty poor choice of examples because I was talking about broad, sweeping decline in both the quality of the overall storyline due to an overemphasis on melodrama as well as the game mechanics themselves. The only goddamn complaint I have heard about ME3 is about the ending, which is what people are up in arms about. When an entire franchise plummets from the number 1 spot due to game after game of relative mediocrity, that is something sad to see. The Mass Effect games have become better overall as they continue to be release, yet everyone is focusing on the last part of the game and being extremely negative in their efforts. I don't think what I am saying in the FF article contradicts my point here.
@Jaded - Actually, it's all really making me want to try the series now to be honest. I have a feeling it will end up being like Dragon Age and I will be bored after a few hours, but the constant controversy has piqued my interests somewhat. Like you, I too have gotten really tired of article after article being about fucking Mass Effect, so that is probably why I banged out this blog. It's a real hot topic right now, that's all.
And yeah, games have always been, for me anyways, a way to kill a few minutes when nothing else is happening. I have amassed a sizeable collection of games, the industry and news interests me so I keep up on it, but I'll be damned if I have time to play for more than a few hours a week anymore. It's pretty tough to get passionate about, or invested in ANY thing when you have about a half hour a day to spend with it. Most people who are in love with Mass Effect beat the entire game in just a couple days, if that...it would take me a fucking year!
Well I know enough people who were frustrated with Borderlands' ending and that whimper of a payoff came after only 20ish hours, so investing years of time and emotion into a series can make that pain much more worse.
From what I understand - haven't played ME3 - Bioware promised an ending that would be an outcome of all the player's decisions over the previous three titles, but actually offered a largely arbitrary conclusion which players had limited influence over. I agree that the recent trend towards players feeling entitled to dictate aspects of a game's development is ridiculous, as paying for something means opening yourself up to the possibility that it might disappoint you, but if Bioware promised one thing and failed to deliver, they deserve the criticism. Not because the ending was bad - that was their creative choice, whether good or not, and they're entitled to stand by it - but because it sounds like they misled players as to what the game was offering them. Players have to respect buying into the creative vision and intent of the game creators, but creators should in turn respect customers enough to not take money on the basis of (what sounds like) false promises.
@Manchild: I'm sorry for acting like a jerk. I actually agree with your blog, but took issue with the Operation Rainfall part (which I now realize doesn't even pertain to me). I have no delusions that Nintendo owes me. Again, sorry.
I have a legitimate complaint; where's my overheat bar? The overheating weapons in ME1 were one of the most major things that made me think of it as being different than other shooters. They didn't even add the ability to switch to the other kind of thermal discharge once you were out of "bullets" making ammo a problem just like every other shooter out there.
Wrex told a story in ME1 about how he fought someone so long that both their weapons had run out of ammo and they had to pick up weapons that were strewn about. This story loses all badassery in ME2-3 due to running out of ammo not being uncommon.
In any case, while the journey might have been great(I haven't gotten ME3 yet), a journey HAS to end and ending one by getting shoved off a cliff pretty much smashes a bad taste into your skull. I still want to buy ME3 but I feel that I won't want to pick up another ME title if I do.
Wrex told a story in ME1 about how he fought someone so long that both their weapons had run out of ammo and they had to pick up weapons that were strewn about. This story loses all badassery in ME2-3 due to running out of ammo not being uncommon.
In any case, while the journey might have been great(I haven't gotten ME3 yet), a journey HAS to end and ending one by getting shoved off a cliff pretty much smashes a bad taste into your skull. I still want to buy ME3 but I feel that I won't want to pick up another ME title if I do.
