Mom's Minute

Video Game players livid over Bioware's Mass Effect 3's endings

There is growing controversy over the endings of one of the most highly anticipated video games, Mass Effect 3.  The video game was released on March 6, 2012. 

Mass Effect 3's endings or lack there of have been making headlines. Not only are video game players angry, upset, and disappointed with the endings, but some have gone so far as to file complaints about the video game with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Mass Effect 3 is the last of a trilogy Role Playing Game (RPG) series that received rave reviews from its two previous installments.  During the gameplay, in addition to battles, video game players make decisions which change the course of the story.   

It is not surprising the previous Mass Effect video games were played and replayed due to the entertainment value, draw, and empowerment bestowed on the video game players.  Many developed an attachment to the video game characters and were consequently, concerned with what happened to them.

So what went terribly wrong with Mass Effect 3 that caused groves of video game players to "pitch a fit?"  Were the expectations of Mass Effect 3 so high, that the video game would have been unable to live up to the extreme standards expected -- even if the game  had delivered a plausible ending? Based on the success of the previous Mass Effect installments, this video game was expected to be up to the task. Unfortunately, Mass Effect 3 may not have delivered what was expected -- especially during the last ten minutes or so of gameplay.

One can probably imagine the frustration that must have been felt after having played the video game many hours only to experience an ending that some say seemed to have been put together at the last minute. Some video players are even complaining that the video gameplay itself, leaves a lot to desired -- likening it more to a third person shooter game instead of an RPG.

Not to give anything away regarding the gameplay, it seems as if Mass Effect 3 offers several choices at the end of the game; however, regardless of the one selected, the conclusion is the same.  Some video game players say the last ten minutes of Mass Effect 3's endings were dissatisfying and left them feeling empty.  Additionally, there were  a lot of holes and questions at the end, there were no closure, and in a sense,  it appeared as if all the gameplay accomplished during  the previous two video game installments of Mass Effect were a big waste.

With such widespread discontent with Mass Effect 3's endings, of course, the CEO of Bioware, Dr. Ray Muzyka had to make a statement -- one that would support his development teams, as well as not alienate the video game players. He was admittedly placed between a "rock and a hard place", and had to try in some way to appease video game players.

From a business perspective, of course the company's bottom line was part of his impetus to make a statement since it's common knowledge that video games cannot succeed and make millions if no one will buy and in turn play them. 

Releasing a major blockbuster video game with such poorly crafted endings required Bioware to do something about this faux pas.  But what? Some possible options included giving refunds, recalls, change the ending, explain the ending, make a statement and apologize, not let the trilogy end with Mass Effect 3 or even make the choice to do nothing.

You may have heard that some Mass Effect 3 customers were able to get refunds from Amazon.com, even though there is debate on whether their discontent with the ending was a basis for a refund.

Of the above choices, it appears as if Bioware's Dr. Ray Muzyka opted for a carefully worded apology along with a statement that an answer to the Mass Effect 3 ending problem will be provided some time in April, 2012.

Excerpt from his statement and in his own words:

"Building on their research, Exec Producer Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. You’ll hear more on this in April.  We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received.  This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue."

It remains to be seen if the "game content" initiatives will be new downloadable content with different endings -- even though this is the current speculation. Also note  he stated you will hear "more on this in April", which may or may not mean new endings for Mass Effect 3 via DLC, at a cost. One must take a wait and see stance.

The up side is that Bioware listened to the complaints and hopefully, a solution for the endings for Mass Effect 3 is on its way.