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BioWare to announce how they're going to address ME: Andromeda on April 4th

What was your favorite video game disaster relief program?


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At the very least, they've got to talk about what they're doing to solve some the technical and UI issues (the small text size being the worst). I don't think we're going to see one big fix for all the animations - we're probably going to see a series of patches that take a while to deploy.

They might also throw out some single player DLC plans too, just to reassure people that Mass Effect isn't dead now. Depends on what EA letsd them say.
 

Alienfan

Member
This is mainly why I haven't gotten the game and don't have much interest, not necessarily because of the glitches/animation stuff which I can get over, but very lukewarm response when it comes to the characters/story.

I like that apparently they brought exploration back, which is what I loved most about ME1 and wished they always expanded on that, but with everything else being meh I'm not convinced it's worth $60.

There's definitely this weird bandwagon of hyperbolic hate going on (so many good games at the moment, I think people are trying to justify not buying the game as much as possible), although there are a ton of fair criticisms too, you'll rarely hear about the things it does right. If you enjoyed the exploration component of the original, it's definitely worth the purchase after a price drop - it's easily my favorite part of the game, the anticipation of landing on a new planet and coming across weird new lifeforms. It fails to capture the joys of the original trilogy, but is still far from terrible.
 
People get to make harmless jokes and Bioware/EA walk away with millions of dollars from releasing a product they knew wasn't up to par. Pretty sure EA/Bioware came out ahead on the deal. Are consumers supposed to feel bad for a company for selling them a substandard product?

I agree that people should voice their opinions if they are upset. I think that this should happen more often instead of just letting things slip by because the devs are beloved or whatever. This is how the people who have the power to make changes get the message about what we want and where they need to dedicate more resources. They need to hear it loud and clear.

However, this should be done in a constructive and fair manner. When the people you are lobbying your complaints at because you want something changed or fixed do something positive then you need to give credit to where credit is due. They need to be praised for moving in the right direction instead of facing the same flak that they did for their mistakes otherwise why even try if it isn't going to make any difference?

I genuinely feel that many people here actually would rather just see them go up in flames rather than turn things around with the way that many are acting.

To all people bringing up the predictable announcement for an announcement jokes, they're in no position to stay silent and just wait for the day they will be able to talk about whatever they're trying to fix.
The longer they stay silent, the worse it gets, since people will just think they won't do shit about the game.

Exactly. This didn't work well for NMS.

For better or worse, even if they can't fully fix everything, they are doing the right thing by trying to keep an open line of communication in the midst of this crap storm. I mean, it's got to be real tough for them right now to be in the spotlight as a team and taking responsibility for their work even though it's most likely more EA's fault than theirs as we have seen with many studios that EA has sent out back behind the shed. Just watch the end of the ME:A Crowbcat video that everyone loves so much.
I liked it too btw.
So, just for being open right now instead of hiding, they have my respect at the moment, they just don't have my money yet and for good reason.
 

Wedzi

Banned
What are the odds they say fuck it forget Andromeda, straight up Mass Effect 4 in the vain of Mass Effect 2 time.
The extended destroy ending where Shepard lives is canon, the Citadel and Mass Relays have been rebuilt and Shepard's back baby!

I can't imagine what the fan reaction to this would be, but I won't lie and say deep down I kind of want this after playing Andromeda.
 

Ashtar

Member
If you still can't shag a Krogan no thanks!
I do hope they fix some of these damn bugs and improve performance, maybe have a way to tell Sam to shut the hell up?
 

Madness

Member
What are the odds they say fuck it forget Andromeda, straight up Mass Effect 4 in the vain of Mass Effect 2 time.
The extended destroy ending where Shepard lives is canon, the Citadel and Mass Relays have been rebuilt and Shepard's back baby!

I can't imagine what the fan reaction to this would be, but I won't lie and say deep down I kind of want this after playing Andromeda.

Right now, zero. But we will see more eventually. Depends on what EA plans. They have Star Wars they're pushing with at least 3 major games coming soon.
 

watershed

Banned
It sounds like PR speak for "we know we released a shitty game but we didn't expect to be called out on it so univerally, now we're forming a plan to make it better...in time."
 

Snagret

Member
I agree that people should voice their opinions if they are upset. I think that this should happen more often instead of just letting things slip by because the devs are beloved or whatever. This is how the people who have the power to make changes get the message about what we want and where they need to dedicate more resources. They need to hear it loud and clear.

However, this should be done in a constructive and fair manner. When the people you are lobbying your complaints at because you want something changed or fixed do something positive then you need to give credit to where credit is due. They need to be praised for moving in the right direction instead of facing the same flak that they did for their mistakes otherwise why even try if it isn't going to make any difference?

I genuinely feel that many people here actually would rather just see them go up in flames rather than turn things around with the way that many are acting.



Exactly. This didn't work well for NMS.

For better or worse, even if they can't fully fix everything, they are doing the right thing by trying to keep an open line of communication in the midst of this crap storm. I mean, it's got to be real tough for them right now to be in the spotlight as a team and taking responsibility for their work even though it's most likely more EA's fault than theirs as we have seen with many studios that EA has sent out back behind the barn. Just watch the end of the ME:A Crowbcat video that everyone loves so much.
I liked it too btw.
So, just for being open right now instead of hiding, they have my respect at the moment, they just don't have my money yet and for good reason.
Exactly, criticize the original release all you want but this is nothing but a step in the right direction.
It sounds like PR speak for "we know we released a shitty game but we didn't expect to be called out on it so univerally, now we're forming a plan to make it better...in time."
More like PR speak for "We literally are not allowed to come out and boldly state that our game is riddled with technical and artistic issues, and the only way we can address this situation is by using market-friendly language until we have a full list of patch notes to offer."
 

RedAssedApe

Banned
Available today, Mass Effect trilogy HD remaster.

Look under your seat. Everyone who bought Andromeda gets a free copy.


...guess i'll be waiting for "GOTY" edition like I did with DA:I
 

Chumley

Banned
What are the odds they say fuck it forget Andromeda, straight up Mass Effect 4 in the vain of Mass Effect 2 time.
The extended destroy ending where Shepard lives is canon, the Citadel and Mass Relays have been rebuilt and Shepard's back baby!

I can't imagine what the fan reaction to this would be, but I won't lie and say deep down I kind of want this after playing Andromeda.

If the franchise continues it won't be tied to Andromeda. No matter what they fix, the name is already done for. Mass Effect 4 is actually not a bad title as a way of saying "We know we fucked up, that last game doesn't exist anymore" and they wouldn't necessarily have to tie it to Shepard.

I also think Mass Effect trilogy remastered is almost guaranteed now if they want to start restoring good will with the fans. It can't be understated how devastating this is for the brand coming off of the ME3 debacle.
 

Wedzi

Banned
Right now, zero. But we will see more eventually. Depends on what EA plans. They have Star Wars they're pushing with at least 3 major games coming soon.

True. Forgot how Star Wars could basically be their new science fiction IP since they have exclusive rights to the license for games. I guess it really depends on how much EA values the Mass Effect brand and whatever the new Bioware IP is.

If the franchise continues it won't be tied to Andromeda. No matter what they fix, the name is already done for. Mass Effect 4 is actually not a bad title as a way of saying "We know we fucked up, that last game doesn't exist anymore" and they wouldn't necessarily have to tie it to Shepard.

I also think Mass Effect trilogy remastered is almost guaranteed now if they want to start restoring good will with the fans. It can't be understated how devastating this is for the brand coming off of the ME3 debacle.

Yeah it doesn't necessarily have to star Shepard to be called Mass Effect 4 but probably will take place in the Milky Way if it does happen.
Mass Effect remastered would be a good way to try and mend the franchise as well as they figure out in the meantime what to do in the future.
 

CEJames

Member
I've gotten past the jankiness (although they /really/ need to fix some of the bugs in this game. Just yesterday, Cora was knocked out during a firefight and I couldn't revive her. Even after the fight was over. Had to reload a previous save to fix it.) and I'm enjoying my time with the game now but it still feels like such a sub-par game even when compared to Bioware's previous disappointments like DA2.



How long did it take for them to put that patch out btw?

Sorry; late reply but only a month.
 
$60 is not a lot of money for a product that has cost tens of millions and many years to make.

I don't disagree. But their response really seems to indicate they appreciate they've been rightfully called out and are trying to do something about it. Just feel like people can check their cynicism at the door until we find out what Bioware Montreal is going to do. (I half hope Bioware Edmonton is going to come to the rescue but I think they're so deep into their new IP that they can't be bothered)
 

Kabouter

Member
Tbh, so far I'm thrilled with the game. Couple dozen hours in now, and I mostly have minor complaints. I suppose I've been lucky in the bug department, only some cosmetic stuff. The main thing I want Bioware to be doing is to pump out even more content for when I finish it.
 

JBwB

Member
April 4? Dammit that's the date I plan to finish up the game lol. I have to finish it before Persona 5 comes out.

Regardless I'm enjoying my time with it despite the technical issues.
 
Idk i have the impression in dragon age that hawk was planned to be the protagonist in dragon age 3, with the reception of da2 i Think they changed it

But i think to return to Sheppard is a very low possibility
You're wrong. Hawke had a major DLC, read expansion, coming up but they had the option to either go full into production of the DLC or start working on adapting Dragon Age to frostbite. They went with the latter.

Davod Gaider likes to tell that story because one of those had a very funny codename.
 
Next gen marketing - release terribly unfinished game initially while having a complete version backed up and ready to be patched in. Blow everyone's mind.
 

Garnox

Member
About 20 hours in and it feels like a carbon copy of DA:I (which I kind of feared) So many fetch quests that (so far) haven't impacted much. DA had fortresses to conquer,
ME now has Kett strongholds to conquer.

Maybe I haven't progressed the story enough to really care about the characters, but so far I'm disinterested and that's the main reason I enjoy Bioware games.

It's pretty. The combat isn't too bad. Just not feeling it too much. I feel like I've already done it with DA:I... this one has a sci-fi skin on it.
 

Replicant

Member
Apart from the animation jank, the only bug I encountered so far was when I couldn't proceed beyond the first task (opening the busted door) because I had another save with another character that's already beyond this particular save.

So all of the things that I'm supposed to do have been ticked off/completed (by another character in another save) and yet I can't proceed because in actuality this new character hasn't completed those.

I hope that's all the bug I'll encounter.
 
That's one of the laziest, generic "we fucked up" responses I've ever read from a developer in recent years. They didn't even use the word animation to describe their context.
 
They'd better release a damned patch before then, I can't even play the fucking game for longer than 10 minutes. Do the big stuff later please.
 

LOLCats

Banned
If the console version was the diablo 3 disaster relief plan. Then it was the best for me. I never tried the first version of FFXIV

The bright side is Tuesday P5 comes out, im still on Vould, so maybe theyll fix some things by the time i get back to mass effect.
 
What are the odds they say fuck it forget Andromeda, straight up Mass Effect 4 in the vain of Mass Effect 2 time.
The extended destroy ending where Shepard lives is canon, the Citadel and Mass Relays have been rebuilt and Shepard's back baby!

I can't imagine what the fan reaction to this would be, but I won't lie and say deep down I kind of want this after playing Andromeda.

I'm not sure why you'd want it. The main Bioware team has moved on. We'll probably never see them make another Mass Effect title, and that's for the best. This team would make it. It wouldn't be good.
 

xealo

Member
That's one of the laziest, generic "we fucked up" responses I've ever read from a developer in recent years. They didn't even use the word animation to describe their context.

This game has a lot more issues than just animation, animation is just the one that got the most internet attention cause it's easy to make funny gifs of it.
 
What planet do you have to be on though to think Dragon Age is done after the most recent instalment sold & reviewed very well? 😂
Huh?
Idk i have the impression in dragon age that hawk was planned to be the protagonist in dragon age 3, with the reception of da2 i Think they changed it
That's a huge shame for me. I really liked my Hawke. Thought he was cool! I didn't feel like his story was finished.

Bet you guys are glad I'm not in charge of Bioware eh?
 

Mattdaddy

Gold Member
Anxious to see what they announce. I'm actually enjoying the game overall.... but there is just so much weird head scratching shit going on. I mean the Asari. How does every single asari have the same face??? And that face doesn't even really look like the asari from 1-3? Wtf?!? How did at no point during the entire process did not one single person go "Fuck hold up y'all! We gave an entire species the same face! And it doesn't even look right!" Mind is just blown. My first thought it was some weird retcon like the Qunari.

Just weird.
 

RuhRo

Member
If EA's smart, they're going to put substantial money into turning around the PR on this. Think a comprehensive overhaul of the game rolled out over the next six months, plus some free DLC for early adopters.

Should be on the order of the changes to No Man's Sky post launch - lots of art and performance and gameplay changes.

Remember, this isn't just about how this game sells - it's about snatching back a lucrative long term intellectual property from the jaws of defeat.

I loved the previous games and would have bought this sight unseen with decent reviews, but given what's happened, I'll wait til the end of the year and see where the game stands. An art and animation overhaul plus gameplay fixes plus excellent DLC targeted at improving the game's weak spots (better writing, better LGBT stuff, more lively NPCs and populated hub areas, and so on) would definitely get me to bite.
 

dankir

Member
Totally fine with this, at least its relatively close to the game's launch. Hope they iron out these bugs quickly.
 

Eylos

Banned
You're wrong. Hawke had a major DLC, read expansion, coming up but they had the option to either go full into production of the DLC or start working on adapting Dragon Age to frostbite. They went with the latter.

Davod Gaider likes to tell that story because one of those had a very funny codename.
Didn't knew that, da2 has an unfinished story thats why i though that
 
PR spinning damage control into an exciting announcement.

Almost looks desperate.

They better blow everyone's minds away otherwise this is a laughably bad decision to preannounce a patch update which may not come for many months

Reminds me 343 studios still fixing Halo MCC (or have they finally given up?)
 

Rozart

Member
The question isn't really why ME:A is hated, the question is why did DA:I not get hated by the same people for the same reasons?

The answer is TW3. A point of reference.

No.

DA:I is by far and away a much better game than ME:A. It had characters that were lively and robust. Writing that was snappy rather than bland and awkward. Graphics that looked better than what we got in Andromeda despite coming out years ago. Even without using TW3 as a point of contrast, ME:A still pales in comparison to Bioware's other works.
 
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