Mass Effect 3 Ending Changes Planned

The BioWare Blog has a post from BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka confirming that criticism of the ending of Mass Effect 3 has had a massive effect on them, and they will indeed be changing the way the game ends, as they said they might. Here's a bit on their change in plans, and what lead to this point:
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.

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.
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Re: Mass Effect 3 Ending Changes Planned
Mar 22, 2012, 10:57
Re: Mass Effect 3 Ending Changes Planned Mar 22, 2012, 10:57
Mar 22, 2012, 10:57
 
Ruffiana wrote on Mar 21, 2012, 18:10:
I actually really liked the synthesis ending. It's a nice coda to how I was able to resolve the Geth/Quarian war by having all organic live evolve along a similiar line as the Geth and effectively ending the conflict with the Reapers by removing their justiciation for the cycle of galactic destruction. All I would change about this ending is adding some sort of explanation as to why the Normandy has left Earth and ends up marooned on some primitive alien world to (presumably) restart a new civilization with Joker & EDI as the Adam & Eve of this new race of beings. I don't even mind the ME Relays being destroyed in this ending because with the evolution of organic life into a synthetic hybrid, that undoubtedly comes with a much longer--if not indefinite--lifespan. No worries about incompatible food from races being stranded on Earth (they can adapt to anything) or having to get home with mere FTL travel (they've got all the time in the universe).

I chose the Synthesis ending as well, because it was basically the only option I could see that particular Shepard take. He wasn't going to destroy the Reapers if it meant that the newly liberated Geth (and EDI) would also be destroyed. (And yes, I know that you don't HAVE to believe the Magic Space Kid(tm), but it's a risk he wasn't willing to take.)

And controlling the Reapers and doing what TIM wants has to, by default, be a bad idea. So I picked Synthesis. The idea of it, I didn't have such a problem with, though the ending movie was a bit... naff. Where the hell did the Normandy go? At first I thought they'd gone through a gate, and they were being overtaken by the ball of destruction IN THE GATE, which was immediately stupid because ME travel is "nearly instantaneous" (from the Codex.) and because the gate is BEYOND Pluto. How the hell did they get there that fast?

Then some Bioware person said "No, they didn't go through the ME gate, the SOL one is WAY too far away!" which I thought too, so then, exactly what planet in the SOL system is the Normandy crash landing on?

LOTS OF SPECULATION FOR EVERYONE! Yeah, or just disbelief at what a gaping fucking plothole it is.



But the other two almost literally hue-shifted endings aren't really unique and don't provide an interesting contrast to that one ending. I would like to see the expected Reapers destroyed, galaxy triumphs, Shepard retires to live out remaining days with love-interest and presumably dies an early death from alchohol poisoning stock ending. Yes, it's a trope but it's the ending some people want. I'd also like to see the much darker, Shepard gives the giant middle finger to the other races in the galaxy, opts to carry on with TIM idea to control the Reapers, and simultaneously ends that threat as well as catapults humanity to the position of all-powerful galactic rulers.

Which is what would have made sense. I don't really care that there are three endings, and that they are done with the endings button, whatever. Devs get more and more lazy and this seems to be the preferred way to be able to do your endings in five minutes. But at least make them different from each other besides having a fucking different color ball.

If they make two additional CGI movies that at least show some differences, like you described, I'd be perfectly fine with it.

Much of the choices made and war assets collected should be highlighted in some additional elements or scene during the final battles leading up to the end. I saw Quarian ships in the final battle fleet as well as the Destiny Assencion...things that I assume wouldn't have been there if things had played out differently. But there are some really interesting war assets aquired during ME3 that most people would at least like to see a passing nod to.

Sadly, you apparently get the Quarian fleet and the Destiny Ascension even if all that shit blew up in your game. Bioware apparently only had enough money left to make ONE CGI movie.

Outside of that, I would gladly pay $10 for any DLC that makes it very clear that Kaiden dies in some sort of horrible, painful manner.

Bwahahahahaaaa. Poor Kaiden. I wonder if he ever survives ME1 in any game not played by a girl.

Creston
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