However, while EA and BioWare attempt to make sense of the situation, and find a way to appease angered Mass Effect fans (or not), other fan-favorite developers, Ken Levine and Paul Barnett, are also weighing in with their unbiased opinions on the growing controversy.
Vox Games reports that Levine and Barnett addressed the situation during a question-and-answer session at the Smithsonian American Art museum - where the pair were promoting “The Art of Video Games” exhibit.
In reference to the “current fiasco going on right now with the Mass Effect ending,” one audience member asked the pair, “What do you think of the whole idea where community has influence on making game story?”
Barnett responded first:
It’s hard to argue with Barnett’s comments - at least from a artistic standpoint. Ultimately, creative types can do whatever they want - even if their fans don’t approve. That said, unlike J.K. Rowling, who presented a definitive end to the Potter saga, BioWare wants to continue the Mass Effect franchise. As a result, the debate isn’t probably as much about the developer feeling “forced” to alter the ending; instead, it’s likely that they’re feeling strong-armed into finding a way to appease dedicated customers - so that, down the line, these people will continue to support the Mass Effect universe.
Levine also defended BioWare’s right to ending the saga on their terms - as well as addressed the ground swell of outraged fans:
Levine is a game fan at heart and many level-headed players (even those who are somewhat frustrated by the Mass Effect 3 endings) likely feel the same way. It’s a tough spot for both fans and the developer - since it’s going to be impossible to please everyone. It’ll be especially tricky since gamers who are angry about the trilogy conclusion aren’t universally rallied around a single problem either - some want more side-character closure, while others were let-down by the lack of affect all of their accumulated decisions had on the finale, among countless other issues.
As we’ve mentioned previously, in the mean time, the best thing we can all do is try to show some patience and provide BioWare with constructive feedback - in an attempt to try and find a middle-ground where both developer and customers can feel satisfied with how their time, energy, and dedication has been invested.
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Mass Effect 3 is available now for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for further updates.
Source: Vox Games
