Mass Effect 3

[Sjofn]

DA:O pretty much forces you to either be an asshole, or to nobly sacrifice yourself.

I don't really consider the ending where Alistair totally fucking blindsided me by not allowing my Warden to make the sacrifice a "me being an asshole" ending. 

[jakonovski]

Bioware/EA unveils a truly dick move: http://www.vg247.com/2012/02/21/mass-effect-3-from-ashes-dlc-spotted-on-xbox-live/

The whole thing is a bit of a spoiler, but in a nutshell, you'll be missing out on a major plot point if you don't shell out for the Collector's Edition. It's kinda like DA making Morrigan a paid launch day DLC companion.

[tmp]

Based on how little the DLC companions had to add to previous BioWare games not sure if people raging over "significant nature of this content" are all that accurate. (and if my expectation is correct, that'll no doubt be another thing to rage over)

[jakonovski]

If it's not significant, then the story will be shit. I mean seriously, how can you drop a plot revelation of that magnitude and not have it be relevant?

[tmp]

Easily, by giving it a regular DLC budget

[Rokal]

The DA2 'pre-order only' companion actually had some pretty big interaction with the main story. His side-quest was also fairly large, and took place in one of the only unique areas in a game full of rehashed areas. In short, Bioware isn't a stranger to locking significant content behind pre-order/CE paywalls.

[caladein]

Based on how little the DLC companions had to add to previous BioWare games not sure if people raging over "significant nature of this content" are all that accurate. (and if my expectation is correct, that'll no doubt be another thing to rage over)

Zaeed's the only one that I think fits that description.  Sebastian was reasonably important to DA2 and a lot of people quite liked Shale (and they were quite important from a lore perspective).  I quite liked Kasumi as well, probably my second or third favorite crew member after Jack and Legion if you can edit him in early.

[Lakov_Sanite]

In short, Bioware isn't a stranger to locking significant content behind pre-order/CE paywalls. Bleeding customers dry once they've got the hooks in.

[Merusk]

Oh it's a totally irrelevant plot point and this was never predicted as eventually occurring when D1 DLC was first announced for games years ago.  You all are totally overreacting. 

[Fabricated]

DA:O pretty much forces you to either be an asshole, or to nobly sacrifice yourself.

I don't really consider the ending where Alistair totally fucking blindsided me by not allowing my Warden to make the sacrifice a "me being an asshole" ending. 

I keep forgetting like everyone on this board plays only female avatars when given the chance for some reason. Yeah, the female warden actually HAS to let someone else sacrifice themselves. I forgot that.

[tmp]

Zaeed's the only one that I think fits that description.  Sebastian was reasonably important to DA2 and a lot of people quite liked Shale (and they were quite important from a lore perspective).  I quite liked Kasumi as well, probably my second or third favorite crew member after Jack and Legion if you can edit him in early.

I meant in term of added content -- all of these DLCs boil down to companion mission and occasional extra dialogue (and dialogue is mostly for DA, since ME companions generally get less chances to speak)  Meantime, perusing the official forums it's easy to see that --based on the nature of this new DLC companion-- people expect pretty much everything and everyone react to it in some manner. Which is quite unreasonable when you consider Legion's impact (or lack thereof) on most of the environments, and that was actual companion included in the core game, rather than just a DLC.

[jakonovski]

I'm pretty much thinking day one is not possible after learning the From Ashes revelation. Who knows what kind of a frankenstory Bioware has created to make it fit.

[Rokal]

I keep forgetting like everyone on this board plays only female avatars when given the chance for some reason. Yeah, the female warden actually HAS to let someone else sacrifice themselves. I forgot that.

Seriously? Even if Alistar doesn't like you, the game will have him sacrifice himself if you're playing a female character? Does Loghain act the same way?

[tmp]

Alistair will sacrifice himself if he's in love with your character.

Loghain only loves himself so for him that's a no.

[Simond]

I guess that would largely depend on the scale of whatever story they're planning to tell next.

If only BioWare had a studio gaining experience in the production of sci-fi MMOs...

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/swtor-devs-leaving-bioware-to-make-indie-game/
Looks like they're sick of working on MMOs already. 

[kildorn]

If it's not significant, then the story will be shit. I mean seriously, how can you drop a plot revelation of that magnitude and not have it be relevant?

By making him only part of it.


edit: this is to say, I'm not sure if this is worth getting pitchforks out for, because we don't actually know much of shit about it.

[jakonovski]

If it's not significant, then the story will be shit. I mean seriously, how can you drop a plot revelation of that magnitude and not have it be relevant?

By making him only part of it.


edit: this is to say, I'm not sure if this is worth getting pitchforks out for, because we don't actually know much of shit about it.

That might do it, yeah. But like I said, day one is not an option for me anymore. I'll take out the pitchforks and torches only if they make us run through identical dungeons again.

[jakonovski]

Also, TotalBiscuit is angry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0vrJ-y2zM&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

[luckton]

Also, TotalBiscuit is angry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0vrJ-y2zM&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

I have to agree with the Brit.  The Protheans are kind of a big deal.  There's no way they would throw in a walking/talking companion of one and have their story not have anything less than significant impact on the story/gameplay.

I'm already boycotting the game because I hate playing games like this on the console and I've boycotted Origin.  They sure are trying hard to make more reasons not to have me play this game.

[tmp]

The Protheans are kind of a big deal.  There's no way they would throw in a walking/talking companion of one and have their story not have anything less than significant impact on the story/gameplay.

It feels perfectly plausible to me that they'd include a prothean and just view him as nothing more but a cool DLC hook/gimmick. I mean, people were expecting some Dramatic Trial in the opening based on the Arrival and were making big deal out of it too, yet that didn't stop BioWare from skipping the whole thing altogether.

[Velorath]

Also, TotalBiscuit is angry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0vrJ-y2zM&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

I have to agree with the Brit.  The Protheans are kind of a big deal.  There's no way they would throw in a walking/talking companion of one and have their story not have anything less than significant impact on the story/gameplay.

I'm already boycotting the game because I hate playing games like this on the console and I've boycotted Origin.  They sure are trying hard to make more reasons not to have me play this game.

[eldaec]

Hey guys, turns out EA have been removing a huge chunk of every RPG since DAO so they can sell it back to you in a day 1 expansion or at the very least fuck over your right of first sale.

I don't understand how this is a new or surprising turn of events?

[Tannhauser]

Also, TotalBiscuit is angry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0vrJ-y2zM&list=UUy1Ms_5qBTawC-k7PVjHXKQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

I have to agree with the Brit.  The Protheans are kind of a big deal.  There's no way they would throw in a walking/talking companion of one and have their story not have anything less than significant impact on the story/gameplay.

I'm already boycotting the game because I hate playing games like this on the console and I've boycotted Origin.  They sure are trying hard to make more reasons not to have me play this game.

Hey, thanks for the spoiler.  Since you are boycotting the game, why don't you run along now before you spoil anything else.

[Sjofn]

DA:O pretty much forces you to either be an asshole, or to nobly sacrifice yourself.

I don't really consider the ending where Alistair totally fucking blindsided me by not allowing my Warden to make the sacrifice a "me being an asshole" ending.  

I keep forgetting like everyone on this board plays only female avatars when given the chance for some reason. Yeah, the female warden actually HAS to let someone else sacrifice themselves. I forgot that.

Well, for me, I'm ... you know. A woman. Female-only is hardly what I did anyway, I have a lot of DA:O playthroughs. My favorite was actually a dude Dalish elf! Anyway, the female warden doesn't actually HAVE to let someone else sacrifice themselves, it's only if Alistair is a) in love with the warden and b) brought to the archdemon fight. She can also convince him to do the ritual (which feels extra fucked up if he's your boyfriend).


EDIT: Argh, Luckton, y u spoil.

[Rasix]

Well, for me, I'm ... you know. A woman. Female-only is hardly what I did anyway, I have a lot of DA:O playthroughs. My favorite was actually a dude Dalish elf!

Your love of foppy boy elves is known.  This is not surprising.

[tmp]

Don't think it's much of a spoiler anymore, they spell it out in the DLC description, the dev announcement and apperently there'll be pictures and stuff coming soon, too :/

[Velorath]

In short, Bioware isn't a stranger to locking significant content behind pre-order/CE paywalls. Bleeding customers dry once they've got the hooks in.

Of course we'll neglect to mention that they tossed in the multiplayer for free, even though it started out development as a separate project...

[Sjofn]

Don't think it's much of a spoiler anymore, they spell it out in the DLC description, the dev announcement and apperently there'll be pictures and stuff coming soon, too :/

I have been avoiding that stuff, because they do tend to be all "lol spoilers" in their promo shit. :P


EDIT: And Rasix, DON'T YOU JUDGE ME.

[Paelos]

I do enjoy how Bioware is branding their launch day DLC as ok because:

- The content in “From Ashes” was developed by a separate team (after the core game was finished) and not completed until well after the main game went into certification.

It was a tough call guys, and we feel bad that would couldn't get it done in time for the actual release, but we want to let you know that we'll have it ready to go just in time for release so you can have it once your credit card information clears.

I'm a fan of DLC if it adds something to a game that's older and gives you a new playthrough. I'm also a fan of DLC is the box is released at a lower rate and additions are subsequently released. I'm not a fan of $60 boxes and launch day DLC. We shouldn't be encouraging that kind of gouging as a consumer. Add in the fact it's going to be on their stupid proprietary system and they continue to drive consumers like myself out of the market.

[Merusk]

That's ok there's plenty of fools and apologists to make up for you, Pae.

[Miasma]

If I hadn't already pre-ordered I'd have decided to just wait a year and get the "ultimate/goty/whatever" edition that will come out with all the dlc included.

[Simond]

If I hadn't already pre-ordered I'd have decided to just wait a year and get the "ultimate/goty/whatever" edition that will come out with all the dlc included.

And on Steam, hopefully.

[Ingmar]

It's the CE bonus, available to people who didn't buy the CE at 1/3 of the extra cost of the CE. The only people who should be pissed are the ones who bought the CE just for that.  

I mean, unless your beef is that collector's editions shouldn't have extra stuff like that I guess.

[kildorn]

Everyone is right though, they should have made it CE exclusive instead of selling it optionally. That would have gone over SO MUCH BETTER.

edit: I can't help but think that it's the race of the character that is causing the drama. If it was Zaeed for $10 optional DLC in the CE box, no shits would be given.

[Kageru]

I'll consider it when it's on steam. That neatly combines my lack of interest, desire to wait for some post-release critiques and dislike of EA and Origin.