EA: Mass Effect 3 to be dumbed down

[paperfist]

Christina Norman is the gameplay designer and Casey Hudson is the project director/executive producer. I'm sure they know a whole lot more about the game than a CEO whose job is to oversee the business, not produce, program, and design.

Doubtful for the reasons outlined by KaOTiK. They may know what they are doing, but they don't control the reins. It's been outlined recently by DA2 blogs, Civ V articles,etc. The publisher steers the wheel, the rest are just along for the ride. I wish it wasn't so, but in the age of stock holders money is the reason for release of a product and its condition.

 

[spaceman]

i think itll be the best game ever made
worst case scenario
best game of the last 15 yrs

 

[smartpatrol]

1. "Being adjusted to reach a larger market" is almost always synonymous with dumbing down. If Bioware means something else by that statement, I can't fathom why they would've chosen the words they did.

2. A game being delayed this far along in development is never a good sign. It means that something isn't working out the way they wanted it to.

 

[Red Hawk]

No, I'm pretty sure in BioWare's case a delay is a good thing. It means that it's more likely to not be a half-finished mess like DAII.

 

[Dumac]

No, I'm pretty sure in BioWare's case a delay is a good thing. It means that it's more likely to not be a half-finished mess like DAII.

Seriously.

If they just took a little more time with DA2, it could have been so much better.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Seriously.

If they just took a little more time with DA2, it could have been so much better.

-Dragon Age 2 really left my head spinning. I seriously have absolutely no idea how they thought the transition from Dragon Age to DA2 made even the slightest modicum of sense. Thanks to DA2, my faith in Bioware has been shaken to the core. They are more or less capable of anything at this point and I don't think either the "don't worry be happy" or "the sky is falling" types have much ground to stand on.

 

[Keeper]

I am about halfway through ME2. If they dumb it down anymore.
I cant even imagine it.

And....... (Wait for it)
I recant my previous position. I would KILL for more Mako Missions.

MINING PLANETS FOR RESOURCES TO UPGRADE.

KILL ME NOW.

Please make the bad clown stop.

 

[exar333]

The whole dumbing down route EA/Bioware seems to be seems like a rather idiotic and short term move.

Yes they will probably boost their sales a bit, with a title like DA2 that sold well because of a huge fanbase in awe over DA:O, and also reach out to the more casual gamer audience. I think it's safe to assume that a significant part of their core audience will be more critical next time. I think they're forgetting what's bread and butter here.

I fully understand it will seems very tempting to try dipping into the casual gamer audience, which (excuse my bluntness) generally will pay premium for almost no creative content at all. However, there are many trying to dip into that market, and many do it better than Bioware. (much less content + much higher profiles/brands)

EA should let Bioware stay in the "quality RPG market" I think they could even increase the price premium if they were giving the fans more stuff of the DAO caliber.

Good point. I would pay $100+ for another BG/NVN game that was developed carefully and meticulously.

As for poor games, I don't have a bottom-price for those. I would rather dust-off a good old game rather than play poorly created new ones.