100°

Bioware fan feedback “increasingly toxic” according to Dragon Age lead writer

EDGE - Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider has admitted that Bioware has retreated from using its forums as a source of feedback due to their “increasingly toxic” atmosphere. The comments are part of a blog posted in response to a player who claimed that many Bioware fans now avoid the studio’s social network as a result.

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edge-online.com
Godmars2904113d ago

Hardly find such surprising after Bioware failed so badly with ME3 and DA2, especially with ME3 because they further failed to not only understand what they did wrong, why fans were upset, but then got upset about it themselves.

nukeitall4112d ago

People keep saying:

ME1 sucked!
ME2 sucked, because it departed from ME1!
ME# sucked!

To me, all three were fantastic in their own way and I think the way the series progressed was amazing. Bioware started ME1 with somewhat bad game play mechanics, but excellent story. Then they made ME2 excellent game play, but kind of bad story. Then they made the third one which sort of concluded the series.

I don't play Dragon Age, so I can't speak for that.

Godmars2904112d ago

Thing is if you look at their stories, from ME1 to ME3, there are fundamental narrative and continuity flaws throughout. Repeatedly things are established only to be broken because Bioware didn't want to, couldn't because of budget and/or production issues, put the effort into doing it right. These flaws build until you get ME3's ending.

ME1 didn't suck, but out of the three it had the least amount of flaws or was given leeway because it was first in the series, but Bioware only took that excuse to do worse.

nukeitall4112d ago

@Godmars290:

"ME1 didn't suck"

To many it did suck. Many new that started with ME2 thought it sucked really bad. I don't blame them, as it took some serious will power for me to give it a chance. Once I tried it past the half an hour it started getting amazing.

"Repeatedly things are established only to be broken because Bioware didn't want to, couldn't because of budget and/or production issues, put the effort into doing it right."

I don't know, but to me production or budget issues are common, and ME3 is a huge game with a lot of production put into it. Of course there will be flaws, but it is a game that has one of the richest worlds I have seen on consoles.

I can't say I agree with you nor the notion that developers don't want to put in the effort. Most of the developers seems genuinely wanting to create a good game, because they love the medium. We all know their pay ain't that great.

Root4113d ago

They're scared that people are calling BS on their crappy writing and how much EA has b****** them around.

They can't handle the truth so they try and run from it

<sigh>

So next time they say they've listened to fan feedback I can call BS on them now since they don't use the forums.

phantomexe4112d ago

lord have mercy do you guys need your sippy cups. I enjoyed the whole series....

rainslacker4112d ago (Edited 4112d ago )

Actually...you are the exact kind of person who he is talking about making their forums toxic. You offer no constructive feedback, and instead resort to name calling, insults, and just general douche baggery.

I know where this guy is coming from, because the same thing happens on here on a daily basis. The informed, intelligent, and constructive posters keep silent, or they get drowned out by the negative, and completely useless posts from people like you.

It really amazes me that you think developers should listen to people such as yourself when you say things like you just did. Read what you wrote...would you want to listen to someone who treated you like that?

Root4112d ago

I don't seen anything wrong with the comment, it's the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. I would of been disagreed to death if that was the case.

You live in a world where people can't speak their opinions or say anything negative about a company...bet you would be the first to defend Activision, Capcom or Square Enix... ¬¬

rainslacker4112d ago (Edited 4112d ago )

From the article

"I imagine that can happen to any online community,” he continues. “Eventually the polite, reasonable folks stop feeling like it’s a group of people they want to hang around. So they leave, and those who remain start to see only those who agree with them — and, because that’s all they see, they think that’s all there is."

Just because people agree with you doesn't make the way you said it right. Yes the truth can hurt, but the truth doesn't have to be dished out cold. You claim the developer is scared....scared of what?

You claim they are running away from it.

From the article

“I’m sure there are folks there who would bristle at that comment, suggesting that all negative feedback is justifiable and that ignoring it is the equivalent of us sticking our heads in the sand. How will we ever improve unless we listen to their scolding and take our lumps like good little developers?

“That is, of course, ignoring the idea that we haven’t already digested a mountain of feedback- both positive and negative- and there’s really only so much of it you can take. Eventually you make decisions (informed by that feedback, though only in part- it can only ever be in part) and move on.”

At what point have the negative people given new criticism in a constructive manner. You certainly didn't. It's the same crap they've been listening to for months now. This whole thing steamrolled for them from a logical, well thought out criticism in among the community, to an entire internet bashing everything they've done.

You don't see anything wrong with what you said? How about I rephrase it to apply to you.

You are a sad individual with no thoughts of your own. You only parrot what you've heard, because you can't think for yourself. You live in a world where people agreeing with you means that you are morally just, and because of that you continue to spew your venomous hyperbole as gospel. At no time have I ever seen you provide any kind of constructive criticism on any topic on N4G, and instead resort to attacks on individuals and developers because you apparently have no concept of logical thinking or compassion.

The truth hurts doesn't it.

People can speak their opinions all they want. But if they're going to act like you they should be prepared for the response, and not resort to discrediting other peoples opinions.

BanBrother4113d ago

Normally I'm not in support of slamming developers, but I think gamers have got it right. Developers can't forget their fans and turn their backs for money (in this case from EA).

I'd like to think that Bioware learned from their mistakes, but I doubt it.

Seafort4113d ago

Well you reap what you sow. Bioware wanted their games to appeal to a larger, more casual market and they got that.

Don't be running away now as you got what you wanted, warts and all.

Megaton4113d ago

Slop article. Summary: "Poor BioWare, entitled fans are entitled."

I do agree about negativity over there, but what do you expect? They've screwed up their last two fan favorites, increasingly showing signs of full EA assimilation. To follow up with that, they deliver bad DLC at raised prices. If you poke someone in the eye, don't act shocked when they're none too happy about it.

I don't even visit BSN anymore. I just get annoyed when I think about BioWare, so I don't bother. I get my negativity fill here, at N4G. Hanging around BSN would be too much.

redDevil874113d ago

I bet Eiffel is supplying you with all the negativity you need ;)

Megaton4113d ago

He is a pretty good source, but pales in comparison to dchalfont.

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130°

BioWare Could be Working on More than Just Dragon Age Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4

Earlier this year, BioWare was hit with layoffs as part of a downsizing of parent company Electronic Arts, but fans have been reassured that the next Mass Effect game hasn’t been impacted. Likewise, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s development is still churning along, with BioWare putting it at the forefront of its focus and rumors suggesting that it could launch sometime later this year. Fans might be getting another look at the long-in-development Dragon Age: Dreadwolf at the Summer Game Fest in June.

If the recently posted job offering for a temporary development manager is any indication, BioWare could have yet another surprise up its sleeve for when Mass Effect 4 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf are nearing completion. This mystery BioWare video game could truly be anything, from another spin-off of its two major properties to something entirely new. All there is to go on at the moment is a vague mention in the job posting, and it might still be some time before BioWare is ready to confirm any new games in its pipeline.

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gamerant.com
just_looken14d ago

So a studio that spent years on anthem then this dragon age thing is now also working on another ip along with mass effect,

You think they would be worried that there brand has been on 3 major screw ups

Dragon age 3 launched broken with the frostbite engine yes its a good game but you can see in the late game how rough it was

anthem......

Mass effect 4 well that dev team was fired so yeah.....

They should make sure this new dragon age is a goat instead of putting more work on the table

bababooiy13d ago

Bioware today is like 150 poeple i dont see how they are seemingly working on all these projects at the same time.

Michiel198913d ago

Inquisition wasn't broken, it just had some flaws and on the contrary it also had some strengths. If you call inquisition a major screw up then idk what to say.

That said with what happened to the study since then and now, I'm not really confident that their next game will be any good.

just_looken13d ago

If you played it fully to get plat like me back in its novemeber launch window you had that castle with empty area's endgame missions not there or working and a mp that was made around loot box grind like the mass effect mp.

Its hard to explain to those that played it years later after they tossed out the dlc/patch's

Michiel198913d ago

entitled much? I played it at launch too. Why you even platted it if it was a "major screw up"?
It was good enough for you to sink 100 hours in but also a complete fuckup at the same time, make up your mind.
So either you like shitty games or you're just talking out of your ass.

RaidenBlack13d ago

Well just wanna say, Archetype Entertainment is the new BioWare, composed of mainly ex-BioWare vets.
And they're developing Exodus (starring Matthew McConaughey), a new sci-fi RPG (spiritual successor to Mass Effect, dare I say?)

CantThinkOfAUsername13d ago

I hope it's a single player game with Anthem's gameplay mechanics.

Becuzisaid13d ago

They're owned by EA. What makes you think that they wouldn't publish for PS5? Shoot, if your fridge could connect to your bank account EA would try to release it for that if they could!

Double_O_Revan14d ago

How about they focus on those games and not over extend themselves? We don't need another Anthem.

Becuzisaid13d ago

Bioware died after Inquisition (some would even argue after ME3). They are no longer the same company.

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70°

Mass Effect Writer Reveals Why He Left BioWare

During a part of his interview with Minnmax, Mac Walters gave details of why he chose to leave BioWare.

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gameshorizon.com
140°

New Mass Effect Game Teased for N7 Day, and It Shows a Mysterious Individual

Today is known as Mass Effect N7 Day, and BioWare has released what looks to be teasers for the new Mass Effect game.

Snookies12160d ago (Edited 160d ago )

We really need another solid Mass Effect entry. It's a real shame that such a legendary franchise was left off with such a blemish to its overall astounding track record. Andromeda was just not it, don't know what they were thinking there.

-Foxtrot160d ago

Surprised it got a subtitle

I thought after Andromeda they’d have kept to the numbers so people wouldn’t think “oh another spin off”

Unless Shepard returns

Obscure_Observer159d ago

"Unless Shepard returns"

After ME3, Shepard should f* off

Stanjara159d ago

Put a chick in it and make her gay.

Ethereal159d ago

Yes! One of my all time favorite trilogies. Hopefully they do ME justice. Andromeda was passable and had bones of a good game but just lacked the depth and intrigue that the originals had.