Oh, You Like Bioware? Then Stop Complaining

Mike G from Twinfinite writes:

Being a BioWare fanboy isn’t always easy, especially since the mainstream opinion of them has been pretty negative, at least as of late. Despite the critical acclaim of their recent titles (read: almost all of them), their popularity isn’t exactly at an all-time high. And this is not the way it should be.

Baldur’s Gate. Kotor. Mass Effect. Dragon Age. Games that we here at Twinfinite and many others have fervently enjoyed. Games that have prompted almost shocking backlash from the “community” over things like Dragon Age 2′s lack of area variety or Mass Effect 3′s ending controversy. Events that, in light of BioWare’s incredible track record, shouldn’t dictate the company’s public image.

[Blacklash93]

It kind of amazes (though doesn't surprise) me how intensely toxic and venomous the gaming community has become toward them. It's fine to be disappointed by a videogame, but people act bitter as if Bioware is their ex-wife or something and actively wish ill for their future projects.

Are gamers really this immature about being let down? It's like a child holding a grudge.

[anticlimax]

A lot of gamers loved Bioware.
Then EA came, and a lot of gamers were sceptical.

DA: Origins came and people thought: it's fine, they play to their audience and don't try to target a broader one.

Mass Effect 2 came, and RPG gamers were disappointed. Made for a broader audience, less RPG-elements.

DA2 came and RPG gamers were disappointed, made for a broader audience, less RPG-elements.

ME3 came and RPG gamers were disappointed, made for a broader audience, less RPG-elements.

People are angry because their favorite developer basically doesn't exist anymore. The core-RPG's that they used to make are now made by indie developers or people who quit Bioware a long time ago.

[Blacklash93]

I understand the reasons and it's fine to be disappointed by Bioware. However, it still doesn't excuse the childish behavior about it.

[Aleithian]

I guess it depends on what you mean by childish behavior. I won't be buying DA3 until it's significantly reduced in price, because I no longer trust Bioware. I don't think that's childish, but I've encountered people who do think that's the case.

Other behavior can be even more controversial though. For instance, many people almost *hate* Bioware. I - personally - don't blame them for their strong emotional response. The ME and DA franchises really gripped people's emotions - great characters, great plots, great concepts. And much of this was ripped away in the later games. That hurts people. It's not just an economic decision and not just a decision about how to spend one's time. It's about violating people's values.

I know many people see this industry as simply a source of entertainment, but I see it - and many others see it in the same way - as a place to invest values and dreams. RPGs, for instance, aren't just a place to wile away the hours, but can be a place where we retreat after a hard week, a place where we can explore choices and circumstances that the mundane paths of life rarely offer, a place where we can ask ourselves questions that we wouldn't otherwise ask. In short, they're an extension of lived experience as much as biking, camping, swimming, or whatever can be. Violating the trust built up in a franchise is therefore a serious thing.

This said, I don't support all the behavior of some gamers in the Bioware case. But I understand a lot of it.

[Saryk]

You're NOT MY SUPERVISOR!

[dumahim]

Ding, Archer reference.

[Ogygian]

And so this author is complaining about people complaining.

Hypocrite.

[dumahim]

I don't like Bioware, do I have a right to complain?

[sungin]

we complain all the time,deal with it

[Sidewinder-]

They're not the same company they used to be.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Chapter11]

So... because we like them that means we can't criticize them? What kind of logic is that?

[porkChop]

Yeah it's a pretty stupid idea. Just because you like something doesn't mean it isn't flawed. If you never complain or raise concerns about those flaws then that thing you like will never get better. Sorry, but this author doesn't appear to be very intelligent.

[JBSleek]

I feel like gamers are just way too entitled.

[pompombrum]

Yeah god forbid gamers complain that a company they used to love was bought by the devil and ruined.

[JBSleek]

Why are you using a strawman to debate me. Nowhere in my statement did I say you had no right to complain.

All I said is some gamers are too entitled which is true. These companies don't owe you anything.

[Nerdmaster]

I never liked BioWare games, with Dragon Age Origins being the sole exception. So can I complain that they destroyed their only great (in my opinion) franchise with Dragon Age 2?

[Aleithian]

Off-topic: How come Bioware can do such a good job with the new Leliana but made Morrigan look like a crackhead?

[Sketchy_Galore]

I can't believe the servile attitude of 'Stop complaining. Gamers are too entitled these days' that seems prevalent here recently. I can't think it comes from anyone who has been playing games for even five years.

You might not believe it people but games used to actually be exciting. They used to be made with passion by people interested in creating great experiences for others. I'm not just talking about cheap Indie games with retro 8bit graphics here either. I know it's hard to imagine now but games with decent production values actually had new and interesting ideas. You could look at the previews of a game and not know exactly how it was going to play. How the story was going to pan out etc.

Of course there are a few relics of that bygone era still around but mostly it's just Free to play cash grabs. Cheesy adolescent Michael Bay movie wannabes built around gimmicks. Sequels upon threequels upon quadricals. The real depressing part is that the second you lament this you get cries of 'Stop being so entitled, they're a business, what did you expect?'

Yes, I feel entitled as a paying customer to the work of artists using the medium of gaming to create real experiences with value. I feel I should be able to expect a company to take pride in their output and attempt to actually create a worthwhile product. I know it makes you feel wiser and more mature to accept that these companies are just gonna shaft you for money without caring about the experience they're providing you. I know it makes you feel smarter to think of that just being the way of the world but believe me it's not. There have been in the past companies and creators that actually took pride in their work and had an interest in providing a good service.

[LAWSON72]

I don't hate them however I do not like the route they have taken when it comes to RPGs.