03-24-2012, 07:19 PM
I can't explain it in any way other than to say it doesn't "feel" as 'art'. It is a horrendously vague thing to base such on, but it remains regardless.
I agree that they don't really have a foot to stand on, legally, regarding the 'false advertising' claim -- but no one can deny that, even if it may not be so legally, the spirit of those developer statements was not fulfilled.
In my opinion, BioWare has an obligation to meet the expectations that arose as a direct result of those statements. If they can just hide behind 'artistic integrity', then that sets a precedent I don't care for.
It is not as if art hasn't changed due to the response of the fanbase before. Broken Steel, a DLC for Fallout 3, altered the ending of that game. Arthur Conan Doyle brought his protagonist back from the dead due to pressure from fans and his editors. Charles Dickens altered the ending of Great Expectations due to fan outcry as well.
Jester, I have seen the 'Amazon refunds' claim a lot and haven't seen a single refutation, so I'd say it's probably true (on the other hand, I haven't seen any proof, either)--but it's probably simply a publicity thing by Amazon, even if it is correct. The PR gained from allowing refunds probably outweighs the cost of the few refunds they actually have to pay for.
The claim is that they advertised "multiple endings", which we sure as hell didn't get, assuming you define 'ending' as 'the ending of the game'. If you define 'ending' as 'the ending of the trilogy', then you can squeeze a lot more in (as you can consider the entirety of ME3 'the end' of the trilogy), but that is, in my opinion, intellectually dishonest.
It obviously doesn't have any real legal standing; I'd be very surprised to see anything resulting from it. I'd still say they have a point, though.
I agree that they don't really have a foot to stand on, legally, regarding the 'false advertising' claim -- but no one can deny that, even if it may not be so legally, the spirit of those developer statements was not fulfilled.
In my opinion, BioWare has an obligation to meet the expectations that arose as a direct result of those statements. If they can just hide behind 'artistic integrity', then that sets a precedent I don't care for.
It is not as if art hasn't changed due to the response of the fanbase before. Broken Steel, a DLC for Fallout 3, altered the ending of that game. Arthur Conan Doyle brought his protagonist back from the dead due to pressure from fans and his editors. Charles Dickens altered the ending of Great Expectations due to fan outcry as well.
Jester, I have seen the 'Amazon refunds' claim a lot and haven't seen a single refutation, so I'd say it's probably true (on the other hand, I haven't seen any proof, either)--but it's probably simply a publicity thing by Amazon, even if it is correct. The PR gained from allowing refunds probably outweighs the cost of the few refunds they actually have to pay for.
The claim is that they advertised "multiple endings", which we sure as hell didn't get, assuming you define 'ending' as 'the ending of the game'. If you define 'ending' as 'the ending of the trilogy', then you can squeeze a lot more in (as you can consider the entirety of ME3 'the end' of the trilogy), but that is, in my opinion, intellectually dishonest.
It obviously doesn't have any real legal standing; I'd be very surprised to see anything resulting from it. I'd still say they have a point, though.
Earthen Ring-EU:
Taelas -- 60 Human Protection Warrior; Shaleen -- 52 Human Retribution Paladin; Raethal -- 51 Worgen Guardian Druid; Szar -- 50 Human Fire Mage; Caethan -- 60 Human Blood Death Knight; Danee -- 41 Human Outlaw Rogue; Ainsleigh -- 52 Dark Iron Dwarf Fury Warrior; Mihena -- 44 Void Elf Affliction Warlock; Chiyan -- 41 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk; Threkk -- 40 Orc Fury Warrior; Alliera -- 41 Night Elf Havoc Demon Hunter;
Darkmoon Faire-EU:
Sieon -- 45 Blood Elf Retribution Paladin; Kuaryo -- 51 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk
Taelas -- 60 Human Protection Warrior; Shaleen -- 52 Human Retribution Paladin; Raethal -- 51 Worgen Guardian Druid; Szar -- 50 Human Fire Mage; Caethan -- 60 Human Blood Death Knight; Danee -- 41 Human Outlaw Rogue; Ainsleigh -- 52 Dark Iron Dwarf Fury Warrior; Mihena -- 44 Void Elf Affliction Warlock; Chiyan -- 41 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk; Threkk -- 40 Orc Fury Warrior; Alliera -- 41 Night Elf Havoc Demon Hunter;
Darkmoon Faire-EU:
Sieon -- 45 Blood Elf Retribution Paladin; Kuaryo -- 51 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk