Spoiled, entitled, whiners.
This is how I would describe the “fans” of Bioware’s Mass Effect series.
Let me clarify: I have fans in quotes, because I’m referring to the small but extremely vocal pocket of players that have been crying about the ending to Mass Effect 3. I know there are many fans, like myself, that feel the ending was either good and made sense in terms of the overall tale, or didn't like it, but didn't feel the need to "occupy Bioware" to get the story changed. This post is to address the childish group of players that continue to make noise as if they've been personally wronged and are owed reparations for these crimes.
For the uninitiated, the Mass Effect series is the story of Commander Shepard, a human space marine tasked with saving the galaxy. One of the selling points of the game is customization; your character can be male or female, you can choose his/her personal history, and choices you make in each game carry over and are reflected in the story of the subsequent titles. As such, you can be forgiven for getting a little attached.
Earlier this month, the third installment of the series was released. Finally, Shepard’s battle against the forces threatening the entire galaxy would be concluded – the space opera six years in the making would come to a close.
The game dropped, and less than a week later, the interwebs were flooded with unheard of amounts of nerd rage.
“PLOT HOLES!!!” they cried. “NO CLOSURE!!!” they screamed. “I DON’T FEEL LIKE ENOUGH OF A HERO!!!” they whimpered.
Do a quick Google search of Mass Effect 3. Scan the comments. You won’t be able to get through 5 comments without some overly entitled jackass complaining that the ending sucked. Petitions were generated and signed to get the ending changed. One geek in particular even went as far as to report BioWare and EA to the Federal Trade Commission and BBB.
I get it. You're invested in the story. But petitons? Complaints?
I say grow the fuck up.
First of all, it’s a video game. Maybe instead of protesting the ending to a game, you crybabies could mobilize behind causes that actually mean something and do some good. Or attempt to get laid – and I don’t mean hooking Shepard up with Garrus you pixel-pervs.
Secondly, despite the customization, despite the money you paid for the game, despite the hours you’ve logged playing the series, the story belongs to Bioware. A large portion of the gamer community wants video games to be considered art; to have the same protection of creative expression that books, films and other “accepted” art forms possess. If this were a book or a film, you may be disappointed in the ending, but bitching about it would do little to change the result. George Lucas doesn’t consult you when he wants to make his 1,000th change to Star Wars and Stephen King didn’t ask for your opinion on how to end The Dark Tower – Bioware doesn’t need to get your input on how to wrap up their story. They don't owe you anything.
Unfortunately, it appears as if Bioware is going to cave somewhat, saying that they are already looking into downloadable content that “will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. You’ll hear more on this in April. We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received.”
As someone that values storytelling in the games he plays, I see this as a huge step back and a terrible precedent to set. What if we could get every story changed that didn’t cater to our idea of a proper ending? I just started reading The Hunger Games…. If all these kids don’t survive, I’m starting a furious letter writing campaign to get the whole series changed.
The point is, while the game is interactive, and you help move the story in this medium, you are not the storyteller – you’re a participant. Bioware gave you enough freedom with your choices to let you have some small effect on how the story unfolds, but ultimately the scenario and story arc would be the same. Let them tell their story. Let them have that freedom as artists.
If you don’t like the outcome, don’t buy the next game they make.
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