I know you're taking a ton of flak for the Mass Effect 3 ending. I know there's a lot of fans complaining. I know a lot of those same fans are demanding you change the ending.
Don't change the ending.
Let them complain. That's their right. Let them bitch until they're blue in the face. Let them file complaints with the FTC and BBB, even if it is one of the silliest things I've ever heard. (I mean, really, who does that?)
But DON'T change the ending.
Because if you do, then you'll be giving power to the insanity. You'll be validating a bunch of people bitching about the ending to a video game that that you spent copious amounts of time and money and man hours creating with the ending you currently have.
It's easy for them to complain. They bought the game. They played it. They experienced the entire thing and then -- once they're done, they want you to change the ending?
Because they paid $60.00 for it? Is $60 the going price for corporate capitulation now?
Let's put this into perspective for a moment.
You go to dinner and you order a drink, appetizer, entree and dessert. You eat the entire meal. You get a cup of coffee at the end of the meal. The coffee is burnt because it's been in the pot too long. If you complain to the manager and expect your entire meal to be comped because the "burnt coffee ruined the taste of your meal", is that rational?
Here's a better one...
You go out on a date. You pick the girl up, you take her to dinner and then you take an amazing walk on the beach. You talk into the late hours. You laugh, you have so much in common. You like the same movies, the same music, the same games. You spend 6 hours together on what might be the best date ever. Then you drive her home and, after a good night kiss, she calls it a night.
Do you then bitch her out because you thought those 6 hours were going to result in you getting laid and, because you didn't, now she's just a gold digging bitch who only led you on?
That would make you an asshole, wouldn't it?
So, BioWare, don't change the ending.
If people are really upset, then let them show it the way consumers show it. Let them show it with their money. Let them decide not to buy from you again. Hey, they might. That's possible. Even probable. And maybe you'll have to take a look at the numbers and say, "Well, guess the ending to ME3 wasn't what the fans wanted and maybe we need to keep in mind just how happy we need to keep them in future games."
You made a choice with that ending. You thought it was valid and you had your reasons. You may or may not have to take a hit for those reasons, but stand firm and stand behind the decisions you made.
If you cave -- if you change the ending because of fan uproar -- you pretty much broadcast to the entire gaming community that any time fans don't like what you create, you'll change it to suit them.
For $60.00.
And a word to the people out there bitching that BioWare sucks and it "isn't fair".
I have two things to say to that:
1) Life isn't fair.
2) In the words of Denis Leary. "Life sucks. Get a fucking helmet."
p.s. The post that prompted this rant. You can blame ars technica ;-)
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