Since the launch of Mass Effect 3 last month, BioWare has been goading fans into the fairly popular multiplayer component, mainly through community-wide challenges. Last weekend the developer tasked special operatives with promoting their in-game characters, 150,000 being the target.
BioWare has since issued an update on Operation Raptor, announcing that over 350,000 avatars were successfully promoted to the galactic theatre of war, more than doubling the set amount. Players who took part in the challenge will be entitled to an in-game Victory Pack, whereas as those who outperformed by promoting two characters will receive the Commendation pack.
More details on the next bounty event will likely be made available towards the end of the week. For now we just have a title: Operation Beachhead.
Source: BioWare Blog
Flightx
is there any news on when ps3 owner will be able to take part in these events?
Nocure-fd
I’ve been really enjoying the MP content of ME3 so far. The unlock system can be frustrating at times, but the short sharp nature of the missions certainly gives me that “Just one more” feeling.
So far the community challenges haven’t been all that challenging. Like needing to kill 1 million brutes, but we ended up killing 3 million. I guess we’ll see how it goes once the game has been out a while and the player base drops off a little.
I hear the PS3 platform is having a hard time with inclusion with these events due to short comings in the game feedback availble from the PSN. Can anyone comment?
If anyone wants a team mate on the 360, Nocure is my XBL tag :)
jikomanzoku
I swear RDR had a ticker tape that kept track of MP kills, bullets fired etc on PS3, although whether that information was derived directly from PSN or through social club I don’t know.
Shame as it would be nice to be involved, if only to bloody unlock some stuff instead of grinding like a mofo. I do however suspect that the amount of grinding is quite a deliberate ploy to encourage people to spend real money instead of game credits. Grrrr
Nocure-fd
I think the info RDR used was tracked locally. Did you get to see any information about the stats people on your friend list had tallied?
As for the ME3 grind. Look up “Skinner-box game design” there is plenty of information floating around about it. Penny arcade has quite an informative short video about it (extra credit section).
Long story short, you are being treated like a pidgeon in a box. If you part with real cash, then you are effectively paying to be treated like a pidgeon in a box. Not illegal, but certainly ethically questionable.
As long as people are aware of the psycological jiggery-pokery, then I don’t really have a problem with it.
jikomanzoku
Wholeheartedly agreee about the pigeon stuff and about not having anything to do with it. Think we’re gonna see an increased prevalence of that crap thanks to the financial success of all that BS social media gaming and its micropayment models. Most people are stupid unfortunately.
As regards to local tracking of stats, no it was definitely related to totals fired/killedcollected by all people and L.A Noire also had similar stats, allowing stat comparison between friends as well.
Dead Space 2 just came to mind too, PS3 version of that is always telling you how x percent of players have this trophy or that.
Nocure-fd
To be fair, I don’t think people are stupid (well, not most of them at least :P). I just don’t think they are aware of the way they are being manipulated. I certainly wasn’t until very recently.
Now I am aware of the tricks of the trade, I know what to look out for and can hopefully avoid being sucked in.
tonycawley
Real shame these things aren’t available for ps3 as they sound excellent. Me3 mp has grabbed me more than I thought it would, but these challenges would give more reason to keep playing.
An-dz
I remember they said that they cant do them on the PS3 for “technical reasons”. All i can think of is some rule sony must have is stoping them and its a shame because we are missing out.
sg
technical reasons?…yeah right.
i don’t believe that dirt for a second.
aerobes
That’s a shame though if they really wanted to, I suspect they could.