Still up in arms about the Mass Effect 3 ending situation? Well, the Advertising Standards Authority have ruled that EA didn’t undertake in false advertising, as some of the claims suggested.
“EXPERIENCE THE BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END OF AN EMOTIONAL STORY UNLIKE ANY OTHER, WHERE THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE COMPLETELY SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND OUTCOME,” said the main website for the game.
There were three complainants who challenged that statement, but rather than the actual cut-scenes at the end, the publisher stated that the “end” section is actually the last three to five hours, and naturally you do have some sway over what happens there.
They also referenced the Effective Military Strength score, which would vary depending on your actions.
“The ASA acknowledged the complainants’ belief that players’ choices in the game did not influence the outcome to the extent claimed by EA,” says the conclusion.
“However, we considered that the three choices at the end of the game were thematically quite different, and that the availability and effectiveness of those choices would be directly determined by a player’s EMS score.”
“Most consumers would realise there would be a finite number of possible outcomes within the game and, because we considered that the advertiser had shown that players’ previous choices and performance would impact on the ending of the game,” said the ASA, “we concluded that the ad was not misleading.”
BIGAL-1992
I was wondering what had happened to that. In all honesty though, it’s a pretty ridicious claim to file for.
bigbaldwolf
It was ridiculous to claim for it but you can see how what was promised was misleading. Let’s hope people can just move on from this now
Gamoc
Yup, they’re right.
RocketSOL
They see sense, thankfully. It was a stupid claim to make against EA in the first place.
C_S15
“However, we considered that the three choices at the end of the game were thematically quite different…”
All it is is a different colour. Seriously, they show you the same thing happen but with a different colour from the colour wheel. Arguing that it is thematically different is bull when you consider you don’t get to see the result of any of your ending choices.
“…and that the availability and effectiveness of those choices would be directly determined by a player’s EMS score.”
You get a few seconds clip of Sheperd gasping if your EMS and galactic strength are over 5,000. That’s on top of the same crap everyone else got. Whoopdie doo.
C_S15
Just to clarify, I still think it’s stupid of people to make claims to the ASA, but I disagree with their conclusion.
bmg_123
Still haven’t finished it! So I’ll be disappointed if the ending ISN’T bad now!
MadBoJangles
I’m in the same boat lol
Will hopefully get around to finishing it eventually…
bigbaldwolf
Didn’t the guys promoting this promise lots of different endings (colours don’t count) based on your decisions. I think that devs need to be very careful about what they promise if they won’t / can’t deliver on that promise
Uhyve
They definitely implied it, but I don’t know if they ever explicitly stated it. I remember one interview where they were talking about the fact that since it’s the last in the series, they won’t have to worry about making all endings lead onto the next game. Which implies vastly different endings, without actually stating it.
Oh and there was this gem:
“There are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any more than that…”
But yeah, I don’t know if those would count as advertising, plus it’s been so long since I played ME3, I don’t really care anymore. Which is sad, it used to be one of my favourite series, it somehow pulled a Final Fantasy on me.
parryman
So, people bought this game solely for different endings?
Forrest_01
People bought this game believing that you could effectively shape shepherds universe, yes. Why they didn’t realise that a game has to have a finite number of endings is beyond me though.
The main complaints that i saw though were that the choices you made didn’t matter & that the ending was the same or similar regardless.
The Lone Steven
I bought the game as it was the last chapter in the ME trilogy. It is a good ending to the trilogy bar the last 10-20 minutes. :-/
BrendanCalls
One thing is for sure, in the future when the history of video games is charted, this whole sorry episode regarding the ending of Mass Effect 3 will be a big marker.
Lets hope by the time someone records this as historical fact, the general population of the internet has managed to mature
The Lone Steven
I thought ME3 was the ending to the ME trilogy? Because that is what i’m classing ME3 as. ME2 the middle and ME1 the intro. :) But seriously, someone actually complained to the advertising authority. :O The ending is a letdown but was not falsely advertised.
Forrest_01
I suppose it’s a bit like writing to the ASA to complain that i planted skittles in my backgarden & no rainbow grew from the ground. It was in the advert though!
Uhyve
They don’t!? I’ve been waiting weeks!
Damn it, what’s the ASA email address?
The Lone Steven
That did work for me. Although i may have cheated and used a bit of radiation and an obscure virus in order to do so. :p