Ken Levine calls fallout an “important moment” for industry, says fans will be “very disappointed” if BioWare decides to write new ending.
BioShock creator and Irrational Games founder Ken Levine is saddened by the Mass Effect 3 ending controversy. Speaking at the Smithsonian’s “Art of Video Games” exhibit last weekend (attended by Vox Games), the longtime designer called the situation “an important moment” for the industry.
Levine said fans will be let down if BioWare decides to craft a different ending to Mass Effect 3. He added that if the studio does design an alternate ending, neither BioWare nor fans will be satisfied.
“I think if those people got what they wanted and (BioWare) wrote their ending they would be very disappointed in the emotional feeling they got because…they didn’t really create it,” he said. “I think this whole thing is making me a little bit sad because I don’t think anyone would get what they wanted if that happened.”
BioWare-Mythic senior creative director Paul Barnett was also in attendance at the event. He said authors of artwork should have total control over their creations, referencing J.K. Rowling and the conclusion to the Harry Potter saga.
“If computer games are art than I fully endorse the author of the artwork to have a statement about what they believe should happen,” Barnett said. “Just as J.K. Rowling can end her books and say that is the end of Harry Potter. I don’t think she should be forced to make another one.”
Since Mass Effect 3 shipped earlier this month, BioWare has been busy addressing fan concerns regarding the game’s ending. Executive producer Casey Hudson said last week that he wanted the conclusion to be memorable, and to get gamers talking.
And just this week, BioWare said it was considering changing the Mass Effect 3 ending. The developer said it is “seriously taking all player feedback into consideration and have ruled nothing out,” regarding amending the Mass Effect 3 ending.
On top of that, Members of the Mass Effect community have formed the charity petition called Retake Mass Effect ChipIn fund, collecting PayPal donations for the Child’s Play charity as a way of encouraging BioWare to make alternate Mass Effect 3 endings. As of press time, the fund has amassed over $75,000.
For more on Mass Effect 3, check out GameSpot’s review.
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