Garrett Fuller - Anthem Woes - MMORPG.com

SBFord

Garrett Fuller - Anthem Woes - MMORPG.com

Bioware teased their game Anthem a while back to a knowing and jaded game industry. At E3 2017 the game was shown off as part of EA’s new line up. People were excited but calls of Destiny suddenly were heard and here we are in early 2019 as the title is already starting to feel the pinch.

Read the full story here

Maxstone1

I agree...had we not seen the meteoric rise of Apex Legends and EA gave it just a bit more of an infrastructure pass, the game would be quite a bit better. Overall? I do like it and am going to get my $80 worth out it easy..Rather than chase Destiny's base they really should structure their fight against Warframe as it is stylistically similar. The combat and traversal are good foundations for more Javelins to be added in the future, the story has enough legs to support new stories as well without it feeling shoe-horned in. This game has brought me back into the online space so I want it to succeed.

black9ice

Mars_Orbital said:

Really don't like opinionated writing anymore. It is pretty much fake news. Yes that is your opinion on a game, and people will agree, but it is just an opinion, which is subjective . Subjectivity was something I used to get banned for way back in the early forum days, and now mmorpg is using that same formula as "news". This is how fake news grows.

IKR, how about the days reporters, article writers, all wrote within and about the 'facts'. Today's media is all about 'my' voice and 'my' opinions and feelings. We are so doomed...

Pher0cious

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."

This is such a hypocritical statement.

First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

Sovrath

Mars_Orbital said:

Really don't like opinionated writing anymore. It is pretty much fake news. Yes that is your opinion on a game, and people will agree, but it is just an opinion, which is subjective . Subjectivity was something I used to get banned for way back in the early forum days, and now mmorpg is using that same formula as "news". This is how fake news grows.

I highly doubt you were banned from being "subjective."

You might have been banned for how you presented that subjectivity. Seems to be a lot of that on forums lately "... I was just banned for being honest/I was just banned for telling the truth ..."

And yet, as always, one looks at these posts and we know that's not even remotely true.

We also need to drop the usage of the term "fake news." But that's a whole other discussion.

Opinion pieces have been done since "since"

Most people understand them for what they are. A good opinion piece sparks discussion and debate. That is what they are for. No more, no less.

https://digitalresource.center/content/short-history-opinion-journalism

https://digitalresource.center/content/ethics-opinion-journalist

Aeander

I love the game. The combat is super fun, the game world is beautiful, the build customization is decent, and the visual customization is without equal.

However, the technical issues have gone well beyond what I can ethically defend. Loading screens and rare application crashes can be looked past as annoying but not entirely atypical launch issues. However, when that extends to possible system damage or data corruption, that goes beyond the pale and becomes indefensible. I WANT the game to succeed, but this is a hurdle that will take substantial work on their part to overcome and will have lasting (and unfortunate, but justified) damage to the game's image. My own enjoyment of the game has been put on hold until it is no longer a potential risk to my hardware or save files to play it. Get your shit together, and fast, Bioware.

Scorchien

I feel Bio-lated

Sovrath

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."

This is such a hypocritical statement.

First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

It's only hypocritical if they are the same people.

If one segment of the gaming population doesn't like loot boxes and the other half does (or doesn't mind them) then that's not hypocritical.

What does this tell EA? That their customers are divided and they need to either cater to both OR cater to the majority that will make them more money.

boris20

I just hope that between Anthem and Desity, it doesnt scare off future developers from pumping time and money into the genre. I enjoy the FPS "MMO Lite" they have going, but I feel it can be much more. Neither company has nailed it yet, but I am hopeful either Bungie, Bioware, or a newcomer will get the formula right. 

Aeander

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."

This is such a hypocritical statement.

First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

It's more like gamers have a list of arbitrary caveats based on subjective gameplay experience rather than legality.

Gamers at large seem to accept cosmetic lootboxes, especially in free to play games (but not only free to play games as Overwatch shows). They are not, on the other hand, generally accepting of gameplay advantages in loot boxes.

The acceptance of cosmetic lootboxes sets a bad precedent and only serves to weaken the legitimacy of any stance against lootboxes a whole, and that's unfortunate.

Legally, it's going to be all or nothing. It's gambling or it isn't. It doesn't matter what's in the box, and it's past time for us to recognize that.

Pher0cious

Sovrath said:

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."



This is such a hypocritical statement.



First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

they need to either cater to both OR cater to the majority that will make them more money.

That's a no brainer. Activision-blizzard, Ubisoft, EA, Bethesda, all will cater to the majority to make more money.

Sovrath

Pher0cious said:

Sovrath said:

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."



This is such a hypocritical statement.



First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

they need to either cater to both OR cater to the majority that will make them more money.

That's a no brainer. Activision-blizzard, Ubisoft, EA, Bethesda, all will cater to the majority to make more money.

Exactly!

Mendel

Sovrath said:

Mars_Orbital said:

Really don't like opinionated writing anymore. It is pretty much fake news. Yes that is your opinion on a game, and people will agree, but it is just an opinion, which is subjective . Subjectivity was something I used to get banned for way back in the early forum days, and now mmorpg is using that same formula as "news". This is how fake news grows.

I highly doubt you were banned from being "subjective."

You might have been banned for how you presented that subjectivity. Seems to be a lot of that on forums lately "... I was just banned for being honest/I was just banned for telling the truth ..."

And yet, as always, one looks at these posts and we know that's not even remotely true.

We also need to drop the usage of the term "fake news." But that's a whole other discussion.

Opinion pieces have been done since "since"

Most people understand them for what they are. A good opinion piece sparks discussion and debate. That is what they are for. No more, no less.

https://digitalresource.center/content/short-history-opinion-journalism

https://digitalresource.center/content/ethics-opinion-journalist

If there is any valid criticism of this article, it isn't that it is an opinion piece.  The criticism comes in because it is an opinion piece without an opinion.  It might as well have read "Anthem is a game.  Some people liked it.  Some didn't."  Pretty bland.

laserit

boris20 said:

I just hope that between Anthem and Desity, it doesnt scare off future developers from pumping time and money into the genre. I enjoy the FPS "MMO Lite" they have going, but I feel it can be much more. Neither company has nailed it yet, but I am hopeful either Bungie, Bioware, or a newcomer will get the formula right. 

But do you have a phone?

(never gets old lol)

MadFrenchie

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."

This is such a hypocritical statement.

First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

Because BF2 loot boxes were straight up power upgrades that gave significant, objective advantages to players such as increased turn rate in starfighters and increased rates of fire.

laserit

Pher0cious said:

Sovrath said:

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."



This is such a hypocritical statement.



First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

they need to either cater to both OR cater to the majority that will make them more money.

That's a no brainer. Activision-blizzard, Ubisoft, EA, Bethesda, all will cater to the majority to make more money.

I don't believe that the PC and console market will be a niche market anytime soon. 

Aeander

Arterius said:

I enjoyed the story somewhat but it was so cliche that it killed it for me. I knew the big twist halfway through the main campaign in about mission 2.

The main story is just standard video game faire. Nothing remarkable or noteworthy, and only notable as particularly bad by Bioware standards. 

I will say, however, that some of the character stories in Fort Tarsis are very good and provide small, welcome glimpses into that Bioware storytelling of old. Leyton's story in particular stands out, as does Marelda's. I'm also a particular fan of the eccentric former-radio "star" working as a bartender. 

I would much rather be doing missions digging into Leyton's past than anything having to do with the Monitor, and it would also give us more insight into Dominion life to boot.

They clearly knew that at least some of their characters are of interest, as Yarrow, Brin, and especially Matthias are all reasonably interesting and offer entire quest chains. I just wish that was expanded to include Leyton, who could have offered Corvus reputation, and the bartender & bar owner, who could have offered Regulator reputation. Huge missed opportunities on both fronts.

Octagon7711

EA reminds me of TV execs who love to promote the shows they like and bury the ones they don't. They also love to force some shows to add content simply because it's popular on other shows at the moment.

Enjoyed the article and found it enlightening.

Aeander

Arterius said:

Aeander said:

Arterius said:

I enjoyed the story somewhat but it was so cliche that it killed it for me. I knew the big twist halfway through the main campaign in about mission 2.

The main story is just standard video game faire. Nothing remarkable or noteworthy, and only notable as particularly bad by Bioware standards. 

I will say, however, that some of the character stories in Fort Tarsis are very good and provide small, welcome glimpses into that Bioware storytelling of old. Leyton's story in particular stands out, as does Marelda's. I'm also a particular fan of the eccentric former-radio "star" working as a bartender. 

I would much rather be doing missions digging into Leyton's past than anything having to do with the Monitor, and it would also give us more insight into Dominion life to boot.

They clearly knew that at least some of their characters are of interest, as Yarrow, Brin, and especially Matthias are all reasonably interesting and offer entire quest chains. I just wish that was expanded to include Leyton, who could have offered Corvus reputation, and the bartender & bar owner, who could have offered Regulator reputation. Huge missed opportunities on both fronts.

I agree with you on the side characters. I love talking to everyone in Fort Tarsis. Well, most of them. Neeson drove me insane, as does that fashion designer, and that one lady who talks about her family being a mob. Everyone else had a interesting story that I would love to get a mission for. 

I kind of ironically appreciate Neeson and Prospero. Neeson because he's supposed to be the most annoying, punchable fucker in the universe (come on Bioware, let us go full Renegade on him) and Prospero because the sheer shameless and self-aware corporate greed required to make such a NPC for your cash shop is fucking impressive and makes me laugh.

laserit

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."

This is such a hypocritical statement.

First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

If I were a betting man... It's mostly adolescents playing the new shiny F2P.

Pher0cious

laserit said:

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."



This is such a hypocritical statement.



First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

If I were a betting man... It's mostly adolescents playing the new shiny F2P.

Mostly...

cmacq

Aeander said:

Arterius said:

I enjoyed the story somewhat but it was so cliche that it killed it for me. I knew the big twist halfway through the main campaign in about mission 2.

The main story is just standard video game faire. Nothing remarkable or noteworthy, and only notable as particularly bad by Bioware standards. 

I will say, however, that some of the character stories in Fort Tarsis are very good and provide small, welcome glimpses into that Bioware storytelling of old. Leyton's story in particular stands out, as does Marelda's. I'm also a particular fan of the eccentric former-radio "star" working as a bartender. 

I would much rather be doing missions digging into Leyton's past than anything having to do with the Monitor, and it would also give us more insight into Dominion life to boot.

They clearly knew that at least some of their characters are of interest, as Yarrow, Brin, and especially Matthias are all reasonably interesting and offer entire quest chains. I just wish that was expanded to include Leyton, who could have offered Corvus reputation, and the bartender & bar owner, who could have offered Regulator reputation. Huge missed opportunities on both fronts.

I don't think there's anything "missed" about those opportunities at all. If anything you have pointed out places where the game can go as they continue to develop it. Don't you get tired of people judging the game is though it is a finished piece of work? It clearly is not. What they have given us is a framework they will be using to move forward. A buggy one to be sure although I don't believe it will actually break anyone's hardware, the fact that it is messing with file structure on PS4s is disturbing for sure. Folks getting way too carried away with this as well. I'm reading on the Anthem forums that I need to stop playing because it's going to brick my PC too. Just LOL!

laserit

Pher0cious said:

laserit said:

Pher0cious said:

"EA still not being able to make the right choices when it comes to an online title."



This is such a hypocritical statement.



First people criticize EA for having loot box in battlefront 2. Then the same people plays and praises apex legend, with loot boxes. What does this tell EA? That people are full of s**t.

If I were a betting man... It's mostly adolescents playing the new shiny F2P.

Mostly...

Primarily, Principly, Predominantly, Substantially, Chiefly, Mainly


Certainly not all. 

Aeander

cmacq said:

Aeander said:

Arterius said:

I enjoyed the story somewhat but it was so cliche that it killed it for me. I knew the big twist halfway through the main campaign in about mission 2.

The main story is just standard video game faire. Nothing remarkable or noteworthy, and only notable as particularly bad by Bioware standards. 

I will say, however, that some of the character stories in Fort Tarsis are very good and provide small, welcome glimpses into that Bioware storytelling of old. Leyton's story in particular stands out, as does Marelda's. I'm also a particular fan of the eccentric former-radio "star" working as a bartender. 

I would much rather be doing missions digging into Leyton's past than anything having to do with the Monitor, and it would also give us more insight into Dominion life to boot.

They clearly knew that at least some of their characters are of interest, as Yarrow, Brin, and especially Matthias are all reasonably interesting and offer entire quest chains. I just wish that was expanded to include Leyton, who could have offered Corvus reputation, and the bartender & bar owner, who could have offered Regulator reputation. Huge missed opportunities on both fronts.

I don't think there's anything "missed" about those opportunities at all. If anything you have pointed out places where the game can go as they continue to develop it. Don't you get tired of people judging the game is though it is a finished piece of work? It clearly is not. What they have given us is a framework they will be using to move forward. A buggy one to be sure although I don't believe it will actually break anyone's hardware, the fact that it is messing with file structure on PS4s is disturbing for sure. Folks getting way too carried away with this as well. I'm reading on the Anthem forums that I need to stop playing because it's going to brick my PC too. Just LOL!

Well, you aren't wrong about the nature of the game inherently meaning that "missed" opportunities can be added in.

Here's hoping Leyton becomes a quest NPC in the near future.

odysseus033

Game is a huge dumpster fire. Don't bother, just play destiny and make robot noises if you want feel like you're in a mech suit, lol.

SBFord

laserit said:

boris20 said:

I just hope that between Anthem and Desity, it doesnt scare off future developers from pumping time and money into the genre. I enjoy the FPS "MMO Lite" they have going, but I feel it can be much more. Neither company has nailed it yet, but I am hopeful either Bungie, Bioware, or a newcomer will get the formula right. 

But do you have a phone?

(never gets old lol)

Well...it does...kinda.