Possible issues regarding MEA main plot.

Video propositions:

• MEA may suck
• CD Projekt are slave-labor developers
• Legal action against publishers is fine

Space Magic

This totally needs to be put in the game as a part of main storyline.
[X] Biower pls!

Chris Schlerf? He left quite a while back to work on Destiny. I believe John Dombrow has taken over lead duties. His popularity with fans remains largely intact, to this point, since his work has often been seen as some of "the high points" of the series.

All that said, I wouldn't put too much into Mr. Schlerf's presence or departure. It's not like the Lead Writer shows up and tells everyone which story they will be telling in the coming game. My understanding is that he or she is supposed to ensure that the various other writers are collaborating smoothly, in addition to taking on some individual writing himself. The Lead Writer makes sure the story is being told effectively, but doesn't dictate what that story is. I'd bet Mr. Schlerf's departure didn't change a lot, in terms of the final product.

That said, having Mr. Dombrow in the position does inspire confidence. He definitely "knows" Mass Effect, having written so many of the key characters and pivotal story arcs that define the Mass Effect experience to date.

As to the OP topic, I saw the video in the Twitter thread where Fogg had shared it. I enjoyed it, and feel like the points are solid. BioWare loves to tell bigger than life, apocalyptic stories. I hope that they integrate the Remnant plot and the colonization plot well. We don't have enough info about MEA itself to be worried. Any concern one might have is based upon past experience with BioWare, much as the vid-maker says. Time will tell. Hopefully, MEA will be BioWare's best game yet.

I agree, for the most part. I've never played an Obsidian game, since they don't feature the stories and experiences I'm seeking, so I can't speak to their strengths. I agree on BioWare's weaknesses, though.

BioWare writes amazing characters. They continue to get better and better at this. If one can figure out how to enjoy DAI, which is not easy for all, the depth of the character interactions and relationships is their best work yet. I think they tend to be successful with smaller story arcs and "side content" because these same talented writers are putting those arcs together, at times weaving these characters and relationships into the arcs themselves.

BioWare is not strong with main plots, on a game to game basis. They tend to go to the same old well, every single time. Personally, I don't think they are willing to try anything new. They tell the same story, in assorted sanitized, "fantasy" worlds, and the strength of their character writing keeps us coming back. It is frustrating, because I'd love something a bit different from them. Even as they work on this new IP, though, I'm confident it will involve saving the world; and that world will be some ideologically idealized world -- in other words, more of the same. If it's a good SP RPG, I'll likely be playing it one day, but that doesn't mean I won't rue what it could've been with a bit more dirt under its nails and a few scuffs on its pads.

CDPR does seem to have a leg up, so to speak. It's amazing how polished TW3 is, given how huge it is. That game is damn impressive, whether one likes it or not. (To be clear, I did like it quite a bit. I own all of the novels and stories concerning Geralt, so it was great to see his tale concluded in a top-shelf RPG like this.)

Let me correct myself. I have not played an Obsidian game aside from the unfinished, retail release of KotOR 2. I have always wanted to play the restored game. It's something I might eventually get around to doing. I got as far as pricing the game and reading up on potential issues recently, so it's likely to happen, someday.

Pillars isn't their best work. In fact, I'd say that it leans too almost heavily on the plot to the point where individual characters fall flat. The exact opposite of BioWare.

Wait, I thought you don't play Obsidian games aside from KOTOR 2?  

Anyway, for some characters, like Grieving Mother, perhaps.  But others, like  Eder, Durance, Pallegina (and Zahua from the White march expansion) are awesome.

But if you're looking for a more character focused Obsidian game, try Alpha Protocol.

I may have a DVD case of KoTOR II hanging like a crucifix on the wall behind my computer, but that doesn't mean that's all I play. It's not that I'm looking for a more character focused game (KoTOR II is the perfect balance for me), but that I thought Pillars just seemed so distant. While Eder, Durance, Hiravias, and others were cool characters, each of their narrative arcs were essentially one side mission that involved going to 2-3 places, gathering tiny tidbits, and then ultimately ruminating on how pointless and/or depressing life is. I always enjoy a good nihilistic conversation (though the sheer number of them in Pillars sort of wore thin on me after a while), but the overall character arcs all felt very short and inconsequential. Say what you will about ME2's daddy issue side quests, I still think they were more gripping than the ones in Pillars. More superficial certainly, but more of a perceivable arc to get caught up in.

I thought Durance and the Grieving Mother had the most fleshed out side quests, simply because they seemed to have the most dialog. I really enjoyed how the complex history of these characters unfurled gradually. 

Overall, it might have helped if the companions interacted more with the main quest. They say stuff occasionally, but I feel like all of them were replaceable. That's probably because they literally are (permadeath is a bitch), but it left me without a character context to hold onto.

I felt essentially the same for most NPCs. There were a lot of characters like Raedric who were definitely interesting but had all their character development happen before you came into the picture. All that's left is a bloody scene, a conversation, and a choice. It's all too distant to really sink your teeth into it. I really like the concept that everything's already gone wrong, and you can just mop up, but I think there needed to be more extended interaction with my character in these plots.

Agreed on the Remnant. I'm sure they're going to make a fun game, regardless. It's Mass Effect, after all. I would like the conflicts to be against "clear and present dangers", for a change, rather than an ancient evil that awakens just as we arrive or because we awaken it with our meddling. We've already played that plot.

I liked the leak that suggested an arms race fueled by Remnant tech. It would be interesting if we, as the new arrivals, serve as the fulcrum upon which a pre-existing or building conflict can turn. Maybe an anti-Khet Alliance already exists, but it didn't have much traction until the new arrivals started stealing Remnant tech out from under the Khet? Maybe things change for everyone when we join this alliance? It still makes us special Mary Sues, but at least there's no space-Cthulu. Again, we've already played that story.