How will the internet react on Tuesday?

Calm and Civil on the Internet?

Got more chance of finding a Krogan pacifist that faints at the sight of blood.

I predict a riot.

The reaction will be less about what we already know, and whether or not we'll see a response. The biggest handicap to a game's progress to success is how responsive the company is, and whether or not they're allowed or will be willing to do something in regards to any major underlying issues with the game in its current situation. It's the very reason why I dislike Ubisoft. They always promise and falsely advertise rather amazing ideas up unto the point of the beta releases, but as per usual, lets the very problems that has plagued their games since the beginning, allow it to be the hint of a cancerous node that will eventually lead to its end.

Now, I'm not saying I'm expecting the worst of Bioware in this regard, rather quite the opposite. Despite the controversy that had swarmed ME3's ending, the swift and rather almost amazing response from their team was something to admire. As of right now, my feelings for this game are mixed, and I expect to hold what bits of disappointment are lingering with me now, into the official release (knowing what little change can happen within a few days' time, it's just how it is), but that'll matter little to what I expect to have either a positive or negative reaction towards.

Laughing.

I fear that a rushed judgment will be made on an unpolished, but quality game. I think the game will be justifiably, but disproportionately skewered for its technical issues; and sales will never reach targeted goals for a AAA title in development for 5 years. My biggest worry is that this will be the final ME game for the foreseeable future. The first two weeks should tell the tale.

Ubisoft's AC Unity launch was different, but there are some parallels. The game's unpolished, unready state in the first few days doomed an otherwise impressive game. The game was a technical marvel, in many ways, but needed to be much more ready for launch. (I experienced zero issues, but for a small number it was unplayable.). MEA doesn't seem as unstable, but it has some problems; and its lack of polish will be hammered by the same internet mob who attack all games they've never personally played.

If it's a good enough game, hopefully the reviews will reflect this. EA/BioWare did themselves no favors with this foolish partial embargo they've had in place during Early Access. By many accounts, they're being judged by the weakest part of their game. One final blunder in a disastrous marketing effort.

Mass Effect also doesn't have the selling power of Assassin's Creed.

I doubt it'll sell significantly more than DA:I or ME3

My point is that if a game that is actually broken at launch, like Unity can sell millions of copies, why would a game that is actually not broken not be able to do the same? Mass Effect is one of the most popular game franchises ever made. The name will carry it through this shitstorm, and we will get a sequel, that sequel however won't get a pass on anything. 

How will the internet react to the release of ME:A?

Poorly.

The vocal minority will create an absolute shitshow while the majority will be off playing and enjoying the game I would imagine.

I agree. I think it's easy for us to over estimate this IP's popularity. I still encounter far more people who have never played a ME game than those who have. Yes, that's anecdotal evidence, but the same could never be said of more mainstream titles.

I mentioned Unity to emphasize the phenomenon of out-of-control internet rumor and hate. People who have never played Unity will still passionately describe how terrible a game it is, describing bugs that rarely if ever happened for anyone. It's ridiculous. I could see this happening to MEA, to a lesser degree. I sense blood in the water around BioWare and Mass Effect.

None of us want MEA to match Unity's sales at the expense of equal vitriol. The rage was so bad that Ubisoft abandoned all of the great, long overdue innovations that the IP had so desperately needed; and their cash cow seems to now be on life support.

Duke Nukem Forever.

Good or bad one thing is for certain. There will be memes galore.