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 by Sol Invictus, Level 55
Last updated at September 26, 2009, 5:50 pm
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I personally dislike where the Mass Effect universe might be headed with the introduction of this new character, which doesn't at all seem in line with the established setting of the game. A writer from Bioware had the following words to say about Subject Zero:
"The simpler explanation is that I personally utterly loathe her character. She presses a number of buttons I don't like in real-life people, and she's written well enough that she comes off like a real-life person -- a real-life person I detest. Other people respond to her extremely favorably.
This is why we've got more than 6 this time. Having so many lets us take risks and make the characters cover a wider range. The goal in ME1 was for you to kinda like (at least) most or all of them -- if you loved them, great, but we tried to avoid taking hard-line chances (and hell, see Space Hitler for how well even that worked). The goal this time was for there to be characters you love and characters you loathe."
Ultimately, it'll all depend on how well written the character happens to be and whether they'll be able to work her in without simply using her as a cheap way to market the game's edgy qualities.
A trailer can be seen below:
The Bioware writer quoted above (Patrick Weekes) posted the following to clarify the quote, which was taken out of context from the Penny Arcade forums:
"Hello, I'm the writer you're quoting. That comment came in the middle of the conversation, and taking it out of context makes it look more negative than I actually intended it.
I do dislike Subject Zero, because she's a well-written version of a character type I personally dislike. In previous games, we would only have had a few followers, so we wouldn't have been able to make somebody so polarizing, somebody that some players (like me) would be guaranteed to dislike. Because we've got so many, we're able to take more risks this time, and that means making characters that we know some people will hate, because those same characters will be other people's favorites. More characters means more specialization, more niches, and less fear that we have to tone somebody down.
In Mass Effect 1, Liara was our main biotic. We had to be careful not to make her too extreme in any way, so that a player who wanted a strong biotic in the squad wouldn't be stuck with someone he or she disliked. This time, we've got more than one strong biotic. If you dislike Subject Zero intensely, you'll be able to use the other one.
That's what I was trying to say. The writer who created Subject Zero also created one of my favorite followers, and regardless of my personal dislike for that character type, Subject Zero is very well written and has an interesting story that I think people will find engaging. Or they will leave her on the ship and use some of our many other followers instead."
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25 comments
Helion Sep 26, 2009 at 6:03 pm
+1 votes
Just the trailer makes her look so stereotyped, so poorly written and acted, and knowing EA it's not going to improve, I'm going to kill her if I ever get a chance to.
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Burlen of Praaf Sep 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm
+2 votes
EA has nothing to do with the character, what is wrong with you?
Deafiler Sep 28, 2009 at 3:31 pm
+1 votes
So? You're jumping to the conclusion that EA executives had anything at all to do with this character being added to the game. I know it's 'cool' to hate EA these days, but until somebody who is working on the game tells us that EA execs have more than a cursory say in what characters are or are not in the game, your complaint of 'knowing EA it's not going to improve' is completely baseless.
Oh, and 'HURR DURR EA OWNS BIOWARE' does less to make him look stupid, and more to make you look like an ass.
Oh, and 'HURR DURR EA OWNS BIOWARE' does less to make him look stupid, and more to make you look like an ass.
anris Sep 27, 2009 at 12:43 am
+1 votes
I think characters spouting 10 to 15 year old one liners in video games is a great idea and a wonderful way to separate gaming culture from its child like and overall insulting stereotypes.
God this character just took my excitement for the game down 3 solid pegs.
God this character just took my excitement for the game down 3 solid pegs.
Deafiler Sep 27, 2009 at 2:13 am
+1 votes
Why is this a problem? Nobody complained about the racist Ashley, or the meek blue girl, or the headstrong yet naive quarian. Why is a headstrong, self-proclaimed ***** such a bad thing? They're going for all extremes. I call that good; it adds variety.
Sol Invictus Sep 27, 2009 at 2:31 am
+1 votes
Space Hitler had some nuance to her character and she was never presented as a xenophobic racist in the marketing material, and while the meek blue girl had very little going, she wasn't an offensive caricature. The Quarian was cool, but like Wrex and Garrus, she was a very secondary character compared to the three humans.
The headstrong, self-proclaimed ***** is a ****ty stereotype often presented in the media. I've had enough of Michelle Rodriguez and Eliza Dushku to last several lifetimes. **** that noise.
Also, what do you mean nobody complained about Ashley? She's called Space Hitler for a reason.
The headstrong, self-proclaimed ***** is a ****ty stereotype often presented in the media. I've had enough of Michelle Rodriguez and Eliza Dushku to last several lifetimes. **** that noise.
Also, what do you mean nobody complained about Ashley? She's called Space Hitler for a reason.
Burlen of Praaf Sep 27, 2009 at 5:59 pm
+1 votes
Stereotype? It's a trope, just like any characterization in Mass Effect.
Let's be real here, you may not like it, but it's not like Bioware is suddenly reaching into a big bucket of stereotypes and pulling whatever they find out.
Let's be real here, you may not like it, but it's not like Bioware is suddenly reaching into a big bucket of stereotypes and pulling whatever they find out.
Deafiler Sep 28, 2009 at 2:17 pm
+1 votes
I didn't hear anybody complaining about Ashley, but apparently that's
wrong. But then, maybe I'm misinterpreting the article. Are you
complaining about this new character existing, or are you just saying
you're one of the people who are going to use one of the other
biotic-heavy characters because you dislike her? Because if the former,
my point still stands, and you should just use one of the other
characters; that's why she's there, so people who like that stereotype
can use it in the party. On the other hand, if you're the latter, then
I have nothing to complain about and simply didn't understand the point.
And I still say having all possible extremes is a good thing in terms
of variety. Sometimes you just want somebody to scream, or hit someone
(I've never gotten through the news interview without it ending in
assault).
EDIT: I think my initial comment may have been more directed at the comments before mine than the article, because while I've found in the comments plenty to instill the wish to write what I wrote, I can only find that kind of thing with fairly creative interpretations of the article.
wrong. But then, maybe I'm misinterpreting the article. Are you
complaining about this new character existing, or are you just saying
you're one of the people who are going to use one of the other
biotic-heavy characters because you dislike her? Because if the former,
my point still stands, and you should just use one of the other
characters; that's why she's there, so people who like that stereotype
can use it in the party. On the other hand, if you're the latter, then
I have nothing to complain about and simply didn't understand the point.
And I still say having all possible extremes is a good thing in terms
of variety. Sometimes you just want somebody to scream, or hit someone
(I've never gotten through the news interview without it ending in
assault).
EDIT: I think my initial comment may have been more directed at the comments before mine than the article, because while I've found in the comments plenty to instill the wish to write what I wrote, I can only find that kind of thing with fairly creative interpretations of the article.
anris Sep 27, 2009 at 2:38 am
+1 votes
Well...I was going to comment on this post because it seems you missed the point of the blog entry but...well...Sol summed up everything I wanted to say.
Gnorfell Sep 27, 2009 at 3:29 am
+1 votes
But if this is the world they live in. A headstrong self-proclaimed B*tch is the best case scenario
Project_Xii Sep 27, 2009 at 4:47 am
+2 votes
Hmmmm. The only way this'll work is if she actually grows as a character. If we see her softer side, or find out her back story. If she remains the hard headed impenetrable ***** the entire game, she might as well just be an angry ragdoll for all players will care about her.
Opet Sep 27, 2009 at 8:09 am
+2 votes
I think this is fine. It's a character for you to react to. If you think she's repulsive, treat her as such. If you think she's interesting, take her on board. It's not like they're forcing you to take her.
dwplive Sep 27, 2009 at 9:02 am
+1 votes
i think the character is great.. any game that can run the gamut in having players that exhibit emotional range is doing something right.. thank you bioware.. keep up the good work.. mass effect 2 is my most anticipated game of 2010.. looking forward to all the new characters and gameplay
Billy Pilgrim Sep 27, 2009 at 9:57 am
+1 votes
I think she is a great idea. The world (and in this case, the universe) is full of diverse characters, so why should mass effect only have squeaky clean nice characters available to join your squad. The next chapter in this saga promises to be much darker as the universe descends into chaos, so having more violent, ruthless and antagonistic characters makes more sense. I look forward to working with her to try and stave off the coming reaper invasion.
ChrisW Sep 27, 2009 at 11:04 am
+1 votes
Looks like a 2009 version of Tank Girl... I'll probably not play as her for the fact that they're going for a b*tchy, slutty, hard-core wannabe, shock factor in this one.
That is, unless she's needed for a lez 3-some with an Asari... XD
That is, unless she's needed for a lez 3-some with an Asari... XD
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