A response to David Gaider

[76561199793990591]

Dear David,

I write this, because I know my opinions are very important to you, and, frankly, to the entire world. Making me happy is the primary goal of every BioWare employee, past, present and future. And this is how it should be.

Taking this into account, you can imagine my dismay when I found out you had referred to certain critics of Dragon Age: The Veilguard as “♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Tourists.”

This kind of language has no place in the civilized, elevated discourse of social media. It is also deeply unfair.

Tourists are, for the most part, well-meaning and curious people. They may fail to grasp historical context, they may unwittingly trample on local social norms, and they may be confused when local customs do not conform to their preconceptions. But at bottom, they spent their hard earned dollar (or often yuan) to experience something new.

What you see among DA:TV critics is far more sinister: pining ex-boyfriends. Dudes who BioWare dated fifteen to twenty years ago, before Electronic Arts drove up in its fancy car and swept BioWare off its feet.

They are convinced Dragon Age: Origins is really their kid, because after all, BioWare popped it out so soon after the wedding. But every time BioWare gave birth thereafter, the exes got madder and madder. How dare BioWare do this?

Plus, like anyone still hung up over an old relationship, they have forgotten all the fights. About how BioWare was always more progressive than they liked, or about how BioWare hadn’t learned how to apply makeup yet, so everything looked a little off. All they remember is that one time BioWare let them do under-the-shirt stuff behind the bleachers.

But, like any pining ex. They still follow BioWare social media. So when they saw BioWare was having another baby with Electronic Arts, all hell broke loose.

Now they hide in BioWare’s bushes, spreading nasty rumors about BioWare and reassuring each other that, once BioWare is dead, they will all get girlfriends with very large breasts and very few ideas. Stellar Blades for everyone!

But they still can’t quite get over BioWare. So they also write long, disturbing letters about how badly they want BioWare back, if only BioWare could go back to how things were in high school.

Most of these letters just have little black broken hearts drawn in the margins. But a couple exes drew swastikas instead.

[Flinsberg]

I bet you got on your Jusenkyo8 account and gave yourself an award xD

[robilar5500]

Tourists tend to have a sense of entitlement that rivals anything seen in this world. They often act as if the world revolves around them and are well known for mistreating the people who live and work in the places they visit. I happen to live in a ski town. See it every single year. It's on full display every race and ski season.

I agree with Mr Gaider.

[76561199793990591]

Originally posted by criffyzou:

I have read your essay against the use of tourists and while I agree with the overall sentiment, I think it doesn't adress the convenience of the world.

Calling weirdoes "pining ex" simply does not hold the same weight, and establishes a level of intimacy with them I am not comfortable with.

As another person the world is required to make happy, I hope you will take my opinion into consideration.

I don’t think you understand, Criffy. Only my opinion matters. Catering to anyone’s opinion but my own would be “pandering,” and we all know that pandering is bad.

But catering to my opinion is correct, because I, alone among all people on this forum, am a long-time fan, the target audience for every video game, and the core demographic for all media.

Also, I am a straight white man. Checkmate!

[нимфо]

I think Bioware should get a restraining order, things are truly getting out of control. The amount of "love letters" and hateful notes Bioware gets on the daily has ramped up significantly.

[76561199793990591]

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

In reality we are just providing feedback and hope they listen. Just imagine how much scarier it would be if the game had the same low pre order numbers, but no1 was talking about it. Apathy is worse than negativity.

“BioWare secretly loves my letters. She misses me too.”

[Omen3608]

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

In reality we are just providing feedback and hope they listen. Just imagine how much scarier it would be if the game had the same low pre order numbers, but no1 was talking about it. Apathy is worse than negativity. We actually care about the studio.

Commander Riker was talking about the Veilguard's pre-oders? That's crazy! <--- USS Enterprise

[Crosaith]

This isn't even the same Bioware anymore. Wouldn't that mean the girl in your story is impersonating his ex?

[Crosaith]

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

Originally posted by Omen3608:

Commander Riker was talking about the Veilguard's pre-oders? That's crazy! :TieFighter: <--- USS Enterprise

I don't understand the reference. I am truly sorry.

Idk maybe it's some sort of connection to Star Wars franchise going down hill like this one?

[Omen3608]

Originally posted by criffyzou:

Originally posted by Omen3608:

Commander Riker was talking about the Veilguard's pre-oders? That's crazy! <--- USS Enterprise

Omen that's a TIE fighter :LIS_poker_face:

NO!

[76561199793990591]

Originally posted by Crosaith:

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

I don't understand the reference. I am truly sorry.

Idk maybe it's some sort of connection to Star Wars franchise going down hill like this one?

It might be a reference to how DEI ruined Star Trek by making it woke, instead of remaining apolitical like all other SciFI.

[Ka-mai19]

Nuh-uh my opinion is more important. Checkmate I win and the internet gods are on my side now.

[76561199793990591]

Originally posted by Ka-mai19:

Nuh-uh my opinion is more important. Checkmate I win and the internet gods are on my side now.

Unfortunately for you, I am an internet atheist. I believe the internet evolved spontaneously from the cosmic phenomenon known as the Big Pshhhkkkkkkrrrr​kakingkakingkakingtsh​chchchchchchchcch​dingdingding.

[нимфо]

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

In reality we are just providing feedback and hope they listen. Just imagine how much scarier it would be if the game had the same low pre order numbers, but no1 was talking about it. Apathy is worse than negativity. We actually care about the studio.

I think you guys should start some sort of meetings where you can discuss and agree on a shared goal, because I just saw a guy say he wants to see Bioware fail.

[76561199793990591]

Originally posted by нимфо:

Originally posted by Colonel Death:

In reality we are just providing feedback and hope they listen. Just imagine how much scarier it would be if the game had the same low pre order numbers, but no1 was talking about it. Apathy is worse than negativity. We actually care about the studio.

I think you guys should start some sort of meetings where you can discuss and agree on a shared goal, because I just saw a guy say he wants to see Bioware fail.

There may be some dissent forming in BioWare’s bushes. Turns out, a few of the less fortunate exes found out about the under-the-shirt stuff.

[нимфо]

Originally posted by Jusenkyo9:

Originally posted by нимфо:

I think you guys should start some sort of meetings where you can discuss and agree on a shared goal, because I just saw a guy say he wants to see Bioware fail.

There may be some dissent forming in BioWare’s bushes. Turns out, a few of the less fortunate exes found out about the under-the-shirt stuff.

The drama!