Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder of Bioware, announced today that they’ve been listening to all of the critics of Mass Effect 3’s approach to ending Commander Shepard’s saga and are “at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey. You?ll hear more on this in April.  We?re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we?ve received.  This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue.“

You can see the rest of the letter from Dr. Muzyka to the gaming public on the Bioware Blog here.

I haven’t finished the game 100% myself (I’m currently at about the 96% mark), so I cannot comment on the validity of the enormous backlash that Bioware has experienced thus far, but I can say that I’m leaning more toward the legion of angry gamers considering some of the other shortcomings of Mass Effect 3 including the neglect of the Elcor, Hanar, and Vorcha and the laziness inherent in Tali’s “unveiling.”

Hopefully Bioware will come up with a good-will gesture of sorts to all of their fans that have remained so loyal throughout the series to alleviate the LOST-style grab-the-money-and-run feeling that is generally being conveyed by the gaming public.  Of course they’re the ones making the game and they can end it however they want, but since they want the continued support of their fan and income base I think it’s a good move for them to do a little damage control. 

Game Usagi will keep you posted on whether or not Bioware can successfully balance their “artistic integrity” with the integrity of the epic sci-fi tale they were trying to weave.