Mass Effect 3 ending controversy saddens BioShock creator

Those calling on BioWare to change the ending to Mass Effect 3 would only end up disappointed if they somehow got their own way, so says BioShock creator Ken Levine.

Speaking at a Smithsonian panel in Washington DC last week, as attended by Vox, Levine admitted that he found the whole controversy rather depressing.

"I think this is an important moment," he said.

"I think if those people got what they wanted and [BioWare] wrote their ending they would be very disappointed in the emotional feeling they got because... they didn't really create it.

"This whole thing is making me a little bit sad because I don't think anyone would get what they wanted if that happened."

BioWare Mythic's Paul Barnett, also speaking at the event, chimed in on the issue too, arguing that the creator should always have final say over how their story ends.

"If computer games are art than I fully endorse the author of the artwork to have a statement about what they believe should happen," he said.

"Just as J.K. Rowling can end her books and say that is the end of Harry Potter. I don't think she should be forced to make another one."

Last week gamers disappointed at how the third installment in BioWare's RPG series concluded petitioned the developer to re-write the game's ending, raising more than $70,000 for charity in the process.

BioWare subsequently admitted fans needed more closure than was offered, and pledged to continue adding to Shepard's narrative via DLC.