The Reason I'm Ready to Walk Away.

First off, I assume posting an entry in my own blog space won't offend the sensibilities of those who want the forums cleansed of EC discussion. If it does...well, I suppose for now I'll give the benefit of the doubt. With that, the following relates to the EC and my overall disgust with it. If you're looking to defend the EC or Bioware, please look elsewhere. This is the only safe space I have left.

Here, as I see it, is the elephant in the room. The reason the forums are so full of vitriol, and everyone is at each other's throats. Yes, it's the EC, but more specifically, it's the reactions to it and the way the administration is favoring one side of the debate.

Bioware, knowing they had no other choice if they wanted to quell the shit storm, threw us a bone. They slapped a shiny coat of paint on the turd they originally released, and presented it to the fandom as a generous peace offering. Some members of our community have not only accepted that bone; they've rolled over and started begging Bioware for a scratch on the tummy. Because they were satisfied with the EC, a portion of the community has started an initiative to ask Bioware for paid DLC. They've not only given up the fight, they've completely capitulated and seek to enrich the company many of us still see as the enemy.

Requesting paid DLC from Bioware runs directly counter to the wishes and goals of those of us who still feel we haven't won this fight. And HTL administration is sanctioning this movement, while condemning those who feel a boycott is a more appropriate response to Bioware's latest insult. Simply put, we're fractured because those of us who feel the EC was a failure are being put in a corner and told to shut up; because the people who are satisfied with the peace offering are starting initiatives that will put money in the pockets of a developer many of us are far from making peace with.

If this community is ever going to mend itself, we need to stop pretending we can all get along when one side, backed by the administration, is actively attacking injuring the other's cause. What incentive do the people who hated the EC have to stay when we're being undermined by HTL initiatives? How is that environment supposed to be perceived as anything but hostile? I keep hearing that we're all still on the same side, but I'm not seeing much evidence of it.

Here's the line in the sand: some of us want to boycott. Some of us want to throw money at Bioware for new DLC. If one side continues to be actively favored while the other gets the stink eye, people will leave. And I will be one of them. Decide where we stand, HTL, and do it soon so we know whether or not we're wasting our time sticking around.