GamesRadar - Mass Effect

Mature games remade for the Wii family (Feature)

Nov 12, 2009

The Wii is the home of clueless casual gamers, housewives and grannies: fact. Ok, so that’s not entirely true, but there’s no doubt the aforementioned groups have helped propel the little white box into the sales stratosphere. But while they’re undoubtedly the backbone of Nintendo’s current business model, there’s only so long they can last on Wii Sports and Wii Fit. That’s why we’ve taken some of ...

Mass Effect, Brothers In Arms Heading To The Big Screen? (News)

Oct 27, 2009

GOONL!NE writes; "While doing just another routine check on The Internet Movie Database, we've come across two surprising films said to be in development and set for release in 2012."

BioWare's Watamaniuk: Mass Effect 2 on PS3 statement a "misunderstanding" (News)

Oct 16, 2009

Jay Watamaniuk is backing down from his statement that Mass Effect 2 is "probably" coming out for PS3. But maybe it's just damage control? Let's take a look at what BioWare was saying about rumors of a PC version of Mass Effect back in 2007.

(in Polish and English)

New Mass Effect Avatar items (News)

Sep 30, 2009

Major Nelson writes:

"A few new Mass Effect Avatar items have been posted. I've uploaded a couple of high res screens shots to give you a better idea of what a many of them look like."

Xbox 360 Top 10 Games List (News)

Sep 20, 2009

As Xbox 360's 4th reunion nears, I have decided to take a look back into this great franchises success. There have been many years of graphical improvement, multiplayer updates, and revised campaign techniques that we have all experienced together. Many companies have thrived because of the success of the Xbox 360 and many ground-breaking games have revolutionized the games industry. Below will be a Top Ten List of The Best Xbox 360 Games of all time, based upon single player and multiplayer.

Original Mass Effect Characters May Yet Return in ME 2 (News)

Sep 12, 2009

Koku Gamer writes: 'BioWare's Marketing Manager Jarrett Lee has told fans that the reason for next to no announcements on the fate of the original Mass Effect playable cast is for the sake of wanting players "to be surprised at who is available as a squad mate when you play the game".'

NOW Gamer: Patrick Stewart In Mass Effect 2? (News)

Sep 8, 2009

Now Gamer detectives have put the clues together and are suggesting that starship commander and occasional actor, Patrick Stewart, may be lending his manly services to the Mass Effect 2 ladies (and men).

Mass Effect (Screenshots)

Aug 27, 2009

BioWare looking into Mass Effect 'Pinnacle Station' DLC glitch (News)

Aug 26, 2009

A recent Mass Effect forum thread has revealed that a sizable snafu has cropped up among the early adopters of the game's recently released (and still unannounced) Pinnacle Station DLC -- while players can download the intergalactic Fight Club scenario problem-free, the content isn't actually showing up in-game for some folks. Posters in this forum thread report that Pinnacle Station conflicts with the Bring Down The Sky DLC content that was bundled with the Platinum Hits version of Mass Effect.

BioWare doesn't deny PS3 Mass Effect (News)

Aug 26, 2009

CVG writes: "BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka refused to rule out the possibility of a PS3 version of Mass Effect during an interview with CVG at Gamescom last week even though we kept pecking.

When quizzed on why the developer chose not to bring the series to PS3, Muzyka said: 'I think a more accurate way to frame it is to say we've announced we're developing Mass Effect for 360 and PC. Right from the beginning we said we wanted to deliver Mass Effect on the 360. Right now all we've announced is we're working on 360 and PC.'"

Xbox Live Marketplace Update:Tuesday 25th August 2009 (News)

Aug 26, 2009

Console Monster writes: "If you're looking for something new to dip into this upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, then today's Marketplace update may provide you with that something. Mass Effect players can download the new downloadable content titled: "Pinnacle Station," those looking forward to Bethesda's WET can try out the newly-released demo and there are even some new games to download on demand. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace for Tuesday 25th August 2009:

Games on Demand

Burnout Revenge
Price: £19.99
Size: 4 GB
Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting "See Game Manual". The Burnout experience is all about high-speed, high-intensity aggressive racing action. Introducing Live Revenge, now you can track and taunt players you tussle with on Xbox Live 360. Exclusive to this showcase high-definition version is the ability to save out your wildest Burnout moments and share them online. Be sure to check out ten all new custom designed crash junctions built for your destructive pleasure. Start your engines. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts..."

New Mass Effect DLC Released (News)

Aug 25, 2009

Up on the marketplace right now is the newest DLC for Mass Effect. Released just minutes ago it is called Pinnacle Station. It costs 400 points and lasts 2-3 hours. Again suprisingly Bioware haven't announced or spoken about this piece of DLC.

Mass Effect DLC Released in Switzerland (News)

Aug 24, 2009

The new DLC for the original Mass Effect, titled Pinacle Station, has been released in Switzerland and Sweeden. Said to offer around 2-3 hours of gameplay the DLC sells for 400 Microsoft Points. Suprisingly this DLC has had little to no marketing from Bioware.

Achievements: Mass Effect fires up to 1200 (News)

Aug 20, 2009

Console Monster writes: "We have just added the new Achievements for Mass Effect on the Xbox 360. The achievements have appeared to come out of the blue.

The achievements relate to a new survival mission titled "Ahern's" which looks set to be the next downloadable content for the title. The mission is set to take place on Pinnacle Station, where players will be able to place in combat scenarios.

The 3 new achievements are worth 150 GamerScore. The release date for the DLC is unknown, those these achievements suggest we'll be seeing it sooner than we think.

The list now contains 49 achievements worth 1200 GamerScore..."

RPG Land: RPG Deals 8/16 - 8/22 (News)

Aug 17, 2009

Target has Mass Effect for $14. Most Target stores will have the regular copies, but there's a few Platinum 2-Disc Editions with the 'Bring Down the Sky' bonus content. If Mass Effect 2's trailer got you going then picking up the first one is a good way to both refresh and used the saved data for your next playthrough.

Of course, you can buy it from Microsoft's new direct download service, but you lose out on the free DLC chapter and have to spend $6 extra. Not having a disc to get inevitably scratched up is a pretty good deal on its own, though.

First 'Games on Demand' titles launch (News)

Aug 7, 2009

Console Monster writes: "The first titles have launched for the Xbox 360 Games on Demand. The seven titles are now available to Xbox Live members that were fortunate enough to obtain a place in the Preview Program. What's interesting about the titles is the game's pricing, which is listed in pound and pence, rather than in Microsoft Points. The titles currently available are as follows:

Call of Duty 2 - £19.99
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - £19.99
Need for Speed Carbon - £19.99
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga - £19.99
Mass Effect - £19.99
Viva Piñata - £19.99
Assassin's Creed - £19.99

The remaining Games on Demand titles, revealed yesterday, will be rolled out over the next few days, before the new dashboard update is available to all Xbox Live users on the 11th August..."

Neocrisis: Games on Demand is Live (News)

Aug 7, 2009

Last night Microsofts controversial Games on Demand service went live. The games on demand service promises to deliver full retail Xbox 360 games for download and play straight to your hard drive.

Mass Effect Coming To Xbox Live On August 11th (News)

Jul 31, 2009

Soon, Xbox Live users will be able to download entire Xbox 360 games to their hard drive. According to BioWare, their sci-fi RPG Mass Effect will be one of the first titles available through the Games on Demand service.

BioWare: Mass Effect may be 'more' than a trilogy (News)

Jul 15, 2009

They haven't even got the second one out the door yet, but already BioWare are talking about what the future may hold for Mass Effect.

Talking to GamerZines, BioWare VP Greg Zeschuk has revealed that Mass Effect may become more than just a trilogy "if everything goes well".

BioWare Comments on Mass Effect DLC (News)

Jul 8, 2009

Vaguely announced via a Twitter post, the second bit of downloadable content for BioWare's Mass Effect role-playing game is still something of a mystery. While the initial announcement promised more details soon, a follow-up post made it seem as though the timing just wasn't right. We recently had the opportunity to ask BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka what was going on.

"We haven't announced it formally yet but I think you can expect something in the next little while," he said. "Probably some kind of announcement about [the ME DLC]. It's pretty cool. I've been playing what we're working on there and fans will find it fun."

No "New Game Plus" in Mass Effect 2 (News)

Jun 27, 2009

TGB writes: "Sometimes called "new game plus." in Mass Effect you had the option to restart a character, with all of his attributes, weapons and perks, at the beginning of the game, but Mass Effect 2 won't have it."

BioWare Store Adds New Items (News)

Jun 25, 2009

Today the BioWare Store features some new items.

Mass Effect new DLC info this week (News)

Jun 22, 2009

Bioware's Mass Effect 2 Twitter: Getting the feeling some news about the next ME1 DLC may be coming this week. Keep your eyes peeled. - Evil Chris

Games On Demand Title Shows Up Early, Pulled (News)

Jun 20, 2009

Mass Effect for Games on Demand shows up on the Xbox Live Marketplace RSS feed and sports some new information about the title and the Games on Demand service.

IGN: Shepard Will Be in Mass Effect 3 (News)

Jun 19, 2009

BioWare's Casey Hudson has shared more details on the highly anticipated Mass Effect 2 – and revealed that Shepard will be returning for the last game in the sci-fi RPG trilogy.

Xbox.com claims Mass Effect 2 will have DLC (News)

Jun 17, 2009

Boss Level writes:
I'm sure we all know that Bioware is very consistant with their Mass Effect DLC...
But XBox.com assures us that they will be releasing DLC in some form or another for Mass Effect 2.
Link after the jump.

How Bioware Blew It (News)

Jun 10, 2009

GameHounds' Cooper Hawkes writes:

"Bioware is the latest and to my mind greatest stepdad a gamer could ask for. Beautiful looking games, fun to play, well plotted, all around the greatest gaming developer ever created.
Until last night."

Mass Effect DLC to be announced soon (News)

Jun 5, 2009

While speaking to BioWare's leaders slash doctors, Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka, Joystiq managed to confirm that the second batch of DLC for Mass Effect (that's the first game!) would be announced and detailed soon. According to Muzyka, he was even playing it at the BioWare office slash fortress before departing for E3 2009.

Previously, it was suggested that the next Mass Effect DLC would include some sort of fight club or arena setup. So, lots of shooting in preparation for some real shooting, then.

The 10 most common game design mistakes (Feature)

May 22, 2009

Making games is hard. Making fun of them isn’t. It’s really, really easy, actually. Of course, we wouldn’t be so critical if we didn’t love them so damn much (and if we weren’t, you know, critics). We think games are just the bee’s knees, and that’s why we get so pissed about all the stupid crap they do ...

Buy 2 Select Xbox 360 Platinum Hits, Get 1 Free at Buy.com (News)

May 14, 2009

earvcunanan of Cheap Ass Gamer writes:

"Ending, 5/17, Buy.com has a buy 2 select Xbox 360 Platinum Hits, get 1 free promotion which includes free shipping."

Mass Effect Given 34/40 in Famitsu (News)

May 13, 2009

GOONL!NE: "Only getting a release in Japan soon, nearly a year and a half after the rest of the world got the game, Famitsu has given Mass Effect 34/40."

GR Asks: Why does the Xbox 360 run so loud? (Feature)

Apr 22, 2009

Welcome to GR Asks, our weekly Q&A with the games industry that answers questions submitted by YOU. Is there something game-related you’ve never seen addressed? Message GRAsks and we may just get it answered!

GR Asks: Why does the Xbox 360 run so loud?

Answered by: Benjamin Heckendorn, creator of some amazing laptop Xbox units and featured in Official Xbox Magazine. ...

Microsoft Intoduces New XBox 360 Platinum Hits Packaging That Acually Looks Good (News)

Apr 16, 2009

In a bold move to make "greatest hits" console game packaging that doesn't make one want to stab oneself in the retina, Microsoft has apparently deployed new Platinum Hits box art to retail locations.

Microsoft to Expand Xbox360 Classics Range (News)

Mar 16, 2009

Microsoft today announced the expansion of its Classics collection in EMEA to include three blockbuster titles, as it continues its strategy of offering high quality experiences at outstanding value. On 20th March, Halo 3, Mass Effect and Project Gotham Racing 4 will join the elite selection of Xbox360 Classics, with each game available at an Estimated Retail Price (ERP) of just £19.99.

The largest collection of monkeys in gaming EVER (Feature)

Mar 4, 2009

They're just trying to be friendly - so come and watch them sing and play. They're the young generation - and they've got something to say. Sounds kinda like "Ooo ook ook oo aaaah! Aaah! Aaaaaaaah!"

...

Mass Effect joins Classic range in March News (News)

Feb 17, 2009

Eurogamer: ShopTo has told Eurogamer that a two disc edition of Mass Effect will join the discounted ranks of Classic Xbox 360 games here on 20th March.

Our shopkeeper friends heard the news from official distributor GEM. Microsoft is keeping shtum, saying there are no announcements to make, but did confirm the recently-launched US version is part of the Platinum range exclusive to that region.

The Top 7… worst games in great games (Feature)

Feb 16, 2009

Today, we’re taking a timeout to break through the fourth wall of online features about games to highlight the seven worst games set in the worlds of great games. Why? Because these minigames are a special breed of boring. We’re tired of tacked-on gambling activities, awful fictional sports, and stale satires of classic arcade hits that dwell in the bowels of some of the best games ever.

Why does this happen? ...

The most superior superior races (Feature)

Feb 5, 2009

Don’t get too comfortable, puny human. You may be perched high on your planet’s food chain right now, but it won’t last forever. There are plenty of races waiting for their chance to assimilate you into their culture, usually by killing you. ...

EA to bring 'Mass Effect' to PS3? (News)

Jan 31, 2009

Speaking with a panel of others on Gametrailer's show Bonus Round, Pachter commented, "Trust me, Electronic Arts, when they threw out the number 300 million...that is multiplatform, that is not 360 only." And when asked if Mass Effect 2 will come to the PS3, he said, "It has to, has to. And you know, I wouldn't be shocked if Mass Effect 1 came to PS3."

An EA rep responded saying, "The rumor regarding Mass Effect being developed for PS3 is inaccurate," which isn't exactly a denial.

Mass Effect PS3 rumors "inaccurate" isn't a rumor killer (News)

Jan 23, 2009

Mike Bowden at VideoGaming 24/7 talked with an EA rep that told him about the possible Mass Effect PS3 porting rumors, "The rumour regarding Mass Effect being developed for PS3 is inaccurate. Hope that helps."

Maybe they meant that as a rumor killer (they made the usual "no comment" line about the future titles, which in gaming terms means "it's coming but NDA's prevent us from saying anything about it"), but it hardly is, because of the simple fact that the rep's language of "inaccurate".

Mass Effect PS3 rumours are "inaccurate," says EA (News)

Jan 22, 2009

VG247: EA has told videogaming247 that any rumours regarding a PS3 port of its hit BioWare space RPG, Mass Effect, are… wrong.

It was expected that the franchise would go multiplatform after EA acquired BioWare from MGS for $860m back in Oct 2007 and rumours of a PlayStation 3 port have persisted ever since.

More after the break.

Games George Bush should play now he's got time on his hands (Feature)

Jan 20, 2009

So, today is the day when George Bush finally - finally - exits the White House. His eight year stint in the presidential hot seat will be remembered for many things. Most of them bad and with terrifyingly global ramifications. But GamesRadar isn't the place to pick apart George W Bush's political legacy. No. That's what the rest of the internets is for.

Instead, we mark the historic momentousness of today by cooking up some ...

Rumor: Mass Effect Trilogy Coming to PS3 (News)

Jan 18, 2009

A source close to EA has told Second Story Gamer that Mass Effect 2 and 3 will be available on the PS3 as well as the 360 and PC. Also, according to the source, it is "likely" that EA will port the original game to the PS3, to introduce PS3 owners, who may have missed the original game, to the franchise.

Mass Effect Two-Disc Edition coming in February (News)

Jan 17, 2009

VG247: US retailer Gamestop is advertising a new Mass Effect Two-Disc Edition SKU to be released on February 10.

Mass Effect 2 will feature at GDC 2009 (News)

Jan 8, 2009

Gamezine:

"BioWare will present the iterative level design process of Mass Effect 2 at this year's Game Developer's Conference.

Mass Effect was an exciting action RPG that broke western audiences into a new kind of game. Now BioWare are moving forward with Mass Effect 2, and implementing a new process of level-creation that will be showcased and explained at GDC '09."

BioWare bosses clam on Mass Effect, admit more DS plans, reveal 500-strong staff roster (News)

Oct 22, 2008

Speaking to VG247 at LucasArts in San Francisco yesterday, BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk said that the team behind freshly-revealed Star Wars MMO The Old Republic will be the biggest team in BioWare's history, as well as confirming some future dev plans and a fairly startling figure regarding the size of the company as a whole.

Mass Effect 2 on PS3 rumor resurfaces (News)

Oct 15, 2008

Rumors that BioWare will develop Mass Effect for the PS3 have been doing the rounds for some time now. There is a new rumor on the prowl; the rumor indicates that the next iteration of Mass Effect will be coming out on the PS3. At this point it is a tossup as anything is possible with BioWare currently being owned by EA.

According to one of Europe's largest video game magazine, Gamereactor, Mass Effect 2 could be coming out on the PS3 six months after the Xbox 360 version ships. Gamereactor indicates that the source was taken from Gamespot just a few days ago before the information was taken down suddenly.

The Mass Effect on the PS3 rumor has resurfaced a number of times in the past, to be shot down by BioWare. However, with EA taking over the Mass Effect franchise, the chances are good that this series will most likely go multiplatform.

TGR's Rumor Killers: Google buys Valve, Mass Effect Movie, and GH: Hendrix (News)

Sep 19, 2008

TGR - "It's no secret that Activision loves milking the Guitar Hero franchise. Those fake plastic instruments and scrolling note charts have made the publisher a boatload of money, and they aren't about to stop making content while consumers are still walking around with cash in their pockets. Therefore, it really shouldn't come as much of a surprise that rumors are swirling that the publisher is hard at work on a Jimi Hendrix-themed Guitar Hero game.

Perhaps the greatest thing about this rumor is the source. This particular juicy tidbit comes not from some "industry insider" or loose-lipped developer, but rather from Slash."

Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Friday 19th September 2008 (News)

Sep 19, 2008

Console Monster writes: "It's a short Xbox Live Marketplace update today but its pretty sweet for Frontlines: Fuel of War fans as the fourth map pack for the game has been released. Here is the full update for Friday 19th September 2008:

Name: Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Allied Trailer Game Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Mass Effect: Places of Mass Effect
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Frontlines: Fuel of War - 4 Map Pack
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."

Mass Effect possibly going to the big screen, hot alien action unconfirmed (News)

Sep 19, 2008

Mass Effect" has started its journey to the big screen. Numerous sources have confirmed that producer Avi Arad has optioned the rights to Bioware's sci-fi RPG from the developer's parent publisher Electronic Arts.

Extended Play Download Days (price drop on DLC) (News)

Sep 5, 2008

For a limited time only (well, until the end of October) the Xbox Live Marketplace is running an 'Extended Play Download Days' promotion which is offering some pretty good savings on some of the more popular DLC.

Games include:
Mass Effect
Lost Odyssey
Forza Motorsport 2
Oblivion
Guitar Hero 3
Beautiful Katamari

Halo 3, Xbox 360 Top G-Phoria 2008 Awards Full List Rundown (News)

Aug 9, 2008

Bungie's Halo 3 took top Game of the Year honors during the G-Phoria awards last night, broadcast by game-oriented cable television network G4.

Xbox 360 was named the station's favorite system -- which falls in line with the award distribution. Of the show's 18 game awards, only four went to titles not available on Microsoft's system: Best Graphics and Best Voice Acting for Kojima Productions' Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Best Racing Game for Nintendo EAD's Mario Kart Wii, and, by default, Best Handheld Game for Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Bioware: Mass Effect Trilogy Exclusive to 360 - Mass Effect 2 in '09? (XboxOZ360) (News)

Jul 22, 2008

In the just released September issue of Australian 360, comes the commitment of Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka "to bring the Mass Effect trilogy exclusively to the Xbox 360."

Speaking exclusively to Australian 360 at EA's European Showcase, Muzyka also stated "we said we were committed to supporting Mass Effect as a franchise and have the trilogy on the Xbox 360, and that's still our goal", before adding to the question of the trilogy staying exclusive with what appears to be a subtle jibe at Sony, saying "we're always very ambitious in our goals and the most important thing is quality, so we're never going to compromise that."

Not only will the trilogy stay exclusive to the 360, but it will be released entirely on the 360 platform. And for our gaming colleagues who enjoy their PS3's and Wii's there's still hope that they may yet get to experience the wonderful world of Mass Effect, albeit not within the Commander Shepard based trilogy.

But beyond all the console positioning and future IP speculation are some juicy details for the current trilogy that should get fans excited for what appears to be a 2009 release for Mass Effect 2...

The Top 7... Worst Parts of Best Games (Feature)

Jun 16, 2008

Nothing's perfect. Stare closely enough at anything - even a masterpiece - and you're bound to find flaws sooner or later. They might be small. They might be insignificant. They might not detract from the overall quality of the piece at all...

Except when they really, really do. With these seven games, in fact, you don't need to stare. Their flaws are so huge, so obvious, so frustrating and so effing obnoxious that you can't help but ...

J-RPGs Coming To Xbox 360 (News)

Jun 10, 2008

Gamers will be getting their Japanese role-playing game fix on the Xbox 360 soon. Japanese Xbox 360 gamers will also be getting a taste of US and European developed RPGs. At the "Xbox 360 RPG Premiere 2008" event in Shibuya, Tokyo today, release dates on upcoming Xbox 360 RPGs from Square Enix, Namco Bandai and Microsoft Game Studios were revealed.

The BioWare Technique (Feature)

Jun 2, 2008

If you love role-playing games, you love BioWare, a company set up in 1995 by industry legends (and medical doctors), Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. Consistently the greatest RPG creators for the past decade, they have developed an enviable list of triple-A titles including the Baldur’s Gate saga, Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. They also created a gun-toting cigar-smoking dog with four arms in MDK2, but ...

Mass Effect DLC for PC coming very soon (News)

May 30, 2008

Mass Effect PC players will soon have a chance to "Bring Down the Sky" (did you see what we did there?), as BioWare has announced that the free downloadable content will be available very soon for the PC version of the giant space epic.

BioWare keen on more licensed IP (News)

May 27, 2008

BioWare bossman Ray Muzyka has said the studio will be creating more games based on the works of others in the future.

Mass Effect: Sex scene controversy an "interesting experience" (News)

May 12, 2008

Remember all that fuss over the Mass Effect sex scene that was spawned by Fox News not really having a clue about what its 'experts' were talking about? Looking back CEO of BioWare, Ray Muzyka, says it was all "an interesting experience."

Speaking to CVG at a recent EA press event, he explained, "At the end of the day, we're proud of the content in the game. It's all appropriate for the rating that's been assigned, the Mature ...

Mass Effect DRM goes too far (News)

May 7, 2008

Pc gamers who have had their fill of online activation headaches with Windows will be pretty miffed to hear the latest anti-piracy scheme being dreamed up by top games publishers.

Bioware Noncommittal On Timeframe for New Mass Effect DLC, Is Committal About DLC in General (News)

Apr 30, 2008

Kombo writes, "Not only is CEO Ray Muzyka Bioaware of DLC, he embraces it with open arms. "We did a lot of post-release content with Neverwinter Nights, we're planning to do more on Dragon Age in the future as well and Mass Effect and other products we have in development", he noted in a chat with CVG. "We just want to make sure we're satisfying what the fans want first, so often it's good to get their feedback and say, 'What kinds of things would really be exciting to you?', and how can we put those in the game."

Unfortunately, my exuberance was tempered by another tidbit from Muzyka -- one concerning Mass Effect's forthcoming second round of DLC. When CVG threw a 'So when's it coming out?' at the good doctor, he nimbly dodged the question."

New info on next Mass Effect DLC (News)

Apr 30, 2008

BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka says that the developer has major plans for the next batch of download content for Mass Effect. Trouble is don't expect to see the second wave any time soon.

"We have big plans for post-release content with the franchise for both Xbox 360 and PC," Muzyka said when we caught up with him recently. "We haven't released any details on that yet, but it's something we want to actively support."

When questioned ...

BioWare is "proud" of Mass Effect sex content, says boss Muzyka (News)

Apr 26, 2008

Speaking to videogaming247 at yesterday's EA Games Studio Showcase in London, BioWare boss Ray Muzyka said the studio was "happy" and "proud" of the sexual content of Mass Effect, saying its inclusion was tasteful and showed the RPG was an innovator in the field of games as an emergent art form.

"It's the same content, just in higher resolution," he said of the alien sex scene in the PC version of Mass Effect. "So it looks really good, right? We're happy and we're proud of the content that's in the game. We think it's appropriate for the rating the game has Â¿ it's a 'mature' rated game. It's tasteful and it's not gratuitous. It's actually adult-themed content of relationships, mature relationships that are very realistically depicted and actually very appropriate as well, and very emotionally impactful."

Most Annoying Game-Over Screens Ever (Feature)

Apr 16, 2008

Nobody likes to see a Game-Over screen. As if knowing you suck isn’t bad enough, some games rub it in by torturing you with really annoying Game-Over screens. What could be worse than having to watch your demise from multiple angles, or sitting through the same long-ass cutscene of the world ending every time you fail? Tack one of these onto a tough boss fight, and you have a perfect formula for gamer rage. We’ve hand-picked this ...

Five in-game deaths that actually made us sad (Feature)

Apr 4, 2008

More and more games seem to be plucking our heart strings to great affect and eliciting a genuine sense of woe amongst players. Here we look at five recent videogame deaths that have made us appropriately gloomy for all the right reasons and ponder how they succeeded in stoking the cold blue flames of our sadness. ...

Mass Effect - Death on Virmire (Video)

Apr 3, 2008

Graphics are sharp and the story is one worth multiple plays - even if it only has one ending. This RPG/Shooter gives an actual sense of space exploration.

Mass Effect 2 questions still to be answered (News)

Mar 18, 2008

BioWare still has a number of vitally important questions to be answered in regards to Mass Effect 2, the developer's revealed to us.

"How do we make what you did in the first game affect what's happening in the second game?... Who is the main character? Who will re-appear in the game?" senior PR manager Matt Atwood said of the follow-up to its critically acclaimed sci-fi RPG during an interview last week. ...

Mass Effect - "Bring Down the Sky" downloadable content (Video)

Mar 12, 2008

Graphics are sharp and the story is one worth multiple plays - even if it only has one ending. This RPG/Shooter gives an actual sense of space exploration.

Mass Effect DLC live! (News)

Mar 10, 2008

The first piece of Xbox 360 Mass Effect downloadable content, the hour-long Bring Down the Sky pack, has just gone live.The pack includes a new mission on a renegade asteroid, that introduces the elusive Batarian race talked about in the prequel book (not that we've read it, cough).A Batarian extremist group has hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, the story goes, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world ...

Mass Effect DLC Now on Xbox Live (News)

Mar 10, 2008

BioWare just released the content for their sci-fi RPG, Mass Effect. Here's what you need to know:

Content: Bring Down the Sky
Price: 400 Microsoft Points Size: 253.40 MB
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD,LANGUAGE,PARTIAL NUDITY,SEXUAL THEMES,VIOLENCE] Batarian extremists have hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. Only you can save the human hostages on the asteroid and reroute it before it crashes into the world, killing millions of innocent civilians.

Mass Effect DLC arriving in a few hours, get your spaceship and MS Points ready (News)

Mar 10, 2008

The content Pack which is titled Bring Down the Sky, will cost 400 MS points ($5), and offer you 90 minutes of all new gameplay, and also includes the introduction of a new race to the galactic stage, the Batarians. The Batarians are isolationists who rarely leave the borders of the Terminus system. That is until a Batarian extremist group hijacks a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. So make sure you have the Normandy ready to go, you'll be needing it.

Mass Effect PC Co-Developed by Demiurge Studios (News)

Mar 5, 2008

Gamershell reports that the Demiurge Studios today confirmed that they are co-developing with BioWare the PC version of Mass Effect. Demiurge began working with BioWare during the final stretch of development for the Xbox 360 version, allowing the studios to collaborate closely throughout the co-development process.

Demiurge worked closely with the BioWare team to enhance gameplay with new additions, such as a third command wheel to allow players to direct their squad members separately, a completely reworked inventory system, fully customized key mapping and hot keys, and an entirely new minigame. Substantial attention was also paid to visuals and game flow, featuring higher resolution environments and characters.

The Top 7... Failed Franchises We Know How to Fix (Feature)

Feb 18, 2008

Videogames, television and movies frequently overlap. With so much cross pollination, you'd think the biggest and best film franchises would have respectable game adaptations by now, but that's just not the case, is it? Sure there are a handful of successful tie-ins, but many series flop around for years, seeing game after terrible game created with little or no regard for the source material. Well, we're sick of it. ...

Why a Blaster Master game should be like Mass Effect (Video)

Feb 18, 2008

Graphics are sharp and the story is one worth multiple plays - even if it only has one ending. This RPG/Shooter gives an actual sense of space exploration.

Mass Effect wins big at Elan video game awards (News)

Feb 16, 2008

Mass Effect, which was developed by an Edmonton company, won the game of the year award at a glitzy award ceremony Friday evening honouring the best in film animation and video games. The science fiction game that portends of coming trends in the gaming industry stole the show at the second annual Elan awards held in Vancouver.

Drew Karpyshyn, the lead writer on the game, said in an interview it had a script similar to what you would find in a major movie, only much longer.

In fact, with 22,000 spoken lines and 30 hours of animation, the script is the equivalent of 20 movies. The difference between this and a regular movie is that the game player decides what twists and turns he or she wants the characters to take. "The player controls the direction of the story," said Karpyshyn, who predicts this type of plot-driven action will be the wave of the future.

He said the concept for the game was developed about four years ago. It took about 2 1/2 years to make and involved the work of about 140 people, with four to five writers working at any given time.

Demiurge Studios Co-Developing Mass Effect for PC (News)

Feb 16, 2008

Gamershell writes:

"Demiurge Studios today revealed that they are co-developing with BioWare the PC version of Mass Effect. Demiurge began working with BioWare during the final stretch of development for the Xbox 360 version, allowing the studios to collaborate closely throughout the co-development process."

New Burnout, Skate on the way (News)

Feb 12, 2008

EA Games president reveals "extension" of driving and skateboarding series in next fiscal year, commits long-term to Mass Effect, and says next Need for Speed will return to series' roots.

Another new franchise EA is prepping a sequel for is Mass Effect, which was announced for the PC today. From the very first time now EA-owned developer BioWare showed it off in 2005, the role-playing game franchise was touted as trilogy. EA Games president Frank Gibeau's presentation today suggested it may not end there, as he told analysts that it "will be a franchise for [EA] for a very long time." He also said that going forward, EA will take over publishing duties on the Mass Effect franchise from Microsoft Game Studios, which handled the game's initial release on the Xbox 360.

Mass Effect Sex Guide (Feature)

Feb 12, 2008

When Fox News anchor Martha McCallum broke the story that Mass Effect contained full graphic nudity and player-directed sexual encounters, we immediately loaded up the game and went back for another play-through. How could we have missed such an opportunity? But for some reason we could only find the same two tired, barely R-rated cutscenes. Since we had a bunch of Mass Effect footage already on hand from other projects, we decided to compile a ...

Mass Effect for PC officially (News)

Feb 12, 2008

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:

- Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
- High resolution visuals Â¿ Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
- Fully customizable controls Â¿ PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
- Run & Gun Control Â¿ Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
- New decryption mini-game.
- New inventory screen GUI and functionality Â¿ The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

"Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline Â¿ all set in a compelling new universe," said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA's Games Label added, "EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future."

FOX Effect: Target pulling Mass Effect off the shelves (News)

Feb 11, 2008

From Playfuls.com: "Apparently, US retailer Target is either too scared or has the same experience in gaming as Cooper Lawrence, since they've begun pulling Mass Effect off shelves. What's even more absurd is that the game is actually in stock, but Target employees are not allowed to sell it..."

Mass Effect' DLC Requires A Spaceship, A Couple Of Hours Of Player Progress (News)

Feb 10, 2008

Stephen Totilo from MTV Multiplayer writes:

"The "Bring Down The Sky" pack announced on Wednesday and slated for release on March 10 offers 90 minutes worth of bonus interplanetary exploration and combat. But if you saved the game where I did, you'll have to spend a couple of hours reach a point of the game from which you can access it."

Box Art F'ups (Feature)

Feb 8, 2008

Derp! Ready the eBay accounts, cause that company that prints game box art - Acme Video Game Box Art Co. Inc. Ltd., we believe they’re called - pulled a gargantuan boner and misprinted a shitload of our favorite titles. We don’t mean to call them out, but we can’t allow the public to be misled. ...

Mass Effect DLC Takes Place In-Game (News)

Feb 8, 2008

CVG writes:

"New details regarding the Bring Down the Sky downloadable content for Mass Effect have been confirmed by Bioware's community co-ordinator Chris Priestly.

Apparently, the new content doesn't take place after the game's conclusion, but in fact exists as one of the exploratory side-missions you can understake in the middle of the game.

So that means you'll need to dig out those save files if you've already completed the RPG."

Mass Effect: Hour-long DLC coming in March (News)

Feb 6, 2008

BioWare has revealed the first downloadable content pack for its excellent 360 RPG Mass Effect - and it's looking far better than we expected.The Bring Down the Sky pack will arrive on Xbox Live on March 10 for 400 Microsoft Points (like $5 or about £3) and is the first in a series of planned DLC waves that expand the Mass Effect universe and continue the plot.This pack includes an uncharted world that introduces the elusive Batarian race ...

Mass Effect Downloadable Content Announced (News)

Feb 6, 2008

"To date, over 1.6 million gamers have explored the engaging sci-fi universe of Mass Effect. Beginning on March 10, fans everywhere will be able to expand the "Mass Effect" experience with the release of the first ever downloadable content for the award-winning saga.

The Bring Down the Sky downloadable content pack will be released to Xbox LIVE Marketplace on Monday, March 10 at 2 a.m. PST, and will be available for 400 MS points. This is the first in a series of planned downloadable content that further expands the Mass Effect universe and continues the adventures of Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew."

The Biggest Prick in the Galaxy (Feature)

Feb 6, 2008

As anyone who bothered to play or research Mass Effect knows, you're free to make decisions that directly affect the plot, the characters and even the ultimate outcome of the game. Most of us try to stay on the nice-to-neutral side of the law, generally helping people out while occasionally dipping into the renegade pool when a particularly devious choice presents itself. But what if you play the entire game as a rootin' tootin' ...

Rumortoid: Mass Effect for PC is on the way (News)

Feb 6, 2008

Destructoid: Until there's an official statement, this is slapped with a rumor tag, but one of our Destructoid Community Bloggers has seemingly discovered that his videogame store will be receiving copies of BioWare's Mass Effect for PC.

ECA President Speaks Against Fox, Defends Gaming (News)

Jan 29, 2008

Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumer Association -- a consumer advocacy group for computer and video game players -- issued an open statement to Fox News after the network aired a misleading debate segment about the Xbox 360 RPG Mass Effect last week. Both news anchor Teri Van Horn and guest Cooper Lawrence claimed that Mass Effect featured ponographic content and that the game was being marketed towards young boys.

X-Play has Halpin's full statement on the issue.

In addition, X-Play contacted Halpin for further comment regarding the controversy. Halpin has responded in defense of the legitimacy of the video game medium.

Mass Effect 'sex' critic admits: "I misspoke" (News)

Jan 28, 2008

The self-help book author who criticised Mass Effect in the now notorious Fox News Channel 'sex' slamming of the RPG has finally admitted she didn't know what she was talking about in the first place. "I recognise that I misspoke," Cooper Lawrence, who appeared in the news segment in question on The Live Desk with Martha MacCallum, has now told The New York Times (check Kotaku for the story). Lawrence, who admitted during the segment she'd never actually played Mass Effect, added, "Before ...

Jack Thompson Defends Mass Effect (News)

Jan 28, 2008

Kotaku writes: "Believe it or not Jack Thompson and I email sorta regularly. Granted he usually emails me bizarre, over-the-top press releases (which I often don't post) and I respond with disjointed quotes from movies, which I hope will one day remove that last wobbly hinge of his. (No luck yet).

Last week Jack emailed me a press release entitled "Grand Theft Auto IV to Be Released April 29; Culture War Begins Now" and after my typical poking, I got on to the topic of the Mass Effect controversy and was shocked, literally out of my socks, to find him defending the game... sort of. Apparently, even anti-gaming crusader Jack Thompson found self-help author Cooper Lawrence (who he refers to as a man), uninformed and the entire controversy contrived".

Cooper Lawrence admits she was wrong: Statement (News)

Jan 26, 2008

Do not adjust your set, you really did read that Cooper Lawrence, the psychologist who appeared in Fox's unfair and unfounded slander against Mass Effect, has admitted that she "misspoke" about the game and has actually done the right thing in retracting her comments. Having now actually done what she should have done and watched the sex scenes in question, Lawrence has realized that the game was not the foul and degrading porno she told everyone it was:

"I recognize that I misspoke. I really regret saying that, and now that I've seen the game and seen the sex scenes it's kind of a joke.

Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it's like pornography. But it's not like pornography. I've seen episodes of Lost that are more sexually explicit."

This is actually incredibly pleasing news, to see someone who has enough of a spine to admit something like that, especially when it comes to videogames. While it does little to justify her going on air and defending a viewpoint she had no right claiming to hold, and doesn't make up for the disrespect she showed Geoff Keighley and the games industry, it is at least a respectable move and a sign that not everyone on "the other side of the fence" has to remain ignorant and offensive in the face of the truth.

Fox News to EA: Let's Talk...On Camera (News)

Jan 25, 2008

January 25, 2008 - Earlier this week, Electronic Arts asked Fox News to correct false statements the publisher believes the channel made about Mass Effect on a recent installment of Live Desk With Martha MacCallum.

The news channel's apparent response? Come on the show, and we'll talk about it.

According to a post on MTV's Multiplayer gaming blog, an unnamed Fox News spokesperson said the network has "extended several invitations to EA through a company representative to appear on 'Live Desk With Martha MacCallum' to discuss 'Mass Effect' and the segment which aired on Monday. We have received no response."

EA vs FOX - x360a Shows Its Support! Sign the Petition, Spread the Word! (News)

Jan 25, 2008

"Well the Fox and EA scenario has been in the x360a headlines today. It started with a reporting of a typical news agency spreading propaganda about gaming and ultimately ended with Fox giving EA the cold shoulder with the old "contact the PR department" line. It has definitely got a few of our backs up and ruffled a few feathers. It seems as if Fox don't care what they report and we believe in reporting truthful facts so we decided to start a petition to unite ourselves against the propaganda that these agencies continue to spread. So we stand here, side by side with EA and toe to toe with Fox. Show your support and sign the petition and then tell a friend."

Fox Gives EA the Brush-off; EA 'Going to Fight Back' (News)

Jan 24, 2008

EA's Jeff Brown has told GameDaily BIZ that his company will continue to stand up for its creative teams and the games they make. He says, "We're going to fight back."

EA Takes FOX News To Task Over Mass Effect (News)

Jan 23, 2008

Jeff Cork from Game Informer writes:

"If you watched the recent FOX News piece about purported hard-core sex in EA's Mass Effect, it may have left you fuming. Between the inaccuracies, ignorance and misinformation, it showed yet again that it's virtually impossible to have a reasonable discussion about mature themes in video games within the constraints of a bite-sized news debate. If you count yourself among the peeved, you're in good company. Jeff Brown, EA's VP of communications, wrote a letter to Teri VanHorn, producer of Live Desk with Martha MacCallum, taking issue with the way Mass Effect was presented. Here's the virtual smackdown, in all its glory."

Gamers Strike Back Against Mass Effect Critic on Amazon (News)

Jan 23, 2008

Gaming Today · Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

After hearing the offensive and biased attack against Mass Effect on Fox News by Cooper Lawrence, the psychologist who took part in the biased strike on the game, her book on Amazon.com titled 'The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace with Your Inner Overachiever' is full of one-star reviews, mostly coming from gamers.

Ms. Lawrence may think that it's ok to bash a product she has never used, so gamers are now bashing a book they have never read to drop her book rating on Amazon. Currently, there over 40 negative reviews posted. Check out the Amazon link via Gaming Today if you'd like to throw your two cents in or to just read some of the funny comments against her.

Put Your Dancing Shoes on for the Flux Dance Challenge (News)

Jan 22, 2008

BioWare is holding a contest for the best Flux dancing. From BioWare's site:

"Mission

Recreate the sweet dance moves Commander Shepard does at the Flux nightclub in a setting of your choosing and posting it on the web. Download a sample of Shepard dancing at the Flux (MOV 1 MB).
How to Enter

* Grab the Flux Dance music, or if you really need it, there's an extended video loop.
* Film yourself or your friends doing the Flux dance in the locale of your choosing (home, the mall, work, etc.).
* The total length of the video should be between 10 and 30 seconds.
* Post it on the web for all to see.
* E-mail the link to the video to bulletin@bioware.com and we'll link to the best on the Mass Effect Community page.

We're looking for the best or funniest situation involving at least one dancer and one non-dancer/hapless observer/fan/groupie/nervous bystander. The coolest videos get sweet Mass Effect swag!

First round of prizes announced February 15th, 2008."

Portal, BioShock Lead Game Developers Choice Awards Nominees (News)

Jan 22, 2008

Valve's Portal and 2K Boston/Australia's BioShock lead the nominees for the eighth annual Game Developers Choice Awards with five nominations each, including the coveted Game of the Year title, organizers have announced.

The Game of the Year category also includes Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4, which follows with four nominations and, with both games receiving two nominations each, Harmonix's Rock Band and Nintendo's Super Mario Galaxy.

Keighley Sets Mass Effect Record Straight On Fox News... Or Tries To (News)

Jan 22, 2008

Kotaku reports that Keighley appeared live on Fox News to try and clear the waters over a vast video game misrepresentation. In the first two minutes the anchor says that Mass Effect has full nudity and sex and a psychologist "expert" talks about statistics show that games are played by young boys and that Mass Effect is all about objectifying women. Oh wait, you can play as a woman too, Keighley points out and the full on nudity? About half a boob for 30 seconds of a 30 hour game.

Keighley totally took charge of the interview.

It's obvious that people who they had discussing it, never played Mass Effect, they probably heard about it five minutes before they were supposed to offer an opinion.

Xbox Live Marketplace update 20/1/08 (News)

Jan 20, 2008

Just a couple of new things today. Including Mass Effect documentry.