Mass Effect 2

[Donut]

I would love to watch that without having to buy the PS3 version. Just as a refresher for Mass Effect's story, since I tend to forget what happened before by the time there's a new game.

I am sure it will get on Youtube

 

[Donut]

The PS3 version will include pre-game content to serve as an introduction to the Mass Effect universe and story for new players - as well as DLC from the 360 game on-disc.

And that's not all - there will also be PS3-customized access to the Cerberus Network, although details on that one are sketchier.

"One of the things we're doing is that we're bringing a lot of the post-release downloadable content and will integrate it into the experience, so that PS3 fans can check that out and play it," Muzyka told VG247.

Although the good doctor remained vague on the exact nature of the introductory content, Muzyka said that the introductory content was designed to fill in the back-story PS3 players might have missed.

"We haven't revealed what that is yet," he added. "It'll be something that provides a good introduction and provides a lot of the back-story and introduces you well to the story-arc, and kind of makes you feel like you're part of it all. And then you can jump right into the action in Mass Effect 2."

Muzyka revealed that Bioware will show the PS3 version the same support as the 360 version received and intends to integrate the post release content into the experience as well as "bring some new things to bear".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=260711

So are they going to ignore the 360 version now ? This can't be good

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Why would they ignore the 360 version now? It sounds like Muzyka is just promising to support the PS3 version the same way they've been supporting the 360 version for almost a year now.

 

[Soapy]

Did they already release that Shadow Broker thing?

 

[Benstamania]

No, I think that hits in September.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Why would they ignore the 360 version now? It sounds like Muzyka is just promising to support the PS3 version the same way they've been supporting the 360 version for almost a year now.

Yeah, we won't notice a difference methinks on the 360 end. I doubt Bioware itself will be even doing the actual porting (ala ME1 PC).

 

[Matt]

Wow, I'm so happy this is happening. I was considering rebuying a 360 as a birthday present to myself simply for the Mass Effect games, but with the PS3 version coming, there's no need. Fable 3 is the only game that interests me and one game is not worth a system.

So, how long does everyone think until its announced that ME1 will also be released?

 

[Erzengel]

It's been repeated that Microsoft released the first game. EA released the 2nd game. Unless there's some loop hole OR some agreement, there's a reason why only Mass Effect 2 has been announced.

 

[Benstamania]

Yeah, we won't notice a difference methinks on the 360 end. I doubt Bioware itself will be even doing the actual porting (ala ME1 PC).

Yeah, I'd bet that Bioware won't have anything to do with the port, that'll be in EA's court. So...hopefully they don't do a crappy job...

 

[Tron Bonne]

It's been repeated that Microsoft released the first game. EA released the 2nd game. Unless there's some loop hole OR some agreement, there's a reason why only Mass Effect 2 has been announced.

Despite that, EA also published the first game for the PC, so most likely, they have full publishing rights over it. Even if they do not, there's ways around that. Ninja Gaiden 2 was released as a 360 exclusive, with MS publishing and obtaining some publishing rights, but Tecmo took it and released Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (technically not the same title, though it was the same game) for PS3. Unless MS has an airlock tight contract that locks the franchise down, it's still entirely possible

 

[Matt]

Yep. I'm sure EA is just waiting for the right time to double dip it. ME 2 is a far more impressive game. Perhaps build up hype with ME2 then announce its prequel's release. Only reason EA hasn't announced both is because they are simply trying to think of the best way to maximize profits.

 

[Havok83]

Yep. I'm sure EA is just waiting for the right time to double dip it. ME 2 is a far more impressive game. Perhaps build up hype with ME2 then announce its prequel's release. Only reason EA hasn't announced both is because they are simply trying to think of the best way to maximize profits.

that makes absolutely no sense. Why would they release the first game after the second? The logical thing to do would be to put out ME1 in Jan and ME2 6-9 months later. I cant see them doing that in reverse. From a development standpoint it doesnt make sense either since one of the features of ME2 is to take a savefile from the first and continue from that in ME2. Thats the biggest issue have with ME1 not coming to the PS3. Releasing the game later wont solve that issue and would only piss people off even more

 

[Matt]

ME2 is a far more impressive game. I dunno, it doesn't make sense to me either. But perhaps they are thinking that they can come out of the gate strong and then release ME1?

Of course, there is the possibility that EA is just trying to get around the legal loopholes that don't exisit with ME2 and are announcing this just to get the train rolling. If there are such legal loopholes EA will get past them eventually. One cannot deny that they own the game and that they are the most powerful publisher in video games. They will find a way to make this happen (even if it consists of dangling the very profitable Madden franchise over MS' head to do so, something like, "hey, stop contesting our publishing of ME on PS3 or we won't give you Madden,"). EA will find a way and not even Microsoft will dare to step on EA's toes or piss them off. I'm guessing we'll see simultaneous releases of ME and ME2. I would not be suprised if ME1 is already being ported, they are just trying to get past the nuances of its release before they announce it.

 

[Havok83]

ME2 is a far more impressive game. I dunno, it doesn't make sense to me either. But perhaps they are thinking that they can come out of the gate strong and then release ME1?

I just cant see them releasing it second. They missed the window. They will release ME2 and then put all development into ME3 for both systems. It could be that they dont feel they have enough time to port both games over to the PS3 as it would take away from ME3, so it makes sense that they'd stick with just ME2. Bioware will move forward with their projects, not backwards bc they still have future titles to push out and schedules to stick to.

 

[Matt]

Like I said in my edit, I think they're just trying to get around the legality.

Besides, EA isn't going to tie up Bioware with the porting. Any of EA's countless second rate developers can port a game. Bioware's schedule will not effect this at all.

 

[Donut]

Like I said in my edit, I think they're just trying to get around the legality

If Microsoft is the only thing standing in their way then they would just have to make Microsoft a really sweet deal

 

[Matt]

Psh, EA doesn't even need to do that. Simply saying, "Either let us do it or Madden becomes a PS3/Wii exclusive," will do the trick. If EA made that very empty threat, MS (or Sony for that matter) would give them whatever they want. They couldn't even try to call that bluff. People (especially the casual market that both companies are trying so hard to capture) will buy systems based on Madden alone. When you factor in NCAA, NBA, Nascar, NHL, all of EA's sports franchises....forget about it. Either company will bow before EA without blinking.

 

[Soapy]

There's no need for EA to resort to threats* to get what they want when they could make a perfectly legitimate deal with Microsoft. In exchange for Mass Effect 1, EA could give Microsoft ME3 as a timed exclusive or exclusive DLC or any number of things.

*By the way, that threat wouldn't necessarily be empty. EA made the same threat against Sega years ago, and delivered on it.

 

[Matt]

There's no need for EA to resort to threats* to get what they want when they could make a perfectly legitimate deal with Microsoft. In exchange for Mass Effect 1, EA could give Microsoft ME3 as a timed exclusive or exclusive DLC or any number of things.

*By the way, that threat wouldn't necessarily be empty. EA made the same threat against Sega years ago, and delivered on it.

EA is all about the money. No need to give MS anything exclusively and in effect close off half of the market (Even if only for a limited time). Not when they have such powerful bargaining chips.

 

[Donut]

Psh, EA doesn't even need to do that. Simply saying, "Either let us do it or Madden becomes a PS3/Wii exclusive," will do the trick. If EA made that very empty threat, MS (or Sony for that matter) would give them whatever they want. They couldn't even try to call that bluff. People (especially the casual market that both companies are trying so hard to capture) will buy systems based on Madden alone. When you factor in NCAA, NBA, Nascar, NHL, all of EA's sports franchises....forget about it. Either company will bow before EA without blinking.

Those games will never make as much as they do if they were PS3 & Wii Exclusive. That would be a silly threat. They would probably have the balls to do it but it will hurt them & Microsoft as well in the long run. But hurting themselves would be silly. EA made the deal & no one forced them to & they are paying for it

 

[Matt]

Those games will never make as much as they do if they were PS3 & Wii Exclusive. That would be a silly threat. They would probably have the balls to do it but it will hurt them & Microsoft in the long run

EA would never have to carry through with the threat because the second they even mention it, MS would back down. They would back down in a heart beat if they thought they would lose EA Sports games. That is the type of thing that would cause MS' sales to plummet. MS could not afford the risk of it being a bluff. It is why EA is the most powerful developer in the video game world.

 

[Erzengel]

As much as I love Mass Effect 2 and they perfected some of the issues of the first game. The first game I felt had the better story AND a more satisfying climax. Human Reaper was good by it wasn't Saren.

 

[Cmill216]

If PS3 owners haven't played ME1, all of the customizable backstory of ME2 is lost. The romance, the fates of characters, the Council, etc.

Whether or not ME2 is the better game is a moot point, really. It's not so much a sequel as it is a direct continuation. Not having the experience of playing the first game makes playing ME2 completely pointless.

 

[hippie_hunter]

It is why EA is the most powerful developer in the video game world.

That belongs to Activision Blizzard.

 

[Havok83]

Whether or not ME2 is the better game is a moot point, really. It's not so much a sequel as it is a direct continuation. Not having the experience of playing the first game makes playing ME2 completely pointless.

only to someone thats played the 360/PC original. For soemone going into ME2 as their first taste of it, it makes no difference and they wouldnt feel the same connection as those previous players did