Mass Effect coming to PCs in May

[Havok83]

We never expected BioWare's 360 RPG Mass Effect wouldn't release on PC, but we're a little surprised that it'll be with us so soon.


BioWare's a developer that doesn't mess around when it comes to ports - look at Jade Empire for evidence - and so it's taking pains to optimise the game for the PC platform .

It's not rocket science, with optimised controls and higher-resolution visuals and textures on the cards, but on top of that the studio's talking about "Run & Gun Control" ("Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action"), a new decryption mini-game and a revamped inventory system and user interface.

The plot:

Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

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

• Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
• High resolution visuals - Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
• Fully customizable controls - PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
• Run & Gun Control - 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 - The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David.

The PC version is being published by EA as opposed to Microsoft, and the former will now handle publication of Mass Effect products going forward.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=182157

 

[hippie_hunter]

With a PC version now being handled by EA, I'm kinda curious about a Playstation 3 version.

 

[Electro UK]

A PS3 version would be proof of god.

 

[Electro UK]

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/853/853766p1.html

IGN hands on, techically superior (duh).

 

[JohnRico]

A PS3 version would be proof of god.

If Gears Of War 2 can remain XBOX 360 Exclusive even if the studio is with EA then Mass Effect will remain XBOX 360 / PC Exclusive. Like you Sony Fans would say to a game on your system buy an XBOX 360 or just play the PC Version if you want this game. There will be no PS3 version. Sony would have to sell its soul to Microsoft for that to happen. Microsoft has to much invested in this series to let it go to another console & if they can keep Gears Of War Exclusive then Mass Effect will be Console Exclusive count on it

 

[Electro UK]

If Gears Of War 2 can remain XBOX 360 Exclusive even if the studio is with EA then Mass Effect will remain XBOX 360 / PC Exclusive. Like you Sony Fans would say to a game on your system buy an XBOX 360 or just play the PC Version if you want this game. There will be no PS3 version. Sony would have to sell its soul to Microsoft for that to happen. Microsoft has to much invested in this series to let it go to another console & if they can keep Gears Of War Exclusive then Mass Effect will be Console Exclusive count on it

Gears of War 2 isn't EA. ???

 

[JohnRico]

Gears of War 2 isn't EA. ???

All right so I made a little mistake. But Sony would still have to sell its soul to Microsoft to get Mass Effect

 

[Electro UK]

You're probably right, but we'll have to see. BioWare said they'd do a PS3 version if enough interest was sparked, and that was before EA owned them.

Again, you're probably right, but a fella can dream.

 

[JohnRico]

You're probably right, but we'll have to see. BioWare said they'd do a PS3 version if enough interest was sparked, and that was before EA owned them.

Again, you're probably right, but a fella can dream.

This series is Microsofts Final Fantasy & Bioware has also said that they want to complete the series on the 360. There might be PS3 versions but probably not until after all 3 games are released on the 360

 

[hippie_hunter]

If Gears Of War 2 can remain XBOX 360 Exclusive even if the studio is with EA then Mass Effect will remain XBOX 360 / PC Exclusive. Like you Sony Fans would say to a game on your system buy an XBOX 360 or just play the PC Version if you want this game. There will be no PS3 version. Sony would have to sell its soul to Microsoft for that to happen. Microsoft has to much invested in this series to let it go to another console & if they can keep Gears Of War Exclusive then Mass Effect will be Console Exclusive count on it

I doubt that the first Mass Effect will end up on the Playstation 3, but since EA now has the distribution rights to the entire series, including the first one I can't help but at least wonder.

With EA now publishing the PC version of the game, who's going to stop them from publishing a Playstation 3 version? Microsoft and EA probably signed a deal stopping EA from publishing a Playstation 3 version, but it certainly isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Mass Effect 2 however, will most definetely become multiplatform. Yes Microsoft has invested a lot into the series already, but things like this have happened before plenty of times. Sony lost Crash and Spyro when Vivendi decided to anally rape those franchises and have them go multiplatform. Nintendo lost Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark when Microsoft bought Rare resulting in them becoming Xbox exclusives.

EA now owns Mass Effect, and EA doesn't do exclusive games.

 

[JohnRico]

EA now owns Mass Effect, and EA doesn't do exclusive games.

Peter Moore runs EA & I have no doubt Microsoft would be willingly & will pay the extra cost to keep Mass Effect exclusive

 

[hippie_hunter]

Peter Moore runs EA & I have no doubt Microsoft would be willingly & will pay the extra cost to keep Mass Effect exclusive

1. Peter Moore doesn't run EA. He runs EA Sports and all the games under his watch (EA Sports games) are multiplatform. He has no say under what happens under the general EA banner and EA wouldn't have hired him if he had the games under his watch go exclusive.

2. EA doesn't do exclusitivity. At the most they just probably made sure that the first Mass Effect wouldn't end up on the Playstation 3. But Mass Effect 2 and 3 are automatically multiplatform simply because they will be published by EA.

 

[JohnRico]

EA doesn't do exclusitivity

There is a first time for everything & time will tell with what happens

 

[hippie_hunter]

There is a first time for everything & time will tell with what happens

Dude, it's not gonna happen. Plain and simple. EA will never, ever do an exclusive game for the PS3 or Xbox 360.

 

[JohnRico]

Dude, it's not gonna happen. Plain and simple. EA will never, ever do an exclusive game for the PS3 or Xbox 360.

That might be true but it also depends on when. Microsoft can set things up so there are no PS3 versions until after the Trilogy is completed on the 360 & PC

 

[hippie_hunter]

That might be true but it also depends on when. Microsoft can set things up so there are no PS3 versions until after the Trilogy is completed on the 360 & PC

I really doubt that. Microsoft never owned the Mass Effect series, Bioware did. Microsoft just had the publishing rights to the first game. EA bought Bioware, therefore EA now owns Mass Effect.

They can't go off making deals on two games they never owned.

 

[JohnRico]

We will see what happens. We will have to agree to disagree on this. You will be surprised with what money can do to people. Im done you can go on about EA but here we will have to agree to disagree on this

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Hopefully it wont be bug free.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Mass Effect PC golden


BioWare and Demiurge Studios collaboration enters production in advance of May 28 North American release on PCs.
By Tom Magrino, GameSpot

Posted May 16, 2008 11:35 pm GMT

With just four weeks remaining until Mass Effect on the PC was scheduled to stack up alongside Boom Blox and Speed Racer at retail, Electronic Arts and BioWare abruptly hit the brakes last month. According to BioWare community administrator Chris Priestly, the game would now incubate until May 28 so that the team could "incorporate more play-testing feedback, add extra polish, and tune the additional features."

The kinks now sufficiently ironed, BioWare said today that the PC edition of Mass Effect has entered mass production and is on schedule for its May 28 release in North America and June 6 debut in Europe. BioWare collaborated with Massachusetts-based Demiurge Studios on the PC edition of Mass Effect.

As for those aforementioned tweaks, the PC edition offers a suite of additions to the 360 version, with the most visible being a reworked heads-up display and inventory-management system. The game also touts a new control scheme optimized for PCs, individual control over squad members, and a new decryption minigames. Mass Effect PC purchasers who also register with BioWare's community site will also have immediate access to the Bring Down the Sky downloadable expansion free of charge.

EA is looking to stimulate preorders by knocking off $10 from the game's $49.99 sticker price for those who buy in advance, among other incentives. Responding to public outcry, the publisher also did away with the game's controversial digital rights management protocol, which would have required the game to be reauthenticated every 10 days as a security measure.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

I doubt that the first Mass Effect will end up on the Playstation 3, but since EA now has the distribution rights to the entire series, including the first one I can't help but at least wonder.

With EA now publishing the PC version of the game, who's going to stop them from publishing a Playstation 3 version? Microsoft and EA probably signed a deal stopping EA from publishing a Playstation 3 version, but it certainly isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Mass Effect 2 however, will most definetely become multiplatform. Yes Microsoft has invested a lot into the series already, but things like this have happened before plenty of times. Sony lost Crash and Spyro when Vivendi decided to anally rape those franchises and have them go multiplatform. Nintendo lost Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark when Microsoft bought Rare resulting in them becoming Xbox exclusives.

EA now owns Mass Effect, and EA doesn't do exclusive games.

EA are multi platform crazy but the PC is not really a sales competitor like the ps3 and I think (hardware wise) it's more compatible.
This is one of the few 360's games I wanted for pc so really chuffed.