Casey Hudson
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Mass Effect 2 marketing goes full tilt with flood of new trailers
In one week's time, rather than wading through the torrent of new media released today for Mass Effect 2, you'll be picking up your copy of the game and rushing home to get started on Commander Shepard's second big adventure. For now, though, if you're anything like us, you're raptly watching the above dev diary (and likely heading after the break to the five "Fight for the Lost" character videos), already plotting how your own Shepard is going to spread his intergalactic vengeance -- we like to play as the ruthless monster with sporadically humane moments. Also, the one who can charge into dudes real fast. Regardless of how you plan on playing it, the sheer amount of new media released today should suitably tide you over (at least in terms of time) until next Tuesday. Get a comfy chair -- it's gonna be a while. %Gallery-70022%
BioWare looking for 'short turnaround' on Mass Effect 3
BioWare is looking to complete the Mass Effect trilogy and get the "epic conclusion" out the door before the current console cycle is over. Speaking with IGN, Project Manager Casey Hudson states that the developer is already at work on Mass Effect 3 and "definitely" wants to make it "a fairly short turnaround." Considering that the first Mass Effect rocked our galaxy in November 2007, followed by the sequel two years and a couple months later, it remains to be seen what qualifies as a "short turnaround." A 2012 release is the natural expectation at this point, but the impatient among might prefer the kind of turnaround associated with the Left 4 Dead sequel. Is that even enough time to finish all that DLC?
Mass Effect 2 ditching elevators for ... load screens
Expanding upon statements from BioWare's Casey Hudson earlier this year, associate programmer Thomas Roy took to the developer's forums (requires login) recently to explain how Mass Effect 2 would be handling the promised lack of elevators (used in place of loading screens). As it turns out, rather than executing on BioWares's promise of "a completely new system" that's "part of the game experience," the studio will be implementing "loading screens and movies." Though the game will still ask players to walk into an elevator, it will apparently cue up a loading screen that offers "interesting visuals and information." We'd like to point out that before Mr. Roy explains any of this, he says that the first game used elevators "so we [BioWare] didn't have to show boring loading screens" and they only made it into the second due to "a lot of complaints." We're so broken up here -- on one hand, the developer is caving to the demands of the fans and critics. Score! On the other hand, Mr. Roy is telling us that loading screens are totally boring. If we demanded it, does that mean we're boring? Great, now we've got a total complex. [Via Kotaku]%Gallery-70022%
Mass Effect 2 sidequests to benefit from 'handcrafted gameplay'
For such a dark adventure, BioWare's first Mass Effect provided a surprisingly optimistic viewpoint on universal unity. Sure, an occasional crinkled forehead or an extra filongidler might visually separate the denizens of the galaxy, but it's nice to know that in all the unrestrained hugeness of space, we all still come from completely identical, prefabricated installations. Well, we did until Mass Effect 2 decided to terraform its sidequest planets with some variety. "Now when you find mission[s] out there in the uncharted worlds, there are always missions where something special happens, and you get really good handcrafted gameplay and art that you can't see elsewhere in the game," project director Casey Hudson told VideoGamer.com. "I think people will find them to be really rewarding, really rich, because there's something different around every corner." Even the process of discovering planets has been made more interesting, Hudson explained, with space-faring explorers sending out probes and expending fuel to make new discoveries. It's nice to know the shooter RPG still allows you to go boldly -- and not just go badass.
Mass Effect not too massive for one disc
In the latest Mass Effect developer blog on IGN, BioWare project director, Casey Hudson, answers a few reader questions. The first question is the one that many will latch onto, though it is perhaps the least important: will Mass Effect fit on one disc? The answer is yes, but barely. Hudson admits that the team originally thought fitting the game on one disc would be a herculean task, but some technical wizardry came through in the end. Other more interesting questions followed. First, the game will support custom soundtracks, which should please all the Live jerks that put their music on so loud it comes through their headsets. Second, Mass Effect's lead character, Commander Sheperd, is highly customizable -- much more so than in KOTOR. Players will be able to choose the sex of the character, hair, facial features, and skill set. Not only that, but there will be plenty of gear in the game that affects your appearance as well. In other words, your not stuck with the brooding, shaven Sheperd you see above.What sort of character will you create?[Via Joystiq]
