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Mass Effect 3 PC requires initial internet check; no local co-op on all platforms
While an initial Online Pass Code is required to access Mass Effect 3's "Galaxy at War" content, the PC version will require an initial internet-based verification before you can get to Sheperding all across the galaxy, a Bioware interview with producer Jesse Houston reveals. Relax, though -- it's not going to require a continuous internet connection like some of Ubisoft's PC titles. It'll be just a one-time thing, which, now that we think about it, were probably Sovereign's exact words to Saren. The other big chunk of news to come out of this Q&A is a lack of local co-op support at the game's launch. Houston doesn't rule it out as a future addition to the game and says "it is definitely on the table as something we might add." Finally, Houston explained that the new Kinect functionality demoed at E3 won't be included in the multiplayer, assumedly because it'd be the noisiest thing ever.
Mass Effect 3 gets super leaky: story files trickle out of BioWare, acci-demo caught on video
"We are still investigating, but it appears that some internal story files have been leaked," Mass Effect 3 producer Jesse Houston admitted on the company's forums. Apparently said story files aren't representative of "the final story experience," but Houston's urging fans nonetheless to skip reading them, "if they want to experience the purest form of the story in Mass Effect 3." Perhaps even crazier in ME3 leak news, the game's private beta became notably public for people participating in the preview for the upcoming Dashboard reboot, with an approximately 13 minute video running through the entire thing. It kinda, sorta contains some light spoilers, but it's nothing you haven't already heard about in preview coverage (the beta is identical content to what we've seen of ME3 in various press events, minus co-op). As previously noted, the leaked beta is missing a variety of major technical aspects (animation issues, missing sound), so it's not the best representative of the game's final product, but it is a chance to see some early Husk murder. And boy do we like Husk murders! [Thanks Sang!]
Mass Effect 2 on PS3 outfitted with Mass Effect 3 engine
Mass Effect 2 will have "improved graphics" on PlayStation 3, BioWare claims on the most recent company podcast. The improvement isn't simply a benefit of the PS3 version being released a full year later, but also stems from the fact that the PS3 version employs Mass Effect 3's version of Unreal Engine 3. "We actually created the engine for Mass Effect 3 and used that to make Mass Effect 2 on PS3. So we took the content, the story, and all of the other assets that made up Mass Effect 2, and we put it into the Mass Effect 3 engine," producer Jesse Houston explained. He added that the controls have been update with the PS3 controller in mind ("you can switch it back to the old Xbox [layout] if you'd like"), and the patches that ended up on 360 and PC will be "rolled up" into the PS3 version (faster planet scanning ahoy!). Also, if you were worried about a possible launch delay for whatever reason, the BioWare folks noted that the game on PS3 has "gone gold" (read: it's done). And if you're still on the fence about ME2, well, you're a crazy person ... but you'll also be happy to know that a PSN demo arrives on December 21.
Mass Effect 2 DLC on PS3 explained, interactive comic confirmed
As rumored over the weekend, Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 iteration will come packed with "6+ hours of bonus missions" -- rather than being PS3-exclusive bonus content, however, it'll comprise the game's three big expansions: Kasumi: Stolen Memories, Overlord, and Lair of the Shadow Broker. EA corroborated the news this morning by releasing the game's PS3 box art (found in full below the break), which clearly details its contents just inches above Miranda's flowing locks. BioWare producer Jesse Houston also took to the company's forums to clear up what exactly will be on the Blu-ray disc (and what will be downloaded). "Of course Mass Effect 2 will be included. On top of that, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour. Also included is, as on Xbox 360 and PC, an access code to the Cerberus Network. This will give you instant access to the same great lineup of Downloadable Content such as Zaeed and Firewalker." Furthermore, he confirmed an "interactive comic" will ship with ME2 on PS3, cursorily detailing it by saying, "BioWare Edmonton (the group that made Mass Effect 2) teamed up with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive backstory. While I can't release all the details about this yet, what I can tell you is that we want to create a stunning visual experience that not only tells the core story elements of Mass Effect 1, but also is fully interactive allowing you to be faced with some of the major choices which will have consequences your Mass Effect universe. This interactive comic's initial release will be exclusive to PS3 owners who would be otherwise unable to realize the full effect of choice in the Mass Effect universe and will be included on the Cerberus Network." He also -- somewhat ambiguously -- described additional, exclusive DLC for PS3 owners, explaining that, "There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack." Perhaps in an attempt to calm the seething forum member responses, the post was later edited with the explanation, "While I can't go into details, all of this content is or was available to Xbox/PC owners, but otherwise wouldn't be available to PS3 owners. More details about this will be released later." Though EA/BioWare have yet to give it a price, retailers are currently putting the DLC-packed release at a regular $60.
