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Fanmade mod combines Sins of a Solar Empire chocolate with Mass Effect peanut butter
Sins of a Solar Empire is an award-winning RTS space battle game, and Mass Effect is an epic action RPG universe with enough lore to fill a library. What happens when you smash the two together in the particle accelerator chamber that is a fan-created mod? You get Mass Effect: Dawn of the Reapers, a full conversion for Sins that lets you command ships like the Normandy against various Mass Effect-inspired units, including those of the Geth, Volus, and Cerberus' ships as well.There's lots more planned for the mod, including even more races and ships designed straight from Bioware's epic series. Unfortunately, the mod itself isn't available to the public just yet, and the release of Mass Effect 3 pushed it back for some more lore and spec tweaks. Still, when it's available it will work with both Sins' Diplomacy expansion and the standalone Rebellion version as well.
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer adding Challenge system, replacing weekend operations
For everyone still out there defending Earth from the Reapers and/or Cerberus, we've got some news: 1) Shepard took care of that, like, months ago. What are you guys even doing out there? 2) The way you're rewarded for your hard work and service to the Alliance military is about to change, albeit not drastically.At some point in the future, BioWare will implement a "Challenge" system in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer. Players will be able to complete "hundreds of new multiplayer challenges" that sound a lot like mini-achievements. Successfully completing a challenge grants Challenge Points (think high-score, not in-game currency) and personal progression through said challenges can be monitored both in-game and on a forthcoming N7 HQ website. Additionally, gold-level challenges grant an exclusive title and banner upon completion, and can also be completed an unlimited number of times.The existing bi-weekly "Operation: Enter-code-word-here" events will be replaced by weekly Challenge events that grant their prizes to individual players immediately, rather than granting global prizes on a delay as the current system does. No word on when these changes will be implemented.
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer gets free 'Retaliation' DLC next week
Mass Effect 3's multiplayer suite will be bolstered by a new enemy race and unlockables. The "Retaliation" DLC pack will be free to all Mass Effect 3 owners when it launches next week on October 9 – PS3 owners in Europe will have to wait an extra day, October 10.Retaliation adds the Collectors as a new enemy faction to face off against and new unlockable kits: the Turian Havoc Soldier and Turian Ghost Infiltrator. You'll also be able to unlock new Collector weapons and outfit them with new upgrades, plus BioWare is adding new "hazard" versions of existing maps to Mass Effect 3's multiplayer – certain environmental dangers like sandstorms and lightning will now challenge players in addition to the enemy.Finally, "Retaliation" adds a new challenge system to multiplayer, a database that chronicles your performance across multiplayer and awards "challenge points" for reaching certain milestones in multiplayer. Players can spend these "challenge points" on new titles and banners to customize their character profile.%Gallery-167509%
Mass Effect 3 enacts Operation Overdrive this weekend
The forces of Mass Effect 3 are back at it again this weekend, running a weekly event called Operation Overdrive. Just like the other events in this series, there's both a squad and an allied goal, with separate rewards for each.The squad goal this time will be to hit full extraction on any map in just 20 minutes or less, and that will nab you a Commendation Pack if completed. The Allied Goal is across all of the game's players, and asks for 200,000 extraction waves to be beaten in total. Completing that goal will get everyone involved a Victory Pack. Not to mention all of the lives that will be saved from repelling the Reaper invasion, right?
Mass Effect 3 patch drops this week, fixes so many things
A sizable update is coming to Mass Effect 3 this week, aimed at fixing exploits and patching in some gameplay balances. A large deal of the changes affect multiplayer powers and enemy behaviors, like Banshees being stuck in a teleport routine and being able to grab Geth Pyros over cover.Game crashing bugs have also been addressed, including a nasty Bionic Charge glitch that would render the match unplayable and the Singularity power has been redesigned. BioWare expects the patch will be available this Thursday, but nothing is set in stone: Xbox 360 and PS3 players will be automatically prompted to install the patch, while PC users will need to manually install the update through Origin.For the full list (it's a full list) of changes, head on over to the BioWare forums.
Mass Effect Trilogy DLC gets down on PC and Xbox 360, PS3 info to come
The Mass Effect Trilogy includes all three games in the Mass Effect franchise, launching for Xbox 360 and PC on November 6 and at a later date for PS3, and it'll look something like that photo up there. The Trilogy will come with DLC as well, BioWare clarifies:The PC version will get Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station for the first Mass Effect; Mass Effect 2 comes with the Cerberus Network, which includes Zaeed – The Price of Revenge, The Firewalker Pack, Cerberus Assault Gear, Arc Projector heavy weapon, and Normandy Crash site mission. Mass Effect 3 includes the Online Pass with access to multiplayer.Xbox 360 won't get Bring Down the Sky or Pinnacle Station on-disc, but both will be available as standalone DLC via Xbox Live. Mass Effect 2 gets the Cerberus Network and Mass Effect 3 the Online Pass.Information about PS3 DLC is coming "soon." The original Mass Effect will launch as a digital standalone on PSN on the same day the Trilogy launches for PS3, for $15.The Trilogy is compatible with other versions of the Mass Effect games, meaning players can transfer saves from previous games to the Trilogy games, and Mass Effect 3 multiplayer is playable between versions. Considering the Trilogy is Mass Effect repackaged for the holiday rush, it'd be more surprising if the games were truly a separate beast and weren't compatible with previous releases.There's still no sign of the Trilogy coming to Wii U, which gets Mass Effect 3 on launch day, November 18 in the US. The Wii U version includes the Extended Cut ending and the From Ashes DLC.
Mass Effect Trilogy lands on 360 and PC November 6, PS3 later
Mass Effect 1, 2, & 3 are being released in an all-in-one bundle for Xbox 360 and PC on November 6, and for PlayStation 3 at a later date. The compilation, titled Mass Effect Trilogy, is priced at $59.99.Mass Effect Trilogy sees the first Mass Effect come to PS3 for the first time, and that game will also be released as a digital standalone on PSN. Also, there's crucially no mention of the compilation coming to Wii U, a fact that makes the Wii U release of Mass Effect 3 eleven days after Mass Effect Trilogy hits a bit awkward. We've reached out to EA regards whether or not the trilogy includes previously released DLC.EA also announced N7 Day, a "worldwide celebration of the Mass Effect franchise" that of course takes place on November 7. Whether or not fans can tear themselves away from the trilogy released the day before is another matter.%Gallery-166617%
BioWare GM outlines new Mass Effect, original game after upheaval
Aaryn Flynn, General Manager of BioWare Edmonton and Montreal, doesn't want fans to worry about passion or creativity within the studio following the retirement of BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk."I know this might be concerning for some of you but the leaders at BioWare have had some time to think about it – to think about how the games, the fans, and the creative teams would move on without the two guys who started this organization back in 1995," Flynn writes.He outlines the projects coming from BioWare, noting yesterday's reveal of Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, which has executive producer Mark Darrah at the helm.Casey Hudson, executive producer of the Mass Effect series, has plans for another full game within the Mass Effect universe. The next piece of DLC for Mass Effect 3 is Omega, due out in the fall.Hudson is also creating a brand new game, Flynn says: "While Casey continues to oversee the development of our new Mass Effect project, he and his leads are putting together their vision for an all new game set in a fictional universe, built from the bottom-up with all new gaming technology."Flynn closes the roundup with a nod to Muzyka and Zeschuk, and to BioWare as a resilient brand. "Ray and Greg built BioWare to last. They've always known their retirement would come one day, so they developed a team of people who would ensure their standards and culture would endure. We'll humbly carry that torch and continue learning in the process."To the Doctors: I wish you the very best, and we will always honor your legacy. The games we develop will always share your unique creativity and steadfast integrity."
Wii U Mass Effect 3 includes From Ashes and Extended Cut DLC
In addition to the new Extended Cut ending, developer Straight Right's Wii U version of Mass Effect 3 will include the "From Ashes" DLC, Nintendo UK revealed in a press release. "Wii U players will also experience the From Ashes DLC Pack and Extended Cut ending as a part of their story," Nintendo said. You will experience that DLC Pack. You must.From Ashes includes the new squad member, Javik, as well as a Particle Rifle weapon, and additional outfits for everyone in your squad. It was originally bundled with the Collector's Edition and Digital Deluxe Editions of Mass Effect 3 on other platforms, and sold separately for $10.
Straight Right building two Wii U games that aren't Mass Effect 3
Straight Right, the developer creating Mass Effect 3 for the Wii U, has two other Wii U games in its workshop, boss Tom Crago tells Eurogamer. One game is an original IP, while the other is "based on another big franchise," set to launch in 2013."We've made a number of bets on the Wii U, so we're certainly hoping that the platform comes strongly out of the gate," Crago says. "We've got two other titles in development. One of them is original, our own IP, and another is based on another big franchise that will come out in 2013. It's a big title and you will have heard of it."Mass Effect 3 is slated to be a Wii U launch title, whenever that may be. Straight Right started work on the Wii U version months before Mass Effect 3 launched on other platforms in March."This is the biggest title we've worked on in a long time," Crago says. "There's a significant technical challenge bringing the game from its original format to the Wii U. It's a new, different and sophisticated piece of hardware, so there's a good deal of technical energy that's been expended making that happen."
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer enters 'Operation: Vigilance' this weekend
The fight continues, brave soldiers, and the whole of creation is still counting on you and your headset-wearing friends to deliver us from the tyranny of gross space bugs, robots and guys that look like robots but aren't.As with all previous Mass Effect 3 multiplayer events, peeps rollin' through multiplayer this weekend have two different goals to accomplish: Squads must survive until wave 10 on any difficulty, without the aid of health/ammo packs or any other consumables. As a whole, the Alliance Military forces must successfully complete 250,000 escort missions, also on any difficulty. Successful completion of Squad-level goals will earn players a Commendation Pack, while overall victory grants Victory Packs as usual.
Mass Effect anime 'Paragon Lost' delayed until Dec. 28
Paragon Lost, Funimation's DVD and Blu-ray James Vega vehicle, set in the Mass Effect universe, has had its November 13 release date pushed back to December 28, according to the film's official twitter account.Don't be disheartened, though. While this does mean that the movie won't be ready on Christmas morning, pre-orders are still open. So, just do what we do when it comes to gifting: print out the receipt, roll it up into an empty lipstick tube and then bury it in a series of nested boxes.
A History of Whimpers: Infamous endings throughout video game history
Time has come and gone between the release of Mass Effect 3 and its Extended Cut DLC – launched to soothe the savage outcry the original ending stoked in fans back in March. As disappointing as Mass Effect 3's original ending was, to call it the worst ending in video game history – a claim many fans have made – is to be excessively hyperbolic.What Mass Effect 3's original ending did was continue the video game industry's infamous tradition of unsatisfactory or controversial conclusions. Maybe this trip down memory lane will help you remember that, as annoying as ME3's initial use of traffic lights to denote multiple endings was, the video game industry has a bad habit of awful endings. (Obviously, the following contains spoilers.)%Gallery-142871%
Mass Effect 3 Wii U developed by Australian studio Straight Right
BioWare and EA have chosen their companion for the development of Mass Effect 3's Wii U iteration: Australian developer Straight Right, who has previously been responsible only for Shift 2: Unleashed on iOS.According to a comment on Facebook, Straight Right considers itself a "sister company" to larger Melbourne developer Tantalus Media. "Part of the same group and sharing the same building," the company explained.Mass Effect 3 is a launch game for Wii U, whenever that is. For more information on the exclusive features Straight Right is implementing for BioWare, check out our hands-on preview.
Mass Effect 3 'Leviathan' DLC trailer takes a trip to an ocean planet
Commander Shepard has tracked down Leviathan's signal to a planet that is all ocean. Good thing all future tech is waterproof!
Mass Effect 3 takes on Operation: Alloy this weekend
Listen up, N7 troops. You'll be fighting in "Operation: Alloy" in Mass Effect 3 this weekend. IT's an all-important mission to melt down enemies and mix up the results into characters stronger than ever before. And we're not just talking metallurgy: You'll have to work to promote two of your own characters in the multiplayer game, and hope that at least 50,000 characters are promoted worldwide, across the entire field of battle.Pull off the individual goal, and you'll get a Commendation pack reward. If the Allied goal is accomplished, all players involved will get both a Victory pack, and a medi-gel capacity increase. Roll out!
August XBL deals: Assassin's Creed: Revelations DLC, Rockstar sale
This week Xbox Live Arcade sees the launch of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure HD and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Mass Effect 3's Leviathan DLC is set to drop next Tuesday, August 28. Xbox Live's deal of the week for August 21 - 27 includes Skydrift and its DLC, Deadblock and a map pack, and a smattering of other games for 50 percent off.Next week, August 28 - September 3, Xbox Live will host a half-off sale for a batch of Assassin's Creed: Revelations DLC: the Ancestors Character Pack, Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, The Lost Archive, Codex, Eagle and Piece of Eden, each at half off.A Rockstar publisher sale will hit Xbox Live August 28 - September 3, with an offering of unknown items for "up to" 50 percent off. Left 4 Dead, Metal Gear Solid HD, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City and Ratatouille will all come to Games on Demand on August 21.
Mass Effect 3 'Leviathan' DLC emerges August 28
BioWare will release Mass Effect 3's single-player DLC, Leviathan, on August 28 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. European PS3 users will need to wait an extra day, unfortunately – Leviathan will be available on PS3 in Europe on August 29.Mass Effect 3's Leviathan DLC will expand the single-player campaign, tasking Shepard with discovering "the most closely guarded secret in the galaxy before the Reapers silence it forever." Leviathan is set during the Mass Effect 3 campaign, prior to the controversial conclusion of Shepard's tale. EA has not yet revealed a price for Leviathan.
Mass Effect 2 has highest completion rate in ME, Dragon Age series
BioWare's director of online development Fernando Melo presented the above player completion rates for Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 during a panel at GDC Europe. Mass Effect 2 topped the charts with 56 percent of players completing the entire game, followed by Mass Effect 3 with 42 percent, Dragon Age 2 with 41 percent, Mass Effect with 40 percent and finally Dragon Age: Origins at the lowest rate of 36 percent. The spike in Mass Effect 2's completion can be attributed to Mass Effect 3's recent launch, when an influx of players were reminded of the game and attempted to finish it before that release, Melo said.
Fan-made Mass Effect adventure game surfaces
A Mass Effect fan-game by the name of Finding Shepard popped up on the Adventure Game Studio forums recently. Created by AGS forums user Nightfable, Finding Shepard is an in-progress game set in the Mass Effect universe that directly follows the events of Mass Effect 3.Without spoiling too much of the story from the series, Finding Shepard stars Jack, who is searching for Commander Shepard after the "destroy" version of the series' ending. The point-and-click adventure style of the game lends itself to some interesting takes on the climactic points of the series' plot, and gives fans that weren't thrilled with the ending (or the Extended Cut DLC) an opportunity to experience other stories that folks like Nightfable wish to tell in BioWare's universe.In other words, we'd totally play it. Check out screens from the project in our gallery below.%Gallery-162245%
