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Mass Effect 3 pre-order bonuses barge in, guns blazing
If you pre-order Mass Effect 3 just about anywhere, you'll get the M55 Argus Assault Rifle for free. In addition to that weapon, you can get even more in-game swag should you drop some reservation bucks at GameStop (N7 Warfare Gear) or EA's own Origin online store (an AT12 Raider shotgun). Care to take a look at the pre-order stuff in action? We've got a vid above and another below the break, and they're both full of space bullets.%Gallery-142871%
Mass Effect 3 trailer sees Shepard get a little help from wormy friends
Shepard and Krogan and Reapers and GIANT SAND WORMS! RUUUUUUN!
Watch Shepard get punchy in Mass Effect 3 combat footage
The latest edition of BioWare Pulse -- the world's leading BioWare news source which is also created by BioWare -- has some interesting footage of some of the new combat mechanics in Mass Effect 3. Featured are maneuvers like "Punch," and also "Punch with Fire."
Citadel sequence cut from Mass Effect 2 returns in Mass Effect 3
A segment of the Mass Effect story set in the Citadel, originally planned for Mass Effect 2, is finally being made for inclusion in Mass Effect 3, lead writer Mac Walters told OXM. "There was a Mass Effect 2 plot that was a kind of callback to the first Mass Effect that was going to be on the Citadel, and we cut it," he said. "But now it's made a resurrection in Mass Effect 3, so I'm happy, but I can't say what it is." That's right. Content that was conceived for the second game, and refers to the first game, is now in the third. And speaking of things that have been around since the first game, Walters acknowledged the difficulty of continuing the Mass Effect story after the second game's ending, which can kill off important characters. "The classic example [of a hurdle faced in writing ME3] is 'Hey, let's make the ending of Mass Effect 2 a suicide mission where all your henchmen can possibly die, and Shepard can even die!'" Walters said. "Oh right... and then we're gonna do another game after that. What the hell are we gonna do with all those guys?" Unfortunately, Walters didn't go on from there. We're going to have to wait until March to find out just what the hell does happen to all those guys.
Video: Mass Effect 3 'N7 Collector's Edition' packed with bonus character, robotic canine
Not even BioWare's skilled scribes can insulate the Mass Effect universe from inappropriate procrastination. No matter the perils faced by the galaxy (in this case, it's about to be razed and strip-mined by a race of scary-voice sentient machines), players are likely to steer their avatars away from pressing matters in order to feed a kitty or buy some capsule toys. With that inevitability in mind, BioWare announced a while back that you can get a robotic doggy for your ship in Mass Effect 3. Now you can see it in the trailer above, snatched from Gamestop's website. The artificial pet -- which you can probably pet, artificially -- is one of several cool bonuses included with the N7 Collector's Edition, and just one of a few you can play with when you're busy not saving civilizations from imminent eradication. The special package includes an N7 hoodie for Commander Shepard, alternate outfits for some of his squad, a Normandy avatar prop for Xbox Live, a fabric N7 patch, a 70-page art book, a fancy metal case, a digital soundtrack (by Clint Mansell), a lithographic print ... Oh, and there's some important stuff too! The $80 admission fee nets you extra firepower, a currently "classified" bonus character, and a downloadable mission. Probably something about saving the world and whatnot.
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 3 Private Beta live now for some Xbox Live users (Update: more pictures, more users)
According to a tipster, some Xbox Live users who received access to the Dashboard Preview Program today had another surprise waiting for them: early access to the Mass Effect 3 Beta. We haven't gotten official confirmation from EA yet, so we can't confirm with one hundred percent certainty whether or not this is really-real. The picture is, um, pretty convincing, though. EA announced the Mass Effect 3 Beta/demo a short time ago, specifying that it would eventually be open to all, but available early to purchasers of Battlefield 3. We guess it didn't mean available earlier-est. Update: Well, that didn't take long. Lightning fast posters over at NeoGAF have downloaded the client and have started posting pictures.
Mass Effect 3 co-op screens bring us all together
Come, friends. It's time for us to put aside our differences, and work together for a common goal: Shooting (and/or telekinetically brutalizing) aliens. Check out the four screenshots from Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode below, and join in the spirit of cooperation.
BioWare announces details of upcoming Mass Effect 3 demo
Buyers of next week's Battlefield 3 have a sci-fi surprise in store, as first run copies of EA's shooter juggernaut also include a code to access Mass Effect 3's recently announced cooperative multiplayer mode. The demo will launch in January, though the actual date is yet to be determined. For the non-cooperatively inclined, don't fret -- the demo will also include a section of the single-player campaign. Users in every region in which Battlefield 3 is available will have access to the multiplayer portion of the demo, provided they buy Battlefield, that is. It sounds like the single-player portion just might be free to all, regardless of your Battlefield status. You can find more information at the official BioWare forums.
Mass Effect 3's multiplayer tied to Online Pass
There's one important aspect of the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer experience, called "Galaxy at War," that we hadn't heard yet. Well, there are several that we still haven't heard -- like what Galaxy at War is outside of the co-op mode -- but we've just learned of one. It's the Online Pass content. The Galaxy at War feature is unlocked via a code included in new copies, EA revealed today. If you don't have the code (because you don't have a new copy) and you want to engage in multiplayer, you'll have to pay extra. In an updated version of its FAQ, BioWare also clarified that you won't be controlling Shepard and his pals in the multiplayer. "Commander Shepard's part in the war will take place in the single-player campaign, as will that of other beloved characters in the franchise such as Garrus, Ashley, and Liara," BioWare noted. "These characters do not appear in the multiplayer missions." So when you attempt to "romance" your friends' characters, it'll be their originally generated characters, just like in those fanfics you wrote.
BioWare reveals Mass Effect 3's 4-player co-op, teases 'Galaxy at War' mode
BioWare has simultaneously put the speculation about Mass Effect 3's multiplayer to rest ... and given us another aspect to speculate about. The developer officially announced co-op on its forums, and posted a FAQ featuring all the Q's it was ready to A. The new 4-player co-op missions take place outside of the single-player game, and aren't affected by your Mass Effect 1 or 2 saves. "Players can choose from a variety of classes and races, form an elite Special Forces squad, and combine their weapons, powers and abilities to devastating effect as they fight together to liberate key territories from enemy control." The multiplayer does tie into your single-player game in unspecified ways, offering "an alternative method" of achieving success in the main storyline. The co-op is one aspect of something called "Galaxy at War," a rather mysterious, and optional, system that uses multiple factors (including multiplayer) to augment Shepard's "Galactic Readiness" level. "Other platforms and interfaces will be announced in the coming months," BioWare said, also noting that it will be possible to obtain the "optimal" ending without doing anything in the Galaxy at War mode. Whatever it is, we're Galactically Ready to find out more. [Thanks, Nathaniel]
Mass Effect 3 will/won't have multiplayer, part 6: PC PowerPlay edition [update 2: it's co-op]
We're just being facetious at this point, but let's go through it one more time: Mass Effect 3's near-mythical multiplayer mode has been outed, obfuscated, rumored again, glamorized on a magazine cover and then leaked by retailer information. Today, we're back to the news being blurted out on a magazine cover, this time on a forthcoming issue of Australia's PC PowerPlay magazine. The PC PowerPlay website describes the issue's content as such: "We travel to BioWare's office in Edmonton for hands-on time with the series' first foray into online gameplay, and chat with Mass Effect Series Producer and Mass Effect 3 Project Director Casey Hudson about the decision to go multiplayer in the epic battle for the galaxy." They also underlined "war" on the cover, so you know it's serious. EA has yet to officially announce any multiplayer functionality (be it co-op, deathmatch or renegade death-chat), but it's practically an obligation at this point. And not just because of all the magazine covers -- publishers probably can't imagine releasing a third-person shooter, even one with RPG elements, without multiplayer in the year 2012. Update: Here comes OXM with the spectacular conclusion to "Mass Effect 3 will/won't have multiplayer." It will. Gasp! Update 2: Casey Hudson tweets that the multiplayer consists of co-op missions. There goes our dream for death-chat mode! [Thanks, Max.]
Mass Effect 3 will/won't have multiplayer, part 5: BT Games edition
For those keeping score: It did, and then it didn't, and then it might have and then it would. Now comes this pamphlet from South African retailer BT Games, which advertises a Collectors Edition of Mass Effect 3 that includes an "Online Multiplayer Pass." The flier was posted in the BioWare forum, the members of which then calmly discussed its content while still being respectful of the opinions of others. No, no, just kidding, they're on the internet, so they're still fighting about it. Could "Online Multiplayer Pass" be a mislabeling of a Cerberus Network-esque online program? Possibly. But we've had multiplayer half-confirmed by rumors three times in a row now, and you know what that means, right? Totally confirmed.
BioWare open to the possibility of a Mass Effect MMO
If you've been among the vocal crowds demanding that BioWare stop fiddling around with that "Star Wars thing" and get on a Mass Effect MMO as soon as possible, today might be your day of vindication. It turns out that BioWare's co-founders are very much open to the possibility of an online edition of its popular Mass Effect franchise. Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk recently fielded the ever-popular question in a much more upbeat tone than ever before. Zeschuk says the studio will evaluate a potential Mass Effect MMO in the near future: "You never know. I think once The Old Republic is done, we'll take a fresh look at the market." "We're focused very much on The Old Republic, Mass Effect 3 and Wrath of Heroes, and all the other things we've announced, and haven't announced, but we also have the opportunity to look at our franchises in a way we haven't ever before. There are lots of new platforms and lots of new business models," Muzyka added. Mass Effect: The MMO is one of those speculative rumors that seems to never die. Analysts have predicted that such an MMO could top Star Wars: The Old Republic's numbers.
Mass Effect 3 PAX screens are full of action, awkward looks
The following set of post-PAX Mass Effect 3 screenshots include Liara looking at Shepard like a piece of meat, and Mordin looking at MaleShep like he can't believe this evolved ape is going to save the galaxy.
Commander Shepard is leaving us after Mass Effect 3
Unlike that other big space trilogy whose hero doggedly refuses to call it quits, Mass Effect's magnanimous (and/or tyrannical) Commander Shepard will be cashing in her Systems Alliance penchant and taking an early retirement after Mass Effect 3, according to BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka. "After this, Commander Shepard's story is complete," Mazuka told PC Gamer, adding that they were "correct" in suggesting that Shepard absolutely will not be present in any future games set in the Mass Effect universe. No clue as to how Shepard will be exiting the series, naturally, but we figure our Mass Effect 3 play-through will end the same way our Mass Effect 2 one did: completely forgotten and overwritten by hours and hours of endless ore prospecting.
Mass Effect art compiled in hardcover book from Dark Horse
Comic publisher Dark Horse has commissioned a new Mass Effect book that even James Vega can peruse without worrying over Drew Karpyshyn's reams of dense space prose. "The Art of the Mass Effect Universe" is a hardcover encapsulation of the entire franchise's visual work thus far, presented with (text) commentary from the folks at BioWare. The $40 book's due in February 2012 and will contain art from Mass Effect 3, placing it in vague spoiler territory in front of the game's March debut. We can't say whether it will give you that long-awaited glimpse at Tali's face, but it'll definitely serve as a coffee-table tour of the opulent cities you've explored and the aliens you've engaged and/or punched. No word on iPad or Omni-tool versions yet.
Mass Effect 3 trailer shows Shepard leading his flock (of space commandos)
The latest Mass Effect 3 trailer bills itself as "Part 1" of the game's combat reveal and, as such, it shows off some of Shepard's new combat mechanics, notably the melee attack and some new squad leadership abilities. "Behind the boxes, right flank," Generi-Shep orders. Of course, we can imagine ourselves barking these same commands into our Kinect at home. Later, a huge mechsuit presents a larger challenge, but it's not clear if Garrus' Overload attack, which removed the mech's shields, was ordered by Shepard. If so, was that a voice command? While this reveal definitely has gameplay in it, it's so edited it's difficult to glean much about the game's new combat mechanics. Here's what we can tell: Mass Effect 3 definitely has combat and there are some new moves to take advantage of. Gotta save something for "Part 2," we guess.
Mass Effect 3 will/won't have multiplayer, part 4: Xbox World cover edition
First it did, and then it didn't, and then it might, and now it seems the plot has thickened once again. Mass Effect 3's on-again-off-again love affair with multiplayer is decidedly on again, as the cover of Xbox World Issue 108 (above) teases new multiplayer details, indicating that hey, this game has multiplayer. We're hoping this means BioWare has finally listened to our mailing campaign and implemented an Xbox Live/PSN-enabled head-to-head argument mode.
