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Steam: Borderlands 2 for $13.59, Mass Effect 1 and 2 for $10, CS:GO F2P weekend
"Hear ye, hear ye," the Newellville town crier bellowed out across the crowded, bustling market. "It is by royal decree, that for the 24 hours proceeding forthwith, respectable denizens of His Highness' Great Sovereign Nation of Valve may acquire the first two entries in the Mass Effect series of merrymaking programmes for $9.99." "Ad interim," the crier continued, "patrons may avail themselves of substantial discounts on select digital comestibles found within the Royal Steam Marketplace, making it possible to obtain a single issuance of Borderlands 2 for $13.59, or four for $40.79, until May 20. In addition, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will be free for interested parties through 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday. Should customers enjoy the experience, a 50 percent abatement will be applied to the purchase price."
Next Mass Effect, Dragon Age 3 powered by Frostbite 3
Both the next Mass Effect game and Dragon Age 3: Inquisition use the Frostbite 3 engine, despite initial official word from publisher EA saying otherwise. An official press release for Dragon Age 3 from September 2012 said the upcoming RPG was underpinned by Frostbite 2. However, BioWare Montreal & Edmonton General Manager Aaryn Flynn, following some speculation, took to Twitter to settle the matter.Flynn tweeted: "For everyone who's been asking after the #BF4 reveal, #DA3 and the next Mass Effect are also using Frostbite 3. It's awesome."While the Dragon Age 3 press release was explicit, looking back certain BioWare devs were coyer on the matter. BioWare Montreal Studio Director Yanick Roy only said in a November 2012 blog post that DA3 used Frostbite tech, not specifically Frostbite 2. That correlates with the careful wording of DA3 Executive Producer Mark Darrah, who in an announcement post said his studio was working on a new game engine for DA3, and that it had "started with Frostbite 2 from DICE as a foundation to accomplish this."So Battlefield 4 isn't the only Frostbite 3 game confirmed to be arriving this year, as Dragon Age 3 is scheduled for a "late 2013" release.
BioWare Edmonton and producer Casey Hudson working on 'a whole new fictional universe'
During a panel this weekend at PAX East, Mass Effect producer Casey Hudson revealed that his team at BioWare Edmonton has started work on "a whole new fictional universe." Other details weren't shared, except that Hudson said that he and BioWare's Senior Creative Director Preston Watamaniuk are going to be "building something new" together.Hudson oversaw Mass Effect 3 as an executive producer, and he says he'll still serve that role on the next Mass Effect title. But that game is being developed at BioWare Montreal, so Hudson's team at BioWare Edmonton has moved on to something completely new. Hopefully we'll hear more about it soon.
Mass Effect series for PC on sale via Origin through March 12
The last iteration of the Mass Effect series went on sale one year ago this week, and to celebrate, EA is offering a big sale on all three versions of the game over on Origin. You can grab the original Mass Effect for just $7, the critically acclaimed Mass Effect 2 for $10, or a digital deluxe edition of the third game for $15, all about half off the standard prices. Or if you haven't yet taken a trip aboard the Normandy, the whole trilogy is on sale for only $25, which is less than half what it would usually cost. That's a whole lot of excellent gaming hours, but then again, you'll need something to do while waiting for those SimCity servers, right? [Thanks, Alex]
Mass Effect 3 hosts a five-day multiplayer event this week
BioWare has announced another Mass Effect 3 multiplayer event, but this is no standard combat skirmish: Admiral Hackett says this is "the largest-scale attack in the brief history of this war."Instead of just a weekend special, Operation Lodestar will last from today through March 10, which means you'll have five days to complete all three tiers, and earn three Commendation packs and a special banner.To pick up all three rewards, players will need to finish and extract from missions against all four enemy factions on Platinum difficulty. Extracting on any difficulty wins you the first award, and beating Silver difficulty wins the second. It'll be good practice for taking on the Citadel DLC, which you can also find in Mass Effect 3 starting this week.
Mass Effect: Foundation comic series announced
Dark Horse Comics recently announced a return to the Mass Effect series in comic book form at Emerald City Comic Con. Mac Walters, writer for Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, will write the series, which is planned for 12 issues. Walters wrote Dark Horse Comics' other four-issue comic mini-series centered around the BioWare property."Rather than going into an area where we tell brand-new stories in a universe that people know already, maybe we could find ways of fleshing out some of the stories that we've heard hints of already," Walters told Comic Book Resources. "At a high level, that's where we thought about going with 'Foundations' and that's where we went with it."Click past the break to see a page from the series' first issue, courtesy of Comic Book Resources.
Video to board games: WoW Trivial Pursuit, Skylanders Monopoly, more
USAopoly has a lineup of new board games for the American International Toy Fair in New York City on February 10, including the following ones based on video game franchsies: Monopoly: Skylanders, Risk: Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition, Risk: Plants vs. Zombies, Yahtzee: Pac-Man Collector's Edition, Jenga: Space Invaders Collector's Edition, Trivial Pursuit: World of Warcraft and Clue: Dungeons and Dragons.Risk: Mass Effect tops the price points at $50, with Trivial Pursuit: WoW and Yahtzee: Pac-Man the cheapest at $25 each. Monopoly: Skylanders, Yahtzee: Pac-Man and Jenga: Space Invaders hit this summer; Trivial Pursuit: WoW, Risk: Plants vs. Zombies and Risk: Mass Effect launch in the fall, and Clue: Dungeons and Dragons comes in the spring.When you get bored of gaming on a screen, maybe give board gaming a try (it's totally different; we promise).
Mass Effect 2 Zaeed actor Robin Sachs passes away at 61
Voice actor Robin Sachs has passed away after a long career, playing parts like Ethan Rayne in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Hedronn on Babylon 5. Bioware has posted a quick note on the company blog remembering Sachs' work on their franchises, including serving as Admiral Saul Karath in Knights of the Old Republic, Lord Pyral Harrowmont in Dragon Age Origins, and perhaps most memorably as vicious bounty hunter Zaeed Massani in Mass Effect 2.As Bioware says, "our thoughts are with Robin's family and friends during this difficult time." Thanks for the stories, Zaeed.
BioWare producers tease potential Mass Effect 3 DLC
Last December, BioWare Edmonton confirmed that more DLC is in the works for Mass Effect 3. Today series executive producer Casey Hudson and producer Michael Gamble both teased screens, with no information beyond that.Above you can see what looks to be the Silversun Strip, a den of future iniquity with a casino and presumably a lot of dancing Asari – we've been to enough neo night clubs to know how things work. Past the break, you can see a towering Krogan warrior wielding an equally hulking mace. We're not sure if the guy is trying to kill ghosts or cockroaches but we wish him godspeed all the same.
Unlock N7 suits in Dead Space 3 with Mass Effect 3 save file
A variant of Commander Shepard's N7 armor will be available in Dead Space 3 for those with a Mass Effect 3 save file. To obtain the armor for Dead Space 3 heroes Isaac Clarke and John Carver, players will need to purchase the full game of Dead Space 3 and make sure they have a Mass Effect 3 save file on that same platform. The bonus suit is available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.The Dead Space 3 demo should be generally available on Xbox 360 and PS3 tomorrow, January 22. Dead Space 3 will launch and cut up necromorphs on February 5 and 8 in North America and Europe, respectively.A similar armor trade promotion was done last year between Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3.
Next Mass Effect gets a rough launch window of 2014 - 2015 [Update: Or not]
Update: Gamer Syndrome, the source of this interview, has removed its own story and provided the following statement: "This interview has been removed. The information provided previously by the author of this post was deemed to be obtained from an inaccurate source and NOT an official Bioware or EA interview response. We apologize for the inconvinience."Original story: The next Mass Effect game, in development at BioWare Montreal, has a tentative launch window of late 2014 to mid-2015, according to Mass Effect 3 producer Mike Gamble. Speaking to Gamer Syndrome, Gamble provided "rough idea on a release window" with the following estimate:"Late 2014 to mid-2015. I honestly can't tell you an exact because full development on the game started a month or two ago."In September BioWare outed a new Mass Effect game from series executive producer Casey Hudson, and in November we learned it would run on Frostbite, from BioWare Montreal rather than Edmonton, which handled the previous iterations."While I can't comment on why it changed studios, fans can expect a similar style of choices and action that they've come to know in Mass Effect," Gamble said. "Casey Hudson is very much involved in the new Mass Effect game, as well as many from Edmonton. BioWare Montreal is a great studio and they did fantastic with the multiplayer for Mass Effect 3, so fans should know the series is in good hands."The game isn't far along in development so I can't comment on specifics because they isn't any yet. Frostbite 2 is a really good game engine that we are also using on Dragon Age 3. As far as release date, there's nothing to be announced yet. You'll hear more about the new Mass Effect game in 2013."
PSN Tuesday: Mass Effect, Uncharted: Fight for Fortune, Ni no Kuni demo
This week marks the debut of the original Mass Effect on the PS3, available as either a standalone purchase of $15 through PSN or as part of the Mass Effect Trilogy package. If free is more your speed, you can grab demos for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Guardians of Middle Earth and LBP Karting.On the PS Vita, treasure hunting transitions to trading cards in Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. PS Plus members can snag a free copy of BioShock 2 and enjoy discounts on Puddle, Rockstar Games Collection 1 and more. For the full list of this week's content, hit up the PlayStation Blog through the source link below.
BioWare Montreal's Mass Effect game runs on Frostbite
BioWare Montreal was largely responsible for multiplayer in Mass Effect 3, with some additional input on the single-player side like the upcoming Omega DLC, but it looks like the studio is ready to undertake its own game in the series. In fact, it already has – the next Mass Effect is already in the works at BioWare Montreal."To ensure a proper and effective transition, we'll continue to be supported by the Edmonton studio through the game's development, working with and learning from them on some critical initiatives," BioWare Montreal studio director Yanick Roy says in a blog post. Casey Hudson will still serve as executive producer from BioWare Edmonton, but the project director will be firmly entrenched in Montreal. Roy can't go into specifics on the new game, but he says it will be powered by Frostbite, which has been "enhanced by many of the systems that the Dragon Age III team has already spent a lot of time building."Roy also adds the team is looking to explore new gameplay avenues and story ideas – while paying respect to the heritage the original trilogy has built, it seems like the team at Montreal is looking for new directions to take the series in. "You can still expect the pillars the franchise is known for to be fully intact though, including diverse alien races, a huge galaxy to explore, and of course rich, cinematic storytelling," Roy adds.
Mass Effect celebrates N7 day with multiplayer event and discounts
The video game community has a growing number of annual holidays lately, including the Steam Summer Sale, Bungie Day, and the annual Desert Bus drive. Now you can add one more note to that calendar, as BioWare is declaring November 7 (today) as "N7 Day," an annual chance to celebrate everything Mass Effect. In addition to yet another multiplayer challenge (with a special banner up for grabs), there are some new behind-the-scenes presentations on the official website and big discounts on all of the N7 gear in the BioWare store.This month marks the fifth anniversary of the original Mass Effect. EA and BioWare are promoting the Mass Effect Trilogy release, which combines all three games and hit stores earlier this week (the PS3 version arrives early next month). Oh, and given how surprised we are that it's been five years since the first Mass Effect game released, N7 Day apparently also celebrates just how super old we feel right now.
Mass Effect Trilogy pushed to Dec. 4 on PS3
Mass Effect Trilogy is coming to the PS3 on December 4 in North America and December 7 in Europe, just in time for the Hanar holiday festivities. Hanars make the best sugar cookies. The new release bundles all three Mass Effect games in one sleek black N7 box. The original Mass Effect, which is playable on Sony's system for the first time, will also be available for download through PSN. BioWare already detailed the DLC available on each platform: The "Bring Down the Sky" mission will be included with Mass Effect on the PS3, whether downloaded through PSN or within the Mass Effect Trilogy. The PC version of Mass Effect will include Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station, while the Xbox 360 version will be just as it originally was when it launched back in 2007, sans that DLC and sky fully intact. PS3, Xbox 360 and PC all get Cerberus Network with Mass Effect 2; however, on the PS3, it'll also include Lair of the Shadow Broker, Kasumi and Overlord. Finally, Mass Effect 3 will include Cerberus Network across all platforms, but not the most recent expansion, "Leviathan." Mass Effect Trilogy will be available next week on the PC and Xbox 360 – November 6 in the US and November 9 in Europe. %Gallery-166617%
Mass Effect 3 goes trick-or-treating with a Halloween Challenge
BioWare is celebrating Halloween with a special trick and treat-inspired multiplayer challenge in Mass Effect 3. Beginning today and running through November 5, there are three new tasks for players to take on to earn a special holiday reward: Players need to run five extractions on the Firebase Ghost map (or its Hazard version), earn 7500 points against zombies (also known as husks or abominations in the Mass Effect parlance) and earn 10,000 points against monsters (which includes brutes, scions, praetorians, and banshees). Completing the tasks on any difficulty will earn players a Halloween Challenge Banner. What's too bad is that you won't get the Halloween-themed characters teased above to join your gang. Bioware doesn't say, but we're pretty sure they're crew members for some other Mass Effect 3 team, maybe helmed by one Commander SCARE-perd of the USS Norman-DIE! Boooooo! [Ed. Note: You're fired.]
Mass Effect film script in the hands of 'Rescue Me' assistant editor
Yes, not only is the Mass Effect movie still in the works, but its pre-production phase has actually progressed to Standard Hollywood Adaptation Step 43, Subsection A, where a new writer is attached to the project without any mention of the original talent.In this case, the movie is now being written by Morgan Davis Foehl, whose tenure in the motion picture industry is that of an assistant editor for Adam Sandler vehicles such as Click and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, as well as the TV drama Rescue Me.The original writer attached to the project, Mark Protosevich, had already done some work on the script, according to Variety. Protosevich's history includes the screenplays for I Am Legend and Poseidon, in addition to writer and story credits on The Cell and Thor, respectively. Whether Foehl's job is to rewrite the existing script or begin anew is uncertain.This is a movie adaptation of a gaming franchise, however, so this is not likely to be last round of musical chairs the production staff will play. After all, the project hasn't even named a director yet, let alone lost one and replaced it several times – as outlined in the Standard Hollywood Adaptation Guidebook.
This Reaper replica statue comes with multiplayer bonuses
Dark Horse Comics recently unveiled a 18.5" tall replica of the Reaper Sovereign from the Mass Effect series. The replica is estimated to ship in June 2013 for $350, and can be pre-ordered with a hefty $100 deposit on the BioWare store.The Reaper statue is in limited production, with fewer than 1,000 being made. It also comes with a code for as-yet-unannounced multiplayer bonuses for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of Mass Effect 3.
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 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.
