Next 'Mass Effect' Announcement Coming at VGA's 2013

A new report has appeared online that BioWare and Electronic Arts will reveal the next Mass Effect title at the 2013 Video Games Awards in December.

While we have known for a while that Commander Shepard will not be involved in any future titles for the series, BioWare teased the next Mass Effect via Twitter yesterday.  Not able to make too much from the images but there will be a new character and various environments in the game.

However, no other details are known at this time, expect to hear more in the near future.

Source: Twitter , BioWare, Stick Skills

Mass Effect 3: Retaliation (Multiplayer Pack DLC) Trailer | Release Date!

Today BioWare Mass Effect 3 announced the New Retaliation Multiplayer Pack DLC  that will be released next week. And I am sharing this amazing news with you now!  Release date for this content will be on October 9, 2012 (October 10 2012 for PS3 in Europe), and will be free to download for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Watch the trailer below!

    
"The battle to save the galaxy rages on and a familiar foe returns in the largest downloadable content pack to-date for Mass Effect™ 3 multiplayer! Available to download at no additional charge*, Mass Effect 3: Retaliation ups the challenge by adding treacherous environmental hazards to existing maps and will introduce the infamous Collectors as a new enemy faction in multiplayer." - Biowaremasseffect 

Here is what's included in the largest downloadable content pack for Mass Effect 3, for more information head to their website at BioWare Blog Mass Effect 3 Retaliation.

New Enemy faction!

New Class kits!

New "Hazard" versions of existing maps

New Unlockable weapons!

Also they will have new powerful upgrades where you can modify your weapons with new ammo and modify and fortify your gear with unique upgrades to fit the enemy you will fight!

This is the New Multiplayer Challenge Feature, I will quote off the BioWare Blog on how it works because I feel it is very interesting and a great new add for the multiplayer experience.

"Think you are the best soldier in the Alliance? Make sure to track your progress in the new “Challenges” database. Complete various multiplayer assignments and feats of strength to unlock titles and banners to display in-game, and then compare your progress against your friend.

The “Challenges” database tracks various in-game statistics, such as your N7 Typhoon usage. To earn challenge points, you’ll need to complete mini-goals. For example, accumulate 140,000 points while using the Typhoon in multiplayer and you’ll be rewarded with 10 challenge points.
What Can You Do With Challenge Points?"

"Challenge points are used to unlock cool in-game multiplayer bonuses, such as new titles and banners. Want other players to know that you’re a Council Operative? You can do that. Want to be the envy of your friends with a flashy new banner to display in the player lobby? You can do that, too!
Challenge points lead to unlocks, and unlocks allow you to personalize your multiplayer experience. Now, you’ve got some work to do, Soldier!"

This I feel this opens an new way of playing! Are you ready?

Source: Biowaremasseffect YouTube, BioWare Blog, Mass Effect

Mass Effect 3 - 'Rebellion Pack' DLC HD Game Trailer - PC PS3 X360

This is the new launch trailer released today for the new 'Rebellion Pack' DLC due out today on Mass Effect 3 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. For some information on what will be released check out the information below or head over to BioWare Mass Effect 3 blog area. It has all the details of this free Download content.

NEW CHARACTERS
Vorcha Soldier

• Thanks to their unique physiology and their Bloodlust ability, the Vorcha are joining the fight and are perfectly suited for the utilitarian soldier kit.

Vorcha Sentinel

• The innate aggressiveness found within the Vorcha make them shockingly durable combatants, and when coupled with their Flamer skill, the Vorcha sentinel is a force to be reckoned with.

Male Quarian Engineer

• Quarians have spent centuries at perpetual salvage and ship repair; the survival of their species depends on this technical expertise. When bringing the new Arc Grenade to the fray, the Quarians prove their prowess as effective engineers on the battlefield.

Male Quarian Infiltrator

• The Male Quarian Infiltrator must actively rely on stealth while in the heat of battle, and when they make use of their Tactical Scan ability, they quickly prove their mettle while continuously dishing out the pain.

Ex-Cerberus Vanguard

• When the Illusive Man turned to indoctrination in order to ensure the loyalty of his troops, many Cerberus operatives defected and joined the Alliance in order to stop the Reapers. Now that we’re on the same team, Ex-Cerberus Vanguards (along with their new Lash attack) are quickly proving their worth.

Ex-Cerberus Adept

• A result of the Illusive Man’s early experiments in enhanced human physiology, Ex-Cerberus subjects are highly skilled combat and biotics specialists. As a result, Ex-Cerberus Adepts can lay waste to the enemy with their Smash and Singularity powers.

NEW MAPS

• Firebase Jade – Surrounded by huge waterfalls, Firebase Jade overlooks an ancient reservoir built by the salarians centuries ago. Set up strategic chokepoints inside the base’s main buildings to get the jump on your enemy, and work with your team to meticulously clear each room to achieve victory.

• Firebase Goddess – Nestled in the epicenter of a Thessian metropolis, Firebase Goddess is one of the last strongholds of asari resistance against the Reapers. With its circular layout, Firebase Goddess is a tough location to control. This arena combines heavy cover and elevated firing positions, so stay light on your feet.

NEW WEAPONS

• Cerberus Harrier Assault Rifle – These Cerberus-modified Mattock rifles are fully automatic. Cerberus gunsmiths reined in the recoil issues, resulting in a gun that stay on target, but delivers slightly less punch per round than a standard Mattock. As such, the weapon is typically utilized by Cerberus’ elite troopers, who train constantly to make every burst count.
• Reegar Carbine Shotgun – This electrical weapon improves upon the arc pistol’s design by generating a sustained current on its target. This weapon is named for the Quarian Reegar family, whose marines have served valiantly against the Geth.
• Krysae Sniper Rifle – This Turian antimaterial rifle is modified to kill Reaper enemies. The Krysae’s scope uses a rangefinder that adjusts to keep the target in proper proportion to the shooter, which comes in useful when the sniper is forced into close range. Its specialized ammunition is both armor-piercing and explosive. In a desperate move, the Turians released its specifications over the extranet so that nearly anyone with a fabricator could manufacture this weapon to help the war effort. 

Source: BioWare Mass Effect 3, YouTube

Announced: The Resurgence Pack For Mass Effect 3

BioWare announced today a batch of free multiplayer content will be released for Mass Effect 3 next week! Watch the trailer below.

Mass Effect 3: Resurgence Pack


Join the war for Earth in Mass Effect 3! Owners of Mass Effect 3 can download the first multiplayer expansion for no additional cost. The Mass Effect 3 Resurgence Pack adds new unlockable content: deadly weapons, new consumables, and powerful characters for each class in multiplayer, including the Asari Justicar, Batarian, Geth, and Krogan Battlemaster. Additionally, the Mass Effect 3 Resurgence Pack also includes 2 new maps, Firebase Condor and Firebase Hydra. Download this pack on April 10th and take the battle online in the critically acclaimed Mass Effect 3 multiplayer experience. - Mass Effect


Here's all that's included:

Two New Action-Packed Maps – Take the battle to Firebase Condor, a warzone outpost located on one of Palaven's moons and Firebase Hydra, an old abandoned quarian colony which has since been converted into a critical power facility. Each map represents a crucial asset in the overall fight against the Reapers.

Six Powerful New Unlockable Characters – Assume the role of new characters for each class, including the Asari Justicar Adept, Krogan Battlemaster Vanguard and characters from new playable races with theBatarian Soldier, Batarian Sentinel, Geth Engineer and Geth Infiltrator.

Lethal New Weapons – Obliterate wave after wave of enemies by unlocking the Striker Assault Rifle,Kishock Harpoon Gun and Geth Plasma SMG.

New Consumables – Cash in your credits to purchase reinforcement packs that could include the following new consumables.

- Strength Enhancer – Applies a melee damage boost for one missions

- Targeting VI – Applies a headshot damage bonus for one mission

- Stabilization Module – Stabilizes weapons while firing and moving for one mission

- Shield Power Cells – Shortens the length of time shields take to begin recharging for one mission

Let the explosions begin! See you on PSN! 

Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back Cinematic 'Extended Cut' Trailer

Courtesy of BioWareMassEffect YouTube channel.

"The war for Earth has begun. An unstoppable alien threat, known as the Reapers has invaded and you are the only one who can save Earth from annihilation. See the battle begin first hand in this action-packed cinematic trailer."

For more information about Mass Effect 3 and the fight to Take Earth Back, visit our website:
http://www.masseffect.com

GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE DATE(S): US: March 6, 2012    EU: March 9, 2012
PLATFORM: PS3, XBOX 360, PC
WEBSITE: http://www.Masseffect.com/

PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER: BioWare
ESRB: RP-M+ for Rating Pending, Targeting a Rating of Mature or Above

New Mass Effect 3: Special Forces Trailer (Multiplayer)

This is the new New Mass Effect 3| Special Forces trailer that features more footage on the multiplayer mode. This trailer also reveals all the classes/races you will be able to play as well.

Here is the accompanying blog for the video from BioWare: Mass Effect| Special Forces Trailer

Check out the trailer and read up on the blog! Good Stuff. 

 Source:  Mass Effect

Demo: February 14, 2012
Release Date:  March 6, 2012

Star Wars: The Old Republic | Introduction to Gameplay

"For generations the Galactic Republic knew peace, until the ancient Sith Empire returned from unknown space to reclaim what was once theirs. Watch as hundreds of years of peace is shattered by the sudden and violent reemergence of the Sith in the new Game Intro Cinematic Trailer Return."

Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place more than 3,500 years before the rise of Darth Vader. The most powerful Sith Empire in history has emerged from deep space to attack the Republic and its legendary Jedi guardians. After decades of war, a tenuous truce has been established between the Sith Empire and the Republic, but events occurring in the game are leading the galaxy back to an all-out war.

With the recent release of Star Wars: The Old Republic, I wanted to find a good article to share for those that are new to the MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game world.  Being the fastest growing MMO game ever, with above over 1 million users. Below I will list what I have found and also system requirements for good functional gameplay.

"10 ten things that you should probably familiarize yourself with when you first step into the galaxy far, far away.
 
1. Don't expect to see Luke Skywalker or Boba Fett anywhere. The Old Republic is set over 3,500 years before the events depicted in the films, which makes for a refreshing backdrop. However, you can certainly see familiar styles and technologies.

2. You need to pick sides. In this wide ranging conflict, you can opt to side with either the Galactic Republic, or the Sith Empire, in a classic goodies vs. baddies storyline.

3. Once you have chosen, you get to select your class and race. Race is certainly less important than it is in other MMOs, but your class is what will define your play-style and role in the game. If you want to be life-saving healer, go with a Jedi Consular for example. Or if you prefer to rain fiery explosive destruction on your enemies, pick a Bounty Hunter. Each side has four classes to choose from.

4. Each class then has two advanced classes that you get to choose from when you reach level 10. This is what determines the exact roles that your character will fulfill in the game. A Sith Warrior, for example, gets to choose between Marauder and Juggernaut advanced classes. The former is purely focused on damage, whereas the latter is more designed for a tanking role. Choose carefully, because this cannot be undone.

5. You can be a bad Jedi, or a cheery bounty hunter. Even once you have settled on a side, your choices in the game will affect your overall morality. When you interact with NPCs (non-player characters) in the TOR universe, you will usually be given a selection of responses to their questions. Sometimes, your response will result in an overall increase or decrease in your moral compass. Consistent bad behavior will eventually earn you a Dark Side ranking. These rankings can then be used to unlock specific pieces of equipment and armour. They can also have an impact on how future NPCs deal with you.

6. Make good use of your companion. At around level nine you will pick up a companion. Like a hunter's pet in WoW, your companion can tank for you, or do some damage, or even heal you. Unlike your lazy pet, however, your TOR companion can also sell off your junk items, gather materials, craft items, and be sent off on a variety of missions. No longer do you have to traipse around looking for nodes to mine or flowers to pick, instead what you have is a very simple people management mini-game. If you aren't used to MMOs then you probably won't appreciate this feature so much, but for those who have spent 100 hours fishing in a game, it will seem like a godsend.

7. Group up. Like every other MMO out there, TOR has areas that are intended for groups of players working together. These will range from two to four player sections, including companions, and could be just a single room in a building, or an entire section of story. These Flashpoints, as they are known, can be repeated as many times as you like, and will start to appear as early as level six or seven for some players.

8. Join up. To make it easier to find other players for Flashpoints, it is advisable to join a guild on your server. These groups of players have their own dedicated chat channels and other benefits. You can also group up with others to do regular quests, and having some regular partners for this certainly helps your social experience of the game.

9. Master the controls. This couldn't be simpler for an experienced player of WoW or other MMOs, since almost all of the default controls are identical. You still use B to open your inventory, you still use tab to change target, and you still use spacebar to jump. If you aren't familiar with the controls, you can go into options and look at the key bindings. These can be easily changed to suit your style. 

10. Have fun! This is undoubtedly the most important thing I could say about this or any other game. TOR is meant to be fun, and if you aren't having enough of it, you aren't playing the right game. Yes, at times it will be frustrating. Yes, you will encounter other players who are total jerks. But as long as every time you log off you were pleased you logged on, then it is all worth it."

Sam Shepard- Huffpost Tech (Huffington Post UK). 

Now for the system requirements located in Star Wars: The Old Republic | FAQ :


Processor:

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ or better
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better
Operating System:
• Windows XP or later

RAM:

• Windows XP: 1.5GB RAM
• Windows Vista and Windows 7: 2GB RAM

Note: PCs using a built-in graphical chipset are recommended to have 2GB of RAM.
Star Wars: The Old Republic requires a video card that has a minimum of 256MB of on-board RAM as well as support for Shader 3.0 or better. Examples include:

• ATI X1800 or better
• nVidia 7800 or better
• Intel 4100 Integrated Graphics or better

DVD-ROM drive – 8x speed or better (required for installation from physical editions only) Internet connection required to play.
I hope this helped some of the questions some of you may have, enjoy the trailers, regardless how long ago they have been released, I can never get tired of watching them!

"May the Force be with you!"

STAR WARS: The Old Republic | Times Square Freeze Mob

"Plainclothes warriors join the battle among Jedi and Sith in the first ever lightsaber freeze mob duel in the heart of New York's Times Square. Watch as over 100 fans joined the battle to celebrate the launch of STAR WARS™: The Old Republic on 12.20.11"

This is Amazingly put together, I love this! In any way shape or form I would like to participate in any of these events!!! Call me up anytime! 

Source: Star Wars: The Old Republic Channel

Mass Effect 3 "Against All Odds" Shepard vs. Reaper!

The much anticipated game of 2012, game trailer released on Spike TV's video game awards. This trailer looks all kinds of amazing! All sorts of action, explosions, gunshots all while Shepard is running through the disintegrating ground as he goes against the Reaper. The graphics and animation look so realistic, like right out of a movie and the action focuses right on the gameplay. And this is just a brief glimpse of what's in store for us! Looks like Mass Effect 3 will not be short of intense battles and insane gameplay!

In Mass Effect 3, an ancient alien race known only as "Reapers", has launched an all-out invasion of the galaxy, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction. You, as Commander Shepard, must lead the counter assault to take it back. Only you can determine how events will play out, which planets you will save from annihilation and which alliances you will form or abandon as you rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all.

Developer: Bioware
Release: 3/9/2012
Genre: RPG
Platform: X360
Publisher: Bioware
Website: http://masseffect.com

Mass Effect Movie | Legendary Pictures Clears Up Misconceptions

As many of you may know Legendary Pictures will be working on a Mass Effect movie for the big screen.  Although in a recent Q&A website posted by Legendary Pictures, contradicted everything previously stated at this years Comic Con 2011 about the movie.  Well now the website has been updated clearing up the misunderstanding. 

Let me touch up on this a bit, for many that do not know Mass Effect.  Mass Effect is an award-winning, bestselling series of science fiction RPG third-person shooter video games developed by the Canadian company BioWare and released for the Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and, from the second installment, for the PlayStation 3. The first game in the planned trilogy centers around a player created character named Commander Shepard and his/her mission to save the galaxy from a race of mechanical beings known as the Reapers, and its followers, including the brainwashed Saren Arterius. The first game sees Shepard facing Sovereign, a Reaper left as a vanguard, who plans to allow the Reaper fleet currently hibernating in extra-galactic dark space to invade the Milky Way and destroy all sapient organic life, continuing a mysterious cycle of destruction. The second game takes place two years later, and sees Shepard battling the Collectors, an alien race abducting entire human colonies in a plan to help the return of the Reapers. The third and final game will center on the final battle against the Reapers.

Since the beginning the series has been a major critical success. Both games have received critical acclaim for their storyline, characters, romances, voice acting, choices, tolerance of diversity, and the depth of the galaxy.[1][2][3] Video game website, GamesRadar, called Mass Effect the best new franchise of the generation, saying that the galaxy was so well-constructed that it felt like a decades-old franchise and that it represented "a high-water mark for video games as a story-telling medium."

Here is the interview:

Q: Will it just be an adaptation of the first game, second game, or a completely new story?

A: It will focus on Commander Shepard's journey, centering around the story of the original Mass Effect game.

Q: How are you going to address the element of 'choice' that the players have in the game?

A: The writer is weaving a path through Shepard's decisions that best supports the narrative of the movie and the motivations of its characters.

Q: Will it be a trilogy?

A: We are really focused on making this a great movie, so we'll see where it takes us. We have to get the first one right to know whether there will be more.

Q: Will Seth Green portray Joker, the character he voiced in the game?

A: No casting decisions have been made yet.

Q: Will the movie be focused on Shepard?

A: Yes.

Q: If the movie is focused on Shepard, will it be the male Shepard or the female Shepard?

A: Male.

Q: Can you give any hints to potential casting?

A: No. Stay tuned.

Q: Will BioWare allow plot / character changes?

A: Yes, we are working closely with BioWare on the development of this project.

Q: Would you consider Daft Punk to do the soundtrack?

A: We love Daft Punk, but it's too early to say who will produce the soundtrack.

Source: ScreenRant

Mass Effect Movie Announced at Comic Con 2011

For those that have not been keeping up with last week's San Diego Comic Con 2011, BioWare executive producer Casey Hudson mentioned some unexpected news on the upcoming Mass Effect film.

This is great news! The game itself is an awesome game and great story. Now for it to be made into a film... ahhh even better! Although this is all just recent news there are still no hard facts or details on this film. But Casey Hudson did mention that the film would tie into the game trilogy.

I am obviously excited about this film but also somewhat cautious and optimistic, because every time they make a game based film, we all would say "yeah, this is the one", then we'd be let down. But I do agree they have some very talented people behind this film so I am more excited when it's time to watch in the big screen! With script writer Mark Protosevich, the man behind films (Thor, I Am Legend) added, "When you look at making a video game movie, you have to ask yourself if the game is a good story and not just a good game. I think most games don't pass that litmus test. This one does." It is also a good thing to know that the studio behind Batman Begins, Watchmen, and Inception are helping make this film. As to the details on the director and characters and more, will probably not be released for another year. So stay tuned Mass Effect fans, I am excited as much as you are!