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

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

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

Multiplayer comes to Mass Effect 3 | BioWare Pulse - Special Edition!

Bioware has confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will have Multiplayer. It is going to be co-op based, it drops you in the game with three other players. The confirmation comes from BioWare's Casey Hudson via Twitter.

"Yes, co-op MP missions for #ME3: they're real, and they're spectacular. Rest assured it's nothing of what you've feared. More soon..."

Mass Effect series have always been a single player experience with a compelling storyline creating a cinematic experience that engages the player in the game.

"Join your friends in the all-out galactic war to take Earth back. The universe of Mass Effect expands with the addition of new co-op multiplayer missions, playable over Xbox Live, PSN and PC internet. 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. Success in multi-player will have a direct impact on the outcome of the single player campaign, giving players an alternative method of achieving ultimate victory against the greatest threat mankind - and the entire galaxy - has ever faced." - BioWare

Mass Effect series executive producer Casey Hudson said:

"Players can still get the best ending by playing through the game in a single-player campaign, but now they have an alternative way to build up their war assets. This is really the best place to start playing the Mass Effect series, this is the beginning, middle and end of the whole galactic war,” he said. “You’ll be able to take control of characters you have never been able to play before — you’ll have access to all the different classes and many of the races.”

Hudson also stated that it made the most sense to add multiplayer to this title, which tells the story of an all-out galactic war at a huge scale.

Release Date: March 6, 2012

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!