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Tag: Mass Effect 3

  • Mass Effect 3’s Final DLC Announced

    Nearly one year out from the release of Mass Effect 3, EA and BioWare have announced the final DLC installments for the Mass Effect Trilogy. Two new add-ons, Mass Effect 3: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3: Citadel will be coming soon to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

    Reckoning will be released on February 26 and be free to download for one year. The content will offer new multiplayer characters, weapons, and upgrades.

    Citadel will be released on March 5 and will cost $15 or 1200 Microsoft Points. EA‘s announcement stated that it will feature new single-player campaign content in which players will explore a “deep-space station” while “having the opportunity to reconnect with some of their favorite characters from all three of the Mass Effect games.”

    “The team has poured heart and soul into Mass Effect 3: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3: Citadel,” said Casey Hudson, executive producer of the Mass Effect series. “As the launch of these chapters near, the feeling around the studio is bittersweet. We have always been humbled and driven by the passion of our fans for the Mass Effect trilogy. We hope fans will enjoy spending more time with some of their favorite characters – we have certainly enjoyed spending time creating them. We’re excited to release this final sendoff for the trilogy and move forward into the future of the Mass Effect universe.”

  • BioWare Knows About Expired Mass Effect Codes, is Working to Fix Them

    It seems that the marketing tie-ins for the Mass Effect franchise got a bit tangled over the holiday season. Bioware has released a statement to let customers who bought Mass Effect: Paragon Lost know that the company is aware of a problem with some of the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer unlock codes that came along with the movie:

    It has come to our attention that some customers are receiving error messages when trying to redeem codes found inside specially marked copies of Mass Effect: Paragon Lost. The code, which entitles the customer to a bonus multiplayer reinforcement pack, contains an expiration date of 12/31/12. We want to assure the customers affected by this that we are aware of the error and are working to extend the expiration date so that the codes can still be redeemed.

    BioWare went on to say that it will post an update to its blog when the issue is resolved.

    Mass Effect: Paragon Lost is an anime movie set in the Mass Effect universe. It was developed as a collaboration between BioWare and Production I.G., the Japanese anime studio famous for projects such as Patlabor, The End of Evangelion, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

    The movie was only released on December 28, 2012, so an expiration date of December 31 is quite ridiculous. It’s likely that someone fat-fingered the date for some of the codes in a database somewhere. However, events such as this demonstrate quite clearly why it is silly for offer codes to expire before the product itself does.

  • Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC Out Tomorrow, Launch Trailer Released

    The next single-player DLC pack for Mass Effect 3 launches tomorrow (Wednesday on the PlayStation 3), and EA has released a story-heavy launch trailer to mark the occasion.

    In Mass Effect 3: Omega, the notorious criminal haven has been taken over by Cerberus and Commander Shepard will have to join up with Omega’s former leader, Aria T’Loak to take back the station. There’s also a side-plot about helping a Turian mercenary free the slaves on Omega, but mostly it looks to feature new enemies (including a new Reaper) in four action-heavy missions.

    The new DLC will also, in a way, be the first glimpse at the future of the Mass Effect series. That’s because Omega was developed by Bioware Montreal, the developer that recently announced it is working on a brand new Mass Effect game. The new game will be “exploring new directions, both on the gameplay and story fronts.” In the meantime, the new DLC will provide more of the classic Mass Effect gameplay fans of the series crave.

  • Have A Heaping Helping Of Wii U Launch Trailers

    The Wii U comes out this Sunday, and the marketing machine is going into overdrive. Games for the new console are already being shipped to retailers, and publishers are getting the word out. Here’s the latest launch trailers featuring some of the Wii U’s more unique functionality in games.

    First up is Electronic Arts. The publisher is bringing three games to the Wii U’s launch – Mass Effect 3 Special Edition, Madden NFL 13 and FIFA 13. The latter does not yet have a trailer, but the first two would like you to know that the Wii U provides a new spin on these traditional console titles:

    Warner Bros. will have two major titles available at the consoles launch – Scribblenauts Unlimited and Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition. The publisher is going all out with the former by creating three trailers that show off the more unique aspects of the title.

    Nintendo itself will be publishing a revamped version of Team Ninja’s disappointing Ninja Gaiden 3 for the Wii U. This version will include all of the content that should have been present in the Xbox 360 and PS3 release from earlier this year. If the added content will make the game better remains to be seen.

    Troubled publisher THQ comes in at the Wii U’s launch with the excellent Darksiders II. Like a lot of Wii U launch titles, the title came out earlier this year on other platforms. Those who haven’t yet had a chance to play this gem might want to pick up the Wii U version at launch.

    Of course, a new console launch wouldn’t be complete without a new Dynasty Warriors title. Tecmo Koei will be present at launch with Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper. All you can really say is that it’s a Dynasty Warriors title:

    Finally, Ubisoft is launching with ZombiU. Despite it’s silly title, it’s one of the most promising titles for the system.

    There’s still a few more days before the official launch of the Wii U. There’s bound to be more reveals, especially of the Wii U eShop launch titles. There might even be a new Nintendo Direct squeezed in there.

  • New Mass Effect Game Being Developed by Bioware Montreal, Details Revealed

    New Mass Effect Game Being Developed by Bioware Montreal, Details Revealed

    BioWare Montreal Studio Director Yanick Roy took to the Bioware blog today to highlight the studio and reassure fans that the Mass Effect franchise is in good hands.

    BioWare Montreal will be creating the next Mass Effect game, and is already in development on the title. Roy pointed out that the Montreal studio built “about half of the cinematics” for Mass Effect 2, and also most of the N7 missions. For Mass Effect 3, love it or hate it, BioWare Montreal was in charge of the multiplayer aspect. Most recently, the team created the Omega DLC for Mass Effect 3, due out on November 27.

    It can be unnerving for fans when a beloved franchise is put into the hands of a new development studio, particularly one with little experience creating an entire AAA title. However, as the furor over the ending of Mass Effect 3 shows, stagnation can also hurt a franchise. Roy did state that BioWare Montreal won’t be alone during development, though. From the blog post:

    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. On top of that, Casey remains the Executive Producer, but he will have a Project Director under him, working in Montreal, leading our development team and making day-to-day decisions for the game. We all care very much about Mass Effect and make our decisions based on what’s best for the game.

    Unfortunately, Roy did not release many details for the upcoming Mass Effect title. The only bit he mentioned is that the game will be built using the Frostbite 2 engine, the same one used for Battlefield 3 and the upcoming Dragon Age III: Inquisition. He also stated that the new game will be “very respectful” of the Mass Effect trilogy and that the switch to a new game engine means the developers are “exploring new directions, both on the gameplay and story fronts.”

  • BioWare Details Mass Effect 3 For The Wii U

    EA has been pretty proactive about bringing its content to the Wii U in time for the console’s new launch. Granted, most of the games are ports of older titles, but gamers who have just stuck with the Wii until now will surely appreciate it.

    One of the more high profile releases from EA is BioWare’s Mass Effect 3. The port is being handled by BioWare Edmonton and Straight Right, an Australian developer. This is the only Mass Effect game on the Wii U, and as such, gamers jumping in with the last game in the trilogy will need a little backstory to get caught up.

    BioWare says that Mass Effect 3 Special Edition for Wii U will feature the Genesis interactive comic book that was first seen in Mass Effect 2 for the PS3. The comic now covers the events from both Mass Effect 1 and 2, and players be allowed to make the important decisions that affect the plot in Mass Effect 3.

    As for bonus content, Mass Effect 3 on the Wii U includes all of the DLC released thus far for the game. That means the From Ashes DLC, the Extended Cut DLC, the Rebellion, Resurgence, and Earth multiplayer packs, and a bonus heavy weapon will be available on disc when it ships. There’s no word yet, however, on how BioWare will handle DLC, like the already released Leviathan, on the Wii U from here on out.

    BioWare did confirm that Mass Effect 3 Special Edition will be a launch title for the Wii U across all three territories. That means North America will get it on November 18, Europe will get it on November 30, and Japan will get it on December 5.

  • Mass Effect Anime 9-Minute Sneak Peak Released

    Last month a trailer for Mass Effect: Paragon Lost was released. The movie is an animated tale set in the Mass Effect universe. It follows the story of James Vega, who leads an Alliance special forces squad against the Collectors. It’s set between the events of Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, so it takes place before the full-scale Reaper invasion.

    Today, a much longer 9-minute preview for the movie was released for the movie. It shows Vega and his men going up against a squad of Krogans. While the Krogans are tough, it should come as no surprise that some biotics and a bit of strategy throws their formation into disarray.

    The movie was created as a collaboration between Bioware and Production I.G., the Japanese anime studio famous for TV and movies such as Patlabor, Blood+, The End of Evangelion, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

    Paragon Lost will be released on December 28, so it might be something to look for when shopping with store credit from gift returns. From the preview below it seems the movie is pretty cheesy, but fans of the Mass Effect universe are sure to want more from the setting, especially when considering the debacle over Mass Effect 3‘s ending.

  • Mass Effect Trilogy Box Set Announced

    Mass Effect Trilogy Box Set Announced

    EA and BioWare announced today that a boxed set including all of the Mass Effect games will be available this holiday season. Called simply the Mass Effect Trilogy, the compilation will be available for the price of one new video game: $59.99.

    The set will give gamers who haven’t played any of the trilogy yet the chance to get Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 in one place. EA did not state whether downloadable content (DLC) for the games is included in the package.

    The Mass Effect Trilogy will be released on Xbox 360 and PC on November 6th, and on PlayStation 3 at a later date. Presumably, the delay for the PlayStation 3 version of the trilogy is due to the porting of the original Mass Effect, which never saw a PlayStation 3 release. The original Mass Effect will also be available standalone on the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network.

    To coincide with the launch of the Mass Effect Trilogy, EA has declared November 7th to be “N7 Day.” The company stated that there will be a “worldwide celebration of the Mass Effect franchise, and that there will be in-game, online, and live events at which “fans can congregate and fly their N7 colors.”

    BioWare recently announced that it is developing Dragon Age III: Inquisition. Meanwhile, the company’s co-founders, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck have retired from the gaming business to pursue other opportunities.

  • Mass Effect Animated Movie Trailer Released

    A full trailer for the upcoming animated Mass Effect movie Mass Effect: Paragon Lost hit the internet today. According to the video description, the movie shows the story of an Alliance marine named James Vega, who leads a special forces squad against the collectors. Vega and his soldiers are stationed at a remote colony that is attacked, and they must fight off the collectors as they attempt to kidnap the civilians on the planet.

    The movie is set between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, meaning it is a precursor to the Reaper invasion. Hopefully this is one Mass Effect story that will have a great ending. 2-disc and 1-disc Blu-ray editions can be preordered now at Amazon.

    Mass Effect: Paragon Lost is a collaboration between Bioware and Production I.G. Production I.G. is a Japanese anime studio famous for animating TV and movies such as Patlabor, Blood+, The End of Evangelion, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

  • Mass Effect 3: Leviathan Launch Trailer Released [Video]

    The launch of the first post-launch single-player downloadable content (DLC) for Mass Effect 3 (if you don’t count the Extended Cut) is only days away. Today, EA released a launch trailer for the content that shows off a little of what players can expect in terms of story and setting.

    In Leviathan, which is set during the events of Mass Effect 3, Shepard searches for a powerful weapon to battle the reapers. Shepard and crew will race across the galaxy, exploring new star systems and areas of the Citadel in search of the weapon. The origins of the reapers will be uncovered and, it appears, players will face an ancient reaper named Leviathan. Judging by the launch trailer below, the Leviathan DLC appears to be a dark, mysterious, action-packed side story for Mass Efffect 3.

  • Mass Effect 3 Leviathan DLC Release Date Announced

    This week Bioware announced an official release date for its first single-player downloadable content (DLC) for Mass Effect 3 (as long as you don’t count day-1 DLC or the Extended Cut fiasco). Mass Effect 3 Leviathan will be released on August 28th for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. For Playstation 3 owners in Europe, though, the content will be a day late and arrive on August 29th.

    Bioware earlier this month released details about what players can expect from the Leviathan DLC. From the Bioware blog:

    Something lurks in the dark corners of space, something powerful enough to kill a Reaper. Shepard must discover the most closely guarded secret in the galaxy before the Reapers silence it forever. Discover more about the origins of the Reapers as you race across the galaxy to find the Leviathan. Unravel the dark history of the Reaper Race before it is too late. Coming later this summer there is no war, only the harvest.

    Later in that blog post Bioware states that the Leviathan is actually a “mysterious being,” though they don’t hint at what its power might be. In terms of where the new DLC fits into the Mass Effect cannon, Bioware said that Leviathan is set during the events of Mass Effect 3, so don’t expect the Leviathan’s power to be galaxy-altering.

    The Leviathan DLC will cost $10 if purchased for the PC or via the PlayStation Network, or 800 Microsoft Points if purchased through Xbox LIVE.

    The DLC will also unlock new star systems and Citadel areas for players to explore, new characters to speak with, and two new weapons: the AT-12 Raider Shotgun and the M-55 Argus Assault Rifle. If players want even more new weapons, they can now purchase the Firefight Pack DLC weapon pack, which was released last week. The weapon pack is for single-player only and costs $2 for the PC and Playstation Network, or 160 Microsoft Points through Xbox LIVE.

  • Take Back Earth In Latest Mass Effect 3 DLC

    People seem to really enjoy the multi-player component in Mass Effect 3. I wouldn’t know as I still have yet to play the game, but general consensus is that it’s great fun. Free DLC packs definitely help make things more fun and BioWare is continuing to spread the love with a new DLC pack hitting next week.

    The pack is called Earth and, surprise, takes place on the big blueberry that we call home. As has been the case since the beginning, the story behind the multiplayer is still all about taking back key locations from the Reapers around the galaxy. Considering that an invasion of Earth played prominently in the ad campaign for the game, it only makes sense to have it show up in multi-player.

    Take Back Earth In Latest Mass Effect 3 DLC

    So what will Mass Effect 3: Earth contain? Players will be able to access three new weapons – Piranha assault shotgun, Acolyte pistol, and the Typhoon assault rifle. On top of that, seven new human N7 classes will become available – Destroyer Soldier, Paladin Sentinel, Demolisher Engineer, Slayer Vanguard, Shadow Infiltrator, and Fury Adept. Each class features new abilities and melee attacks for players to try out.

    The three maps that players will fight for Earth on include Firebase Rio, Vancouver and London. They will be available to play as soon as the pack is downloaded. Everything else, including weapons and characters, will be unlocked through existing Reinforcement packs.

    Take Back Earth In Latest Mass Effect 3 DLC

    Mass Effect 3: Earth will be available worldwide on Xbox 360 and PC on July 17. It will launch on July 17 on PS3 in North America and July 18 in Europe. As always, the multiplayer packs are free so no reason not to at least try it out.

  • Mass Effect 3 Finally Gets Fixed On June 26

    The fallout following the supposed terrible ending to Mass Effect 3 has subsided a lot since it first started consuming our lives back in March. During that time, BioWare promised a free update to the game that would expand upon the ending and explain what happened. BioWare has followed through on that promise with the extended ending going out next week.

    BioWare announced today that Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be out on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC via Origin on June 26. As they previously promised, the update will be completely free. The update is pretty beefy at 1.9GB and promises to expand on the “endings of Mass Effect 3 through additional scenes and epilogues sequences.”

    Interestingly enough, BioWare also said that the Extended Cut will give “a sense of what the future holds as a result of the decisions made throughout the series.” Sure, it could be just one of typical RPG endings where the heroes hold hands as they watch all the good they have done while the screen fades out to a “fin.” That’s no fun, however, so let’s speculate. Perhaps the Extended Cut will tell us where the Mass Effect franchise will go from here. Since they already confirmed that the series would be a trilogy, it might hint at a new franchise set in the same universe following a different hero.

    For those who were hoping for entirely brand new endings, you’re out of luck. As mentioned above, the Extended Cut only serves to expand upon the endings that are already in the game. So I guess the ending where Shepard wakes up to find that he is actually in fact Dr. Ray Muzyka is out of the question then.

    Check out the BioWare blog post for details on where the new content starts to show up. It’s full of spoilers so don’t go unless you’ve already completed the game once and subjected yourself to the terrible ending. Speaking of spoilers, BioWare has also put together a little talk with the game’s writers discussing what went into making the Extended Edition.

  • Mass Effect Ending Gets ASA Clearance

    Mass Effect Ending Gets ASA Clearance

    UK advertising regulator, The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), recently stated that they will not act on claims that Mass Effect 3 creators misled customers about the extent to which they could create their own ending. The actual advertising states “decisions you make completely shape your experience and outcome.” Fans were outraged when the outcome fell short of expectations.

    The ASA was alerted shortly after the games release, when many consumers claimed false advertising. After hearing evidence from Electronic Arts, the ASA decided the publisher did enough to satisfy the claims they made. The ASA released the following statement which was first published in CVG UK:

    “The ASA acknowledged the belief that players’ choices in the game did not influence the outcome to the extent claimed by EA. However, we considered that the three choices at the end of the game were thematically quite different, and that the availability and effectiveness of those choices would be directly determined by a player’s score, which was calculated with reference to previous performance in the game(s).

    “We also acknowledged that there appeared to be a large number of minor variations in the end stages of ME3, and that those were directly impacted by choices made by players earlier in the game(s).

    “Whilst we acknowledged that the advertiser had placed particular emphasis on the role that player choices would play in determining the outcome of the game, we considered that most consumers would realize there would be a finite number of possible outcomes within the game and, because we considered that the advertiser had shown that players’ previous choices and performance would impact on the ending of the game, we concluded that the ad was not misleading.”

    The ending to Mass Effect 3 caught the ire of the entire gaming public a few months ago. Bioware has since said that they will be releasing new DLC for the game that will include an alternate/extended ending for fans that were unhappy with the conclusion. The release date has not been given, but is expected this summer. So… soon.

    It remains to be seen if the USA’s FTC will have any comment on the now passé hatred of the trilogy’s conclusion. A free DLC is on the way to clear things up, but somehow I doubt this will placate some fans.

    [joystiq via CVG]

  • Watch This Insta-Kill Weapon Battle Royale

    Whether it’s a throwing knife, a headshot, or a plasma sword, insta-kill weapons are powerful, yet limited, weapons. They normally take a bit of skill to wield properly, and will more than likely get a new player killed as he or she unskillfully tries to close into melee range. But in the hands of a master they can rule a game.

    What would happen if modern multiplayer games were somehow combined and one character from each game was given its games’ signature one-shot weapon? The guys at Corridor Digital have answered that question.

    Take a look at their video pitting characters from Halo, Mass Effect, Goldeneye, Modern Warfare, and other franchises as they take their respective insta-gib’s into a humorous battle royale. Who will win? I won’t spoil it, but there is no disputing the winner once you see him in action:

    Corridor Digital are the same people who brought you the FUS RO DAH video we showed you a month ago. According to their Facebook page, they are “dudes who love shooting and vfx.” Also, they live in Los Angeles, so with their video effects skills and humorous sensibilities, I don’t think it will be long before they are hired by a production company.

  • Fan Made Mass Effect 3 Trailer Is Better Than Original

    One of the best parts about the advent of the internet is that the true fans of any subject have the ability to show their love. The fans with an eye and passion for video games have been the best.

    After the massive failure that was the Mass Effect 3 ending, a huge uproar came from the fan base that was very disappointed in Bioware. Stuff like this usually means jack squat because the developers either don’t care, or can’t afford to do anything about it.

    When this happens, you will usually get people who will want to put together a fake ending, or try to code their own ending. This fan decided the launch trailer needed to be better. It mixes elements from Mass Effect 1 and 3 and looks bad ass!

    @WhitsonGordon
    Whitson Gordon    Holy crap, this fan-made Mass Effect 3 trailer really IS better than the official one. http://t.co/dcvQJx3J 2 hours ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

  • Kinect Researchers Developing Mood Detection

    Reasearch teams at Microsoft are in the research and development stages of finding out whether or not the Kinect will be able to use a players posture and speach patterns to detect their mood. The player’s state of mind will then be integrated into the game narrative, Google+Reader”>develop is reporting.

    In an interview with MCV, Kinect executive Kudo Tsunoda talks about making people more “like actors within the game’s narrative.” If the Kinect can hone in on the players mood, they can use that to change how characters within the game react to them.

    “We want to get to the stage where not only can Kinect detect what you’re saying but also tone of voice and body stance, and work that into the narrative,” Tsunoda said. “There are some really compelling experiences to be gained from that”

    Since release a couple years ago, Kinect researchers and game developers have been expanding the uses for the device, making it more sensitive to players movements, and allowing them to scan objects into the game. “We’ve done so much work just with software to enhance Kinect’s abilities over time. Since it came out, we’ve been able to do a lot more seated play, let people scan in objects and have the game recreate them. Even Kinect Rush scans in players and turns them into Pixar characters, which is awesome.”

    Tsunoda talks about how Mass Effect 3 is the beginning stage of this process, integrating the Kinect into the roleplaying aspect of the game. “Mass Effect 3 does a great job of integrating Kinect in a unique way that’s different from other titles and in a way that really pays off for its fans.”

    “It’s been great to see how people are using Kinect in ways that we would never have thought of. I’m continually surprised by the stuff we see from Kinect’s development community on a daily basis. That’s what I’m most excited about: how much room there is to invent new things with Kinect.”

  • Free Mass Effect 3 DLC Available Tomorrow

    Free Mass Effect 3 DLC Available Tomorrow

    With the amount of post-launch updates Bioware is coming out with, it almost seems like they forgot to finish making the game before release. They already have plans to release an extended version of the much maligned ending and a fix for the inability to import your Shepard character from previous Mass Effect games.

    The latest update comes in the form of a free DLC called Mass Effect Resurgence Pack, that includes multiplayer maps, new characters, and new weapons. This is not something that players have really complained about, but I do think there should have been more maps for multiplayer.

    The new maps are “Firebase Condor” and “Firebase Hydra”. Condor takes place on one of Palaven’s moons, and Hydra takes you to an abandoned Quarian colony.

    The largest addition to this pack will be the inclusion of 6 new characters. In multiplayer, you will now be able to fight as an Asari Adept, Krogan Vanguard, Batarian Soldier, Batarian Sentinel, Geth Engineer, and Geth Infiltrator. The introduction of the Geth as playable characters is perhaps the most interesting, given that they were previously only featured in the game as enemies, not playable characters.

    New guns include the Striker Assault Rifle, Kishock Harpoon Gun, and Geth Plasma SMG. In addition, new one mission use consumable merchandise will be available for in-game pack purchases. These include the Strength Enhancer (Applies melee damage boost), Targeting VI (Headshot damage boost), Stabilization Module (Weapon stabilization), and Shield Power Cells (Shortens shield recharge time).

    The Resurgence Pack is available for free on XBox Live, Playstation Network and Origin beginning April 10.

  • Mass Effect 3 Patch Fixes Face Import Error

    One of the most disappointing things about Mass Effect 3, besides the ending, was that Xbox 360 gamers who started with the first game couldn’t import their Shepard into the third game. BioWare promised a fix and that fix is coming this week.

    Announced on the BioWare blog last Friday, the details of the patch were made public. It will be hitting the PC tomorrow, April 9, and hitting consoles a day later on April 10. The fixes coming repair some pretty big bugs and glitches like the aforementioned face importation problem. It also fixes some bugs that caused the player’s level to be reset or a crash resulting from quick loading of a FemShep profile.

    Here’s the full change list:

    Fixed issues when in some cases Shepard’s customized facial features from ME1/ME2 may not be properly imported to ME3
    Fixed an issue when quickly and repeatedly selecting to Resume a Save could result in Player Level reset and a potential locking of powers.
    Fixed an issue when selecting Multiplayer in the Main Menu while under a poor network connection could result in an unresponsive state.
    Fixed a potential crash while accessing an in-game terminal from Eden Prime level.
    Fixed an issue when attempting to login while Server is down. It would display a Server Down message and accepting the Server Shutdown message would shut down the game.
    Fixed a potential memory crash while loading a Quick Save of a custom FemShep.
    Fixed an issue when restarting missions and acquiring an above max amount of weapon mods results in displayed debug text on-screen.
    Fixed an issue when an unresponsive game state could occur during transition after the Conduit level.
    Fixed an issue when DLC game saves can be accessed from an account without DLC if another account on the same computer has access to the related DLC. (PC Only)
    Fixed an issue when saves from different accounts on the same computer may become locked if one account has access to DLC which the other account does not. (PC Only)
    Fixed an issue when potentially the game could enter unresponsive state when transitioning from the Holding Docks area to the Normandy Docks area of the Citadel. (PS3 Only)

    On top of this, BioWare also announced Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut last week. It seeks to add further clarification onto the polarizing ending that has become one of the biggest talking points within gaming this year. It remains to be seen if this will appease those players who felt betrayed by the ending.

  • Bioware Announces Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut

    Since the release of Mass Effect 3 the ending of the campaign mode has overshadowed the exciting gameplay and addictive multi-player modes. We have covered the debate so far, giving you fan reactions, campaigns to have the ending “fixed”, and Bioware’s final reaction.

    Last month, Bioware said they were going to give players more closure in the form of DLC for the game, and today they have officially announced the culmination of their efforts: Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut.

    The download will be free to Mass Effect 3 owners this summer, an official release date has not been given. The Extended Cut will include additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes giving further clarity and deeper insights into how the players personal journey concludes. It will be available for all systems; XBox, PS3, and PC.

    “We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder of BioWare. “Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team’s artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe.”

    Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series added, “We have reprioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player.”

  • BioWare Is Going To “Fix” Mass Effect 3’s Ending

    Mass Effect 3 has been polarizing for the industry and gamers this year to say the least. The disappointing ending, the day-one DLC and a myriad of other issues have fans pretty upset with the RPG behemoth.

    There has been work on the side of both BioWare and fans to fix all this up. BioWare has already addressed fans’ concerns and have said that “some of our most passionate fans needed more closure, more answers, and more time to say goodbye to their stories…” In response, an enraged fan has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission saying that the ending betrayed their expectations.

    Today, the big dog of BioWare, co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka, took to the company blog to lay out the future of Mass Effect 3 and address the fan response thus far. Perhaps learning from all the bad reactions that previous BioWare statements have caused, Dr. Muzyka chooses his words carefully. He defends the Mass Effect 3 team and the high reviews the game has received, but says that “out of respect to our fans, we need to accept the criticism and feedback with humility.”

    To that end, Dr. Muzyka announced that the Mass Effect 3 team is now working on “a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey.” He then said to expect more information on what this means in April.

    In the meantime, he encourages fans to keep giving them feedback on the game and what they feel should be fixed. He does, however, stress that they only want constructive feedback. He feels that some of the criticism by their “most ardent fans” has become “destructive rather than constructive.”

    As a final plea to gamers who perhaps are just jumping onto the hate bandwagon just to be hatin’, he says:

    I urge you to do your own research: play the game, finish it and tell us what you think. Tell your friends if you feel it’s a good game as a whole. Trust that we are doing our damndest, as always, to address your feedback. As artists, we care about our fans deeply and we appreciate your support.

    I’m staying out of the argument because I’ve not played Mass Effect 3 yet. From what I hear, both sides have good arguments. Dr. Muzyka is a smart man, however, and he knows what he’s doing. If he says that BioWare is going to fix it, you can rest assured that it will happen.

    Do you think this is a proper response to the Mass Effect 3 ending fiasco? Or do you want more from BioWare? Let us know in the comments.