Mass Effect

Because the universe is infinite, Mass Effect's dramatic space opera should never end -- until the inevitable sequel, of course. In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk teases future DLC (downloadable content) for Mass Effect.

"We're talking about that," Zeschuk said in response to MTV's query as to whether gamers could expect more DLC prior to Mass Effect 2's release. You know how we are. We're always very circumspect until we can go 'Aha! There it is.'"

Zeschuk went on to explain that BioWare's goal with everything they create is "to have this long-term relationship with the customer and always have something for them to try."

Though Zeschuk carefully skirted official confirmation, his statements do seem to imply that more Mass Effect DLC will eventually be transported onto gamers' Xbox 360 and PC hard drives.

Download Mass Effect Patch 1.01a

Mass Effect 1.01a Patch Notes:

• added some infrastructure support for additional downloadable content
• updated the image of the Batarian race in the codex
• fixed an issue where the center channel for hardware audio wouldn't play correctly sometimes
• fixed an issue where the hardware mouse pointer would disappear when first selected
• fixed an issue where Shepard did not auto-crouch when entering cover in some places
• fixed a tool-tip indicating a game restart is needed before enabling hardware or software audio if the option was changed
• fixed an issue where ambient conversation would not be heard from rear speakers sometimes
• fixed a text string to make it clearer on how to exit a vehicle
• fixed a text string so the tool top for dragging the map is clearer in French languages builds

Mass Effect Configuration Utility

• fixed a crash running on certain multi-core AMD systems
• fixed an issue where video RAM was not being reported properly on certain cards

Demiurge has made itself out to be one of those studios you can depend on. If you have a huge, expensive, killer-IP, AAA title, and you need some extra hands -- Demiurge is the company to call. But since it's (so far) produced little stand-alone, original content, its workers are unsung heroes of the gaming industry. No longer!

In the wake of the release of Mass Effect for the PC (a port on which Demiurge did much of the work), Shacknews interviewed head honcho Al Reed, asking him about the company's past, present, and future. It's a great read if you want an inside look at the video game industry.

Notably, Reed revealed which PC improvements in Mass Effect were invented by Demiurge rather than BioWare -- configurable hotbar buttons and individual squad mate commands. He lamented the piracy situation, saying "I don't know what the right solution is ... I wish someone did!" Finally, he laid out his company's future plans, which finally include some original, in-house games.

Over a week has passed since Mass Effect released for the PC. Although we at Big Download think it's the best version of Mass Effect compared to the Xbox 360 release, many gamers would steer clear of the game due to its restrictive copy protection that only allows a maximum of three installations. PC gaming and annoying copy protection are practically synonymous, ranging from long alphanumeric CD keys to online authentication. Then there are more extreme cases like the whole StarForce controversy, where the copy protection software allegedly damaged computer systems. Mass Effect's copy protection falls just over the line of extremity. It's a feature that has no bearing on actual gameplay but severely impacts the overall user experience. Why? Sound-off after the jump.

Every Friday to come, we'll present to you some of the biggest downloads at Big Download. Sometimes they'll be the most popular, sometimes the best rated. Sometimes they'll be our own personal favorites! There's a little of each in today's inaugural round-up. Thanks to the launch of Mass Effect, the huge Ubidays press event, and all the other exciting stuff this past week, there's a lot of great stuff to check out. Here are the Big Downloads!

	Beyond Good & Evil 2 Teaser Trailer Ubisoft dropped the bomb on everyoneat the Ubidays press event: the esteemed Beyond Good & Evil is getting a sequel! Here's the first trailer, our most popular download this week.
	Doom 3 Classic Mod Relive the 90s in the Doom 3 Classic Mod. It's a remake of classic Doom in the more modern Doom 3 engine.
	Prince of Persia Ubidays 2008 Teaser Trailer Also from Ubidays, the Prince of Persia trailer shows off the next installment's colorful, gorgeous visual style.
	Mass Effect Combat Video 3 We can't let this week slip without featuring arguably its biggest release, Mass Effect. Here's a combat video depicting zombies and worse.
	Get a Life Half-Life 2 Mod The Get a Life mod for Half-Life 2 has been popular in the Big Download offices these past few days. It's a full-length single-player affair that has you uncovering the mysteries of the protagonist's past.

In Big Versus we tackle multiplatform releases that land on PC and console and weigh the pros and cons of the PC version against its console sibling. In each installment we compare games based on included content (such as single and multiplayer features), visuals and everything in between. While our mascot may show an admiration for PC gaming, we're all about telling you the truth in Big Versus.

In our second installment of Big Versus we're tackling BioWare's epic roleplaying title Mass Effect, which hit retail on May 28--six months after its original release on the Xbox 360.

Which version of the critically acclaimed role-playing title comes out on top when we pit them head-to-head. This week we go galactic, so grab a spacesuit and jump in. This is Big Versus.

Gallery: Mass Effect

Another added benefit of picking up the PC release of Mass Effect, besides the fantastic new control scheme, is the availability of free downloadable content that promises to expand the universe. While the first package, 'Bring Down the Sky,' was not included in the retail release, BioWare promised it would be made available when the game launched. Unfortunately the content has been delayed but the legendary Canadian developer is working diligently to bring the 90-minute chapter to PC gamers as soon as possible.

"BioWare's space hamsters are running as fast as they can in their orbital wheels to bring you your free," reads the Mass Effect PC page on BioWare's site.

When the new content is made available BioWare will notify gamers via the game launcher and official site. BioWare also recommends gamers create a BioWare Community Account and register their CD key to prepare for the downloadable content release .

The expertly ported PC version of Mass Effect hit store shelves shelves today. Whether you still haven't picked it up, or you've already bought it but want to peak a few hours ahead, we have a new video for you, in "glorious high definition," to borrow what has by now become a cliché!

The 720p video depicts a female Colonel Shepherd and her team purging an underground lair of zombie-like Thorian enemies, inching closer to eliminating a sentient, mind-controlling plant hidden beneath the ramshackle homes of tragedy-stricken human colonists.

We won't spoil any of the finer narrative details for you, but check the video out; it offers a glimpse of the game's excellent third-person, tactical combat system.

Download the Mass Effect Combat Video 3 from Big Download.

Mass Effect deploys for the PC with a bit less hoopla than last week's medieval juggernaut. Fortunately for the folks who have been awaiting the non-console version, it looks to be a lot less onerous in terms of the hardware you'll need to climb aboard the SS Normandy.

Jay Watamaniuk, their Community Manager, laid out the salient info last month:

Minimum System Requirements

• Processor: 2.4+GHz Intel or 2.0+GHz AMD
• Memory: 1 GB (XP) / 2 GB (Vista)
• Video: nVidia 6800GT or better / ATI 1300XT or better (X1550, X1600 Pro and HD2400 are below minimum system requirements)
• Hard Drive Space: 12 GB

Recommended System Requirements

• Processor: 2.6+GHz Intel or 2.4+GHz AMD
• Memory: 2 GB
• Video: nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX or better / ATI X1800 XL series or better

It's nice to see such modest (relatively speaking) specifications -- a wider user base can jump right into playing without having to visit their parts store of choice to get on the upgrade bandwagon.

Mass Effect, the sci-fi role-playing game developed from Bioware, made a huge impact on the Xbox 360 console last fall, and now it's the PC's turn to get a piece of the action. Sporting higher resolution graphics, a much needed tutorial setting, and an interface custom designed for the PC, it's almost unfair to call the game a port. The mouse and keyboard controls fit so naturally that it's almost impossible to tell that the game wasn't originally meant for the PC. Sure, there are still a few glitches and the roaming the galaxy has some pretty hefty system requirements, but this is the better version of Mass Effect when compared to console version. More after the jump.

Three new videos for Mass Effect PC have parked themselves in our Big Download servers today. Two of the videos feature the much improved user interface in various combat situations. While the third video uses a cutscene to show off the noticeably improved graphics of the PC version. From the looks of the two combat videos it seems like the group who ported the game onto the PC took much into consideration in terms of interface. It really tickles us to see the mysterious player in these movies pause the game and deftly select abilities without any trouble at all.

If you've been on the proverbial fence about getting Mass Effect for your PC, these videos should help make up your mind. At least they'll give you something incredibly pretty to watch, if nothing else. Seriously, we've never seen Krogan skin look so good!

• Mass Effect Combat Video 1
• Mass Effect Combat Video 2
• Mass Effect Tenuous Diplomacy Video

In what could be considered the definitive version of Mass Effect, PC gamers will now have the ability to explore a galaxy of possibilities from the genius-Canucks at BioWare with the anticipated PC version of the best-selling Xbox 360 title. Updated from the original console release is a brand new tactical HUD, graphical improvements and a code to download the first content pack, available to Xbox 360 owners, for free.

Also shipping this week, in an epic list of re-releases, is the platinum edition of Lost Planet from Capcom. Lost Planet Extreme Condition: Colonies Edition adds new maps and modes to the established subzero multiplayer gameplay, including the ability to play as the enemy Akrid.

While we're happy to get two more solid PC titles this week, it would be nice if we could have some fresh content instead of console seconds. Seriously, we're not as jaded as we sound!

Full release list available after the jump!

It's rare that a console port of a game that was released several months ago has generated as much attention as the PC port of Mass Effect has done. However, that's the effect of any game released by BioWare, generally considered to be one of the best, if not THE best, game developers in the world.

Mass Effect makes its PC debut next week (via BioWare's new owners Electronic Arts) but Big Download has a couple of new gameplay movies for you to grab and check out today. One highlights the game's story while the other has a narrated look at the game's combat. Remember, if you pre-order before the game's release on May 28 you get $10 off the regular $49.99 price tag.

Download the Mass Effect PC Story video at Big Download now.

Download the Mass Effect PC Narrated Combat video at Big Download now.

Electronic Arts announced today that the PC version of BioWare's Sci-Fi RPG Mass Effect has gone gold. The game will reach store shelves in North America on May 28th. The European release date is June 6th.

The press release notes that customers who pre-order the game from EA's online store will get some free Dead Space merchandise -- "the first issue of the Dead Space comic book and a Dead Space poster while supplies last." It's probably a safe bet that the two sci-fi themed, third-person games appeal to a similar crowd.

Mass Effect, originally released on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, will include some new features in its PC incarnation -- a revamped user interface, more customizable and powerful combat controls, and 90 minutes of additional storyline content available to 360 users only as a pay-to-play download, called Bring Down the Sky.

You'd think most, if not all, critics would decry the (former) draconian DRM from Mass Effect. Apparently not so. In a piece that is best described as comparing apples to oranges, critic Mike Doolittle manages to wow and astound with statements such as this (which don't even matter anymore, thanks to the DRM removal):

"So let's look again at Mass Effect. Is it really draconian to expect gamers to be connected to the internet? Sure, some people may want to play offline for some arbitrary reason, but is that really going to comprise a significant percentage of players? And what about the three-activation limit? How many times do you plan on re-installing the game? How many friends are you going to 'loan' it to?"

What is he comparing? Well, he's connecting iTunes DRM, which allows for unlimited transfers to iPods and is easily circumvented, to the former Mass Effect DRM, which required you to connect online every 10 days and only allowed 3 installs in total. Maybe he's just a bleary-eyed, out-of-touch dinosaur in regards to the PC gaming scene, but it's very possible to upgrade 3 times within two months, which would indeed require reinstallation. Or maybe he doesn't realize the social nature of gaming because he spends most of his time holed up in an apartment, furiously critiquing single-player games. Either way, if you feel like checking out an article noticeable devoid of logic, check it out.