mass-effect posts

Check out new preview of Mass Effect comic's first issue

by John Callaham Oct 13th 2009 @ 5:00PM

Last summer Dark Horse Comics announced plans to release Mass Effect: Redemption, a four-issue comic based on BioWare's sci-fi RPG series. Now the Comic Book Resources web site has secured the first six pages of the first issue for everyone to check out.

Co-written by BioWare's own Mac Walters, the first issue of the monthly four issue mini-series ships to stores in January 2010 As we reported on earlier this month, BioWare's other big RPG game, Dragon Age: Origins, will also be getting a comic book series in January via IDW Publishing. The regular monthly comic is scheduled to be written by Orson Scott Card.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Steam users report issues with new Mass Effect DLC installs

by John Callaham Aug 26th 2009 @ 8:00PM

If you own the PC version of Mass Effect and downloaded the game via Valve's Steam service you might have encountered some problems installing the new Pinnacle Station paid DLC content that BioWare released earlier this week. Reports from BioWare's message board states that Steam owners get a "Mass Effect CD key not found" error when trying to install Pinnacle Station.

However it appears the bug is with the DLC file and not with Steam. In a response to the issues, BioWare's Jack Lamden states on the message board, "The PRC installer that works with the Steam version of the game should replace what's currently on the EA store tomorrow sometime. You would just need to redownload the PRC and attempt to install again." That post was made on Tuesday night so its possible that the new version that works should be available to download from the EA Store now.

Gallery: Mass Effect

Filed under: Downloads, Expansions, RPG, Mass Effect Series

New Mass Effect PC DLC available for purchase

by John Callaham Aug 25th 2009 @ 6:00PM

After over a year of waiting, PC games can finally download the second (and presumably last) downloadable content for BioWare's sci-fi RPG Mass Effect. The DLC, titled Pinnacle Station, can be found at Electronic Arts' downloadabe store for $5.

The download gives players of Mass Effect access to training facility at Pinnacle Station where players can test their combat skills in 12 different scenios in a holo-deck style of setting. There's also a final, 13th, mission, where things get real and you and your crew could be in danger. You can earn new weapons and items in the missions that you can take with you in the main game. It adds about two to three more hours of gameplay. Your character has to have achieved Spectre status before checking out the Pinnacle Station missions.

Gallery: Mass Effect

Filed under: Downloads, Expansions, RPG, Mass Effect Series

Download: Mass Effect v1.02 Patch

by Steven Wong Aug 25th 2009 @ 11:15AM

It may seem like this patch is a bit overdue considering Mass Effect released for the PC well over a year ago, but better late than never. If nothing else, it's a sign that this is the opportune time to load up the game again and level up your characters in preparation for Mass Effect 2, due out in 2010. The patch updates all retail versions of Mass Effect (except Eastern Europe) to v1.02 and addresses a number of bugs and gameplay issues. Steam customers are advised to use the auto-updater. A list of changes can be seen after the jump.

Download Mass Effect v1.02 Patch (71 MB)
Check out all Mass Effect downloads

Gallery: Mass Effect

Continue reading Download: Mass Effect v1.02 Patch

Filed under: Downloads, Patches, Action, RPG, Mass Effect Series

New Mass Effect 2 screens show off teammate with dead, soulless eyes

by James Murff Aug 14th 2009 @ 7:00PM

Mass Effect 2 is shaping up to be a stunning game, with intricately designed characters that evoke emotions through complex interactions with you and the NPCs around you. There's even old teammates from your play through the original Mass Effect. One of the new teammates, Thane, seems more like fuel for your nightmares, though. Five new screenshots for Mass Effect 2 have been released, and we gotta say, the new teammate is downright scary. Called Thane, he (or she? We can't tell) has absolutely no facial expressions whatsoever and black pits for eyes. It doesn't help that he looks relatively human in the face, just with a total lack of emotion.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2

Filed under: Screenshots, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect 1's save games will affect storyline in Mass Effect 2

by John Callaham Jul 24th 2009 @ 7:00PM

Several months ago we were told that if we still had our save games for Mass Effect 1 to hold onto them because they could be used in the sequel Mass Effect 2. Now in a new chat with PCWorld.com, BioWare's lead producer of the game Casey Hudson has given us some clues as to how those Mass Effect 1 save games will work in the sci-fi RPG's sequel.

Hudson states that when you import your save file into Mass Effect 2, ' . . . now we can continue mining all that information. And it's not just what your ending was, or a couple of the big choices, you know, where we could have stuck a conversation at the beginning and asked you what you did and moved on. This is literally hundreds of things." In other word a conversation with, say, a NPC in the original could have repercussions when you meet that same character again in the sequel. It definately makes us want to go back and replay the original. In the meantime Mass Effect 2 is due out in the first quarter of 2010.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

News on Mass Effect 1 DLC coming this week?

by John Callaham Jun 22nd 2009 @ 1:00PM

It's been a while since BioWare has promised that we might be getting some new downloadable content for their sci-fi RPG Mass Effect but a new clue on the DLC's reveal has been put forth on the company's official Twitter web page.

The note says, "Getting the feeling some news about the next ME1 DLC may be coming this week. Keep your eyes peeled." Oh we will, we will. Last February a video showed BioWare team members talking about a future downloadable update for the game, which they hinted would consist of some kind of combat arena for characters to fight in with the setting described as a "casino gaming fight club space station."There hasn't been a content update for Mass Effect since May of 2008 when the Bring Down The Sky mission was released.

Gallery: Mass Effect

Filed under: Downloads, Expansions, RPG, Mass Effect Series

Video Games Live sells MP3 player with exclusive live music tracks

by John Callaham Jun 11th 2009 @ 5:00PM

The Video Games Live music concerts tours have been going on for a few years now all over the world but what if you happen to live in a part of the world where there are not any plans to hold such an event? Today Video Games Live announced that they are selling an exclusively branded MP3 player that will hold 10 exclusive live performances of a number of game music from those concerts.

The $50 MP3 player is currently on sale at the Video Games Live web site. The 2 GB player comes with headphones, a USB adapter, support for an internal speaker and a microphone for recording voices. The 10 music tracks have not been released before now and include live recordings of music from games like Halo, Warcraft, Mass Effect, Civilization IV and more.

Filed under: Culture

More GoGamer.com PC game sales hit the net

by John Callaham May 10th 2009 @ 9:00AM

GoGamer.com is one of the best retail web sites to get huge deals on boxed PC games. They have just launched a new 48 Hour Madness sale and as usual it's packed with both older and more recent PC games with their prices cut to the bone.

Among the games on sale is Tron 2.0 for a tiny $1.90, Scarface: The World is Yours for just $4.90, FlatOut 2 for a minuscule $2.90 and the more recent PC port of Mass Effect for just $9.90. All of these prices are valid until 3 am ET on Tuesday at GoGamer.com so if you are at all interested you might want to move quickly.

Filed under: Biz, Action, Driving, FPS

Mass Effect 2 confirmed for PC

by John Callaham Mar 17th 2009 @ 5:00PM

While the game has technically been in the public eye for several weeks, today BioWare and Electronic Arts sent out a press release making Mass Effect 2 "official". The press release also confirmed that the title will be heading to the PC platform in early 2010.

While a previously released teaser trailer gave some hints as to Mass Effect 2's storyline this new press release gives even more info on the plot for the sci-fi RPG sequel. "In this dark second chapter, Saren's evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, who are still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril..." Hmmmm...bigger, faster, stronger...just the right formula for a sequel.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Concept Art