[ALL] Mass Effect 3

[BrntO4Life]

It's my assumption at least, don't think it's official.

Seems to make the most sense for EA to release them separate like that though.

SWTOR got a delay yesterday as well. I don't think it hits until Spring 2012.

Electronic Arts and BioWare are betting big on Star Wars: The Old Republic, easily the highest-profile competitor to World of Warcraft since Blizzard assumed genre dominance, but nailing down a release date has been a constantly moving target. In discussing its latest fiscal results, publisher EA was just as cagey about when The Old Republic will be released. Their only guarantee? Before March 31, 2012.

"We are preparing the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic," said EA CEO John Riccitiello on today's financial call. "The launch date, while in our fiscal year, is not yet certain."

In EA's own breakdown for the next year, the company "assumes" The Old Republic will ship within the calendar year (read: before the end of 2011), but has baked in the possibility of a slip into 2012. Just today, BioWare and EA announced Mass Effect 3, originally scheduled for holiday 2011, is now early 2012.

"While we fully anticipate launching Star Wars: The Old Republic in Q2 or Q3," said CFO Eric Brown, "the low end of our guidance range assumes the outside possibility of a January launch."

If you're not following EA's explanation so far, here's a summary: The Old Republic's coming this fiscal year and expects it before 2011's end...but there's a chance it won't actually arrive until next year. Okay.

Unsurprisingly, EA believes the launch of The Old Republic will be "the biggest event of the year."

"We currently have over one million double-opt-in beta testers for the world’s first story-driven, fully
voiced MMO," said EA Games president Frank Gibeau. "Everyone is waiting for us to announce the ship date… Sorry, but that’s not going to happen today. We’re holding the date for two reasons--first, we don't want to tip off the competition; second, we want more data from the beta test to guarantee a spectacular experience at launch."

The wait continues. Ironically, this all comes on Star Wars Day. May the 4th be...oh, nevermind

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/star-...easing-sometime-before-uh-march-31-2012/3132/

 

[killgod]

Well I might still be partially on the right track. Looks like SWTOR aiming for Q4 2011 and ME3 for Q1 2012.

Might not be a bad time to get some EA stock and dump it after ME3 drops.

 

[BrntO4Life]

Well I might still be partially on the right track. Looks like SWTOR aiming for Q4 2011 and ME3 for Q1 2012.

Might not be a bad time to get some EA stock and dump it after ME3 drops.

I think ME3 hits in Jan. 2012 and SWTOR hits in March of 2012. That's enough time for SWTOR to not cannibalize sales (not sure it would anyways). Also, it sets it up to be on an opposite release cycle from World of Warcraft.

We will probably find out for sure at E3.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I think ME3 hits in Jan. 2012 and SWTOR hits in March of 2012. That's enough time for SWTOR to not cannibalize sales (not sure it would anyways). Also, it sets it up to be on an opposite release cycle from World of Warcraft.

We will probably find out for sure at E3.

And here is the thing- both games hit right during times when most people are playing. Its not the spring or summer, where people are outdoors or on vacation. Its a perfect setup for Bioware.

I applaud the hold on not rushing the game. It is going to be a huge competitor to World of Warcraft, so get it right.

 

[CCBrink]

DICE is working with Bioware on the weapons for the game.

 

[killgod]

http://kotaku.com/5800972/five-new-mass-effect-3-details-you-might-want-to-hear

 

Five New Mass Effect 3 Details You Might Want to Hear
Mike Epstein — Mass Effect 3 executive producer Casey Hudson spoke with UK magazine Xbox World, divulging some mid-production intel about Shepard and company. The info is scattershot; little pieces of unconnected details about many different aspects of the game. Still, they help to create a larger picture of BioWare's vision for the game.

For those of you who want stay spoiler-free, here's a broad over-arching synopsis. If all goes according to plan, Mass Effect 3 is going to be bigger than its predecessors: It's also going to be more detailed than ever before. BioWare's goal is to create a realistic physical world worthy of holding the epic universe they created and that their fans love.

Warning: Spoilers below. This is the point of no-return. Reading past this point will reveal information vital to the plot of Mass Effect 3

1. Mass Effect 3 will have fewer party characters than Mass Effect 2
Don't expect to have nearly as many characters in Mass Effect 3 as you did in ME2. ME2's large crew—12 playable characters—was necessary for the game's posse-building storyline, but was a little large for BioWare's taste.

"Twelve was a big number in Mass Effect 2 - almost too big", says Hudson. "We're focused on a smaller squad with deeper relationships and more interesting interplay in Mass Effect 3' he explains. "We're not going to have twelve again but we are going to do more with the characters on your squad including Liara, and Kaidan or Ashley. And we're bringing everyone back - every main character is in Mass Effect 3 somewhere."

So yes, it is very possible that you might not get to control your favorite ME2 character. That said, every character from the game has a role to play in the story, provided they survived your trip through the Omega-4 relay.

2. You will travel to new worlds.
This one's kind of a no-brainer. Many of the planets you'll visit in ME3 are places you've only heard about in previous games. Hudson mentions that you'll see Palaven (the Turian homeworld) and Rannoch (the Quarian homeworld) in the game. It's also confirmed that you will return to Krogan homeworld Tunchaka.

As you might have already guessed, Shepard will also be going to Earth in this game. Hudson said that players will get to see "a Seattle/Vancouver megacity" both before and after the Reapers destroy it. Connecting the world of Mass Effect to our own, the city is designed to look just like Vancouver. "If you Google Map Vancouver the layout is pretty much the exact same as our map," according to level artist Don Arceta.

3. Those worlds are going to be big.
Reapers are big. In order to have accommodate fights with them, or even having them nearby means designing levels much larger than the usual spaceship corridors that make up a large portion of Mass Effect's locales. Many of levels will include more open spaces. BioWare plans to make the shift in a way a dramatic way, claiming that some levels that are not only larger than anything ever seen in a Mass Effect game, but larger than any game built with the Unreal Engine.

Think of it this way. At least one level has to be big enough for Shepard to fight using a 50-foot tall Cerberus mech.

4. In combat, you'll need to think on your feet
The gunplay in Mass Effect 2 is mostly standard cover-based shooter fare. It was often OK to hide behind cover, picking off enemies at the back of a room while directing your teammates. The ME3 team plans to change that. They want you to be forced to scramble. To do that, BioWare is putting enemy tactics at the forefront. Different types of enemies will not only have varying abilities, they'll those skills in tandem. "Some will provide covering fire for snipers, some will deploy smoke to hide advancing comrades, others will coordinate subordinate units, and one will stomp around consuming its fallen friends to fuel itself," according to the feature.

5. Weapons are going to be much more customizable and detailed
In keeping up with their pledge to create a "deeper RPG experience" this time around, you'll be able to fine-tune your weapons in Mass Effect 3 much more than the last two games. "Every weapon is modular and can be customised with up to five modifications; scopes increase a rifle's zoom factor, new barrels increase accuracy or damage," Says Hudson. "Sling your gun on a workbench and it can be customised for a job at hand." Based on that last part, it sounds like it may be important to not only upgrade your weapons, but adjust them to suit different situations.

Hudson also mentioned that the team has been mixing it up with members of the DICE team, getting advice on how to make the guns sound realistic in varying environments.

Now that you've read all that, you're probably not happy that you'll have to wait until 2012 to finally get your hands on it.

It's not loaded with spoilers but does give you an idea about your party members, where you'll go, combat and weaponry.

I'm not one for finding out too much before a game drops, but I'm glad I read that.

Now excuse me while I go :fap: until this comes out.

 

[BrntO4Life]

http://kotaku.com/5800972/five-new-mass-effect-3-details-you-might-want-to-hear

 

It's not loaded with spoilers but does give you an idea about your party members, where you'll go, combat and weaponry.

I'm not one for finding out too much before a game drops, but I'm glad I read that.

Now excuse me while I go :fap: until this comes out.

Listen to the podcast :smug:

 

[killgod]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M8871dVLDM[/ame]

haha that was neat.

 

[Saluki]

When i got my new 360 S, i saved my harddrive and got a transfer cable JUST to keep the mass effect save i've had since ME1

 

[Buzzman]

Amazon has posted details on the collector's edition for Mass Effect 3 on 360, PS3 and PC. Listed at $79.99 with a March 6, 2012 release date, the set includes an art book, a limited edition Dark Horse comic, an N7 fabric patch, and a collection of extra in-game content. The product features listed on Amazon are:

-Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard
-70-page hardbound art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team plus an exclusive 4x6 lithographic print featuring a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork
-Limited edition Mass Effect comic by Dark Horse Comics, complete with unique cover artwork
-Join the ranks of the N7 with the premium fabric N7 patch
-A full collection of in-game content that can't be found anywhere else!

The 360 box art features a Kinect banner, confirming rumors that the 360 version will have some kind of Kinect support. The Microsoft press conference starts shortly, so it's likely that details on its Kinect functionality will be revealed momentarily.

 

[Handleit_44]

Mass Effect 3 Gameplay Trailer E3:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJvrN6JijuU&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

[Handleit_44]

Previous video went private, try this one:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD4kZXDl0-k&feature=channel_video_title[/ame]

 

[Leftwich]

March 6th!? GOD DAMN IT!

 

[Bear Pand]

Sigh at them wasting time on Kinect just make a good game no need for the fluff.

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I am concerned about the direction they are choosing to take for this game.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

March 6th!? GOD DAMN IT!

It makes sense, as what games are usually released in March? The Show and MLB 2K, and thats about it. Its a great strategy for their sales.

Sigh at them wasting time on Kinect just make a good game no need for the fluff.

They are putting Kinect features in this? What the hell......no good can come of this.

 

[Prodigal Son]

all they're adding is voice command ala SOCOM.

 

[Handleit_44]

Link: Rumor: First Mass Effect 3 multiplayer details

Additionally, our source also detailed some parts of the multiplayer campaign. Here’s what we’ve been told:

• The game will feature a Horde style multiplayer mode with “crap loads” of maps.
• It will also have the regular modes such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag.
• The Horde mode will have objectives like Capture The Flag, King of the Hill, and simple shoot-to-kill ‘waves’ as well.
• Up to four players can play cooperatively in the Horde mode.
• Maps are “fairly small” but well designed.
• Players can choose from 6 different classes, or use a prebuilt one’s. Our source didn’t confirm what those classes were, but we reckon all those from ME2 will be present.
• There will be a level cap of 60.
• Some of the enemies were confirmed as well: Geth, Marauders, Husks, and a new enemy type called Brutes. The source described them as insanely “huge ***”.
• The game will also feature a ‘multiplayer store’. The store will carry upgrades for weapons, etc. and other items.
• Players will be able to buy said upgrades and items by earning in-game money based on their performance in the multiplayer. Our source wasn’t sure if the in-game money can be earned via the single player campaign as well, “but I doubt it. Seems like the (singleplayer and multiplayer) modes will be separate.”

The multiplayer is still in its early stages and “needs a lot of work.”

 

[Handleit_44]

Link: Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Details Revealed

• Mass Effect 3 multiplayer has been planned since the original Mass Effect.
  
• Mass Effect 3 represents the first time that Casey Hudson had felt comfortable implementing multiplayer into the series.
  
• The multiplayer experience boils down to a four player co-op survival style mode that lets you fight increasingly difficult waves of Cerberus foes.
  
• The enemies you’ll encounter can range from your most basic foot soldier to “assassin-like Phantoms and even the hulking metal titan-esque Atlas mechs”.
  
• Each “stage” allows you to go up against eleven waves that must be finished in order to complete that section. The mode reminds quite a few of Gears of War’s horde mode, allowing you to net experience points regardless if you finish the wave alive or not.
  
• The “Galaxy at War” mode gives you a reward system, character-progression suite, and a “stake in the larger battle that’s taking place in your single-player campaign.
  
• How you perform in the multiplayer missions has a result on your success in the main storyline as Shepard, but only if you want it to.
  
• Everything you do in the singleplayer campaign will earn you in-game currency called “War Assets”. War Assets allow you to purchase things such as allies, friendly fleets, or even a facility such as a radar station.
  
• Successfully completing various side-missions, larger plot points, and destroying your enemies will net you the War Assets needed to purchase the upgrades.
  
• “The more you play and build up your multiplayer characters to survive increasingly tough odds, the more power and influence your single-player Shepard will wield by the time the endgame comes based on the amount of War Assets earned.”
  
• If you’re one of those gamers that loves to complete every piece of a game, then you’re in luck. By doing enough in the singleplayer campaign, you will be able to earn enough War Assets, you won’t have to participate in the “galactic war”.

• While you’re going through a variety of locations in singleplayer, you’ll see first-hand how the war has hit different colonies. Galaxy at War mode follows suit, allowing your individual character and team to take up arms to defend these various locations. Your squad is under the command of the Alliance Navy officer Admiral Hackett, making his return from each game. Fighting in each various area will and successfully defending it will “win for interstellar freedom”.
  
• As you complete each area or defend newly freed areas, your progress will be detailed on a color-coded map that you’ll be able to view while you’re in the game or a few other platforms. iOS devices, Facebook, and more will allow these to be viewable and have their own “unique hooks” into the Galaxy at War mode.
  
• In the build described in the magazine article, four character classes were mentioned: Soldier, Infiltrator, Engineer, and Sentinel. The final version of the game has been confirmed to have more classes than this to initially choose from, as well as unlockables.
  
• Each class that you select from will allow you to select from a variety of races. Ranging from the likes of a Krogan to a Drell, you’ll have a good bit of variety to choose from. Yes, a Drell, the same race as Thane from Mass Effect 2.
  
• As you can probably figure, each class will allow you to possess “specific abilities” as well as the ability to upgrade a few. Krogan soldiers were described as being able to use a charge attack to knock down enemies, along with Soldiers being able to use the Omni-blade for a few rather lethal attacks. For those wondering, you’ll also be able to choose your gender when choosing any class.

• There’s a set level cap of 20.
  
• While you can stockpile characters, the experience you earn only records for that character’s specific class. Once you level up, you’ll be able to assign those earned points to different abilities.
  
• Before heading into action, you can select your weapon & biotic-powers from the available options.
  
• Armor and weaponry can be upgraded to your individual tastes.
  
• Points can and will be earned for assists, kills, and other similar actions during multiplayer.
  
• When an ally goes down, you’ll have a limited amount of time to revive them. The article mentioned “spamming the A button” while down to increase the amount of time before bleeding out.
  
• Along with killing your enemies, mission objectives will be sprinkled here and there. Retrieving data packets around the map and protecting an ally while they hack a series of terminals were a few of the described mission objectives.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Announcement Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I_spbovvF3Y

 

[killgod]

:fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap: