Mass Effect 3 Being Shaped by 1,000 Story Variables

Teh Kotor killa ? :twisted:

Bioware, this has got to be the greatest game ever or else. :P

Anywho, what ya think ?

Oh and I want the Mako back with plenty of on planet exploration and Earth and our solar system should be part of that. :D

The story.

---

http://www.1up.com/news/mass-effect-3-shaped-1000

It's a simple concept of exponential growth: If you make one game with many different story paths depending on the choices a player makes, then make a sequel that continues those paths and adds even more, and then another sequel with even more paths, you end up with a hell of a lot of variables. How many? According to Mass Effect 2 project lead Casey Hudson, there's potentially 1,000 total story variables for Mass Effect 3.

"Numerically, it's over 1,000 variables that we'll have access to for shaping the Mass Effect 3 experience for people who've played the previous games," Hudson said to PC Zone magazine (via CVG). "We plan out the larger plot points of the story from one game to the next, but it would be impossible to plan it all in advance. More importantly, we'd never be able to plan as many creative opportunities if we'd do it all up front.

"Instead, we record what a player has done in a play-through, and then we have all of those choices available that writers can refer to as they build storylines," Hudson explained. And if you were a fan of the more action-oriented refinements made to Mass Effect 2, be heartened, as Hudson said they'll carry over into 2 as well.

"In Mass Effect 2 we focused on what we love about RPGs: An awesome sense of exploration, intense combat, a deep and non-linear story that's affected by your actions, and rich customization of your armor, weapons and appearance," Hudson explained. "We had an overwhelmingly positive response to this approach, and while we'll make further adjustments to it for Mass Effect 3, we're really happy with how it's been received so far."

There's no word yet on exactly when BioWare plans to release the third and final entry in the Mass Effect trilogy.

Teh Kotor killa ? :twisted:

Bioware, this has got to be the greatest game ever or else. :P

Anywho, what ya think ?

Oh and I want the Mako back with plenty of on planet exploration and Earth and our solar system should be part of that. :D

The story.

SecretPolice

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! That machine was evil. :cry: Bring back planet exploration, but create a new machine capable of driving in a straight line, and with a full turning circle, instead of 30 point turns.

ME3 is easly my most antecipated game. Bioware, just take the time you need to make ME3 as brilliant as ME1 and 2.

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

Teh Kotor killa ? :twisted:

Bioware, this has got to be the greatest game ever or else. :P

Anywho, what ya think ?

Oh and I want the Mako back with plenty of on planet exploration and Earth and our solar system should be part of that. :D

The story.

WhenCicadasCry

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! That machine was evil. :cry: Bring back planet exploration, but create a new machine capable of driving in a straight line, and with a full turning circle, instead of 30 point turns.

PLease make it a actual RPG this time.

with 1000 options to end it, I think it will be something really stupid. Like in borderlands how they said there was like a milllion weapons but, they were all just slight variations of eachother.

They can do whatever they want with the story... I just want more ambiguous choices and exploration back. When the game becomes focused around the narrative (like in ME2) it loses a lot of its atmosphere. Being able to explore environments, even if they are bland and empty (like most places in the universe) it still gives a greater feeling of size and scale. ME2 made me feel like I was being strung along inside of a novel, not playing a role-playing game.

[QUOTE="SparkyProtocol"]Awesome, 2012 release date methinks.OpenCloset

[QUOTE="SparkyProtocol"]Awesome, 2012 release date methinks.OpenCloset

At least the world would end with style. Just give me time to beat ME3 :P

"In Mass Effect 2 we focused on what we love about RPGs: An awesome sense of exploration, intense combat, a deep and non-linear story that's affected by your actions, and rich customization of your armor, weapons and appearance," Hudson explained. "We had an overwhelmingly positive response to this approach, and while we'll make further adjustments to it for Mass Effect 3, we're really happy with how it's been received so far."

SecretPolice

Sorry, but that part made me laugh

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

I've got all my games ready to go. I have Paragon/Renegade games on my PC (maxed) and Paragon/Renegade on my 360 (maxed).

Sorry, but that part made me laughCushVA

I've got all my games ready to go. I have Paragon/Renegade games on my PC (maxed) and Paragon/Renegade on my 360 (maxed).

lundy86_4

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

"In Mass Effect 2 we focused on what we love about RPGs: An awesome sense of exploration, intense combat, a deep and non-linear story that's affected by your actions, and rich customization of your armor, weapons and appearance," Hudson explained. "We had an overwhelmingly positive response to this approach, and while we'll make further adjustments to it for Mass Effect 3, we're really happy with how it's been received so far."

CushVA

Sorry, but that part made me laugh

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

tomarlyn

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

I've got all my games ready to go. I have Paragon/Renegade games on my PC (maxed) and Paragon/Renegade on my 360 (maxed).

lundy86_4

I've never played a Bioware game as the bad guy. It just feels wrong whenever I attempt too. :( I was literally Jesus Christ in Fallout 3 too. The darkside seems so much fun.

[QUOTE="tomarlyn"][QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

FlamesOfGrey

I agree. Except some RPG elements that was deeper on ME1

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"][QUOTE="tomarlyn"] I'm sad the cry babies won, scanning is so much more boring.PAL360

I agree. Except some RPG elements that was deeper on ME1

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

I've got all my games ready to go. I have Paragon/Renegade games on my PC (maxed) and Paragon/Renegade on my 360 (maxed).

WhenCicadasCry

I've never played a Bioware game as the bad guy. It just feels wrong whenever I attempt too. :( I was literally Jesus Christ in Fallout 3 too. The darkside seems so much fun.

Bioware, shut up. AAllxxjjnn

what's that all about?

[QUOTE="tomarlyn"][QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

You guys who had problems handling the Mako just needed more practice. :P

Seriously, I'll admit at first it was a bit umm, unorthodox but really, after a little time I was driving, jumping, hopping around like a pro. :)

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"][QUOTE="tomarlyn"] I'm sad the cry babies won, scanning is so much more boring.tomarlyn

Yeah, the scanning was abit boring but I'd take that over horrible controls on nearly empty planets with repetitive base layouts anyday. ME2 changes were for the best IMO.FlamesOfGrey

I agree. Except some RPG elements that was deeper on ME1

[QUOTE="AAllxxjjnn"]Bioware, shut up. CaseyWegner

what's that all about?

[QUOTE="AAllxxjjnn"]Bioware, shut up. CaseyWegner

what's that all about?

Customization aside, the game had great combat, a deep and non-linear story that was affected by your actions and there was a great sense of exploration, maybe not on the same level as the Gothic games, or Fallout or whatnot but it was definitely there..alextherussian

[QUOTE="WhenCicadasCry"]

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

I've got all my games ready to go. I have Paragon/Renegade games on my PC (maxed) and Paragon/Renegade on my 360 (maxed).

clyde46

I've never played a Bioware game as the bad guy. It just feels wrong whenever I attempt too. :( I was literally Jesus Christ in Fallout 3 too. The darkside seems so much fun.

Forget that. I want to call a Hanar a big stupid jellyfish. :(

[QUOTE="clyde46"][QUOTE="WhenCicadasCry"]

I've never played a Bioware game as the bad guy. It just feels wrong whenever I attempt too. :( I was literally Jesus Christ in Fallout 3 too. The darkside seems so much fun.

WhenCicadasCry

Forget that. I want to call a Hanar a big stupid jellyfish. :(

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"][QUOTE="PAL360"]

I agree. Except some RPG elements that was deeper on ME1

tomarlyn

I hated the management of equipment system but i liked the level up customization options alot more.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="AAllxxjjnn"]Bioware, shut up. AAllxxjjnn

what's that all about?

Or just be honest about the game.

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"][QUOTE="PAL360"]

I agree. Except some RPG elements that was deeper on ME1

tomarlyn

I just started playing WPRG's this generation and come from the JRPG scene. ME2 felt more like a TPS in comparison to the original. When I wasn't in dialogue it was strictly shooting action folllow by more shooting action with the occasional break for mineral gathering. The leveling and stat screen was rarely used. ME3 needs to have a better balance, not too much and not too little.

980 of them being irrelevant.

Anyways, I enjoyed a lot the way the decisions of ME1 were transfered to ME2, so this is great news for me.