Mass Effect coming to PC in May. (XP + Vista)

Award-Winning Epic Will Be Published By EA

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Leading video game developer, BioWareTM, an Electronic Arts Inc. company, has announced that the award-winning space epic Mass EffectTM will be released for the PC in May 2008. Published by EA and re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:

* Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
* High resolution visuals - Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
* Fully customizable controls - PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
* Run & Gun Control - Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
* New decryption mini-game.
* New inventory screen GUI and functionality - The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

"Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline - all set in a compelling new universe," said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA's Games Label added, "EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future."

Originally released for the Xbox 360TM videogame and entertainment system, Mass Effect has received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 70 awards including Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year. Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David. Mass Effect for the PC has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.


http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080212/20080212005536.html?.v=1

One less 360 exclusive, not that I care I have both 360 and PC but yeah no longer an exclusive.

Good, I guess all the wondering if it was going to happen can stop now.

It's a great game and should be even better on the PC from what it sounds like from the article.

PS: Not just any old PC though - so cows & sheep without a nice Gaming PC need not apply. ;)

Run & Gun Control - Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. That sounds really good. I bet the PC won't have the texture pop-in issues either.SolidSnake35

I would think that would make it worse and potentially easier. I think the game was designed to have some focus on using the covering system.

Well, who didnt see this coming?

Although I am surprised by the timing. I thought it would come by November and not so soon.

On a side note, I can imagine that this game will have some amazing mods.... *drools*

Good, I guess all the wondering if it was going to happen can stop now.

SecretPolice

Bioware's games always went to PC, and that certainly wasn't going to stop after EA picked them up.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]Run & Gun Control - Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. That sounds really good. I bet the PC won't have the texture pop-in issues either.LTomlinson21

I would think that would make it worse and potentially easier. I think the game was designed to have some focus on using the covering system.

Thats not what it means ;) , instead of having to bring up the popup menu to change abilities, you can just assign them all individually to keys, you still have to cover.

Another 360 'exclusive' goes on the PC. :? PS3Compass

Run & Gun Control - Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. That sounds really good. I bet the PC won't have the texture pop-in issues either.SolidSnake35

it probably will but to a lesser extent and it will sort itself out faster compared to the 360. unfortunately (as i have seen with crysis, UT3 and bioshock) PCs are not immune to this problem.

and that was fast. may? i wasnt expecting an announcement until around E3 and a release for christmas. dang....i already have the 360 version, which is still great, but i would have preferred it on PC (mouse and keyboard and faster laoding and all that). i only hope its a good port. it could easily be a quick and dirty. there was never any whisper of a PC version being worked on at the same time from bioware.

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

Good, I guess all the wondering if it was going to happen can stop now.

Jandurin

Bioware's games always went to PC, and that certainly wasn't going to stop after EA picked them up.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=26209903

awesome news baby! made my day

Yay :D I didn't expect it to be ported this quicklyLonelynight

Carry on.

[QUOTE="PS3Compass"]Another 360 'exclusive' goes on the PC. :? Jandurin

I knew it would eventually happen, but I didn't expect this soon.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"]

[QUOTE="PS3Compass"]Another 360 'exclusive' goes on the PC. :? PS3Compass

I knew it would eventually happen, but I didn't expect this soon.

This SCREAMS fishy. The game was out in November! How in the world can they have a full port done in 6 months? I swear, watch out for the announcement of a sequel due out this year or EARLY next year at GDC or E3...TheSystemLord1

Answer, EA! They have deep pockets.

Well there goes my only reason to get a 360. Hopefully the requirements arent too high.bonethug1213

If that was your only reason to get a 360 then I feel that you probably wouldn't have ever bought one anyway.Lemmings don't care if this goes to PC, it's not a system seller, it's like Jade empire going to PC, who gives a ****

Plus this has been on the cards since EA bought Bioware, it was only a matter of time.

YES

I've been waiting

I'm puttin this on my computer :D I've got it on 360, but the free downloads and MOD support for this kind of RPG are going to be phenominal; I just can't wait.

[QUOTE="bonethug1213"]Well there goes my only reason to get a 360. Hopefully the requirements arent too high.VodkaAndCoke

If that was your only reason to get a 360 thenI feel that you probably wouldn't have ever bought one anyway.Lemmings don't care if this goes to PC, it's not a sytsem seller, it's like Jade empire going to PC, who gives a ****

Plus this has been on the cards since EA bought Bioware, it was only a matter of time.

Sorry but you're wrong. Jade Empire coming to PC was ported over 2 YEARS after it was released. It's nothing like Jade Empire. It's much more ambitious game and it will arrive on PC a mere six months after it was released on the Xbox 360.

This is going to happen more and more when it comes to 360, and it's not like it's not happening in reverse as well. Microsoft is happy to see games go to Windows, they are a pC based company. It's still a console exclusive like Bioshock, and a number of other games, out or on their way like Dark Messiah today.dru26

System Wars rules, Console Exclusives do not exist.

System Wars rulesMeu2k7

I've been enjoying SW lately. :lol:

[QUOTE="Meu2k7"] System Wars rulesJandurin

I've been enjoying SW lately. :lol:

:P

GDC soon, even more E-Drama :o

Excuse me while I go an hit the wall with my head, why, because I went out and bought it for my 360, which isn't bad but my 8800GT, C2D @ 3.2ghz and 2 GB of ram would most probably eliminate all the tech. issues like framerate, texture popins, jaggies, etc. But I liked the game though, it was a much better purchase than Assassin's Creed.muscleserge

Same, I could probably sell it for more than the PC version costs anyway :D

Does it got cheevs? Aint gettin it to play again unless its gots cheevs.

[QUOTE="muscleserge"]Excuse me while I go an hit the wall with my head, why, because I went out and bought it for my 360, which isn't bad but my 8800GT, C2D @ 3.2ghz and 2 GB of ram would most probably eliminate all the tech. issues like framerate, texture popins, jaggies, etc. But I liked the game though, it was a much better purchase than Assassin's Creed.Meu2k7

Same, I could probably sell it for more than the PC version costs anyway :D

and that'll make the wii tied with the 360 in AAAEs. :oCaseyWegner

Dunnn Dunn DUuuuuuuuuuuuuuun

and that'll make the wii tied with the 360 in AAAEs. :oCaseyWegner

ME wasn't an AAA on GS

Anyone who didn't see this one coming must have learned nothing from every other Microsoft-published Xbox "exclusive" ever released.

* New inventory screen GUI and functionality - The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

I knew that it would be ported quickly, but I didn't expect to see it until the latter half of the year.

That's great news - I'll probably pick it up, even though I've never been a huge fan of Bioware's role-playing formula.

*Edit* ...unless it's Vista-only.