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This is an exclusive sneak peek at a Sci-Fi Channel documentary about the new Xbox 360-exclusive game Mass Effect that was released worldwide last week.

The program features interviews with the developers at BioWare, game-industry insiders, science & technology experts, and a mix of celebrities, actors & athletes who all have a lot to say about how science & technology meet art & fiction in this epic new story.

The complete 30-minute documentary has already aired on the Sci-Fi Channel, so hopefully it will be made available as a free download on Xbox Live Marketplace in the near future. — Thanks to Joe for sending this in.

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The staff at Mass Effect developer BioWare have taken the time to answer some Frequently Asked Questions. Here’s the huge list of FAQs about the game in general, its characters, universe, gameplay (RPG & combat), interface & controls, and future plans.

General questions:

1. What is Mass Effect?
Mass Effect is the latest Action RPG from Edmonton-based BioWare. For more information, let’s turn to Casey Hudson, Bob McCabe, Chris Priestly, and other members of BioWare’s fine development team.

Bob McCabe: Well, when I asked Casey about this he kept saying “Epic Sci-Fi with an immersive storyline set in an incredible science-fiction galaxy. And then he’d go on about inspirations for the game like the Design styles of Sid Mead or movies like Blade Runner and Alien.

2. Is Mass Effect played from a first-person or third-person perspective?
Bob McCabe: Preston, the lead designer, agrees with you that Resident Evil 4 is one of the best games ever. And I know he appreciates the camera angle of Resident Evil 4. On the other hand, he, and we, all know that the POV has to match the gameplay. And, if possible, alternative options would be nice.

We’ve designed how we want the game to play out, but once you get everything up and running, things tend to shift slightly this way or that. As such, the current POV is in flux.

3. Is Mass Effect a single-player only game?
Chris Priestly: Mass Effect is planned as a Single Player RPG.

4. Which engine is using Mass Effect? Is it Unreal 3?
Chris Priestly: Well, tools have been added to the existing engine and we’ve made some modifications and extensions for Mass Effect. But basically, yes.

Bob McCabe: Yep, this question has been answered before - but that’s OK! Mass Effect will, more or less, be using the Unreal 3 engine. I’m not a tech guy so I can’t answer this perfectly clearly, but the idea is that we’ve done a lot of work with the engine to fit it into our brand of RPG - but basically, yeah… Unreal 3.

5. When is the release date of Mass Effect?
Mass Effect’s release dates are November 20th in America & Canada, November 22nd in Australia, and November 23rd in Europe.

6. Will Mass Effect be coming to the PC?
Chris Priestly: Mass Effect is planned as an Xbox 360 exclusive title. This means we are not working on a PC version and have no plans to start making one.
(more…)

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Mass Effect, exclusively for Xbox 360, is set to light up the North American sales charts in only two days!

In these voice talent spotlight videos we get to take a look behind-the-scenes as the talented voice work of Seth Green, Keith David, Lance Henriksen, and Marina Sirtis is put on display. We get to here some commentary from the actors on what it was like doing voice work for a video and for Mass Effect in particular as well as watch as they do some recording for their lines in the game. There’s also a compilation of Seth Green outtakes!

This game definitely has some great voice acting. Can’t wait to play it!

(more…)

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Microsoft, Yahoo! and SCI FI Channel celebrate the upcoming release of the Xbox 360-exclusive action role-playing game Mass Effect, with two weeks of exclusive special programming and events. As the November 20 launch date for Mass Effect for Xbox 360 draws nigh, the threat of an alien rogue force looms ever closer. To help unlock some of the secrets and mysteries of the vast universe in the highly-anticipated action RPG.

Yahoo started out by airing this new “distress call” trailer showing the game’s depth of choice with quotes as “Many decisions lie ahead… none of them easy.”

On Tuesday, November 20, the SCI FI Channel will celebrate the launch of “Mass Effect” with the debut of a 30-minute special entitled “Sci vs. Fi: Mass Effect.” Scheduled to air at 11 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, the special will feature more in-depth information about the game, exclusive interviews and exciting behind-the scenes footage.

In conjunction with the special, fans are encouraged to go to SCI FI’s Mass Effect page to find all the show times and sign up for the “Mass Effect” sweepstakes, starting November 13, for a chance to win the coveted limited collector’s edition of Mass Effect.

Also fueling anticipation for the game is the new Mass Effect micro-site on Xbox.com, which launched today. The micro-site offers a wealth of “Mass Effect” content in one convenient portal, including the latest news and events on the game, as well as screenshots and special promotional items that no space traveling enthusiast should be without. Music fans will also find the “Mass Effect” Original Game Soundtrack, now available for presale and at retailers on November 20.
(more…)

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Electronic Arts today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp. — the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. This acquisition gives EA a strong competitive position in key genres in interactive entertainment: action, adventure and role-playing games. The two studios have been recognized for creating some of the highest-quality games in the industry.

BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios have ten franchises under development, including six wholly owned games. BioWare Corp. is currently developing the highly anticipated Mass Effect, which will be published by Microsoft in November, and is in the early development stages of a massively multiplayer online game. Pandemic Studios is redefining open-world games with its upcoming Mercenaries 2: World in Flames and Saboteur, in addition to several unannounced projects.

So how much did it cost? EA will pay up to $620 million in cash to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp. and will issue up to an additional $155 million in equity to certain employees of VG Holding Corp., which will be subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria. EA will also assume outstanding VG Holding Corp. stock options. In addition, EA has agreed to lend VG Holding Corp. up to $35 million through the closing of the acquisition. So we’re talking about $810 million total!

Pandemic Studios and BioWare Corp. employ roughly 800 people across four studios located in Edmonton, Canada; Los Angeles; Austin; and Brisbane, Australia. John Riccitiello, EA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I’m glad to be working with them again. They’ll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties.”

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