RPG studio extraordinaire BioWare has described their processes for localising their massive games. They "can't stress enough" how critical tools are. Studios must "have patience and think long term" when localising, and everyone should be involved as it grants you "extra checks and balances" that way.
Producer Mike Laidlaw of BioWare has said that Dragon Age II will likely last longer than Mass Effect but won't rack up the hours of Dragon Age: Origins. He notes it depends on "how you play games," either rushing through or taking your time. It's longer when side questing, with full bosses "tucked away".
Gamers who buy Dragon Age II will find a nice card in their box telling them "The ARRIVAL has begun", refering to the leaked Mass Effect 2 DLC that will bridge Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 together. This can only mean that 'Arrival' will have the Reapers coming to Earth and giving us a good whomping. Oh, that's "Reapers" to the Turian councilor. Maybe this will convince him they're real.
CEO John Riccitiello of EA has revealed the "day and day" release for Mass Effect 2 on PS3 was a success in both traditional retail and digital PSN purchases. Sony had never done one before he noted, so this was a 'tech test' for their infrastructure. EA didn't market the game but digital hit double-digit percentage.
EA's Czech portal site announces that the Bratislava Game Expo will have lectures as well as "exclusive information about Mass Effect 3" from the publisher. This year's expo runs from March 18th to the 20th in Istropolis. Last month composer Black Swan was announced as taking over musical responsibilities.
Who pinched ultimate BAFTA glory this year? It was BioWare with Mass Effect 2 winning 'Best Game'. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit got Multiplayer. Heavy Rain clinched three wins for 'Original Music,' 'Story,' and 'Technical Innovation'. GAME Award 2010 went to Call of Duty: Black Ops. Civ V got Strategy.
The final downloadable content for Mass Effect 2, "Arrival" has been confirmed and will be available on March 29. The content will bridge Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.
While some screenshots have spoiled there will probably be a new Normandy in Mass Effect 3, it won't be without the loyal artificial intelligence EDI, as Tricia Helfer has tweeted that she just finished her first round of voice over recording for ME3.
During Mass Effect 2's development BioWare had "a few prototypes" where HUD information was in the game world, like in EA's Dead Space 2. However it didn't work so well when in cover - if they'd have "simplified" Shepard's health it "might have been easier". They're still "investigating ways" to do it.
BioWare's The Arrival DLC for Mass Effect 2 is available right now on the Xbox Live Marketplace and weighs in at 780MB and costs 560 Microsoft Points. This is the final downloadable content with any new missions and people for Mass Effect 2, as it makes way for the Reaper invasion of Earth in Mass Effect 3.
It's that time again once more, again. The US PlayStation Store has new shiny wares to lure away our cash, such as Mass Effect 2's The Arrival DLC. Free Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus for PlayStation Plus subscribers, PSN exclusive side-scroller Moon Diver, and Need for Speed Shift 2 content.
What digital stuff can Xbox Live users get all tingly over? Well Major Nelson has spilled the near future schedule for us on DLC, deals and downloadables. There are savings to be had April 1st on Comic Jumper, Fallout: New Vegas and Fable III. The Stacking add-on arrives April 6th. L.A. Noire avatars tomorrow!
Electronic Arts and Bioware are celebrating the success of Dragon Age II by offering all owners of the game with a free copy of Mass Effect II.
The Mass Effect property will be sailing into uncharted waters, as a new anime film and television series has been announced by BioWare and distributor FUNimation, which will be produced by T.O Entertainment, Inc. "Over the last few years, we have revealed different pieces of the Mass Effect world through different media. Extending the story through an anime medium is another amazing opportunity for us," said Mass Effect series executive producer Casey Hudson.
The first Mass Effect 3 image of Commander Shepard, the default male version at the very least, graces the cover of Game Informer, and just the picture of Shepard in a badass hero pose makes the wait for ME3 that much longer.
The latest issue of Game Informer magazine spills juicy details about BioWare's Mass Effect 3, such as it including a lot more RPG and freedom to develop your team. Garrus and Liara are definitely returning with others depending on whether they survived. Cerberus is royally ticked off and after Shephard and the Normandy.
Casey Hudson, Mass Effect supremo, has said BioWare is continuing to "think of a way" you and friends can play in Mass Effect but they "haven't yet come up with a way". They don't want just multiplayer clichés like team deathmatch. An MMO setting "kind of makes sense" for Mass Effect he said; the IP "has that quality" to it.
Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 are critically acclaimed with big sales figures under their belts, but what's under everyone's skin is the "poorly-thought-out DRM". Ars Technica reports that for 3/4 days users have been "unable to play" their DA:O saved games because EA servers were down - "incompetence and malicious neglect".
Images of 'Project Zulu' have appeared on the web sourced from the development version of Xbox Live Marketplace. It says "BioWare presents" the project. It's a "fantasy role playing action adventure in space!" There are DLC test packs listed as well. The description says there's no multiplayer or co-op in 'Zulu'.
In news sure to disappoint roleplaying gamers everywhere, Mass Effect 3 has been delayed til the first three months of 2012.