With the high level of anticipation leading all the way up to its release, and the raves it garnered on the Xbox 360 when it finally did, it was pretty much inevitable that Mass Effect would be coming to a PC near you, sooner or later. Well, if you’ve been holding out for that optimized version, May is your lucky month. Your ultimate version will include:
-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.
Most of that stuff is the usual fare, but hey, who’s keeping track of silly things like that? Thanks to the nightly news, we now know that Mass Effect is really nothing more than a hot alien sex simulator — by the way, Bioware thanks you in advance for the free publicity.
To those of you who already played through the Xbox 360 version, I ask you this: planning on going for sloppy seconds, or has your taste for debauchery just about been tapped out? Inquiring minds want to know.
[Via Yahoo — Thanks, Mabec]
Official Press Release:
MASS EFFECT TO LAND ON PC IN MAY 2008
Award-Winning Epic Will Be Published By EA
Redwood City, Calif. (February 12, 2008) – Leading video game developer,
BioWare(tm), an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) company, has
announced that the award-winning space epic Mass Effect(tm) 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 360(tm) 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.About BioWare
BioWare is an electronic entertainment company which develops computer,
console, handheld and online video games focused on rich stories and
memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the
world’s best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur’s
Gate(tm) and Neverwinter Nights(tm) series, and Star Wars(r): Knights of
the Old Republic(tm). Original BioWare-created IPs include Jade
Empire(tm) and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect(tm). With studios
in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is hard at work on the
epic fantasy RPG, Dragon Age, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood [is
that all one title or multiple? Hard to tell.] for the Nintendo
DS(tm),as well as several unannounced projects including a massively
multiplayer online game. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world’s
leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more
information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com <http://www.bioware.com/>About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded
in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular
handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA SPORTS(tm), EA(tm), EA SPORTS BIG(tm) and POGO(tm).
In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles
that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game
site is www.ea.com <http://www.ea.com/> . More information about EA’s
products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at
http://info.ea.com <http://info.ea.com/> .BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or
registered trademarks owned by BioWare Corp. in the U.S. and other
countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
