Latest Headlines

Mass Effect best game ever?

That’s a basically what The Official Xbox Magazine is saying, according to a scan of the holiday issue at N4G.com. Before giving the game a perfect 10, the reviwer, Paul Curthoys, said:

Still, that’s what’s remarkable about Mass Effect. If you separated the gameplay from the story, you could crap on the gameplay for a handful of different things. But in this game, story and gameplay are relentlessly intertwined, and the impact of that is so powerful that any irritation you feel is washed clean away.

More after the jump.

Full Story »

Mass Effect street date broken

Kotaku is reporting they’re receiving emails from readers who have been able to snag their copy of Mass Effect already. The offending (or godsent, depending on your point of view) party this time is Kmart, so if you hustle it’s possible you could get there in time to grab a copy for yourself.

Reports of broken street dates have become incredibly common in recent months. Halo 3, Bioshock, and even Super Mario Galaxy have reportedly had their street dates broken. I’m curious, though, as to whether this is a new phenomenon or if the interwebs is just getting better at reporting/ showing off the information. If developers and publishers have a problem with broken street dates, why wouldn’t they just make sure the game gets to the vendor on the released date, no sooner, no later? Do they just expect a certain number of broken street dates? Could they purposefully be allowing the street date to be broken to drum up pre-release excitement (like Mass Effect or Super Mario Galaxy need it)?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to figure where the local Kmart is.

Mass Effect Exclusive Debut On SCI FI Channel

Microsoft, Yahoo! and SCI-FI Channel celebrate the upcoming release of the new action role-playing game with two weeks of exclusive special programming and events. The SCI FI Channel will also be celebrating 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 Tuesday, Nov. 20.

As the Nov. 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, Microsoft and Yahoo! will debut the exclusive television trailer for the upcoming game on Thursday, Nov. 8. On Monday, Nov. 12, the SCI FI Channel and Microsoft will continue its countdown for the retail release of “Mass Effect” by premiering the all-new, two-hour extended episode of “Battlestar Galactica: Razor” in select movie theaters. For those lucky enough to attend the Seattle premiere, Jamie Bamber, who plays Apollo in “Battlestar Galactica,” and show creator and executive producer Ronald D. Moore will be in attendance.

On Tuesday, Nov. 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 the SCI-Fi “Mass Effect” web site to find all the show times and sign up for the “Mass Effect” sweepstakes, starting Nov. 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 Nov. 20.

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire” comes an epic space saga exclusively for the Xbox 360 that spans the entire galaxy. Combining a rich and engaging narrative with intense sci-fi tactical combat, “Mass Effect” features an immersive and cinematic gameplay experience rarely seen before in video games.

Mass Effect Goes Gold and Limited Collector’s Edition Details

Mass Effect has gone gold along with some preorder details.

Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) “Mass Effect” has gone gold, and will be offered in a limited collector’s edition. Additionally, an exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order the game. The bonus disc is available at participating U.S. retailers while supplies last.

The limited collector’s edition will be offered through participating retailers, and will include the following bonus materials:

• “Mass Effect” fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”
• 36-page guide to the “Mass Effect” universe, including a Citadel timeline and a guide to all non-human races, biotics and the key locations in the Perseus arm of the galaxy
• An additional “Mass Effect” art book titled “A Future Imagined”
• 36-page collection of BioWare’s concept art for the game

A bonus DVD of exclusive “Mass Effect” background material and additional content including:

• “The Vision of “Mass Effect” documentary
• “The Making of “Mass Effect” documentary
• “Interactive Storytelling” documentary
• “Inside BioWare” documentary
• 18 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six)
• 16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four)
• Ten songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack
• Five historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 and the official TV trailer
• A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”
• Design galleries featuring 600 concept images fully commented by the Art Directors

The exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order either edition of the game at participating retailers and will include the following contents:

• • A short documentary on DVD introducing the game
  • 12 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (two unique sets of six)
  • Eight dashboard themes (two unique sets of four)
  • Three songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack on a CD
  • Four historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 on DVD
  • A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”

Mass Effect Trilogy on 360

During an interview with CVG, Dr. Greg Zeschuk the Co-founder of Bioware said it is “Certainly our intent is to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360. That’s the goal.” However, if they will all be exclusive to the 360 Dr. Zeschuk pointed out that is it to soon to tell and that even thinking a year in the future is a big challange these days.

Now we all just have to hope that the console cycle lasts longer then 5 years due mainly to the fact that the 360 is in its second year and the first Mass Effect isnt even released yet. Sure the development for the next 2 games will be shorter because Bioware has all the tools and the game engine built but they still might have to make the choice of rushing the next two games or waiting for the next console cycle to begin to finish the trilogy.

E3 - Over 23 Game Trailers and Growing

Well, I sat down and tried to find all the E3 2007 game trailers and previews I could get my little hands on. I have been able to put together 23 at this time and more to come as soon as I can.

1. Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer

2. Halo Wars E3 2007 Trailer

3. Halo 3 Campaign Trailer E3 2007

4. Lost Odyssey E3 2007 Trailer

5. Assassin’s Creed E3 2007 Trailer

6. Resident Evil 5 Trailer E3 2007

7. Call of Duty 4 : Modern Warfare Trailer E3 2007

8. Medal of Honor : Airborne Trailer E3 2007

9. Naruto: Rise of Ninja E3 2007 Trailer

10. Mass Effect Trailer E3 2007 Trailer

11. Viva Pinata Party Animals E3 2007 trailer

12. Madden NFL 08 E3 2007

13. Fatal Inertia Trailer E3 2007

14. Burnout Paradise E3 2007 Trailer

15. Undertow E3 2007 Trailer

16. TimeShift E3 2007 Trailer

17. Project Gotham Racing 4 E3 2007 Trailer

18. Soul Calibur Legends E3 2007 Trailer

19. NIGHTS journey of dreams E3 2007 Trailer

20. Spore E3 2007 Trailer

21. Age of Conan E3 2007 Trailer

22. Destroy All Humans 3: Path of the Furon E3 2007 Trailer

23. Blacksite: Area 51 E3 2007 Trailer

All the Trailers listed can be viewed on the new E3 2007 Game Trailer page. If you Find more that are not listed here please let me know I will get them added as soon as I can.