Mass Effect Q&A: Mapping the Galaxy
Project lead Casey Hudson joins BioWare's good Drs. Muzyka and Zeschuk to talk all things Mass Effect. Don't miss the exclusive, expanded E3 trailer right here.
Uncharted Worlds
Check out over two minutes of pure Mass Effect footage in this exclusive trailer.
Since its inception in 1995, Edmonton, Alberta-based BioWare has made a name for itself by producing some of the most memorable role-playing games of the last decade. If you're unfamiliar with BioWare itself, names like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic may jog your memory. Now BioWare is entering the final months of development on the sci-fi epic Mass Effect, arguably its most ambitious project to date and also one of the most important cornerstones of the Xbox 360's holiday lineup. Not coincidentally, a new Mass Effect trailer featured prominently in Microsoft's E3 press conference last week.
But that first trailer was just a sampling. BioWare has graciously provided us the full, extended version of the trailer, which is packed with twice as many aliens, spaceships, strange worlds, and explosions--you know, all that stuff that we're excited about seeing in the final game--as the original. If that weren't enough, project director Casey Hudson, CEO Ray Muzyka, and president Greg Zeschuk took time out of their schedules to chat with us about the contents of the trailer and development of the game in general. We probably owe these guys a Coke or something.
GameSpot: This trailer is a much-expanded version of the one you showed at Microsoft's E3 press conference. What's new in this version of the trailer? What aspect of the story is it focusing on?
Casey Hudson: This one has a little bit more of the story and the "broader universe" stuff which we want to be able to show is a part of the Mass Effect experience. So you're going to see a little bit more--different kinds of situations in combat, and some more compelling story moments. You see some scenes imply more of what you'll be doing and some of the other things you'll be doing in there. There's a few shots of what [some of] the uncharted worlds look like. I don't think we've shown too many uncharted worlds to people before, but there are a few interesting shots of some really neat-looking planets there that the players are standing on, and some different environments and things like that.
Ray Muzyka: We just wanted to punch it up, you know, the emotion and the exploration and the story and the combat and, so, the whole thing. We just wanted to deliver that for the fans.
GS: Briefly introduce the characters that we're seeing in the trailer. Obviously, the player's character, Sheppard, is in there, and the villain Saren, and then there's the character voiced by Keith David. Can you give us a little background on those guys?
CH: The character that sets up the beginning [of the trailer] and talks about Saren, that's Captain Anderson. He's captain of the Normandy, your starship at the beginning of the game. And he's also the main character in our prequel novel, Mass Effect: Revelation, when he was a younger guy. He's quite a cool character in the game, especially if you've read the book and you've seen how that character has been through some of the stuff that you'll go through in the game, when he was younger.
Of course, there's Saren. Saren is a Turian. He's an alien that is an elite agent called a Spectre, which is something that you will become in the course of the game. But he's a rogue agent, and you can see he's got an army of machines that follow him. And he's seeking the key to unlocking the power that will destroy all life in the galaxy. And there's a female character that's often in a shiny white kind of armor, so she's a marine. Her name is Ashley. She's in the romantic scene there at the end.
GS: What are Saren's motivations? Why does he hate humanity so much?
CH: Well, a lot of that we want players to be able to discover through the course of the game, but...
RM: His motivation is--he's a complex character. He's not as simple as a lot of villains in other games, and as a result, he's really interesting. When you learn what's motivating him, you can understand it, you can believe in it, and you can feel that he's got a strong case, even though you're fighting against him. It's an interesting story more than anything.
Greg Zeschuk: And the book sets up some of it in the sense that it talks about humanity's appearance on the [galactic] scene, and one of the first things that happens is actually a war between the humans and the Turians. I won't put any spoilers into that, but just suffice to say, Saren's a Turian and you're a human. I think the thing about the galaxy and the way the [game's] universe is played out is it's like any other complex scenario: You've got people of different backgrounds. Some get along; some don't get along. Some hold grudges; some don't. So, it's a detailed and interesting way that the story is portrayed, and that carries throughout the game. The cool thing with the book again is that it sets things up--but doesn't reveal anything--but sets things up in a really great way for you to enjoy the [game's] story.
RM: The great thing about the worlds and the characters in the story is it all feels real. It feels incredibly immersive and credible, so you believe in it. You feel like you're actually a part of this world.
GS: It's actually possible to have a party member who is a member of Saren's race. Is that right?
CH: Yes, that's correct.
GS: So, there will be a lot gray areas between the different alliances, the different races?
CH: There's really a huge world built up behind the scenes of the Mass Effect universe, so all the different species that you come across have histories and all of these things are actually written into the way that you experience the story. So when you take different characters with you, really only a few of the characters in your potential squad are human and the rest come from alien species of different backgrounds, and you'll actually see how they interact with each other in a way that reflects their different histories.
RM: Depending on who you have with you, the experience you have is going to be different as well. So, combined with the tons of permutations--where you can do different things [in a] different order, you can go to uncharted worlds, or focus more on the main critical path, branching off...when you want--it provides a ton of replay as well. It's a really rich experience as a result because you've got your own spaceship, the Normandy, you get to travel around the galaxy and do whatever you want. And there's a great storyline that's really compelling behind it all.
288 comments
I really loved KOTOR and I am friggin psyched about Mass effect. Can't wait till november.
THIS is the sort of thing I dreamed next-gen would be when I saw the exponentially higher hardware stats and hype. Three cheers to something I can FINALLY consider 'next-gen'!
This game looks absolutely amazing. This is what a game should be like; you have to feel as if you are part of it, and it has to be an alternate reality of sorts. I honestly CANNOT wait to play this.
Man, i love bioware. They just dish out awesome games all the time. Mass Effect is definitely a game i dont want to miss.
Can you say Intense I'm not one to get lost in the hype but WoW! This game is certainly gonna be a jewel...hehe Poor PS3 owners and only having one or two games to look forward to this fall hahahaha!!!!!!
I've played almost all of Bioware's games from KoTOR to Jade Empire and I've always had blast playing them but this game looks INSANE!!! Mass Effect is the game I'm most anticipating and the game thats going to revolutionize the gaming world. It's going to go down in history as one of the most compelling video games anyones ever seen. I can tell from all the releases coming out this fall that it's going to be a incredible season for gaming and I can hardly wait till then.
They were talking about how convincing the Mass Effect world is, but it looks like all of the intelligent species are bipedal and have a build incredibly close to (if not exactly like) a human's, despite all of them having adapted in different environments. Unless this is part of the story somehow, I can't see it as a "believable" world.
Ive been watching this game for over a year now and it still continuously suprises and impresses me, this is the 360`s next new saga, and boy does it look good, as the halo trilogy ends, mass effect`s begins
Damn man at the first look i thought it would just be halo all over again, man i was wrong... this i certainly a MUST HAVE in my collection, and if don't have the money for it, i will just kill someone who bought it :)
Temmekhan: BioWare doesn't have any plans to have this go to PC anytime soon. They'll turn their attention on DLC and ME2 after this game, and other BioWare teams will be similarly wrapped up in projects. It will be several years before this goes to the PC.
this game looks good, but not gonna make me buy a 360, just wait a year for it to go to the pc, just like all of the other bioware games
Sounds like it'll be the best RPG of all time, I wonder if you can explore whole planets, like not just one continent, but the entire planet? Can't wait to learn more about the villain, Saren, can't wait for november...hopefully it's there's no more...delays
and im with andywoodcubegmr mario 64 was a masterpeice of hardcore and softcore gaming that appealed to all
I know some people have their doubts about this game but This game is going to be the best RPG since KOTOR. Bioware has yet to create a game that hasn't been great. Mass Effect will be no different. I put money aside for this game the minute i heard about it over a year ago. I truly is a great time to be a 360 owner. With so many great games coming out this year I don't know how im going to afford them all but ill figure it out. BioShock, Mass Effect, GT4, Assassins Creed, Ace Combat, Two Worlds, Blue Dragon, Halo3, Half-Life 2 The Orange Box, Clive Barker's Jericho, Mercenaries, Brothers in Arms Hells Highway. That's over 10 games coming out inbetween now and the end of the year.
hmm, college is getting closer, gotta save my money, hmmm..... yep, getting the special edition for sure.... there is a special edition, right?
"A Mario game changed what people think is possible in a video game? I doubt it seriously" erm... it's pretty much a fact that mario 64 did change what people thought was possible.... don't jump onto the "mario games have to suck because im a "hardcore" gamer" bandwagon please. anyways back on topic i really can't wait for this game. it looks absolutely amazing. Mass effect, Bioshock, Halo3, Blue dragon, Two worlds, Metroid prime 3, Super mario galaxy and Zelda phantom hourglass all before the end of the year =D ... anybody wanna lend me some money? xD.
ok,now im convinced...everybodies gotta get xbox rite THE HELL NOW,if anyone like doesnt hav one yet,u gotta get one cos this year is really goin crazy!!
I hope it has a quest journal system and map markers this way you aren't given directions to the place that's in a sandstorm and not able to be found on the map. Just a small thing that keeps you referenced since there are more planets/space stations/uncharted locations then even Bioware can go to in one setting. oh and more then 1000 gamerscore points, cause while I at times dislike them, this game could evolve them according to the story
I'm trying to keep my expectations and excitement in check with this game, but between this and Halo 3, I'll be one happy camper this year. Oh and I'm sure its been mentioned in here already, but if you haven't already read the somewhat of a prequel book Revelations go do it. It was an awesome read! Seriously, a mature page turner so I can't wait to LIVE the experience on the big screen TV!
Luverly jubberly, with this and Bioshock on the way, (Oh and a little game called Halo 3!!) we are truly blessed. Will you please all rise and put your hands together....
A Mario game changed what people think is possible in a video game? I doubt it seriously, but yes GTA3 surely had an impact. I have a question for Casey. Whens it coming to the PC? ~grin~ Although, this is one of the few games that might make me get a 360 later on after I update my PC and get myself a PS3.
Mass Effect will be that game that really changes what people think is possible in a video game, much like Mario 64 and GTA3 did in years before.
kaven_rulz , just look at it. Look at any screen shot, there is so much detail in every aspect of what I have seen so far. Its a sci-fi action rpg that seems to have an amazing story. The gameplay looks sick, and its going to be a very long game with multiple endings. Whats not great about this game? If you knock it, you arnt a real gamer. I cannot wait for it
can anyone tell me in short wat is so great about this game?im just interested...not raining on ur parades guys.thanx
This game is going to be one of the best 360 games out. I can tell the game will be as polished as games like Gears of War and Company of Heroes, plus, it will tell a terrific story. I should go to a local store and seal off a payment of it soon!
This looks like the game that will finally compel me to buy an Xbox360. If the gameplay and storyline are comparable to the eyegasm graphics, this game is gonna be MASSive. Can't wait.
Wow. This will be the Sweetest game to come out.. I think in gaming history just by review and description. Lets hope the gameplay lives up to the setup and storyline. Looks like a definite must get.
I also can not wait for this to come out, jus hope its not a flop like all the other games
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Game Info
- Release Date: Nov 20, 2007 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
- Release Date: May 28, 2008 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
- Release Date: Dec 4, 2012 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
Mass Effect
- Publisher(s): Microsoft Game Studios
- Developer(s): BioWare
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release:
- ESRB: M
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