Mass Effect PC-bound in May.

[Thanakil]

And since EA will publish it instead of Microsoft Games, we won't get any horrible "Window Live!" buggy things like we did with Lives! Games.
(While EA may not be the greatest publishers, we can pray that they have enough experience with the PC platform to do a half-good port).

"Ever since 2003, celebrated Canadian studio BioWare has released award-winning role-playing games "exclusively" on Xbox platforms--only to have them arrive on PC a few months later. Today, Mass Effect followed in the footsteps of Jade Empire and the two Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic titles in making the leap from console to Windows-based platforms.

According to BioWare's new owner, Electronic Arts, Mass Effect will arrive on the PC this May. The PC version of the Interactive Achievement Award-winning game will feature revamped versions of the original game's oft-criticized inventory system and decryption minigames. It will also allow for hot key assignment for a more action-oriented "Run & Gun" style of play, and will have graphics rejiggered for higher-resolution PC displays.

Acclaimed by critics, Mass Effect is set in the 22nd century, when, after discovering alien artifacts that allow for faster-than-light travel, humanity burst onto the galactic scene. Players assume the role of Commander Shepard, a human tasked by the multi-species governing body known as the Citadel Council to track down a rogue agent named Saren. While in pursuit of his quarry, Shepard encounters various races, conspiracies, alien monsters, and interstellar mercenaries before uncovering a conspiracy which could doom all life in the Milky Way galaxy.

However, unlike its 360 cousin, which was published by Microsoft Game Studios, the PC edition will be published by EA directly. It also opens the possibility the game could someday migrate to other consoles, although BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk has said that his studio would like to finish the "Mass Effect trilogy" on the Xbox 360. "


Would be nice if they added some contents that was cut for the 360 version because of time issues, but I guess it's already nice that they'll fix some of the bad things the game had.

(now I wonder, if Bioware release a "episode" on the 360 as DLC before the release of the PC version in May, will it be included? We'll see)

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

That's awesome news.
I now have something to look forward to in May.

[Thanakil]

We'll get this satanic game that corrupts kids on our PC now, woot! Take that Fox News, the bad games are spreading all over the world, BRING IT ON.

(On a more serious note, this game almost made me buy a 360, I'm happy to see there is a less radical solution to my problem now... Well, there is still Star Wars : Force Unleashed who could prove to be challenging tho...)

[ShadowDancer]

This game is addicting as hell. I had it for a month sitting there collecting dust until I decided to play some of it this past weekend. At first I thought: "Well this is alright, it's a good time killer." Mind you this is the first 20 minutes of the game. Then I finally started to get deeper and deeper into it, by the time I knew it, I had spent 6 hours game time wise this past Saturday.

A game hasn't captivated me like that in a loooooong time. Usually I just play games for like an hour or so and stop and do something else. This one kept me fixated on the screen for quite a while. Highly recommend it so far.

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

Originally Posted by Thanakil

We'll get this satanic game that corrupts kids on our PC now, woot! Take that Fox News, the bad games are spreading all over the world, BRING IT ON.

(On a more serious note, this game almost made me buy a 360, I'm happy to see there is a less radical solution to my problem now... Well, there is still Star Wars : Force Unleashed who could prove to be challenging tho...)

If I am willing to play it then it most definetely is not satanic...or at least not on a level that exessively affects you.

[Densetsu]

Awesome. One of the X360 games i was hoping to get ported to PC. Even more awesome is that they are redesigning inventory system which i've heard sucks ass in the X360 version.

[PCXL-Fan]

Originally Posted by Thanakil

And since EA will publish it instead of Microsoft Games, we won't get any horrible "Window Live!" buggy things like we did with Lives! Games.
(While EA may not be the greatest publishers, we can pray that they have enough experience with the PC platform to do a half-good port).

"Ever since 2003, celebrated Canadian studio BioWare has released award-winning role-playing games "exclusively" on Xbox platforms--only to have them arrive on PC a few months later. Today, Mass Effect followed in the footsteps of Jade Empire and the two Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic titles in making the leap from console to Windows-based platforms.

According to BioWare's new owner, Electronic Arts, Mass Effect will arrive on the PC this May. The PC version of the Interactive Achievement Award-winning game will feature revamped versions of the original game's oft-criticized inventory system and decryption minigames. It will also allow for hot key assignment for a more action-oriented "Run & Gun" style of play, and will have graphics rejiggered for higher-resolution PC displays.

Acclaimed by critics, Mass Effect is set in the 22nd century, when, after discovering alien artifacts that allow for faster-than-light travel, humanity burst onto the galactic scene. Players assume the role of Commander Shepard, a human tasked by the multi-species governing body known as the Citadel Council to track down a rogue agent named Saren. While in pursuit of his quarry, Shepard encounters various races, conspiracies, alien monsters, and interstellar mercenaries before uncovering a conspiracy which could doom all life in the Milky Way galaxy.

However, unlike its 360 cousin, which was published by Microsoft Game Studios, the PC edition will be published by EA directly. It also opens the possibility the game could someday migrate to other consoles, although BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk has said that his studio would like to finish the "Mass Effect trilogy" on the Xbox 360. "

Would be nice if they added some contents that was cut for the 360 version because of time issues, but I guess it's already nice that they'll fix some of the bad things the game had.

(now I wonder, if Bioware release a "episode" on the 360 as DLC before the release of the PC version in May, will it be included? We'll see)

Sweet, with the release of this game I have absolutely 0(zero) need to purchase a xbox 360, excpet for maybe gta4 and street fighter 4... . Maybe I can dream MGS4 and FFXIII will be released on pc as well.

I just hope this turns into a bioware "quality" port and not an EA quality port.

[Densetsu]

Originally Posted by PCXL-Fan

I just hope this turns into a bioware "quality" port and not an EA quality port.

Eh, Bioware's console to PC ports weren't really anything special (Kotor, Kotor 2, Jade Empire). I'm actually hoping that EA will push them to do a better job this time around.

[Thanakil]

Originally Posted by PCXL-Fan

Sweet, with the release of this game I have absolutely 0(zero) need to purchase a xbox 360, excpet for maybe gta4 and street fighter 4... . Maybe I can dream MGS4 and FFXIII will be released on pc as well.

I just hope this turns into a bioware "quality" port and not an EA quality port.

GTA4 is most likely gonna come to the PC sooner or later.

And it's true that Bioware ports weren't amazing, simply "normal". EA backing up the port could give them some more tools to work with.

[PCXL-Fan]

Originally Posted by Densetsu

Eh, Bioware's console to PC ports weren't really anything special (Kotor, Kotor 2, Jade Empire). I'm actually hoping that EA will push them to do a better job this time around.

Bioware only did Kotor 1 and Jade Empire.

They were willing to redo the interface to take advantage of mice and higher screen resolution. Something EA never bothered to do in their NFS: Undergournd 2 port.

I haven't played any NFS pc ports since then so I can't tell you if they've picked up their game or not.

EA's networking for Underground2 was crap as well. Even old games like Warcraft2 (1996) were better setup for IPX network than NFS was for any type of networking.

One advantage that being part of EA brings however is a more timely PC port. (I guess they can do that now that they have more resources). Just expect the game to have bullSHi* SecuROM 7 which disables virtual drives needed for Emulation and various Virus Protections programs.

Pray they don't include secuROM...

[Samor]

I wonder if Cid's still getting a 360 now. =P
...and I might follow his recommendation and get it for pc.

[Densetsu]

Originally Posted by PCXL-Fan

Bioware only did Kotor 1 and Jade Empire.

Oh right. I forgot Kotor 2 was by Obsidian. My bad.

They were willing to redo the interface to take advantage of mice and higher screen resolution. Something EA never bothered to do in their NFS: Undergournd 2 port.

I haven't played any NFS pc ports since then so I can't tell you if they've picked up their game or not.

EA's networking for Underground2 was crap as well. Even old games like Warcraft2 (1996) were better setup for IPX network than NFS was for any type of networking.

That all stands but as Thanakill said, with EA backing their back they'll have more resources which hopefully equals better port.

One advantage that being part of EA brings however is a more timely PC port. (I guess they can do that now that they have more resources). Just expect the game to have bullSHi* SecuROM 7 which disables virtual drives needed for Emulation and various Virus Protections programs.

Pray they don't include secuROM...

I will.

[Thanakil]

Well, at least it's not StarForce... (I don't really like Securom either, but meh, if that's the price to pay... As long as it's not some Bioshock Nightmare : Part 2)

[PCXL-Fan]

Originally Posted by Thanakil

Well, at least it's not StarForce... (I don't really like Securom either, but meh, if that's the price to pay... As long as it's not some Bioshock Nightmare : Part 2)

There was a part 2? You're not talking about the 5 licenses or the wide screen whining?... so whats this new problem?

[Coolsvilleman]

all the best x360 games get ported to the pc eventually. Why not right? The x360 is basically just a pc anyhow.

[Thanakil]

Originally Posted by PCXL-Fan

There was a part 2? You're not talking about the 5 licenses or the wide screen whining?... so whats this new problem?

No, I mean, this would be the part 2 of what has been started with Bioshock if they used a similar protection

Originally Posted by Coolsvilleman

all the best x360 games get ported to the pc eventually. Why not right? The x360 is basically just a pc anyhow.

I wouldn't say all, even tho they do it more and more. And the 360 is a affordable PC (meaning : compared to 1000$+ PCs) but it's still a console in it's own way. Consoles are becoming too much PC-like, but they always had similarities anyway, it's just growing more and more with time.

[lordkhan]

Seems like all good 360 games are coming to pc these days.. :P

[Cid Highwind]

Originally Posted by ShadowDancer

This game is addicting as hell. I had it for a month sitting there collecting dust until I decided to play some of it this past weekend. At first I thought: "Well this is alright, it's a good time killer." Mind you this is the first 20 minutes of the game. Then I finally started to get deeper and deeper into it, by the time I knew it, I had spent 6 hours game time wise this past Saturday.

A game hasn't captivated me like that in a loooooong time. Usually I just play games for like an hour or so and stop and do something else. This one kept me fixated on the screen for quite a while. Highly recommend it so far.

I couldn't agree more, the more you dig into the entire cultural backgrounds, the more interesting it gets. The detail put into the species is just stunning. I'm a big fan of the Elcor btw, delighted, I hope we'll see them again in Mass Effect 2.

Originally Posted by Samor

I wonder if Cid's still getting a 360 now. =P
...and I might follow his recommendation and get it for pc.

There's still Mass Effect 2 and 3

Those games will probably require me to upgrade my PC as well, so instead of getting a new €250,- videocard, I'd probably be better off getting a console anyway. Besides, I already have the 360 VGA cable here

This port will most likely be nothing special anyway. They don't promise a graphical update, just the optional higher resolutions. It will most likely help that this is an Unreal Engine 3 game, it should speed up the porting and make it pretty much very true to the original game. The only downfall is I'm probably out of luck for the only graphical update: Anti Aliasing.

[Thanakil]

They don't promise any graphical update, but I'd kinda expect them to increase some stuff anyway. Like shadows/textures.

But anyway, my only hope is that the promised DLC episodes (they are still talking about doing them, right?) will make their way to the PC too.