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Mass Effect

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This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Mass Effect.
Mass Effect
File:Masseffectlogo.png
Mass Effect logo
Genre(s)Action role-playing game
Third-person shooter
Developer(s)BioWare
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios, Electronic Arts
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Windows-based PCs, iPhone
First releaseMass Effect
November 20, 2007
Latest releaseMass Effect 2
January 26, 2010

Mass Effect is an award-winning, bestselling series of science fiction RPG third person shooters developed by the Canadian company BioWare and released on the Xbox 360 and Windows PC. The first game in the planned trilogy centers around a player created character named Commander Shepard and their mission to save the galaxy from Sovereign, a member of a race of AIs known as the Reapers, and its followers, including the brainwashed Saren Arterius. Sovereign plans to allow the Reaper fleet currently hibernating in extra-galactic dark space to invade the Milky Way and destroy all sapient organic life, continuing a mysterious cycle of destruction. The second game takes places two years later, and sees Shepard tackling the Collectors, an alien race abducting entire human colonies in a plan to help the return of the Reapers.

Games

A trilogy of games is planned to be released, each continuing the game's story in chronological order. The second game in the trilogy was released in January 2010. The Mass Effect series combines science fiction, action game and role-playing game elements, with the main series games being third-person shooters. The protagonist can use two AI-controlled squad members in battle; which consists of members he has recruited, from various places and for various reasons, and taken onto the Normandy.

Main trilogy

  • Mass Effect (2007): The first game in the series was originally created as an exclusive title for the Xbox 360 but was later ported to Microsoft Windows by Demiurge Studios. The game focuses on the protagonist Commander Shepard's quest to stop Saren Arterius from leading an army of geth to conquer the galaxy, learning about the far greater threat posed by the Reapers in the process, Saren having been enslaved by the last Reaper left in the Milky Way. Mass Effect was received with critical acclaim by many critics and has obtained a fan following.
  • Mass Effect 2 (2010): The second game in the series was released on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29 in Europe.[1] Very few details about the game were revealed prior to its launch other than Casey Hudson, Project Director for BioWare, stating that "players should keep their save files, because decisions made by the player in the first game will continue to have influences on their character in the sequel."[2][3] It was known that, while the Reapers were to play a part in the story, another adversary, known as Cerberus, a secret military project formed by the human Systems Alliance that went rogue in Mass Effect, had been expanded on. Shepard was also said to be on a "suicide" mission.
  • Mass Effect 3 (2011): The third game in the series is planned for a release date sometime between 2011-2012. Casey Hudson commented that Mass Effect 3 "will be easier because we don't have to worry about continuity into the next one."[4]This meant that the release would be earlier. January 2011 is when it is to be expected. Casey Hudson commented that "Mass Effect 3 will have no updates in graphics, so it will be released as soon as it has been created, expect same planets and characters." However, decisions will still be imported from Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3, as to keep continuity within the series.[5] Casey also said in a interview at the Consumer Electronics Show that BioWare is already at work on Mass Effect 3.
  • Mass Effect Galaxy (2009): An iPhone game, designed by BioWare to expand on the Mass Effect universe. This game differs from the other games because it has a top-down view, rather than a third-person view; the story follows the protagonist Jacob, a character who appears in Mass Effect 2.[6]

Adaptations

Novels

  • Mass Effect: Revelation (2007): The first novel based on Mass Effect, the plot is centered around then-Lieutenant David Anderson and tells the story of how he came to know Saren. It expands on the history of the Mass Effect universe and reveals in detail how Anderson failed to become the first human Spectre.
  • Mass Effect: Ascension (2008): The second novel based on Mass Effect, the plot centres around protagonist Paul Grayson, a member of Cerberus, who is in charge of raising a biotic girl named Gillian. It is set approximately two months after the ending events of the game.[7]
  • Mass Effect: Retribution (2010): On January 12, 2010, Bioware announced the third Mass Effect novel by Drew Karpyshyn, a prequel to Mass Effect 2.[8]

Comic

Mass Effect: Redemption is a four-part comic book mini-series that is being released between January and April 2010. It is set shortly before the opening events of Mass Effect 2, and will be related to downloadable content that will be produced for the game.[9]

Film

Ex-Marvel CEO Avi Arad recently obtained the rights to create a film adaptation of the game. It is reported that it is still in planning and that Arad will be looking to attach a writer, director, and studio to the project. [10]

Characters

Main Game Series Characters

Main article: List of characters in the Mass Effect universe

Note: Characters in series may not be in a sequel depending on their fates in the previous game. Note: Characters in Mass Effect 3 are by likeliness or rumor only.

Character Game
Mass Effect Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3
Shepard Mark Meer (Male)
Jennifer Hale (Female)
Jeff "Joker" Moreau Seth Green
Liara T'soni Ali Hillis
David Anderson Keith David
Ashley Williams Kimberly Brooks
Kaidan Alenko Raphael Sbarge
Garrus Vakarian Brandon Keener
Tali'Zorah nar Rayya Liz Sroka
Illusive Man   Martin Sheen
Miranda Lawson   Yvonne Strahovski
Jacob Taylor   Adam Lazarre-White  
Thane Krios   Keythe Farley  
Legion   D.C. Douglas  
Jack / Subject Zero   Courtenay Taylor  

Spin-Off Game Series Characters

Character Game
Jacob Taylor Mass Effect Galaxy Character only
Miranda Lawson Character only

Novel/Comic Series Characters

Character Novel/Comic
Mass Effect: Revelation Mass Effect: Ascension Mass Effect: Redemption Mass Effect: Retribution
Saren Arterius Character only Mentioned only  
David Anderson Character only Mentioned only  
Kahlee Sanders Character only  
Illusive Man   Character only
Shepard   Mentioned only Character only  
Paul Grayson   Character only   Character only

References

  1. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1035830p1.html
  2. ^ GI Staff (March 2008), "Afterwards: Mass Effect", Game Informer, no. 179, p. 24
  3. ^ Brudvig, Erik (2009-02-23). "BioWare Suggests Hanging on to Mass Effect Saves". IGN. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  4. ^ http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61666
  5. ^ http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=714128&forum=144
  6. ^ http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=676700&forum=104&sp=0 - Forum with information posted by BioWare.
  7. ^ Drew Karpyshyn Creative Works
  8. ^ http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mass-Effect-Retribution-Announced-22215.html
  9. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2009-07-21). "Mass Effect Comes to Comics". IGN. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  10. ^ GScom, TomM (2008-09-19). "Report: Mass Effect making move to movies". GameSpot News Blog. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
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