Mass Effect
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This article is about the video game series. For the first video game, see Mass Effect (video game). For other uses, see Mass effect (disambiguation).
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Mass Effect
Masseffectlogo.png
Mass Effect logo
Genres Action role-playing, third-person shooter
Developers BioWare
Publishers Microsoft Game Studios (2007)
Electronic Arts (2008-present)
Platforms Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, iOS, Wii U, Android, Windows Phone
Platform of origin Xbox 360
First release Mass Effect
November 20, 2007
Latest release Mass Effect 3
March 6, 2012
Official website BioWare Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a science fiction action role-playing third person shooter video game series developed by the Canadian company BioWare and released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows, with the third installment also released on the Wii U. The trilogy largely revolves around a soldier by the name of Commander Shepard, whose mission is to save the galaxy from a race of powerful mechanical beings known as the Reapers and their agents, including the first game's antagonist Saren Arterius. The first game sees Shepard investigating Saren, who Shepard slowly comes to understand is operating under the guidance of Sovereign, a Reaper left behind in the Milky Way tens of thousands of years before, when the Reapers exterminated virtually all sentient organic life in the galaxy as part of a recurrent cycle of genocide for an unknown purpose. Sovereign is a vanguard whose purpose is to trigger the imminent return of the Reaper fleet hibernating in extra-galactic dark space, restarting the process of extermination. The second game takes place two years later, and sees Shepard battling the Collectors, an alien race abducting entire human colonies in a plan to help the Reapers return to the Milky Way. The final game of Shepard's trilogy centers on the final battle against the Reapers.
All three games have received critical acclaim for their storyline, characters, romances, voice acting, choices, and the depth of the galaxy.[1] Video game website GamesRadar called Mass Effect the best new franchise of the generation, saying the galaxy was so well-constructed that it felt like a decades-old franchise and represented "a high-water mark for video games as a story-telling medium."[2]
Contents
1 Games
1.1 Main trilogy
1.2 Spin-offs
1.3 Future of the franchise
2 Expanded universe
2.1 Novels
2.2 Comics
2.3 Films
2.4 Action figures
2.5 Board games
2.6 Art books
3 Characters
3.1 Main game series characters
3.2 Spin-off game series characters
3.3 Novel series characters
3.4 Comic series characters
3.5 Movie characters
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Games
A trilogy of games has been released, each continuing the previous game's story in chronological order. The Mass Effect series combines action role-playing game elements, with the main series games being in third-person perspective. The protagonist can use two AI-controlled squad members in battle, which usually consist of members he or she has recruited from various places and for various reasons, and taken onto the Normandy, Shepard's starship. The player could make perspective decisions depending upon the situation. At these times, the player has multiple sets of dialogue choices with which to respond to NPCs, separated by tone. Starting from Mass Effect 2, the player can interrupt cut-scenes calmly or aggressively. The games often have various mini-games in them as well, such as drinking, dancing and romancing characters. A fourth major game has been rumored by tweets by Casey Hudson, as he asked "We're in early stages of designing a completely new Mass Effect game. What would you want to see in it?"[3]
All three major installments of the Mass Effect trilogy have been met with commercial success as well as critical acclaim. The series is highly regarded for its narrative, character development, voice acting, universe and emphasis on player choice affecting the experience.
Main trilogy
Aggregate review scores
As of December 31, 2012. Game GameRankings Metacritic
Mass Effect (X360) 91.24%[4]
(PC) 89.70%[5]
(PS3) 82.00%[6] (X360) 91[7]
(PC) 89[8]
(PS3) 85[9]
Mass Effect 2 (X360) 95.69%[10]
(PC) 94.52%[11]
(PS3) 93.24%[12] (X360) 96[13]
(PC) 94[14]
(PS3) 94[15]
Mass Effect 3 (X360) 92.12%[16]
(PS3) 91.65%[17]
(WIIU) 88.25%[18]
(PC) 87.75%[19] (X360) 93[20]
(PS3) 93[21]
(PC) 89[22]
(WIIU) 87[23]
Mass Effect
Main article: Mass Effect (video game)
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, and to the PlayStation 3 by Edge of Reality. The game focuses on the protagonist, Commander Shepard, and his or her quest to stop the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius from leading an army of sentient machines, called the Geth, to conquer the galaxy. During pursuit of Saren, Shepard learns of a far greater threat in the form of the Reapers. Saren has been mentally enslaved by the Reaper vanguard Sovereign, sent into Citadel Space to initiate the purge of all advanced sentient life in the galaxy, a cycle repeated by the Reapers every 50,000 years.
Downloadable content
Bring Down the Sky: Released on March 10, 2008 for the Xbox 360 as a paid download and on July 29, 2008 for Windows as a free download: Shepard is asked to deal with terrorists threatening to destroy a major human settlement.
Pinnacle Station: Released on August 25, 2009: Shepard can board the eponymous space station to fight competitively in battle simulations and, if successful, win a "retirement home" providing minor in-game benefits.
Mass Effect 2
Main article: Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2, the second main game in the series, was released on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29 in Europe.[24] A great deal of secrecy surrounded the game prior to launch, with few details emerging 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."[25][26] The game takes place two years after the events of Mass Effect. Human colonies are being attacked, their colonists disappearing without a trace. The game's protagonist, Commander Shepard, is forced into an uneasy alliance with the pro-Human paramilitary organization, Cerberus, in an effort to discover the cause. Evidence emerges pointing to the 'Collectors', an advanced, enigmatic race of insect-like humanoids. Adding to the threat is the revelation that the Collectors are working for the Reapers. Shepard sets out on a "suicide mission" to stop the Collectors, accompanied by a hand-picked team of soldiers, assassins, mercenaries, and specialists. Mass Effect 2 has received overwhelming critical and public praise since its release, for its characters, storyline, voice acting, and refined combat and gameplay with many critics calling it a major improvement over the original and an easy Game of the Year contender despite its January release. At Gamescom 2010, it was announced that a PlayStation 3 version would become available, which was released on January 18, 2011.
Downloadable content
Main article: Mass Effect 2 downloadable content
Normandy Crash Site: Released on January 26, 2010 as a free download: additional solo-mission for Shepard, paying respects to Normandy's crew and wreck.
Zaeed - The Price of Revenge: Released on January 28, 2010 as a free download: additional mercenary companion.
Firewalker: Released on March 23, 2010: 5 additional vehicle-based missions.
Kasumi - Stolen Memory: Released on April 6, 2010: additional thief companion.
Overlord: Released on June 15, 2010: Shepard investigates a catastrophic AI outbreak.
Lair of the Shadow Broker: Released on September 7, 2010: Shepard accompanies Dr. Liara T'Soni on her hunt for the elusive Shadow Broker.
Arrival: Released on March 29, 2011 and acts as a bridge for Mass Effect 3: Shepard discovers and delays the impending Reaper invasion.
Mass Effect 3
Main article: Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3, the third and final installment in the Mass Effect trilogy, was released on March 6, 2012.[27] Casey Hudson commented that Mass Effect 3 "will be easier [to develop] because we don't have to worry about continuity into the next one."[28] However, decisions are routinely imported from the two previous titles to Mass Effect 3 in order to maintain continuity within the series.[29] In the final chapter of the trilogy, the Reapers have returned in force, and have begun their purge of the galaxy, attacking Earth. During this attack Commander Shepard is on Earth and forced to flee.[30] After fleeing Earth, Commander Shepard must hurry and rally the advanced races of the galaxy to make one final stand, not only to save Earth, but also to break a cycle that has continued for millions of years (hence providing the answer to Fermi's Paradox). The first official trailer was unveiled on December 11, 2010 during the Spike TV Video Game Awards.[31]
Downloadable content
Main article: Mass Effect 3 downloadable content
From Ashes: Released on the game's release date: additional mission to retrieve an ancient artifact.
Extended Cut: Released on June 26, 2012 as a free download: features new cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes that expand upon the original ending.
Leviathan: Released on August 28, 2012: Shepard discovers the Reapers' origin.
Omega: Released on November 27, 2012: Shepard helps Aria T'Loak retake command of the Omega space station.
Citadel: Released on March 5, 2013 as the final DLC pack for Mass Effect 3: Shepard and crew enjoy shore leave and have to face a mysterious identity thief.
Mass Effect Trilogy
[show]Mass Effect Trilogy
On September 26, 2012, BioWare announced the Mass Effect Trilogy, a re-release of all three games in one pack. The bundle included a new premium foil box featuring artwork of Commander Shepard, and the multiplayer component of Mass Effect 3 was still available. The pack was released on November 6, 2012 for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows, and on December 4, 2012 for the PlayStation 3 (coinciding with the PlayStation Network release of the first game).[32][33]
Spin-offs
Mass Effect Galaxy
Mass Effect Galaxy (2009): This is backstory set between the events of Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 and exclusively on the iOS platform. The story is focused around two characters who appear as squad members in Mass Effect 2: Jacob Taylor and Miranda Lawson. When the passenger liner Arcturian Jade is attacked by Batarian raiders with Jacob on it, he takes on the task of defending the ship. After safely arriving at their destination on the Citadel, Jacob's former CO contacts him about an undercover Alliance operation in the Nemean Abyss to investigate the Batarians' increasingly aggressive activities.
Mass Effect: Infiltrator
Mass Effect: Infiltrator (2012): A third-person shooter released on the Android, BlackBerry 10, iOS and Windows Phone 8 platforms. The story for Infiltrator involves Randall Ezno, a Cerberus agent, who discovers Cerberus's cruelty and goes rogue, killing Cerberus troopers and freeing prisoners from a hostile base. Players will "receive rewards" for collecting evidence of Cerberus' crimes. According to EA, "Every completed rescue and intelligence discovery in Infiltrator will increase a player's Galactic Readiness rating directly through the 'Galaxy at War' system in Mass Effect 3."[34]
Mass Effect: Datapad
Mass Effect: Datapad (2012): A free app for iOS devices. Datapad will allow players to check the status of the galaxy map in Mass Effect 3 and receive messages from characters. Datapad will also contain information about the characters, races, vehicles, weapons, and storyline of the Mass Effect universe, as well as mini-games that interact with the Mass Effect 3 'Galaxy at War' system.
Future of the franchise
On November 12, 2012, BioWare announced that they are working on a new Mass Effect project and that it would use the Frostbite 3 engine, much like Dragon Age: Inquisition.[35] The game will be produced in Montréal.
The game was officially announced at E3 2014 on June 9, 2014.
According to BioWare community manager Chris Priestly, BioWare does not want people to refer to the next game as Mass Effect 4.
“ To call the next game 'Mass Effect 4' or 'ME4' is doing it a disservice and seems to cause a lot of confusion here. We have already said that the Commander Shepard trilogy is over and that the next game will not feature him/her. That is the only detail you have on the game. I see people saying 'well, they’ll have to pick a canon ending.' No, because the game does not have to come after. Or before. Or off to the side. Or with characters you know. Or yaddayaddayadda. Wherever, whenever, whoever, etc will all be revealed years down the road when we actually start talking about it. I do not call the game ME4 when I talk about it ever, [because] that makes people think of it more as 'what happens after 'Mass Effect 3' rather than 'what game happens next set in the 'Mass Effect' Universe. Obviously fans are going to speculate content, character and story until we actually reveal details in the years or months to come as you have almost no actual details, just don’t get bogged down in 'well how are they going to continue ME3.' ”
—Chris Priestly
This statement was followed up by BioWare Edmonton chief Yanick Roy.
“ What Chris is saying is that thinking of the next 'Mass Effect' game as 'Mass Effect 4' would imply a certain linearity, a straight evolution of the gameplay and story of the first three games. Story-wise, the arc of the first trilogy has also been concluded, and what we will do is tell a new story set in the 'Mass Effect' universe. That doesn’t mean that events of the first three games and the choices you made won’t get recognized, but they likely won’t be what this new story will focus on. I apologize for being cryptic right now, but it’s early enough in development that we don’t have much to share – things still fluctuate quite a bit. ”
—Yanick Roy
In March 2013, BioWare Montreal executive producer Casey Hudson revealed at PAX East that BioWare was beginning work on the next installment in the franchise.
“ We are starting to get ready to develop another Mass Effect game, and it's going to be a new thing. We want to be able to give fans an opportunity to get back into the world with these things you've come to know and love about the Mass Effect experience, but start something fresh and new; a new way for you to explore the whole universe in Mass Effect. ”
—Casey Hudson
At E3 2014, the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise was briefly shown with early conceptual footage and information about the game.[36]
As of August 7, Mass Effect creator Casey Hudson left BioWare.[37]
Expanded universe
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: Revelation was written by Drew Karpyshyn.
Mass Effect: Ascension (2008): The second novel based on Mass Effect, the plot centers 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 first game. Mass Effect: Ascension is the second novel set in the Mass Effect universe to be written by Drew Karpyshyn.[38]
Mass Effect: Retribution (2010): On July 27, 2010, BioWare released the third Mass Effect novel written by Drew Karpyshyn, a sequel to Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect: Ascension.[39][40]
Mass Effect: Deception (2012): The fourth Mass Effect novel, it centers on Gillian Grayson. The first book in the series to be written by William C. Dietz. Response to the novel has been negative due to a large number of inconsistencies with lore and characterization, prompting many fans to petition BioWare to disregard the novel as canon.[41][42][43] In response to these widespread complaints, BioWare and Del Rey have announced that a number of changes are being made for future editions of the novel.[44]
Fan novels
Mass Effect: Pick Your Path (2012) is a popular interactive fiction novel written by Mike Kayatta that runs parallel to the events of Mass Effect 2. It follows the exploits of an unnamed Citadel merchant who chases Commander Shepard around the galaxy to gain an endorsement for his shop. Encouraged by The Illusive Man for unknown reasons, the merchant becomes haplessly entangled with the dangerous aftermath of Shepard's various adventures. The story, considered similar to the Choose Your Own Adventure series of books,[45] features the same choice-driven format of the games, allowing the reader to choose between "paragon" or "renegade" actions, drastically affect the ending, and even romance a selection of unique party members. The full story was published by The Escapist in March, 2012.[46]
Comics
Writer Mac Walters in front of a Mass Effect poster at the Dark Horse Comics booth at the 2011 New York Comic Con.
Main article: Mass Effect (comic)
Mass Effect: Redemption is a four-part comic book mini-series that was released between January and April 2010. The story, which revolves around Liara T'Soni, is set in the interim period between the prologue and main storyline of Mass Effect 2, and is related to the downloadable content Lair of the Shadow Broker that was released for the game.[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]
Mass Effect: Incursion is an on-line comic (8 pages) that follows Aria T'Loak's encounter with the Collectors one week prior to the opening events of Mass Effect 2. The events of Incursion link into the events of the comic miniseries Mass Effect: Redemption. It was released June 21, 2010 through IGN.[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66]
Mass Effect: Inquisition is an on-line comic (8 pages) written by Mac Walters. Taking place after Mass Effect 2, the plot follows Captain Armando-Owen Bailey during his investigation of Executor Venari Pallin and corruption within C-Sec. It was released October 26, 2010 through USA Today.[67]
Mass Effect: Evolution is a four-part comic book mini-series. The first issue was released in January 2011. The story focuses on the origin of the Illusive Man and is set during the First Contact War, shortly after the discovery of the Mass Relays.[68]
Mass Effect: Conviction is a free short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters. Taking place before Mass Effect 3, the plot follows Lieutenant James Vega during his stay on Omega before returning to Systems Alliance service. Released in September, 2011 available through a digital distribution promotion exclusively at participating retailers.[69][70]
Mass Effect: Invasion is a comic book series (4 issues) released between October 2011 and January 2012. It follows Aria T'Loak, the pirate queen of the space station Omega, as her station comes under attack from a new threat unleashed by Cerberus, the human survivalist organization.[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79]
Mass Effect: Homeworlds is a comic book series (4 issues) written by game lead writer Mac Walters released April 25, 2012. Each issue focuses on a main character from the Mass Effect series.[80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89]
Mass Effect: Blasto: Eternity Is Forever is a short (14 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters released on November 7, 2012 through digital distribution. The main character is Blasto, a Hanar Spectre featured in several Mass Effect films as the galaxy's first Hanar Spectre.[90][91][92]
Mass Effect: He Who Laughs Best is a short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters released on May 4, 2013 for Free Comic Book Day 2013. It explains how Jeff "Joker" Moreau became the SSV Normandy's pilot prior to the events of Mass Effect.[93]
Mass Effect: Foundation is a 13 issue comic series written by Mac Walters. The first issue was released on July 24, 2013. It features a story that runs parallel to the game trilogy and is designed to expand the universe as a whole.[94][95]
Films
Mass Effect: On May 24, 2010, EA announced that Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. acquired the rights to a Mass Effect film, with the game's executive producer Casey Hudson, as well as Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck from BioWare, serving as executive producers. Initially, Legendary planned to produce the film with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Avi Arad, with a screenplay by Mark Protosevich.[96] Protosevich and the producers have stated that the film will follow the plot of the original game.[97] On October 24, 2012, Variety announced that Morgan Davis Foehl would be writing the screenplay.[98]
Mass Effect: Paragon Lost (2012): On April 7, 2011, EA announced that anime distributor Funimation Entertainment and Japanese studio T.O Entertainment will produce an anime film adaptation based on the series.[99] The film was released on December 28, 2012.[100] It serves as the prequel to Mass Effect 3 and follows the early career of Alliance Marine James Vega as he leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion by the Collectors, determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.
Fan films
Mass Effect: Assignment (2012) is a fan film that acts as a sidequel to the Mass Effect game series set in the same timeline, following a group of original characters. The film follows the story of two N7 Soldiers, Meer and Hale, who are hunting down Defoe, a smuggler whose cargo is of great interest to a lot of parties. The film was produced by filmmaking duo Sneaky Zebra and marks the first fan film set in the Mass Effect universe. The film features the unique element of being interactive much like the games series allowing the viewer to choose the path of the plot to four possible endings.[101] Three character based teaser trailers were released in December via Machinma with the full short being released in February 2012.[101][102]
Red Sand (2012) is a fan film that serves as a prequel to the Mass Effect series. It is set 35 years before the plot of the games and tells the story of the discovery of the ancient Prothean ruins of Mars. The film stars Mark Meer, voice of the male version of Commander Shepard in the games, as Colonel Jon Grissom. It was produced by the students and faculty of the Digital Video Program at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona.[103][104][105]
Action figures
Two series of action figures were released by DC Direct and Big Fish Toys for Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Series one included action figures of Commander Shepard, Grunt, Tali, and Thane. Series two included Garrus, Legion, Miranda, and Mordin. Each figure features game-accurate accessories and can be found in game and hobby shops and various online retailers. The figures tied to Mass Effect 3 include bonus downloadable content, which is exclusive and different for each character.
Board games
Risk: Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition (2013) was announced by USAopoly and was released in Fall 2013.[106][107]
Art books
Two Mass Effect art books have been released: 2007's Art of Mass Effect,[108] published by Prima Games and 2012's The Art of the Mass Effect Universe,[109] published by Dark Horse Comics. The former book showcases the design sketches and concept art which was created for the original Mass Effect game, while the latter includes art, sketches and paintings for the entire trilogy, including several pieces originally published in the first book.
Characters
Main game series characters
Main article: Characters of the Mass Effect universe
Note: Some characters may or may not appear in Mass Effect 2 or Mass Effect 3, depending on their fate in the previous games. Some of the characters only appear if the player has installed the relevant downloadable content (DLC).
[show]Character Game
Spin-off game series characters
[show]Character Game
Novel series characters
[show]Character Novel
Comic series characters
[show]Character Comic Mini-comic
Movie characters
[show]Character Film
See also
Star Control II
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