Bioware's "Mass Effect".

Morrolan wrote:

But you do plan to complain whenever consoles get an exciting announcement, right?

Only if it's from a studio that used to make good PC games.

Like dragon age?

There are more players on consoles, right now, than the PC. They can reduce development time and bugginess by going with standardized hardware. They can spend more time on making the game good. They can *gasp* MAKE MORE MONEY (those selfish bastards!) by going with consoles, or even A console.

This isn't a console > PC post. I just don't think anyone has any right to be pissed off about a company making console games. There is no reason for a 360 to be more out of your reach than a PC, other than your own self-imposed embargo or whatever. That, though, is not Bioware's fault. Myself, I like to have fun however I can. That's just me, though.

The guy leading the Mass Effect project is the producer from KoToR. He's also reportedly a huge fan of Deus Ex.

Podunk wrote:

/raises hand

So how come the PS3 is a "given" and X360 is an "instant pass"? There's clearly at least one X360 game in which you're interested. :)

well, there's Square/Enix, the people who made Disgaea, Devil May Cry, the -huge- volume of interesting titles and franchises that are already on PS2 and will translate to PS3..

There's maybe 3 games on the XBox right now that interest me. After the entire lifespan of the console. Why waste my money when there'll be the same 3 or 4 on the 360?

Azure Chicken wrote:

well, there's Square/Enix, the people who made Disgaea, Devil May Cry, the -huge- volume of interesting titles and franchises that are already on PS2 and will translate to PS3..

I understand now, you like games that I think are boring and/or annoying, and I'm sure vice versa.

I dunno, Capcom is supporting the X360, Square/Enix is too, not to mention the former Square royalty over at Mistwalker, and you've got excellent competition for Devil May Cry in the Ninja Gaiden franchise. It just seems premature to me to write off X360 as an "instant pass," at least based on your interests. Hell, My PS2 has been gathering dust for the better part of two years, and Kutaragi has done everything but personally call me a moron and kick me in the crotch in the course of promoting the PS3, and I'm still cautiously optimistic about that system.

To get us back on topic.

This Press Release:

BioWare announces science fiction action-RPG Mass Effect For Xbox 360

"Mass Effect" is a science fiction action-RPG created by BioWare Corp., the commercially and critically acclaimed RPG developer of "Jade Empire," "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic," "Neverwinter Nights," and the "Baldur's Gate" series. "Mass Effect" will deliver an immersive story driven gameplay experience with stunning visual fidelity. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, "Mass Effect" will be exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game system.

As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined.

Key Features:

* Immersive RPG: Determine the fate of mankind as you lead an elite tactical strike force as an epic galaxy-wide conflict unfolds. "Mass Effect" will take the player into new depths of an action-roleplaying game, with choice-based gameplay.
* Rich and engaging storyline. While defending galactic peace and earning a position of respect for humanity in the community, gamers will discover that a greater conflict between organic life and artificial intelligence exists. Players' decisions and actions will serve to shape the destiny of all life in the galaxy as you become absorbed in the story that is "Mass Effect," the first game in an epic trilogy from BioWare. They will become the center of an engrossing story as they battle against alien life forms to save the galaxy from threatening armies.
* Player controls the ultimate fate of the galaxy: The player's decisions and actions will serve to shape the destiny of all life in the galaxy, while raising humanity to the pinnacle of galactic civilization via noble means or via tyranny.
* Real-time squad based combat: "Mass Effect" employs a real-time, squad based, tactical combat system. Players will be immersed in intense, challenging and exciting combat.
* Explore uncharted worlds: In addition to the main story arc of the game, players will be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets which are not directly tied to the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these planets in an all-terrain rover in order to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies.
* Digital actors: "Mass Effect" features a huge cast of in-engine digital actors that you will encounter as NPCs, enemies or as party members. Each will have life-like facial and body movements, and an advanced dialogue system will give them engaging personalities.
* Character customization. Players will be able to choose from a variety of stunning, photo-realistic character appearances at the start of the game, and throughout the game can increase various statistics which will have an impact on their performance during gameplay. Equipment, weapons and armor that are acquired during the course of the story will change the appearance of the characters.
* Next-generation gaming defined. "Mass Effect" takes advantage of Xbox 360's hardware providing gamers with exciting new experiences, including photo-realistic, high definition graphics on an epic scale. As the future of gaming goes online, Xbox360 live features, including premium downloadable content and recognition of achievement will be available via the Xbox Live service

And the First Look from Gamespot.

There is no reason for a 360 to be more out of your reach than a PC, other than your own self-imposed embargo or whatever.

I do not own a TV and frankly do not to own one. I cannot play console games unless I have a TV. I suppose I could go out and buy a doubly expensive video card with TV capture inputs and plug a console into my computer... but that seems a bit asinine.

As far as having a right to be pissed off at a company... well that whole thought just seems akward to me. How does someone have, or not have, a right to be pissed of a some company for their business decisions (unless you own a stake in the company and think they'll go bankrupt based on their decisions I guess)? You either have every right because it's your opinion or you have no right as you're insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, I do feel betrayed by the company as they still try to ride their "maker of awesome PC games" fame after they stopped making PC games (for all practical intents and purposes).

I do not own a TV and frankly do not to own one. I cannot play console games unless I have a TV. I suppose I could go out and buy a doubly expensive video card with TV capture inputs and plug a console into my computer... but that seems a bit asinine.

no need.. you can get the VGA Cable for the Xbox 360

TheGameguru wrote:
I do not own a TV and frankly do not to own one. I cannot play console games unless I have a TV. I suppose I could go out and buy a doubly expensive video card with TV capture inputs and plug a console into my computer... but that seems a bit asinine.

no need.. you can get the VGA Cable for the Xbox 360 ;)

Damn you and your logic.

TheGameguru wrote:

no need.. you can get the VGA Cable for the Xbox 360 ;)

That's my plan.

TheGameguru wrote:
I do not own a TV and frankly do not to own one. I cannot play console games unless I have a TV. I suppose I could go out and buy a doubly expensive video card with TV capture inputs and plug a console into my computer... but that seems a bit asinine.

no need.. you can get the VGA Cable for the Xbox 360 ;)

Even better, the Dell 2005FPW has composite/s-video in, and the 2405FPW has that AND Component input.

but I believe sales of JE were not so great compared to KoToR...

That's because it sucked compared to KOTOR. Before JE Bioware could do no wrong in my eyes and I would buy any game the day it was released, now I'm firmly in wait-and-see mode.

I tought Jade Empire was pretty good. It wasn't as good at KotOR, but almost. Then again, they both sucked, compaired to BG2.

Jeez, I don't recall saying I was pissed off at Bioware. Just a bit of snark, that's all.

As for Dragon Age, never heard of it.

How can you Female Doggo about Bioware screwing you when you haven't even been to their website and seen all the stuff there about Dragon Age?

That being said, people with avatars of Jayne with Vera generally get a pass.

I will say that my PS2 is the machine gathering dust hereabouts. I own several Xbox exclusives (Halos, KOTOR, Fable) and buy all my third party console games on it because, well, it has the best graphics AND Xbox Live. I don't understand people already having loyalty towards the PS3 (which I will undoubtedly buy, I assure) when it's still a long way off. Possibly a year. By then the 360 might be going like gangbusters. I'm just excited to see all the brand-new franchises coming to 360. I'm specifically interested in Gears of War, Mass Effect, and The Outfit. I think those are all exclusives.

I think that with the 360 launching first, the burden will be on Sony to provide us with a compelling reason to buy. And that reason almost certainly won't be a GTA or Final Fantasy game. Not a GTA game because while they are good, if you've played one you've somewhat played them all, and not a FF games because heck, it'll eventually be ported to GBA anyway.

Ooh, just came up with a nice theory, though it totally contradicts what I just said:

http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/1...

From IGN.

As to which systems it will be on, BioWare was diplomatic. "Right now the game is on 360, but you know, Microsoft is a very PC-centric company. I don't know what will happen in the future, but for right now, it's just Xbox 360." Many years in the videogame industry lead me to think that this answer, while purposefully vague, means there very well might be a PC version just around the corner. Don't be surprised if the PC version comes out sometime well after the Xbox 360 version.

Are you satisfied now?

It's certainly possible it's just me with this problem, but trying to play an FPS on a console is like driving a semi across a tightrope. Frustrating and impossible to do well. If the Xbox360 lets me slap a keyboard/mouse on it, great, but then it's really just another computer, not a console.

It does sound nifty, though.

EDIT: Here's the index page for Dragon Age, which seems even more nifty.

Wounder wrote:

It's certainly possible it's just me with this problem, but trying to play an FPS on a console is like driving a semi across a tightrope. Frustrating and impossible to do well. If the Xbox360 lets me slap a keyboard/mouse on it, great, but then it's really just another computer, not a console.

It does sound nifty, though.

EDIT: Here's the index page for Dragon Age, which seems even more nifty.

I have to agree with Wounder - I love Bioware and its games but FPS games just arent the same to me on a console. There are several good ones for the Xbox that I have never played because I am not to thrilled with the control setup.

...FPS games just arent the same to me on a console. There are several good ones for the Xbox that I have never played because I am not to thrilled with the control setup.

True, but the standardized controls give you one good thing: a level playing field. No adjustable DPI junk nor funky USB being more responsive than PS/2 stuff to deal with. It's down to raw skill since most people stick to the first-party controllers (or the Logitech wireless versions).

SpyNavy wrote:

I have to agree with Wounder - I love Bioware and its games but FPS games just arent the same to me on a console.

They're not the same to me, either. I'll never be as accurate in, for instance, Halo or Halo 2, as I was in Quake 3 on the PC. But, I've beaten Halo on Legendary difficulty and Halo 2 on Heroic (about halfway through on Legendary, but the goddamned snipers are truly pissing me off where I am) so obviously I'm good enough to get the job done. That means I've adapted to the controls well enough to play at a relatively elite level.

So no, FPS games aren't the same on PC and console. That doesn't mean they can't be good and enjoyable.

but FPS games just arent the same to me on a console
but trying to play an FPS on a console is like driving a semi across a tightrope

aka we FEAR change!!

seriously... I used to loath playing FPS's on consoles.. simply because of the controls... then I approached it like I approached playing Quake for the first time I realized that I now had to learn how to mouselook in 360 degree's..

It takes time... and practice... unless your a spaz... ANYONE can play an FPS on a console very effectively.

So Bioware is making an RPG for console AND PC at the same time, and the console RPG may be ported to PC? Than why is this thread turning into yet another PC vs console warzone?

PC is teh roxorz btw

TheGameguru wrote:
but FPS games just arent the same to me on a console
but trying to play an FPS on a console is like driving a semi across a tightrope

aka we FEAR change!!

seriously... I used to loath playing FPS's on consoles.. simply because of the controls... then I approached it like I approached playing Quake for the first time I realized that I now had to learn how to mouselook in 360 degree's..

It takes time... and practice... unless your a spaz... ANYONE can play an FPS on a console very effectively.

You can hardly call not putting up with an inferior control method fearing change. Sure, anyone can learn to play with a gamepad with time and practice, but for those used to the mouse keyboard combo it means a hell of a lot of frustration at first. If people don't want to suffer through that, can you really blame them?

Now, that revolution controller, that looks pretty damn wicked for fps action.

As for Mass Effect, it seems to me from the statement above it's going to be Xbox360 exclusive in the same way KotOR is Xbox exclusive.

You can hardly call not putting up with an inferior control method fearing change. Sure, anyone can learn to play with a gamepad with time and practice, but for those used to the mouse keyboard combo it means a hell of a lot of frustration at first. If people don't want to suffer through that, can you really blame them?

yes I do blame them.. and inferior is only an opinion.. when in fact.. anyone can get used to it and thus it becomes not inferior....just DIFFERENT.

games are games.. less looking down our snooty noses at consoles and more talk of what the GAME could be like.

So...its like...stairs are not inferior technology compared to elevators, cause..you know..some of them olympic dudes might make fifth floor faster than the elevator?..

TheGameguru wrote:

yes I do blame them.. and inferior is only an opinion.. when in fact.. anyone can get used to it and thus it becomes not inferior....just DIFFERENT.

Inferior has nothing to do with whether one can get used to something or not, but how well the respectivve methods do their job. A gamepad's far less precise than a mouse, and I find looking up and down pretty damn awkward. It still works for games like Halo that recognise the limitations of the controller and design the levels around it, but I can't imagine playing something like Ziggurat Vertigo or any of the Quake or Jedi Knight levels that were more vertical than horisontal on a gamepad. That makes it inferior in my book, at least.

I'm not looking down my snooty nose at consoles, mind you. I just think games are dependent on their input devices, and find the fps a genre far better suited to a mouse and a keyboard (unsurprisingly since it evolved on the PC). There are tons of genres and games that work far better on consoles because they were designed with gamepads in mind.

...and the console RPG may be ported to PC? Than why is this thread turning into yet another PC vs console warzone?

Because I appear to have been using [ignore] [/ignore] tags when posting again.

dejanzie wrote:

So Bioware is making an RPG for console AND PC at the same time, and the console RPG may be ported to PC? Than why is this thread turning into yet another PC vs console warzone?
PC is teh roxorz btw ;-)

I'll do you one better: RPGs suck, and have sucked since the advent of real time combat.

Inferior has nothing to do with whether one can get used to something or not, but how well the respectivve methods do their job. A gamepad's far less precise than a mouse, and I find looking up and down pretty damn awkward. It still works for games like Halo that recognise the limitations of the controller and design the levels around it, but I can't imagine playing something like Ziggurat Vertigo or any of the Quake or Jedi Knight levels that were more vertical than horisontal on a gamepad. That makes it inferior in my book, at least.

aha! there you have it!.. you answered your own argument.. since this new game from BIOWARE is designed from the ground up on a console (Xbox 360) with a console controller its thus NOT inferior and shouldnt pose a problem.. since just like you said.. its NOT a PC game being ported to a console..

and again..its only less precise that a mouse when you try and directly compare the two...instead of merely recognizing that they are different.

i.e. would I want to play Halo 2 on my Xbox with a keyboard and mouse?? hells no! just like I wouldnt want to play BF2 on my PC with a gamepad.

So...its like...stairs are not inferior technology compared to elevators, cause..you know..some of them olympic dudes might make fifth floor faster than the elevator?..

Or possibly stairs give you exercise, don't break down, require no electricity, ect. And when you're moving between two adjacent floors, the stairs are usually faster. Not universally worse in all cases, just different. If you make your building with stairs in mind, and you use stairs it works fine. If you build your building with elevators in mind, and you put in elevators, it works fine. Most of the console FPS stigma comes from the problem that FPSes used to be designed for elevators and then they threw them on a console and gave you 100 flights of stairs. It's just not the case anymore, and you have Halo to thank.