Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
A new Far Far West update slices its grind in half, and stamps out Joker hoarding
Developer Evil Raptor has released the first major update for its early access shooter Far Far West, significantly reducing the grind by halving Prestige progression and boosting experience gains. The update also addresses "Joker hoarding" by instancing Jokers per player and includes various balance changes to weapons and enemy encounters. Quality of life improvements and bug fixes are also part of the patch.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Won’t be 200 Hours Long or Use Generative AI
Casey Hudson, director of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, stated the upcoming RPG will not be excessively long, aiming for completion rather than hundreds of hours of gameplay. He also confirmed the game will not utilize generative AI, which he described as "creatively soulless." The project is being funded by Simon Zhu's GreaterThan Group, which has raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million more, with a goal of publishing innovative projects.
AI is 'creatively soulless,' says director of Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic: 'I’m just really unimpressed with it'
Casey Hudson, director of Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect, expressed skepticism about the creative potential of AI in game development, calling it 'creatively soulless.' He believes generative AI tools are not significantly helpful in the development process. This contrasts with views from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Neowiz, who see AI as a tool for future gaming experiences.
Star Wars Fate of the Old Republic boss Casey Hudson is done with 100-hour games: "A lot of players just want to…
Casey Hudson, lead on Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic and veteran of the Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic series, believes that games should be shorter and more focused. He argues that many players prefer experiences they can finish, rather than excessively long RPGs with hundreds of hours of content. His studio, Arcanaut Studios, aims to offer replayability through alternate plotlines rather than sheer length.
Former NetEase exec Simon Zhu secures $100m to launch GreaterThan Group
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), a new holding company that has secured $100 million in funding. GTG will support three newly formed studios: Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson; BulletFarm, led by David Vonderhaar; and MAGship, led by Masato Saki. The company aims to provide full funding and support to game development studios, allowing creators to focus on making games.
New Steam Controller does a Wilhelm scream if you drop it
Valve's new Steam Controller features an unexpected Easter egg: it emits the Wilhelm scream sound effect when dropped. This is achieved through the controller's haptic motors, as it lacks a built-in speaker. The article also touches on delays for the Steam Machine and VR headset due to a memory crisis.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic secures large investment as director Casey Hudson seems to reject the use of gen-AI
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, has secured significant investment through GreaterThan Group, founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Director Casey Hudson expressed his aversion to using generative AI in development, citing it as creatively soulless. Hudson also indicated a preference for a more focused game length, aiming for completion before 2030.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic boss thinks AI is "creatively soulless"
Casey Hudson, founder of Arcanaut Studios and director of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, expressed his strong disapproval of generative AI in game development, calling it "creatively soulless." He stated that the upcoming Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic will not heavily utilize AI. Hudson also mentioned the game will be completable in under a hundred hours but will offer significant replayability.
The Canadian Game Awards Are Approaching Fast!
The sixth annual Canadian Game Awards show will take place in Toronto on May 21, celebrating the Canadian gaming industry. Hosted by voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, the event will feature presenters like Patricia Summersett and include the Eh! Game Showcase for attendees to interact with playable games and developers. Voting for the Fan Choice Award is still open.
New Star Wars RPG led by Mass Effect boss backed by $100 million fund "bringing common sense back to the games industry" as it "treats developers so badly"
GreaterThan Group, a new holding company founded by former NetEase president Simon Zhu, has secured $100 million to fund game development. Among its initial projects is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, led by Arcanaut Studios co-founder Casey Hudson. Zhu aims to create better conditions for developers, stating the industry currently treats them poorly.
Hasbro CEO says "you should expect more" crossovers for D&D
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks has indicated that fans of Dungeons & Dragons should anticipate more crossover collaborations in the future. While specific details remain scarce, the company is exploring ways to integrate its intellectual properties, potentially including a 'D&D in space' concept, though fan reception to previous crossovers like Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond has been mixed.
10 Best real-time combat RPGs if you don't like waiting your turn
This article lists and describes ten of the best real-time combat RPGs for players who prefer action over turn-based mechanics. The list includes titles like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, highlighting their unique combat systems and gameplay vibes. Each entry is evaluated based on its combat complexity, build customization, and overall player experience.
Mass Effect hasn't been great in "a long time," but "D&D in space" RPG Exodus can fill the gap according to Hasbro's CEO
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks believes the upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus, developed by former BioWare staff, can fill the void left by the Mass Effect series' perceived decline. He describes Exodus as "D&D in space" and highlights the pedigree of its development team. The article notes the long wait for a high-quality Mass Effect title since Mass Effect 2.
"Our players are going to be pretty psyched": Hasbro CEO talks D&D, video games, and playing to win
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks discusses the company's strategy for its intellectual properties, particularly Dungeons & Dragons, emphasizing a 'Playing to Win' approach that focuses on innovative experiences and engaging adult fans. Cocks highlights the success of Baldur's Gate 3 as an example of adapting D&D for digital platforms and expresses excitement for upcoming digital titles like Exodus, a 'D&D in space' inspired RPG.
10 Best Fantasy RPGs to play in 2026
This list highlights ten of the best fantasy RPGs available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, catering to various playstyles from story-driven epics to challenging combat experiences. It includes a mix of new releases and enduring classics, with a focus on games that deeply integrate fantasy elements into their gameplay and world.
Alien Disclosure: The U.S releasing the UAP files ties into gaming tropes rather nicely
The recent declassification of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) files by the U.S. Department of War, FBI, and NASA has sparked discussions about their connection to gaming tropes. While no definitive proof of alien life was revealed, the release of reports from military personnel and astronauts, including transcripts from Apollo missions and sightings near military bases, highlights a growing seriousness in addressing these events. This influx of real-world mystery provides a rich source of inspiration for science fiction games exploring themes of space exploration, alien encounters, and humanity's place in the cosmos, as seen in titles like The Outer Wilds, Aphelion, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, Exodus, and Kerbal Space Program.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Team Continues to Bring on Former KOTOR, Mass Effect Devs
Arcanaut Studios is assembling a development team for Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, heavily featuring former BioWare developers who worked on Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. Director Casey Hudson stated the game will honor the legacy of Knights of the Old Republic with a new story and modern technology, though it will not carry over established lore due to Disney's IP acquisition. While no release date or platforms have been officially announced, it is expected before 2030 and likely for PC and current-generation consoles.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic attracts more ex-BioWare and KOTOR talent to the team
Arcanaut Studios, a new developer founded by Casey Hudson, is assembling a team with significant BioWare and Knights of the Old Republic experience for its upcoming Star Wars RPG, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. Recent hires include art director Pascal Blanché, CTO Ryan Hoyle, and director Caroline Livingstone, all of whom have worked on previous Star Wars or Mass Effect titles. While the game is not expected before 2030, the studio continues to grow its talent pool.
Surprise: The studio making Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is full of former BioWare devs
Arcanaut Studios, the developer behind the upcoming Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, is heavily staffed by former BioWare employees, including key figures from the original Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series. Casey Hudson, who led development on the original KotOR, is CEO and game director at Arcanaut. The studio's leadership team features numerous individuals with extensive BioWare histories, suggesting a strong focus on recapturing the spirit of those beloved RPGs.
From Cyberpunk 2077 to The Witcher 3: Why videogame music matters, told by some of the best composers in the indsutry
This article explores the crucial role of music in video games, featuring insights from composers behind titles like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, and Disco Elysium. Composers Boris Slavov and P.T. Adamczyk discuss how soundtracks enhance player immersion and create lasting memories, highlighting the emotional impact of game music.
