Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.
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"I don't know if they will keep funding that one" - Former EA manager doesn't believe the next Mass Effect will survive Saudi takeover
A former Electronic Arts manager, Emmanuel Rosier, expressed doubt about the continued funding for the next Mass Effect game following EA's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Rosier, now with Newzoo, believes BioWare's IPs are at risk due to the studio's recent struggles and EA's potential need to leverage its most profitable franchises to manage its debt.
Will the next Mass Effect actually release under EA's new owners? 'I'll believe it when I see it,' says former EA manager turned Newzoo analyst
Following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, industry analyst Emmanuel Rosier expressed uncertainty about the future of the company's less prominent intellectual properties and studios like BioWare. Rosier suggests that EA might sell off dormant IPs such as Ultima and Wing Commander or focus heavily on sports titles and esports due to regional interests.
Next Mass Effect Game Might Not Get Funding Following EA’s Acquisition, Says Former Exec
A former Electronic Arts executive suggests that EA's acquisition by the Public Investment Fund could jeopardize funding for the Mass Effect franchise. The executive believes EA will prioritize its major IPs like EA Sports FC and esports, potentially leading to the cancellation of less profitable or struggling franchises like Mass Effect, despite CEO Andrew Wilson's statements about bold investment.
The Expanse RPG gets even more Mass Effect with choices that “define the character you play,” devs say, but you only have “one chance to stay on everyone’s good side”
Owlcat Games has detailed the extensive player choice system in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, emphasizing how decisions will have long-lasting ripple effects on the narrative and characters. Choices made early on, such as defending a space station or allowing it to be raided, will impact combat encounters, character relationships, and even the fates of factions like Earth, Mars, and the Belt.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn turns your origin story into more than a character sheet – thankfully
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, an upcoming sci-fi RPG from Owlcat Games, will feature a deep origin system that significantly impacts gameplay, dialogue, and available missions. Player choices will also shape companion development and relationships, with consequences that unfold over time. The game is set to launch in spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
The Original Mass Effect Is the Trilogy’s Best Story, Hands Down
The original Mass Effect game features the strongest narrative within the entire trilogy, surpassing the storytelling present in its sequels. This analysis argues that the first installment's plot is superior to those of Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.
Request for comment: Which way did you go when you reached the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3?
This article discusses the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3, comparing it to the ending of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. It reflects on how player choices throughout the trilogy were resolved by a single button press and the subsequent addition of an extended cut DLC with more options, including a refusal to choose.
These Mass Effect veterans are carrying the RPG's "principles" into a new game that sounds like Dispatch…
Studio Reset, founded by three former BioWare developers, is developing a new narrative-driven adventure game called The Eventide. The game features a contemporary Canadian setting with "neon noir" detective vibes and a watercolor art style, drawing inspiration from The X-Files. Players will manage a team of paranormal detectives, assigning them to cases based on their unique perspectives and expertise, a system designed to carry forward BioWare's principles of character and world-building.
Abandon single-player, move development to Saudi Arabia, "reduce labour"? Experts on what EA's huge buyout debt could really mean
Electronic Arts has been acquired through a leveraged buyout, co-owned by private equity firms and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with approximately $20 billion borrowed from Morgan Stanley. This significant debt places pressure on EA to generate substantial interest payments, leading experts to predict major shifts including potential layoffs and a focus on profitable live service games over niche single-player titles. The acquisition's structure and Saudi Arabia's strategic investment goals suggest a potential reorientation of EA's development and business practices.
"If I was buying BioWare, I would want everything": Former Dragon Age lead thinks "there are several ways" the developer survives EA's $55 billion buyout, but none are pretty
Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah discusses potential scenarios for the studio's survival following Electronic Arts' acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. He suggests that BioWare might be sold off with its IPs and technology, or its IPs could be sold individually, though he expresses concern about the overall impact on the developer and its catalog.
Games Inbox: Is Final Fantasy 7 still the most popular JRPG?
Readers discuss the perceived lack of hype for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, questioning if the original game's age hinders its popularity as a JRPG. Other topics include reader interest in Take-Two's post-Grand Theft Auto 6 plans, the potential for a live-action Zelda movie, and the future of digital distribution versus physical media.
Veteran Bethesda Developer Says He Would Have Done Starfield’s Planets Differently
Veteran Bethesda developer Nate Purkeypile has stated he would have approached Starfield's planet creation differently, criticizing the studio's extensive use of procedural generation. He advocates for fewer, more hand-crafted planets, drawing parallels to Mass Effect's approach and suggesting Starfield should have leaned more into No Man's Sky's dynamic content generation if pursuing a thousand planets. Despite these criticisms, Starfield has achieved over 17 million players and Bethesda plans future updates and content.
EA selling BioWare and Mass Effect would be the best news ever - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern over Electronic Arts' financial situation and its potential impact on BioWare and the Mass Effect franchise. The author suggests that EA selling BioWare would be beneficial, allowing the studio to regain independence and potentially revive the Mass Effect series, which they believe is unlikely to continue under EA's current management due to financial pressures.
Saudi Arabia’s $55 Billion EA Takeover Casts a Shadow Over Mass Effect 5
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has acquired a controlling stake in Electronic Arts for $55 billion, taking the publisher private. This acquisition raises concerns among fans and developers about potential censorship and changes to inclusive content in franchises like Mass Effect and The Sims, particularly given the country's laws regarding homosexuality. The future of Mass Effect 5, currently in early development at BioWare, is now uncertain under new ownership.
Mass Effect 3 dev demanded answers from the RPG's writing team when she realized her alien husband was hooking up…
Mass Effect 3 level designer Kris Schoneberg discovered an unexpected romantic pairing between Tali and Garrus while testing the game, a development she found so surprising she confronted the writing team. This narrative detail highlights the autonomous nature of the crew's personal lives within the Mass Effect universe, even when the player doesn't pursue romantic relationships.
EA’s Saudi takeover will be "a real waste" if it turns the publishers into a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine", Helldivers 2 studio boss says
Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that Electronic Arts' recent $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabian investors could lead the publisher to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse game catalog. He hopes for continued business and creative diversity within EA, despite the consolidation and significant debt incurred by the deal, which may lead to cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
EA is now a private company, with stakeholders that include Saudi's PIF and Affinity Partners
Electronic Arts has officially become a private company following a $55 billion buyout, with stakeholders including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners. This deal, the second largest in gaming history, has raised concerns regarding human rights and LGBTQ+ issues due to the nature of some investors. The future of EA's franchises and potential company restructuring remain uncertain.
EA has officially been sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
Electronic Arts (EA) has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in a leveraged buyout valued at approximately $55 billion. The deal, which also includes investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, marks EA's return to private ownership after 36 years. CEO Andrew Wilson addressed staff, emphasizing continued innovation and the importance of interactive entertainment, while concerns remain about potential layoffs and the use of AI.
EA have gone private, as Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner's investment groups complete their $55 billion acquisition
Electronic Arts (EA), publisher of franchises like EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners for $55 billion, making it a private company. The deal has raised concerns among unionized workers regarding potential layoffs and among LGBTQIA+ players about the future of diversity in EA's games, though some developers have expressed commitment to maintaining inclusivity.
EA and games like The Sims, Dragon Age, and Battlefield are now officially owned by Saudi Arabia and private equity as…
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 billion, making it a private company. CEO Andrew Wilson stated the move will allow for bold investment and innovation. Concerns have been raised regarding potential censorship of IPs like The Sims and Dragon Age, as well as national security risks due to foreign ownership.
