Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.- Summer Game Fest no-shows: The big games that were absent from 2026's showcasesSeveral highly anticipated games were notably absent from the Summer Game Fest showcases, leaving fans speculating about their development status. Titles like Arkane's Blade, the Witcher 3 DLC, Injustice 3, and the Divinity sequel were among the expected reveals that did not materialize. The article highlights the absence of these games and discusses potential reasons or future reveal opportunities.
- Exodus narrative director dives into its inspirations from Interstellar to Star Wars to, yes, Mass EffectExodus narrative director Drew Karpyshyn discussed the game's diverse inspirations, ranging from classic sci-fi films like Star Wars and Interstellar to the Star Trek experience and the Dune novels. While Mass Effect is a natural comparison due to shared BioWare DNA, Karpyshyn emphasized that Exodus builds its own unique universe, with time dilation from Interstellar being a particularly strong narrative influence. Matthew McConaughey voices the mysterious character C.C. Orlev.
- Exodus somehow looks even more like Mass Effect than it did before it dropped a big gameplay reveal at the Future Game…Exodus, a sci-fi action RPG from Archetype Entertainment, revealed extended gameplay at the Future Games Show, drawing comparisons to Mass Effect. The game features a protagonist with unique genetic traits, moral choices impacting alignment, and a cast of companions reminiscent of Mass Effect characters. Exodus is slated for release in early 2027 for PC.
- EA College Football 27 Will Let Your Team Enter The Field To Mass Effect And Battlefield MusicEA College Football 27 will feature an extensive audio suite allowing players to customize their team's entrance music and stadium sounds. This suite includes re-recorded tracks from iconic EA franchises like Mass Effect 2, Battlefield 4, and Command & Conquer: Red Alert, alongside traditional college fight songs. The game launches July 9 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
- Mass Effect and Metal Gear actor Jennifer Hale calls on studios to take responsibility for their AI use:…Voice actor Jennifer Hale emphasized that generative AI is a tool for which humans are responsible, urging studios to take ownership of its use. She highlighted that creative professions are early indicators of AI's impact on the workforce and stressed the importance of consent and compensation for performers whose work is used for AI training.
- Sci-fi RTS ZeroSpace combines StarCraft with Mass Effect RPG choices and look, they've got a Homeworld guy doing the mechsZeroSpace, a new sci-fi real-time strategy game from Starlance Studios and Ironward, combines StarCraft-like combat with Mass Effect-style RPG choices and dialogue trees. The game features a single-player campaign, a persistent online Galactic War component, and mechs designed by former Homeworld artist Aaron Kambeitz. ZeroSpace is set to launch in early access on July 20th for PC.
- Comings and GoingsQuantic Dream is facing criticism for its live-service game performance and subsequent layoffs. Meanwhile, former developers from Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and The Long Dark have established a new indie publisher called Studio Reset.
- PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: WitchfireThe latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features world-exclusive access to Witchfire, the dark fantasy RPG shooter from The Astronauts, ahead of its version 1.0 launch. The issue also includes previews of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and other upcoming games, along with reviews for titles like Crimson Desert and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. Additionally, it covers PC gaming's best MMOs, ergonomic PC gear, and delves into the legacy of ZQuest Classic.
- The Expanse: Osiris Reborn players hated the male hero's voice so much that he's being recast as devs respond to negative feedback for their Mass Effect-inspired RPGDeveloper Owlcat Games is recasting the voice actor for the male protagonist and his twin in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn due to negative player feedback during the beta period. The studio also acknowledged that character animations, including facial and body movement, need improvement. The Mass Effect-inspired RPG is currently slated for a mid-2027 release.
- The Mass Effect-like Exodus 'is effectively D&D in space,' Hasbro CEO saysHasbro CEO Chris Cocks described Archetype Entertainment's upcoming space opera RPG, Exodus, as 'D&D in space,' drawing comparisons to the Mass Effect series. While acknowledging the genre's appeal and the gap left by recent Mass Effect titles, Cocks highlighted Hasbro's experience with role-playing games. Exodus is slated for a 2027 release and will be showcased at upcoming gaming events.
- Former BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games developers launch Studio ResetStudio Reset, a new Canadian indie studio founded by former developers from BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games, has officially launched. The studio is working on a neon-noir supernatural mystery title and aims for a sustainable, lean operating model. Key founding members include Kaelin Lavallée, Kris Schoneberg, and Francis Lacuna, who have experience with major franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- The Mass Effect sci-fi RPG subgenre "hasn't had a good game in a long time", says Hasbro, and it believes Exodus can change thatHasbro's CEO Chris Cocks believes the science fiction RPG genre, exemplified by Mass Effect, has been lacking a strong entry for a long time. He is confident that Exodus, developed by Archetype Entertainment and featuring former BioWare talent, will fill this market gap. The game is slated for an early 2027 release and aims to recapture the feel of beloved sci-fi RPGs.
- "It's been a while since Mass Effect 2 and 3" – Hasbro boss says "there's a big need in the marketplace" for a BioWare-esque space RPG and Exodus is ready to fill itHasbro CEO Chris Cocks believes their upcoming space RPG, Exodus, will fill a market gap left since games like Mass Effect 2 and 3. He stated that the game, which is described as 'D&D in space,' is designed to capture the essence of character-driven, multi-faceted narratives that have been missing from the genre. Cocks expressed confidence in the project's development, with a planned release in 2027.
- Star Wars: The Old Republic lead told BioWare bosses "I hate massive multiplayer games" before agreeing to run the MMO and becoming a "highly paid, completely useless person"James Ohlen, a lead developer at BioWare, revealed he disliked massively multiplayer online games but was tasked with directing Star Wars: The Old Republic. He previously worked on other BioWare titles like Baldur's Gate and Mass Effect.
- A new Far Far West update slices its grind in half, and stamps out Joker hoardingDeveloper 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 AICasey 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 GroupFormer 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 itValve'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.