Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.
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Comings and Goings
Quantic 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: Witchfire
The 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 RPG
Developer 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 says
Hasbro 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 Reset
Studio 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 that
Hasbro'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 it
Hasbro 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 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.
