When we first received the email asking if we’d like to attend the Mass Effect launch and then play the game, we said “Hell ya!”…

Not only did we have a chance to go on one sweet trip, we had the chance to visit one of Canada’s premier game developers. The Bioware folks have quite the list of masterpieces, with titles like MDK, Neverwinter Nights, Baldur’s Gate, KOTOR (Knights of the Old Republic) and Jade Empire, just to name a few.

Bioware is located in Edmonton Alberta, here in Canada. When we all got there, it had snowed the night before, it had dipped down to minus four degrees Celsius (that’s twenty three degrees for you Fahrenheit folks). I personally had only driven thru the place ten years ago, so it was refreshing to visit the place once again, more intimately.

Alright, we’re here to talk about Mass Effect (hurry Kam quit chatting about the damn weather!). On the Monday morning, Chris Priestly and Jay Watamaniuk from Bioware greeted us with a tasty breakfast, and sat down with the core development team of the game. Preston Watamaniuk the lead designer, Drew Karpyshyn the lead writer, and author of the paperback novel “Mass Effect: Revelation”, Casey Hudson the project director, Kim Hansen the lead quality assurance, and lastly Derek Watts – Lead Artist, were there to answer all the questions we had. Up to that point I hadn’t really informed myself on Mass Effect deeply, the only media I had seen up to that point was the E3 videos, screenshots, and most of the other mainstream stuff, but let me tell you, that has all changed.

Later that day, we got the “two cent” tour of Bioware. It’s pretty boring, then again, it’s your typical development studio. Dark offices, geeks are far as the eye can see, but in the back of my mind, I kept tell myself these people have created this decade’s hottest titles, truly remarkable. Then, they swung us by the “Dragon Age” department, an upcoming PC title that they are currently working on. And, if I talk about what I saw, rest assured they’ll hunt me down like a pig dog. But, seriously, these folks always have something special cooking.

Finally, we all got to sit down with Mass Effect. How was it you ask? Let just say it had my attention throughout the entire gaming session. This epic story is very deep, and I won’t sit here and spoil it for you guys, but remember it’s going to be a huge trilogy. The unique thing they’ve done with this game is they combine the signature Bioware RPG style of gameplay, with a third person shooter, so that you actually get to fight your fights, no turn based stuff here kids! Plus, the character customization is truly amazing, endless possibilities. I sat there for quite a few minutes making my guy look as ugly as possible. You probably could recreate yourself in this game, your face at least.

The gameplay is all about the choices you make. Unlike Jade Empire or KOTOR, it’s not black and white, good or evil, it’s all base on what mood you’re in. And everything has consequences on the answer you gave. An interesting thing I noticed as I was playing, I looked over at the player beside me (Jake from Xbox Canadian Live), he was at a completely different section of the game/story. You honestly get to choose what direction you want your character to go in. I played mine, and answered the question I saw fit, or rather how I personally would answer them. The combat in the game reminded me a little of Brute Force in a good way, and the story weaves in and out seamlessly.

That evening was the game’s launch party, it seemed that the entire development team was there admiring the fruits of their labor. “It’s finally done, after three years.” they said. I personally really enjoy seeing people gathering to celebrate their creative works. Well, done Bioware and thank you!

Make sure to check out the game when it comes out November 22nd, 2007. You won’t be disappointed.

Check out Mass Effect's Product Profile, for videos. screenshots and more!

Check these other article on the same event..

• Spaceghost2k
• Jake from Xbox Canadian Live
• Tbird - Canadian Microsoft MVP