Rumor: Mass Effect Trilogy exclusive to the Xbox 360 [Update]
by Xav de Matos 
{ Jul 22nd 2008 at 4:30PM }
In the September issue of Australian 360, BioWare co-founder and CEO Ray Muzyka was discussing the future of Mass Effect and the possibility of multi-platform at the EA European Showcase. "We said we were committed to supporting Mass Effect as a franchise and have the trilogy on the Xbox 360, and that's still our goal", Muzyka told the magazine, later adding "we're always very ambitious in our goals and the most important thing is quality, so we're never going to compromise that."
The quote doesn't actually lead us to believe that the series will be exclusive because the word is never actually uttered. If anything it provides the insight that the series will always be on the Xbox 360 but Muzyka never says it will only land on Microsoft's console. As one reader points out, it's more of a nod to the entire trilogy making it out this generation.
Questions regarding the fate of Mass Effect have been in the air since Electronic Arts acquired the famed Canadian developer -- who hold the rights to the Mass Effect name and universe. With major companies going multi-platform to make up for costly development we'd be surprised if EA went this route. Unless of course a deal is in place that was made prior to the EA acquisition or shortly thereafter.
[via Xboxoz360]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trogdor @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:36PM
I doubt it will stay exclusive, it is EA after all.
Who cares anyway? These are going to be great games and the more people who get to play them, the more games Bioware will be able to make.
LiqwidZero @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:39PM
Well, if we can remember that KOTOR 1 & 2 and Jade Empire are both Xbox only titles, and that Mass Effect is also an Xbox 360 exclusive, then we can deduce that Bioware loves the Xbox and the Xbox 360.
I don't see Bioware changing their stance. Bioware is EA's Lionhead. A big name production studio that has lots of free reign of its self from it's owner.
CL34N3R @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:17PM
I agree with you, except KOTOR 2 wasn't made by Bioware, it was Obsidian.
NotoriousB-O-B @ Jul 22nd 2008 9:33PM
UPDATE!
Your wrong!
LiqwidZero @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:07PM
Congress has now instated "jackass laws" to prevent against jackasses, like this one here: "UPDATE! You're wrong!"
The Feds should be at your doorstep at any minute now.
bigmac375 @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:40PM
timed exclusive and bioware wont do the port.
you heard it here first.
Xav de Matos @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:42PM
Well, yeah. If it happens then they will go the BioShock route and get someone else to bring it over.
BioWare is a little busy right now...
NeoK-182 @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:53PM
bioware said while promoting the PC version of Mass Effect that it will always be a timed exclusive to the 360 and any future release will be on the PC as well. as far as the PS3 goes, wouldn't surprise me if it eventually came out but since sony doesn't like spending money to get games anymore it might not.
Sean @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:56PM
seems a bit silly to port ME2 without ME1 being ported first.
BlackFreefall @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:34AM
Dead Rising 2 and Saint Row 2 went multiplatform while the first iteration of both franchises were exclusive to the 360.
Sentox6 @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:06PM
"...we'd be surprised if EA went this route."
Shouldn't that be "we wouldn't"?
Xav de Matos @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:21PM
No, I'm talking about exclusivity.
So, we'd be surprised if EA went the exclusive route.
Sentox6 @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:27PM
Oh right. Reading comprehension ftw.
Dirty @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:07PM
Seems likely. I am sure the bioware has many clauses in their contracts this may be one of them.
With only developing for one console only allows them to maintain better quality from their titles.
The idea of a port done by another developer is possible, but bioware has to maintain their IP and protect it by not letting someone else screw it up. Having a poor port to the PS3 would reflect badly on them even if it wasnt them doing the port, Mass Effect is still tied closely with their name.
EA has been doing a few things different, Look at the recent Command and Conquer games. They are windows and 360 only. Possibly because its easy to do it on 360 and port it easily.
Bravo6 @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:26PM
Timed exclusives are the way to go.
Trey @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:35PM
I remember hearing that they were on a track to make the next two Mass Effects for the trilogy on the 360 when the first came out. It seems like they realized that they wanted to make the series accessible and that the story will be in full on the same hardware they bought for the first.
I think the big thing I want to hear out of Bioware is DLC. They teased us with the first pack. I've been holding off on a fourth play through till there is some more content. I'm still missing three complete characters achievements and more interesting content will help to avoid the more boring missions.
The_Punisher @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:45PM
I would think it's going to be both, if only becuase EA = fail. If it would be, i'm not sure what version i would get. It would depend if the grpahics had a shitload of pop-in like one.
E.J. @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:50PM
Since Mass Effect for 360 was published by Microsoft Game Studios, I'm sure Microsoft has some sort of exclusivity contract to publish the rest of the trilogy on 360.
Jake @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:00PM
Almost certain to head to the PS3. Logicial now that the installed based are virtually neck and neck.
The only real losers in all of this, are 360 owners, who miss out on the 50 or so Studios that Sony own, producing great games Like LBP, Killzone2, Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, SuperstardustHD and so on...
SadisticHam @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:35PM
Super stardust HD.
Rotfl, wow. You said good games and lost me beyond that, all i see is a bunch of over hyped average games.
Knight Marquise @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:07PM
My day is never complete until I see a Sony troll working the xbox blogs.
eugene @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:12PM
considering how poorly those games sell, looks like most of us PS3 owners are missing out on the 'great games' as well.
evilmonkeeee @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:58AM
installed based?
Neuromancer @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:01PM
I hope they bring back the elevator scenes in ME2 and 3. That was like the best part of ME! I remember this one time, I was in an elevator on some planet with this hot chick and this alien dude. For some reason the elevator was taking forever, I think we were going up the millionth floor or something. We all just stood there staring straight ahead, making small talk.
Actually now that I think about it, it was kind of awkward.
Boff @ Jul 23rd 2008 6:07AM
:oD
Sakeoishii @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:16PM
This is an interesting post, I for one have no problem having the continuing games release on the PS3 since I'm sure it will sell. I am curious about one thing, I remember that one of the bullet points to ME was that you can continue the story with your pre-existing character.
I doubt it would have any effect on over all game play or story if someone only starts from the second game, but this makes me wonder if the first will somehow be ported seeing as how it was (correct me if I'm wrong) published by MS. Perhaps a recap of past events video?
Either way I hope the next one makes it's way out soon.
Sentox6 @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:52PM
That's what I've been wondering about too. Given it's supposed to be a cohesive trilogy, it would be a little strange to only have parts 2/3 available for other platforms.
Luke Reilly @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:05PM
I’d just like to stress that this piece was a part of the syndicated content we use from 360 magazine in the UK, so credit for this particular interview should be given to UK 360. You’ll need reach them for confirmation.
Luke Reilly, Australian 360
rainking187 @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:07PM
Maybe it's just me, but I'm quite certain I've heard Bioware say this was going to be a 360 exclusive a couple of times, regardless of what they say now.
Ninegauger @ Jul 22nd 2008 9:04PM
He never "alluded" to it... for future reference.
Xav de Matos @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:12PM
And how do you know I wasn't referring to him escaping from danger? Huh?
Ninegauger @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:28AM
... well, then the "to" following the word in question would've been incorrect ;)
It wouldn't be a problem if English were an entirely (or very nearly) phonetic language like Spanish...
Xav de Matos @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:23PM
You win this round.......
e.Missark @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:01PM
Mass Effect on PS3 FTW!!!
Now there's the possibility I can play the game because...I ain't getting no 360.
An eye for an eye, an ear for an ear.
Gamertag: GOPAL892005 @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:00AM
then what u doing on X3F? weird to be on a site about the XBOX 360 if you hanv't got one or dont plan on getting one either.
TWODOGSz @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:23AM
The disputed quote in the subtitle is Australian 360’s words and not Muzyka as some have taken it.
After speaking with Bioware, it has been made clear that our article was merely reporting on the quotes and claims of another publication. The disputed quote was from Australian 360 (which is syndicated from UK 360) and not Muzyka. Bioware may likely follow this up but in meantime here is the quote from Australian 360 in it's entirety that's caused all the fuss:
“Speaking exclusively to 360 at EA’s European Showcase, Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka restated his company’s commitment to bring the Mass Effect trilogy exclusively to the Xbox 360, despite having been bought up by Electronic Arts and analysts claiming it would go multiplatform.”
We are simply reporting on a fellow publication’s story, so we hope that clears things up. :)
TWODOGSz, XboxOZ360.
Yamikotai @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:29AM
I bet that Bioware will do what Bungie did with Halo - put the first two MEs on the 360, then put the third on the Xbox 4D or whatever they're calling it.
Gamertag: GOPAL892005 @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:01AM
XBOX 720 :)
theclaw @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:33AM
I think it might come to PS3. This is EA we're talking about.
Microsoft merely published Mass Effect on 360. They neither owned the IP, or published it for PC.
Will @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:55AM
Well now that EA owns BioWare, the Mass Effect sequels will definitely be on the 360 and PC...AND the PS3, the Wii, the PSP, the DS, cell phones....