Let's Talk Games

[Aaron-GS Community Connector]

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Hey everyone,

Want to learn more about Mass Effect 2 before you pick up your copy on January 26^th?  Well, in anticipation of the game’s release Best Buy® will be holding a live web chat here on our community forums with some of the creative minds behind the game.  The chat is scheduled to take place from 5:30pm – 7:30pm CST (6:30pm – 8:30pm EST) on January 11^th, so make sure to be here with your questions about the game!

Here’s some background information on our upcoming guests:

Casey Hudson

Project Director & Executive Producer, Mass Effect 2

Casey Hudson has been a videogame developer for over 10 years, contributing to some of the industry's most critically and commercially successful titles. Since his start in the business he has worked at BioWare in Edmonton, Canada.

Casey started his career in game development as a Technical Artist, creating 3D art and technical solutions for MDK2 (2000) and Neverwinter Nights (2002). Casey was the Project Director on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003), winner of over 40 Game of the Year awards - and one of the highest-rated videogames of all-time. As the Project Director on the New York Times' 2007 "Game of the Year" Mass Effect, Casey led a team in the development of an ambitious game set in an all-new science fiction universe, which pushed the boundaries of interactive cinematic storytelling and advanced digital actors.

Casey is currently leading the development of the second title in the Mass Effect trilogy, and manages the Mass Effect franchise as its Executive Producer.

About the Game

Two years after Commander Shepard repelled invading Reapers bent on the destruction of organic life, a mysterious new enemy has emerged. On the fringes of known space, something is silently abducting entire human colonies. Now Shepard must work with Cerberus, a ruthless organization devoted to human survival at any cost, to stop the most terrifying threat mankind has ever faced.

To even attempt this perilous mission, Shepard must assemble the galaxy’s most elite team and command the most powerful ship ever built. Even then, they say it would be suicide. Commander Shepard intends to prove them wrong.

Please note that developers are subject to change and that there is a chat server limit of 500 guests for this event.  Additionally, a transcript will be posted within 24 hours of the chat session for those that cannot attend.

[tsiper29]

What has been the most difficult part of populating an entire galaxy with different alien civilizations?  When coming up with the history, language, and culture of each race were there times that you looked at the alien and said "this just doesn't look right, it doesn't look like this would fit with this alien" and had to invent new aspects of the History and so on?

I know that's 2 big question's but they have been burning in my mind since the first Mass Effect!

[bluemanrule]

Mass Effect is my favorite game.  It changed my genre preferences to RPGs.  This being the case, I have a tremendous attachment to my Shepard.  Just like NCAA Football 2009, is there any way to print out a customizable game cover via XBox Live?  In 2009, the NCAA team allowed gamers to change the cover of the game to the Mascot of their choice, print, and insert into the game case.  I would love to have the current ME2 cover with my (Uncle John)Shephard  looking cooler than the backside of the moon.  Please Casey, pull those resources at EA and see if EA Tiburon can pass that knowledge on to Bioware.  Imagine the possibilities with Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins (another great game).

P.S. - Love the hair man.

[DarthBill52]

I think the first bioware title I picked up was Kotor and from then on I guess you could say I am bit of a bioware fanboy, I always think the games are awesome including the few sleepless weeks during mid-terms not studing but playing dragon agergins.  It just blew me away (as with many of the other bioware games but even moreso) Between writing,storyline and voice acting they have been some of the more memorable games i have played since like the mid 90's when I played the old access software Tex Murphy games and some of the old lucasarts titles.  I look forward to Mass Effect 2 with great intrest between what i have been reading in the trades along with the EA/Bioware website/forums. It looks like a sequel that like Empire Strikes Back was equal if not great than its predessor.   I Just want to say Thank you to all your team for some of the greatest video game experances I have ever played.  

With that said, A few questions -

From something I read as a description from a pre-order incentive at another chain it said "holds extra clip or ammo" are the Guns this time going to be ammo based vs a previous system of depending on weapon professioncy how many shots you get off before overheat. ?

and question 2- Can it be said what is replacing the Mako, Unlike others(maybe its an xbox thing) but I had no issue with the mako ...I actually liked it, it was fun offroading on planets  with it

[Light]

Well almost everything that i wanted to know is already answer but what im interested to know is exactly wich characters are love interest specially i want to know if Tali is gonna be a Li this time

[WhisperPiano]

By now, we are aware that most of the characters from the first game have been given greatly reduced roles, including the three potential love interests. While the new crew is intriguing, many of us are irked by what appears to be a disregard for the personal subplots through which each of our Shepards' stories were individualized. My question is: wil those of us who choose to have our Shepards remain faithful to one of the original romance options be able to come away as satisfied with the romantic aspect of the story as those who ditch them for one of the new squadmates, despite the reduced screentime?

[Xeyska]

Who are the love interests for Female Shepard this time around in Mass Effect 2?

What was it like developing the new squadmates, compared to the old ones in Mass Effect?

[Nitrox22]

How is it possible to account for every change a player can make in Mass Effect 1 to be presented in Mass Effect 2? I would seem so much work would be done that a certain player character might not even see.

[Assassin]

1. Has anything been done to improve the vehicle segments of the game. I.E.. Upgrading your vehicle, making driving segments more fun, etc.

2. When you visited a planet, it was always very empty. Has anything been done about this?

3. Are you able to change your characters face during the game this time around? In ME1, you had to keep restarting the game until you were happy with the end results.

[Assassin]

1. Since EA is now publishing the game, will Mass Effect be coming to the PS3 anytime soon?

2. Will the game be supported with DLC like dragon age origin? ME1 was lacking in that department.