The PC version of BioWare's sci-fi RPG Mass Effect marches out to retailers this week, and to celebrate the company has delivered three new gameplay clips.

Co-developed by Demiurge, the Xbox 360-to-PC port sports a number of enhancements, such as free downloadable content and a redesigned interface. Read more »

As the release of BioWare's Mass Effect PC port approaches this week, company CEO Ray Muzyka recently stated that the company will maintain a fairly even balance between licensed properties and original development in future projects.

When asked of his preference between creating original universes for games and working on preexisting intellectual properties, Muzyka explained that there are benefits to developing from either angle. Read more »

It's been so long since I've invoked any hostility in defending PC-centric control schemes over console counterparts—I guess Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare changed me, or made me soft, or something.

But with Mass Effect's somewhat limited Xbox 360 control configuration transitioned to its reworked form on the PC, I'm on the cusp of becoming an elitist jerk again.

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Fresh from EA's Spring Break event are a bonanza of screenshots from the publisher's lineup, including Mass Effect PC, Warhammer Online and more.

Be sure to scope out the full post, as there is simply far too much media to contain on the front page, and don't forget to check out the whole of our EA Spring Break coverage. Read more »

BioWare producer Derek French recently caused an uproar after announcing that copy protection on the PC editions of Mass Effect and Spore would require online validation every 10 days in order for the games to continue functioning.

In the face of increasing pressure, BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts today relented, updating the official Mass Effect PC FAQ to note that validation will now only be required when the player downloads new game content. Read more »

Update: Electronic Arts has relented to the pressure.

Original story: BioWare technical producer Derek French has said that the PC versions of both Mass Effect and Spore will make use of copy protection that will require online validation every ten days in order for the games to continue working.

"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a post on the BioWare forums. Read more »

Those who pre-order the PC edition of Mass Effect at participating retailers will get $10 off the sci-fi RPG's $49.99 MSRP when it hits May 27, publisher Electronic Arts has revealed.

While the company did not provide a complete list of those "participating retailers," it named GameStop, Amazon.com and GoGamer.com in today's announcement. Read more »

When BioWare's sci-fi RPG Mass Effect is released for the PC this May gamers will be able to download the "Bring Down The Sky" content for free, publisher Electronic Arts has announced. Released for Xbox 360 through the Xbox Live Marketplace last month, the DLC introduces the Batarian race and adds about 90 minutes of additional gameplay.The PC version of Mass Effect will be in North American stores May 28.

In advance of the game's May 28 release, developer BioWare has, via its official forum, issued the minimum and recommended system requirements for the PC edition of its sci-fi action-RPG Mass Effect.

Ported from the Xbox 360 with the aid of Demiurge Studios and sporting a revised interface, the title requires a minimum of 12GB hard drive space, a 2.4 GHz Intel or 2.0 GHz AMD processor, a GeForce 6 series or ATI 1300XT video card, and 1GB of RAM for Windows XP users. Read more »

Developer BioWare has released a new set of screenshots from the PC version of its RPG shooter hybrid epic Mass Effect, showing off the game's revised interface and decryption minigame.

As shown in the new screenshots, the title's graphical interface has been reworked to support the more versatile mouse and keyboard control configuration available for Mass Effect's PC incarnation. A look at the game's revamped decryption minigame was also revealed. Read more »

The PC edition of Mass Effect has been pushed to May 28 in North America and June 6 in Europe, developer BioWare has revealed. Co-developed by Demiurge Studios, the Xbox 360-to-PC port of the sci-fi RPG was originally slated to arrive on May 6.

"A few more weeks in the studio will ensure we deliver the quality that our fans deserve," BioWare community coordinator Chris Priestly wrote on the developer's forums. Read more »

The upcoming sequel to BioWare's sci-fi RPG Mass Effect will arrive on Xbox 360 first with a PC version hitting soon after, according to senior manager Matt Atwood.

"I believe we'll be Xbox 360 exclusive for at least a short period of time," Atwood told CVG. "We've got a really great PC fan base, we think it's really important to deliver the PC experience as quickly as possible," he continued in a VideoGamer interview. Read more »

Microsoft just sent over a trailer for the first batch of Mass Effect (X360) downloadable content, titled Bring Down the Sky.

Released on the Xbox Live Marketplace earlier this week, the expansion for BioWare's sci-fi RPG introduces the Batarian race, adds a new achievement to the game, and offers about 90 minutes of gameplay. It sells for 400 Microsoft Points ($5). Read more »

As expected, newly available on the Xbox Live Marketplace this morning is Bring Down the Sky, the first downloadable content for BioWare's sci-fi role playing game Mass Effect.The scenario, which introduces the Batarian race and offers around 90 minutes of gameplay and 50 Gamerscore points, is a 253mb download, and will set you back 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Previously announced for a "May" release, Electronic Arts today narrowed down the store date for the PC version of Mass Effect to May 6.

The PC version of Mass Effect will include numerous upgrades over the Xbox 360 release, including an improved squad control interface, re-designed Mako controls, a new inventory screen GUI and functionality, hot-key mapping, a quick save button, and an additional decryption mini-game. Read more »