GameSpasm

While Mass Effect 2's in-game DLC pipeline, The Cerberus Network, continues to transport new weapons (and soon, a new vehicle) to players for free, BioWare has announced the game's first pack of paid downloadable content. "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" finally completes Commander Shepard's dirty dozen, adding a confident female thief to your anti-Reaper repertoire. It's currently scheduled to launch for Xbox 360 and PC on April 6th.

After downloading the DLC, players can get in touch with Kasumi on the Citadel, either in the middle of an ongoing Mass Effect 2 game or after the completion of the main story (lesson learned from Mass Effect 1 DLC!). Once recruited, Shepard aids Kasumi on a secretive mission of recovery, which requires a suave disguise and a run-in with an influential and predictably corrupt art collector. The content, which also provides the "Locust" SMG, a flash-bang grenade loyalty power and a new Achievement, should take about an hour and a half to complete.

BioWare is currently in the midst of "internal discussion" to determine the price of the DLC, but we'll keep you updated as soon as it's finalized. Look for some impressions of "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" on Joystiq later today. Spoiler: It looks great.

Mass Effect 2 DLC 'Kasumi's Stolen Memory' lands on Apr. 6 (don't forget!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, cerberus-network, DLC, gdc-2010, kasumis-stolen-memory, mass effect 2, rpg

Related posts

• PSA: Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC now available (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC delayed on 360, coming later this week (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Cerberus Network: an ‘in-game pipeline’ for DLC [update] (0)
• BioWare server maintenance makes Dragon Age unplayable for some [update] (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)

"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store on the Citadel." - English

"Jestem dowódcą Shepard, a to jest mój ulubiony sklep na cytadeli." - Polish (machine translation)

In a GDC 2010 session entitled "Localizing Large RPGs," which forms part of an ongoing localization summit, BioWare localization project manager Ryan Warden eloquently explored the revered developer's process of adapting a huge, dialogue-driven game like Mass Effect 2 for alternative markets and languages. It may surprise you to learn that BioWare's processes are significantly more elegant than hiring an army of workers to copy and paste lines of text into Google Translate.

With 450,000 words and 30,000 lines of voice-over in the English version, Mass Effect 2 demanded an active approach in its translation to eight languages, including Russian, Czech and Spanish. "Trying to manage this scope is almost unfathomable," said Warden. "For BioWare titles, we don't have the luxury of waiting for the title to be fully complete before starting localization."

The concurrent process was designed to provide as much information and context to translators as possible, allowing them to focus on the job without having to request further information for each new conversation. BioWare compiled a complete localization kit, complete with a pronunciation guide (that's crow-guhn, not kroggin!), an IP glossary, a collection of translator Q&A documents and an extensive character database. "Any time that a translator spends time asking questions and waiting for feedback ... that's wasted time," Warden added. The goal, he said, was to "eliminate any doubt in the confidence of the translator."

Continue reading GDC 2010: BioWare speaks up about Mass Effect 2's localization

GDC 2010: BioWare speaks up about Mass Effect 2's localization originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, chris-christou, gdc-2010, localization, mass effect 2, rpg, ryan-warden, translation

Related posts

• Video Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk on Mass Effect 2 & 3 (0)
• The Mass Effect bible is ‘quite large,’ BioWare’s Muzyka assures (0)
• Sneak a peek at Mass Effect 2’s Infiltrator class (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• PSA: Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC now available (0)

Commander's Log:

Well, whaddya know? I get up this morning and ride down to Deck 2, and the first thing outta Kelly's mouth is that I have a new message at my Private Terminal. About time -- things have been hella boring around here since beating up the Collectors! Anyway, it's from Illusive Man -- who else -- with a tantalizing subject line: "Arc Projector."

So, get this: Ol' Smoking Man says Cerberus has passed off a new "advanced electrical attack device" to me. It was recently tested on some geth during a "highly successful" skirmish in the Skyllian Verge. (I won't tell Legion that part, but "they" probably already know.)

Well, I'd sure like to test it myself, but the galaxy's awfully quiet these days -- still waiting on that Hammerhead delivery. I guess I'd better just start up that New Game+ ...


P.S. I've been feeling really homesick for Cali lately. That's where I grew up before enlisting in N7, fool.

---

The Arc Projector heavy weapon add-on is available for free to Mass Effect 2 owners with a Cerberus Network account.

In-game item description: "The arc projector ionizes targets with a nonvisible laser to ready them for a high-voltage electrical attack. As the lightning-like bolt hits its first target, a sophisticated autotargeting system paints succeeding targets with the ionization laser, allowing the electricity to take the path of least resistance and arc between them. An entire enemy strike team can be shocked to death with a few pulls of the trigger."

[Thanks to Paul & Kris120890!]

Mass Effect 2 gets free Arc Projector heavy weapon, courtesy of Cerberus DLC Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: arc-projector, Bioware, cerberus-network, DLC, Ea, mass effect 2, Project ten dollar

Related posts

• Schappert clarifies EA’s sweeping DLC and online strategy (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC delayed on 360, coming later this week (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Cerberus Network: an ‘in-game pipeline’ for DLC [update] (0)
• Tons of Mass Effect 2 DLC available free right now [update] (0)
• Rumored Mass Effect 2 DLC Plans Sound Massive [Bioware] (0)

Like previous God of War games, God of War III has sex mini-games. Because a mini-game is pretty much what sex is, isn't it?

The scene takes place in Aphrodite's Chamber, and was almost cut. "It was more a debate between me and several of the story writers," God of War III director Stig Asmussen told website UGO. "I was like, 'I'd rather not have it in there at all.'"

"We make it more than it's been in the past, but we also give it more of a purpose," said Asmussen. "It's not just you going in there, finding some corner and having sex with somebody. It's something that guides you through the story. You get information and more than just a fluff moment."

Heavily censored footage has surfaced on YouTube, along with pixelated screengrabs. And, of course, the mini-game in its entirety. The clip is viewable here. Judge for yourself, but be warned: There's nudity and possible spoilers.

While there is nudity, the scene itself isn't exactly sexy per se. The dialogue is hammy in a goofy, porn sort of way, and pails in comparison to the sexual pyrotechnics of adventure game Uncharted 2 and sci-fi game Mass Effect.

The point, however, of the God of War mini-games are and have always been to show how manly protagonist Kratos is.

シリーズ恒例、『ゴッド・オブ・ウォー III』のセックスミニゲーム動画 [はちま起稿]

Tags: god-of-war-iii, mass effect 2, Nsfw, PS3, Sex, Sony, uncharted-2, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Your Black Friday Reference Guide To Game Shopping [Shopping Gift Guide] (0)
• What Does Japan Really Think About Game Consoles? [Japan] (0)
• Using Trophies to Deliver Big Game [Trophies] (0)
• Uncharted 2, Street Fighter IV, And Tekken 6 Come Home Tomorrow [Playstation Home] (0)
• Uncharted 2’s sexual politics examined (0)

This is a video guide on how to look like Miranda, one of the stars of sci-fi adventure Mass Effect 2. Not how to dress like her. How to actually look like her.

Leigh Ann, from Charisma +2, is the star here, showing the game's female fans (or the obsessed male fan with a patient partner) how to get their lips, eyes, face and hair looking just like the Mass Effect universe's most violent Australian.

As you can see comparing them (the in-game character is below), the results are pretty good! Course, it helps that Leigh Ann looks a bit like Miranda's actress, the delightful Yvonne Strahovski, to begin with, but still.

[via GameSetWatch]

Tags: Clips, Culture, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, PC, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Mass Effect 2’s New Hovertank In Action, Blowin’ Up Geth [Clips] (0)
• Wait — New Game Plus Is in Mass Effect 2? [Mass Effect] (0)
• The Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer Has It All [Clips] (0)
• The Game Industry In 2185 [Clips] (0)
• See Modern Warfare's "No Russian" Like You've Never Seen It Before [Clips] (0)

Later this month, Mass Effect 2 players will get access to the Hammerhead hovertank, along with five new missions for the game. Here's what the new toy looks like in action.

It's certainly more nimble than the Mako, your vehicle from the first Mass Effect, and the way those levels look custom-built around it is also promising. Less "great I just rolled off another cliff" moments.

Mass Effect fans will also notice the way the Hammerhead looks more than a little familiar, its nose shape taken from early concept design work for the Mako.

Call me crazy, but with the Mass Effect universe hurtling towards a final battle, could BioWare be testing the waters for the inclusion of tank warfare in Mass Effect 3? Some large-scale ground warfare would be a nice addition to the series, bring a little scale to its gunplay.

Tags: Bioware, Clips, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, PC, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Wait — New Game Plus Is in Mass Effect 2? [Mass Effect] (0)
• The Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer Has It All [Clips] (0)
• The Game Industry In 2185 [Clips] (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Soldier: The Shooter Class [Clips] (0)
• Mass Effect 2 is NOT Coming to the PS3 [Mass Confusion] (0)

BioWare's space opera epic, Mass Effect 2, is Amazon's "Deal of the Day." The Xbox 360 version is currently $40, which is $10 cheaper than you'd pick it up at your local Quarian pawn shop. A PC copy is 40 percent off, with a $30 price tag.

At that price, one could pick up Mass Effect 1 and 2 for the regular retail price of the sequel. For those who like their sci-fi soapy and their shooters refined, this is a deal worth going through the Omega 4 Relay for -- see, if you play the game, you'll know what that means.

[Thanks, Russ P!]

Amazon's galactic deal of the day: Mass Effect 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Amazon, Bioware, deal-of-the-day, Ea, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, rpg

Related posts

• Sneak a peek at Mass Effect 2’s Infiltrator class (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• New Mass Effect 2 trailer showcases the Engineer class and its killer robot (0)
• Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard (0)
• Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer makes us want to skip Christmas (0)

We know that some of you are less than excited about the return of vehicular gameplay to the Mass Effect franchise -- we still have vivid nightmares about our time behind the wheel of the Mako from the original game. However, your position will probably be reversed by last night's episode of GameTrailers TV, which showed off the Hammerhead vehicle which will arrive in the upcoming "Firewalker" DLC for Mass Effect 2. It is, in a word, rad. In two words? Totally rad.

Check out Chapter Four of the episode to see the Normandy SR-2 crew's new toy in action.

Mass Effect 2's 'Hammerhead' vehicle demoed on GameTrailers TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, DLC, gametrailers-tv, hammerhead, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, rpg, vehicle, video

Related posts

• Video Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk on Mass Effect 2 & 3 (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• PSA: Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC now available (0)
• New Mass Effect 2 trailer showcases the Engineer class and its killer robot (0)
• Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer makes us want to skip Christmas (0)

While they were first revealed in January, courtesy of a blurry magazine scan, that was no way to get a good look at DC Direct's line of Mass Effect 2 figures. This is.

The first line will feature four characters: Commander Shepard (male), Tali, Thane and Grunt. Shepard is a little...off, not just because my Shepard looks different, but because he doesn't even look much like the "standard" model in the game. The rest, though, especially Thane and Grunt, look great.

Those wondering who will feature in the second series, it'll comprise Miranda, Legion, Mordin and Garrus.

Tags: Bioware, Ea, figures, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, Merch, PC, Toys, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard (0)
• How A Trilogy Changed The Way I Roleplay: A Look At ‘Mass Effect’ (0)
• BioWare Denies PS3 Plans For ‘Mass Effect 2′ (0)
• ‘Mass Effect 2′ Review – A Wolf In Shepard’s Clothing (0)
• ‘Mass Effect 2′ Hover Tank DLC Coming In March (0)

BioWare promised us that we'd be getting a lot of post-launch DLC for "Mass Effect 2," and it looks like they're true to their word. Apart from ides, March will bring with it the "Firewalker" DLC pack, which focuses on a vehicle known as the Hammerhead hover tank. Fancy! Here's hoping it doesn't control like the MAKO tank from "Mass Effect 1"!

The "Firewalker" pack will be free to all those clever people that registered for the Cerberus System, the in-game DLC delivery service in "Mass Effect 2." If you bought the game new, the package should've included a code, but if you bought it used you're gonna have to pay up to get access.

I played through "Mass Effect 2" twice, and finished it on Insanity the second time. It was an exhausting experience, but I think by the time this new pack rolls around I'll be ready to jump back in. Again, it just better not be as terrible as the MAKO.

Tags: Bioware, Ea, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, NEWS, PC, Xbox 360

Related posts

• BioWare Denies PS3 Plans For ‘Mass Effect 2′ (0)
• ‘Mass Effect 2′ DLC Character Delayed As DLC Mission Goes Live (0)
• Mass Effect 2 Has Some Fancy Disc-Swapping Action [Mass Effect] (0)
• How A Trilogy Changed The Way I Roleplay: A Look At ‘Mass Effect’ (0)
• Get A Good Look At Those Mass Effect 2 Figures [Toys] (0)