Mass Effect (Official Thread)

[livethesounds]

This is a thread for all things Mass Effect, which is in my mind the next big sci-fi franchise.

Mass Effect has become more than just a widely acclaimed video game. There are now novels, comics, toys and iphone games based around the mass effect universe. Not to mention a Mass Effect movie, which seems like, even early on, could be very promising. This is a growing franchise so i figured it deserved it's own thread.

ME Movie links
Movie happening http://movies.ign.com/articles/109/1092495p1.html
Who should driect? http://movies.ign.com/articles/109/1093640p1.html
Cast speculation http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/05/25/casting-the-mass-effect-movie.aspx
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/OzysPolls/news/?a=12593
http://www.gamesthirst.com/2010/05/26/mass-effect-movie-casting-call/

ME Universe links:
http://masseffect.bioware.com (http://masseffect.bioware.com/)
http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_Wiki

discuss

[seraph1214]

I have never been more psyched for a video game than Mass Effect 3.

[EvilZeppelin]

I hope they don't fuck up the movie.

[vivatoto56]

Mass Effect 2 was an unbelievable experience.

For me only one person could possibly fit the role of Shepard.

http://jessefox1968.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/david-boreanaz.jpg

Anyone else and I'm not interested.

[p93]

Mass Effect 2 was an unbelievable experience.

For me only one person could possibly fit the role of Shepard.

http://jessefox1968.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/david-boreanaz.jpg

Anyone else and I'm not interested.

I think you meant to say
http://www.tvboyfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/WindowsLiveWriter/SundaysEyeCandy_12B91/matthew%20fox%5B1%5D.jpg

[vivatoto56]

I think you meant to say
http://www.tvboyfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/WindowsLiveWriter/SundaysEyeCandy_12B91/matthew%20fox%5B1%5D.jpg

This brings to mind the scene in Knocked Up when Seth Rogen talks shit on Mathew Fox.

I couldn't find it on youtube to bring this opinion to life.

So instead I stand by it.

[FallenEmpyr]

I wanna play the second one just cuz Yvonne Strahovski is in it

[SomedayTheFire]

Mass Effect 2 was fantastic. Not too stoked on the movie, would like it based on another party and not Shep, because you can have so many different Shep's bringing it down to just one would be weird.

[Starbursting]

I think I might get back to playing the first Mass Effect this weekend.

[livethesounds]

Mass Effect 2 was an unbelievable experience.

For me only one person could possibly fit the role of Shepard.

http://jessefox1968.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/david-boreanaz.jpg

Anyone else and I'm not interested.

lol really? that's not even close.

[aboyandhiscurse]

i just started mass effect one over agaiiin. for like the 5th time. the sad thing is i never beat it, i just keep losing my files

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Great game. Loved mass effect 2 and it was aa greaaaaaat time. Come on #3!!!

[p93]

I was pretty disappointed in how long my first run of ME1 took (just over 15 hours - not much for an RPG) and for some reason can't bring myself to get into ME2. Maybe I'll get sick or something and have nothing else to do.

[rosielikesyou]

I actually was just watching my brother play Mass Effect 2 a few nights ago and was fascinated. I'll definitely be playing through the first one over the summer... Like, once I finish Fallout 3, and Bayonetta, and God of War 3. My summer game pile is stacking up pretty high.

[livethesounds]

I was pretty disappointed in how long my first run of ME1 took (just over 15 hours - not much for an RPG) and for some reason can't bring myself to get into ME2. Maybe I'll get sick or something and have nothing else to do.

maybe if you run through it it will take 15 hours. i'd say if you actually do most of the things you can do instead of just running through the main storyline then it's double that.

i'm just glad they made ME2 a lot shorter thanks to the patch fixing the stupid planet mining device. it takes like 2 min to scan an entire planet now and you can fill up every meter with just a couple of planets. i probably spent hours scanning on my first two playthroughs of ME2, just go be able to afford the upgrades.

cannot wait for the next DLC in a couple weeks. said to be a few hours long.

[-Aaron-]

That patched the planet scanning? Nice, that was my only complaint. It took close to 10-15 minutes per planet to really get a bunch of resources. I planned on playing through with my renegade character from ME1 next time I playthrough, which will probably be soon.

[livethesounds]

That patched the planet scanning? Nice, that was my only complaint. It took close to 10-15 minutes per planet to really get a bunch of resources. I planned on playing through with my renegade character from ME1 next time I playthrough, which will probably be soon.

yea i'ts incredibly fast now. and you can fill up your bars twice in less than the amount of time it would take you to fill them up once before. it makes the game flow a lot smoother when you don't have to take 20 min breaks to mine.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Probably my favorite games for the 360, I can play them over and over. Definitely excited about a movie, that should be cool. I wasn't aware that there were novels for it, are they any good?

[p93]

maybe if you run through it it will take 15 hours. i'd say if you actually do most of the things you can do instead of just running through the main storyline then it's double that.


I think I should have worded it differently, I didn't mean I "ran" through it, I did a lot of other things, didn't purposefully breeze through it and honestly the ending really took me by surprise. I don't know - I actually replayed the game with another character, making different choices, different class, etc, and still found it to be pretty straightforward. The side quests all boiled down to go to planet, kill/find stuff, go talk to someone, blah. Not to discount the story, I really enjoyed the game, just wished it had some more things to do.

[vivatoto56]

lol really? that's not even close.

That's my ultimatum and way out of seeing another awful video game movie.

I'm not sure what he's suppose to be "close" to, seeing as how he looks different for everyone.

At least I made you laugh out loud, that was probably enjoyable for you.

[livethesounds]

Probably my favorite games for the 360, I can play them over and over. Definitely excited about a movie, that should be cool. I wasn't aware that there were novels for it, are they any good?

i've never been nerdy enough to read the novels or the comics. although i like to know vaguely what they're about. i think there's three novels out right now, one is about the history between Anderson and Saren, the other one has to do with Cerberus, i forget what the other one has to do with.

I think I should have worded it differently, I didn't mean I "ran" through it, I did a lot of other things, didn't purposefully breeze through it and honestly the ending really took me by surprise. I don't know - I actually replayed the game with another character, making different choices, different class, etc, and still found it to be pretty straightforward. The side quests all boiled down to go to planet, kill/find stuff, go talk to someone, blah. Not to discount the story, I really enjoyed the game, just wished it had some more things to do.

well you have way more time on your hands than i do if you think it's too short. it took me 3 days to get through each of those games.

That's my ultimatum and way out of seeing another awful video game movie.

I'm not sure what he's suppose to be "close" to, seeing as how he looks different for everyone.

At least I made you laugh out loud, that was probably enjoyable for you.

how is that an ultimatum? and most video game movies are terrible because the story is lacking so much. Mass Effect has a great story and great characters. It's almost less a game and more a sci-fi story.
Obviously you can play as different Shepard, but it's also obvious they've marketed Mass Effect with the default commander Shepard, so someone who looks somewhat similar to him would be ideal. for me the dude from bones doesn't exactly look like an elite military guy.

[vivatoto56]

how is that an ultimatum? and most video game movies are terrible because the story is lacking so much. Mass Effect has a great story and great characters. It's almost less a game and more a sci-fi story.
Obviously you can play as different Shepard, but it's also obvious they've marketed Mass Effect with the default commander Shepard, so someone who looks somewhat similar to him would be ideal. for me the dude from bones doesn't exactly look like an elite military guy.

Ultimatum - If David Boreanaz is not in the film I will not see it.

Since you're calling him the "dude from bones" I'm imagining you have not seen every episode of Bones, like I have, and are not aware he is an FBI agent after his service in the military where he was a well known sniper.

I've seen every episode of Buffy and Bones (not yet Angel) and played through both Mass Effect games. He would be perfect.

[livethesounds]

well congrats on seeing every episode of Bones and Buffy. i'ts quite obvious you have a huge man crush on the guy so i guess we'll leave it at that.

just saying i don't see it. and if it takes me watching every episode of those two shows to get there, i'll pass.

[vivatoto56]

well congrats on seeing every episode of Bones and Buffy. i'ts quite obvious you have a huge man crush on the guy so i guess we'll leave it at that.

just saying i don't see it. and if it takes me watching every episode of those two shows to get there, i'll pass.

Buffy was the show of my youth, and I watch Bones for Emily Deschanel.

I don't see how your hostility is necessary here.

He's a great actor and would be a great choice, just because you have never seen his shows doesn't make him terrible.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

i've never been nerdy enough to read the novels or the comics. although i like to know vaguely what they're about. i think there's three novels out right now, one is about the history between Anderson and Saren, the other one has to do with Cerberus, i forget what the other one has to do with.



well you have way more time on your hands than i do if you think it's too short. it took me 3 days to get through each of those games.



how is that an ultimatum? and most video game movies are terrible because the story is lacking so much. Mass Effect has a great story and great characters. It's almost less a game and more a sci-fi story.
Obviously you can play as different Shepard, but it's also obvious they've marketed Mass Effect with the default commander Shepard, so someone who looks somewhat similar to him would be ideal. for me the dude from bones doesn't exactly look like an elite military guy.

Interesting, I might check it out sometime.

[livethesounds]

Buffy was the show of my youth, and I watch Bones for Emily Deschanel.

I don't see how your hostility is necessary here.

He's a great actor and would be a great choice, just because you have never seen his shows doesn't make him terrible.

no hostility here, i felt you were the one getting defensive. it's just the internet and i thought the guy was an odd choice that's all. i've watched bones numerous times, not a week to week guy, but i know enough to where he'd def would not be in my first hand full of guys i'd want. but that's just me. Shepard doesn't necessarily HAVE to look like anything, i'd just like it if they stuck to a good actor who looked along the lines of the default Shepard in the game.

[vivatoto56]

no hostility here, i felt you were the one getting defensive. it's just the internet and i thought the guy was an odd choice that's all. i've watched bones numerous times, not a week to week guy, but i know enough to where he'd def would not be in my first hand full of guys i'd want. but that's just me. Shepard doesn't necessarily HAVE to look like anything, i'd just like it if they stuck to a good actor who looked along the lines of the default Shepard in the game.

Oh, well than I feel more comfortable.

David Boreanaz seemed perfect for me because the only way a Mass Effect movie would work imo, is if the actor who played Shepard understood and constantly walked the lines between good and evil. I mean that was the best part of the game.

The actor would need to be someone who you would feel comfortable having a beer with, but terrified if he was angry at you. Someone who the audience fears for his decisions. He's not completely righteous but he's definitely not a villain. Someone who feels like a normal person but at the same time you feel like you're four feet standing in front of him.

These are all traits I've noticed his characters portray.

He would have to have personality and not be some sort of "action hero" or even someone as monotonously dark as Christian Bale or I imagine Mathew Fox would be.

For me, I've just thought about this so much it's the only thing that would work.

And it's not like I expect it to happen or anything. I'm just saying, "in a perfect world. . ."

[livethesounds]

Oh, well than I feel more comfortable.

David Boreanaz seemed perfect for me because the only way a Mass Effect movie would work imo, is if the actor who played Shepard understood and constantly walked the lines between good and evil. I mean that was the best part of the game.

The actor would need to be someone who you would feel comfortable having a beer with, but terrified if he was angry at you. Someone who the audience fears for his decisions. He's not completely righteous but he's definitely not a villain. Someone who feels like a normal person but at the same time you feel like you're four feet standing in front of him.

These are all traits I've noticed his characters portray.

He would have to have personality and not be some sort of "action hero" or even someone as monotonously dark as Christian Bale or I imagine Mathew Fox would be.

For me, I've just thought about this so much it's the only thing that would work.

And it's not like I expect it to happen or anything. I'm just saying, "in a perfect world. . ."

but there are plenty of good actors that can portray that. not just him. i've probably seen as much of fox as Boreanaz, and i wouldn't necessarily consider fox an action hero, but he has that tough, rugged, look and feel that i think Shepard portrays.

i think whoever plays the role it's almost a necessity for them to play at least the first game to really get a feel for who Shepard is.

[vivatoto56]

but there are plenty of good actors that can portray that. not just him. i've probably seen as much of fox as Boreanaz, and i wouldn't necessarily consider fox an action hero, but he has that tough, rugged, look and feel that i think Shepard portrays.

i think whoever plays the role it's almost a necessity for them to play at least the first game to really get a feel for who Shepard is.

I'm aware he's not the only one who could portray him.

I think what I'm not communicating through my posts is I really really do not want to see this movie.

I'm very against the idea of it. Mainly because I was looking at rottentomatoes best reviewed video games movies and number 1 was Prince of Persia with 50 something percent.

Have you never wanted something so perfectly impossible to happen simply because you know it won't and that makes your decision for you?

That's basically how I sit on the matter.

[livethesounds]

and what i'm trying to get through is that 90% of video game stories are absolute shit. which is why they are games. Sure most of the good ones that have been made into movies aren't very good either, but i think the Mass Effect franchise is something that could be very big. obviously if they just throw it together with shitty people, it's going to suck. but so far it looks like they're putting together at least somewhat respectable people in charge. more than you could probably say for other VG movies.

you could make a great sci fi movie with Mass Effect's story. so it's not really a question of "could" the movie be good, it's basically will they allow it to reach it's potential.

[vivatoto56]

and what i'm trying to get through is that 90% of video game stories are absolute shit. which is why they are games. Sure most of the good ones that have been made into movies aren't very good either, but i think the Mass Effect franchise is something that could be very big. obviously if they just throw it together with shitty people, it's going to suck. but so far it looks like they're putting together at least somewhat respectable people in charge. more than you could probably say for other VG movies.

you could make a great sci fi movie with Mass Effect's story. so it's not really a question of "could" the movie be good, it's basically will they allow it to reach it's potential.

That's completely how I feel, the problem is I have no faith in Hollywood and the transition from video game to movie.

If you look at it from only the critics gathered on rottentomatoes point of view, there hasn't been one film in the history of movies that could successfully transpose onto film from a video game.

It sounds like we believe that same things, I'm just more cynical about it.

Despite the fantastic story and hundreds of possibilities, I have no faith in the project.

There's no precedent.

[Protested Hero]

ME + ME2 + RDR = combination of my favorite games. Sweet!

[livethesounds]

That's completely how I feel, the problem is I have no faith in Hollywood and the transition from video game to movie.

If you look at it from only the critics gathered on rottentomatoes point of view, there hasn't been one film in the history of movies that could successfully transpose onto film from a video game.

It sounds like we believe that same things, I'm just more cynical about it.

Despite the fantastic story and hundreds of possibilities, I have no faith in the project.

There's no precedent.

You're right, but i don't think there's been a game that has had this strong of a story before. you can't make a movie with a weak at best story good. sure they could screw this up horribly, but they could also make a really good movie. i'm hopeful.

ME + ME2 + RDR = combination of my favorite games. Sweet!

RDR seems like my kind of game. haven't been able to play it, probably wont for another month or so, but i'm pretty pumped to play it.

[vivatoto56]

You're right, but i don't think there's been a game that has had this strong of a story before. you can't make a movie with a weak at best story good. sure they could screw this up horribly, but they could also make a really good movie. i'm hopeful.

I guess I just loved Mass Effect 2 too much.

Playing through the story was probably the best multimedia experience of my life.

I don't want anything to damper that.

[p93]

well you have way more time on your hands than i do if you think it's too short. it took me 3 days to get through each of those games.


well, like I said, 15 hours. I don't rememeber my timetable for playing the games, but even in your example, if I had bought the game new ($60?) and finished it in 3 days, I'd feel rather shortchanged. Final Fantasy XIII, another this-gen RPG, took me somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 hours (and I could write an essay on everything wrong with that game).

[Cheshire_Buddha]

If Mass Effect 3 gives me the option to strangle Liara with my bare hands, then I'm all in.

[Whalejaw]

I was so pissed off at my ending of Mass Effect 2 I haven't played it since even though I absolutely love the game.

[livethesounds]

why were you pissed off?

[Whalejaw]

I wasn't aware of the mechanics that determined who lived and died during the finale mission and I lost some of my favorite characters :-(

[themagicrat]

I thought 2 didn't have nearly enough side missions and the cover system made it entirely too easy. But, it's still the best game I've ever played.

[Protested Hero]

I wasn't aware of the mechanics that determined who lived and died during the finale mission and I lost some of my favorite characters :-(

They pretty much scream it in your face the entire game. I was smart and upgraded everything I possibly could and did everything I possibly could before going into it, haha.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

I need to do the suicide mission in ME2 once more to get all the achievements for it, but I feel like it's going to take me three hours.

[thehereaway]

I love the Mass Effect games.

I lost Thane on ME2 because I sent him through the tunnels; I was foolish and ignored Jacob's advice, thinking that Thane would be good at infiltrating quietly. I also figured that whoever I chose would die (like the choices on ME1), and I figured he didn't have long left to live anyways - it was between him and Legion, but I thought Legion might have some plot in ME3 that leads him to unite the Geth in the fight against the Reapers.

ME3 should be amazing.

[vivatoto56]

I thought that the suicide mission was the best part and the fear that you could lose prime characters due to your decisions made it a very intense experience.

Everyone survived on my first play through except for Yaemon Chambers and some other random members of the Normandy Crew because I did Legion's loyalty mission after I initiated the final mission where your crew gets taken. Obviously I waited too long. Didn't affect the achievement but it made me sad, and will probably affect the 3rd game.

[Jaimehere]

will just start to play Mass Effect 2 in about a week, have any of you played the lair of the shadow broker?

[OurLadyCoolbean]

Just finished the first game, waiting to borrow ME2 from my friend.
Hope the movie is actually based on the events of the game rather than the First Contact War like all the people on the forums seem to want. This movie has a lot of potential to be good or to be a disaster.

[Jaimehere]

wow, it's been a long time since my last post, I've finished ME2 about 4 times already hahaha

4th time was about a week ago, I finished it again just to have my face all scarred and my eyes red because of being an almost complete renegade character, hope most of the look carries over to ME3

and the videos from E3 were awesome, has me all stoked again

[Whalejaw]

I can't believe we have to wait until March. I was hoping for an earlier release like around January.

[Jaimehere]

I can't believe we have to wait until March. I was hoping for an earlier release like around January.

well it's for the best I guess

the extra time they can have in order to fully test out the game, improve it and make sure that there aren't any bugs/glitches will benefit us in the end

but I need more DLC's for ME2, I keep on finishing the new ones way too quickly haha

[OurLadyCoolbean]

Looks like we'll be getting some information on the movie at ComicCon via Casey Hudson (Mass Effect Project Supervisor and Executive Producer) and Mark Protosevich (screenwriter).

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2011/07/07/mass-effect-movie-team-coming-to-comic-con/

[Broken Parachute]

Just started playing it finally. Love it.

[Regards]

I've got ME 2 coming in the mail today, I know I'm late to the game, but I finally have a PC that can play some good games. Pretty stoked to play it. Bioware always hits homeruns with it's games.

[OurLadyCoolbean]

Posted on the Mass Effect website:

"The much anticipated Mass Effect movie was the topic of conversation during a Legendary Pictures panel at Comic Con. Sitting on the panel was scriptwriter Mark Protosevich and Mass Effect series executive producer Casey Hudson.

During the panel, the studio revealed that the film will be a completely new story and will be focusing on the Male Shepard as the main protagonist. There is no word on whether the movie will turn into a trilogy at this point and casting has not been decided.

Who would you cast as Male Shepard?"

I don't understand what it means by "comepletely new story" but that Shepard will be the protagonist. Could be a typo since everything I've read elsewhere says it will be based on the first game.

[vivatoto56]

Lame, I would love it if they followed the the first game at least a wee bit. Especially if Shepard is the protagonist, that already feels like a bad move to take the movie farther away from the true mass effect universe.

Hopefully the writers understand it isn't the aliens and the action that make Mass Effect one of the greatest series of all time. Sounds like they will mad fuck this up.

Also, the only person I would want as Shepard....

http://images.wikia.com/buffy/images/c/cf/DavidB.jpg

(which yes, I posted on the first page....still stand by it)

[vivatoto56]

I just finished with my 4th playthrough of the first game and started on my 6th of the second.

Making sure I have everything exactly right for the 3rd. It's good because this feels like my "Real" Shepard.

Let's talk about the council decision in the first game....Who did you chose between Udina and Anderson? I battle with that decision at the end of each playthrough and have thought about it almost every day after beating the second one.

I went with Anderson. I finally decided, fuck him being happy and fuck the fact that he's not a politician. I feel like he will push the button when I need him too. I also feel like he would cut the council's throats if I asked him to. That is a man I fucking need.

No more pussy Collectors or Geth....shit's real now.

[Jaimehere]

I just finished with my 4th playthrough of the first game and started on my 6th of the second.

Making sure I have everything exactly right for the 3rd. It's good because this feels like my "Real" Shepard.

Let's talk about the council decision in the first game....Who did you chose between Udina and Anderson? I battle with that decision at the end of each playthrough and have thought about it almost every day after beating the second one.

I went with Anderson. I finally decided, fuck him being happy and fuck the fact that he's not a politician. I feel like he will push the button when I need him too. I also feel like he would cut the council's throats if I asked him to. That is a man I fucking need.

No more pussy Collectors or Geth....shit's real now.

First play-through of the first game I chose Anderson but after I played ME2 and found out Anderson that good w/ Politics I just chose to keep on choosing Udina every time I play-through the game

And my IDEAL Shepherd, who is just a bar and a half from having his Renegade bar to the max, has been ready and waiting for ME3 since August

I only need about 2/3 of a day to finish the whole game w/o too much breaks in between hahaha