Bioware: Mass Effect 3 – no exclusivity plans
The debate has raged the past year around the exclusivity deal between Microsoft and Bioware for the Mass Effect franchise. Since Bioware has been swallowed up by the giant publisher, EA, questions around Mass Effect’s exclusivity have become a hot topic. The PR boss of Bioware recently fanned the flames a bit more with an interesting revelation.
Joystiq was able to chat with Matt Atwood, PR boss of Bioware, specifically around the exclusivity of the Mass Effect franchise. When asked by Joystiq if Mass Effect 2 will come to the PS3, his answer was a bit different from before. He states, “we’ve only announced 360 and PC. At this point we’re really focused on those platforms.”
This seems like a completely different kind of answer then what was stated by Bioware in the past. Previously when asked this question, the studio would flat out indicate that the game would not be coming to the PS3 because of the exclusivity agreement between Microsoft.
Atwood also clarified that EA owns the IP for the Mass Effect franchise. When asked by Joystiq if there is exclusivity between Mass Effect and Microsoft, he stated that there was not.
However, interestingly enough, Atwood contacted Joystiq back later on and clarified that there is exclusivity between Mass Effect 2 and Microsoft, but beyond that there are currently no plans to announce as of yet.
I am wondering how Atwood, head of PR for Bioware would get tripped up and confused about something as simple as exclusivity for their biggest IP? It is interesting that Atwood clearly dismisses exclusivity when asked about “Mass Effect (no numbers)” and calls back and clearly stated exclusivity around Mass Effect 2-the sequel specifically. If you recall, while talking about the Xbox 360 and PC version of the game, Atwood made this confusing comment late last year about Mass Effect 2 to CVG:
I believe we’ll be Xbox 360 exclusive [Mass Effect 2] for at least a short period of time.
Clearly there is something fishy going on here, but I am not sure what it could be. Conspiracy theorists out there feel free to take a whack at it down at the comments section. Regardless of what platforms Mass Effect 2 will be on, you can bet I will be picking up the Xbox 360 version of the game to continue from my saved game. After all, it did take me two hours to recreate my likeness onto Shepard.
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35 Responses to “Bioware: Mass Effect 3 – no exclusivity plans”
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July 9th, 2009
So no Mass Effect 1 or 2 on PS3 then? So basically PS3 users will be getting part 3 of a trilogy, having no exposure to part 1 or 2? Good luck keeping up with the story.
July 9th, 2009
Kind of wierd to put the 3rd on PS3, harry has a point with the story.
In other news, the trailer for Mech Warrior is out, RAWR
Can’t wait!
July 9th, 2009
Yeah, Mech Warrior
July 9th, 2009
Mech Warrior? What’s that?
July 9th, 2009
“Kind of wierd to put the 3rd on PS3″
What I see other people doing this all the time around here
Seriously though, this article is kind of like saying Square Enix: Final Fantasy XV – no exclusivity plans.
July 9th, 2009
“Mech Warrior? What’s that?”
You cannot be serious !!
July 9th, 2009
“Kind of wierd to put the 3rd on PS3″
What I see other people doing this all the time around here”
Can’t argue with that ….
July 9th, 2009
All three are coming to the ps3. Just watch.
July 9th, 2009
Yeah, i’m watching. Ain’t going to happen. They signed an exclusivity deal with Microsoft for the first two as far as I am aware. But hey, keep the dream alive.
July 9th, 2009
So is Mass Defect’s battle system like KOTOR, where you just lock on and auto-shoot? If so, count me out. KOTOR is the worst excuse for an RPG ever. It seems that everything is an “RPG” nowadays.
July 9th, 2009
“Yeah, i’m watching. Ain’t going to happen. They signed an exclusivity deal with Microsoft for the first two as far as I am aware. But hey, keep the dream alive.”
yeah and what ur point? as far as I know they signed a exclusive deal with TECMO and when the deal was over we started to see Sigma and Sigma 2 coming to the PS3
M$ deal with Epic to develop two games exclusively for the 360 is over, Gears of War 3 can come out for the PS3, as well as Gears of War 1 & 2
Same goes for GTA4 DLC and Fallout 3 DLC.
It happened to Lost Planet and it can happen to MASS EFFECT
July 9th, 2009
and it happend to Eternal Sonata, Tales of Vissperia, Dead Rising (the first game is coming out on the PSN sometime this year)
and Mass Effect not that big of a game, i wouldnt care if it never comes out for the PS3rd
July 9th, 2009
Bioshock will never be on the ps3!!!!!!
It happened with GTA last gen as well.
I think we’ll see the first two packaged together about a year after ME2 releases on the 360. ME3 will come out same time for both.
July 9th, 2009
@Harry ‘Mech Warrior? What’s that?’
Get out!!!!! *shakes fist*
They’re like first person shooters but you’re supposed to be piloting big robots. Kinda like those gundam games but without the laser swords and looking more like walking tanks instead of ninja robots.
July 9th, 2009
sounds corny!
July 9th, 2009
Wasn’t there like a mechwarrior for the original xbox where a huge controller system too? (like a mech warrior cockpit)
spjall.vaktin.is/files/23214-steel_battalion_controller.jpg
And its not really that corny. Its just like Tank warfare, but you happen to be walking. This new version sounds neat too. They want to make it so you can launch UAV’s etc too, could be so awesome.
July 9th, 2009
Sound like Metal Gear Rex
July 9th, 2009
I’m with Carl on this one. Why are we even talking about Mass Effect 3?
Either way, it would be a dream come true if I could get Mass Effect 1 and 2 on the PS3 at any point. If not, I’ll play the 2nd (and 3rd, I guess) on PC eventually.
-Arvis
July 9th, 2009
@ SW, thanks, I guess i’ve been kept in the dark over that.
@ Ivan/phranctoast, I don’t think Bioware are going to go down the ‘Sigma’ route. I really can’t see these games hitting the PS3. Anyway, enjoy Mass effect 3 when it gets released around 2012.
July 9th, 2009
it seems that u have crush on Ivan. why dont you make official.
Mass Effect is more than likely to come out for the PS3 as EA is like M$ and try to gain as much money they can get
July 9th, 2009
Come on Ivan, we all know it’s you.
July 9th, 2009
@ Harry
Hardcore fighting fans are all talking about BlazBlue, Aksys’ foray into high-def 2D fighting. While equal numbers of 360 and PS3 copies were made, the PS3 version appears to be selling out faster than the other. Why is that? Well, it could be the system’s superior D-Pad. While many players will opt for an arcade stick, those who play with a default controller generally find the DualShock layout more comfortable for 2D fighters.
Or, it could be the rare implementation of Remote Play. With a sufficient wireless connection, players can play the game with the PSP system from anywhere in the world.
July 9th, 2009
Remote play is nice.. but SF 4 sold a little better on PS3 also. I’m guessing it’s the d-pad.
July 9th, 2009
I might notice the d-pad if I was into d-pad fighting games, I suppose.
“Mass Defect”? Wow, barn… condemning top reviewed videogames you haven’t played with moronic twists on the title’s name? Poor form.
Ivan, I mean roca, Mass Effect 1&2 will show up on PS3 about the same time MGS 1-4, FF1-10 and vs show up on 360.
July 9th, 2009
Interesting, Sony just admitted they have been playing catch-up with XBL since the PSN launch:
1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175108
still, it’s a free service, so it’s not like they have anything to apologize for.
July 10th, 2009
“Interesting, Sony just admitted they have been playing catch-up with XBL since the PSN launch”
I don’t think that was ever really in question – except with the fanboys.
Not really good business sense if sony came out and said our online service is shit, Live is so much better. They are at a stage now where they can talk about PSN and hold their chin up.
July 10th, 2009
Harry,
Here is link for info on Mech Warrior 4. Might fill in some blanks for u.
h**p://games.on.net/article/6450/MechWarrior_is_coming_back
July 10th, 2009
@ IVan… erm…ok. Not sure why you are telling me this, but ok!
July 10th, 2009
CarlB:
“Mass Effect 1&2 will show up on PS3 about the same time MGS 1-4, FF1-10 and vs show up on 360.”
sure CarlB i didnt know u work EA and u have total control over the IP ( Mass Effect )
July 10th, 2009
Carl,
If Konami and Square were purchased by EA, all those games WOULD end up on the 360 eventually!
-Arvis
July 10th, 2009
My top 3 games are Half Life 2, Bioshock and Mass Effect. So you can see why I’m an xbox fan. For those who have decent PCs these 3 games are a must and they’re virtually for nothing these days.
July 10th, 2009
Don’t have to roca. The likelihood is the practically the same.
July 10th, 2009
i have No.1 on the 360, very gd game
cant wait for 2! off topic: anyone seen bruno yet? lmao
July 11th, 2009
Nah, haven’t seen it yet. May have to wait for it come on on DVD. It’s only 80 minutes long! I guess it’s a little longer than the last Rambo movie.
July 13th, 2009
yh its a short film but not a minutes wasted m8