News Archive

Information and videos about the Mass Effect 3 demo are on the dashboard for Xbox Live!

We asked our fans what color their N7 armor is. Here’s what they had to say:

http://www.facebook.com/BioWare

The very talented and witty Hana Raad is this week's Fan Spotlight. You should have seen her comics on our Facebook page this week and noticing her sharp sense of humour. Hana is a huge Mass Effect fan and it definitely shows in her work!

1. Where are you from?
I live in New Zealand, or Middle Earth as some may know it. I have lived here my entire life.

2. How long have you been creating masterpieces?
I have been drawing since I was a child but I only picked it up as a hobby about 6 years ago. It started becoming more of a regular thing as the years went by and I ended up taking an art related course. Haven't looked back since! Art is now one of my biggest passions, along with video games and travel.

3. Can you explain the process you go through when creating your digital pieces?
Most of my art is completely digital these days. I started out as a traditional artist and slowly began incorporating more and more digital elements into my pieces. At one point, I was sketching on paper, then scanning it to finish digitally. Now I start and finish the entire process on the computer.
The first step is inspiration. An idea. I usually do a basic layout sketch, just to help me work out where everything in the picture will go. Then I start sketching more and more detail onto each consecutive layer, I usually have a couple layers of sketches before I start moving on to lineart or digital painting. When doing a piece with lineart, I draw the lines for the entire piece before moving on to colours. I usually block out basic colours first, then start adding lighting and shading to layers on top of that. With digital painting however, I skip the lineart altogether and go straight to painting colours, lighting and shading on one layer. I like to have a lot of reference for the art I work on, just so I can get all of the little details as accurate as I can.

4. Do you have a favorite game that you use as your inspiration? A favorite character?
Mass Effect 2 is both my favourite game and the one that inspires me the most. Thane Krios is my favourite character, he certainly inspired a lot of my art!

5. How long does it take you to finish a piece?
It depends on the piece. Some more simple pieces, I can finish in a few hours. Others take a couple of weeks! But I often work on art in between other jobs, I have yet to time how long I spend actually drawing.

6. What other artsy skills do you like to indulge in?
I'm also into costuming and craft sewing. I've made myself one of Commander Shepard's casual outfits and a Thane plushie. I do a bit of both 2D and 3D animation too. But I enjoy giving all forms of art a try!

7. Do you have any other kinds of fan art?
I draw fan art for whatever inspires me at the time. Video games, TV shows, movies.
Not everything I enjoy inspires me, but a lot of it does! So there's always a variety fan art in my gallery.

8. Are you able to be this creative in your day job?
Unfortunately, no. But I am hoping to find a job like that one day! Though even when I'm doing office jobs, I always somehow incorporate my art skills into it. I got asked to design a lot of the advertising for the company that I worked for at a previous job.

9. What was the first game that got you interested in BioWare?
Even though I played and enjoyed Mass Effect 1, it was the second game that really got me interested in the developers behind it.

10. What do you look for most in videogames when you are playing? (story, action, art….ect)
That's a difficult question! Usually I look for games that have a great balance of everything. But some of my favourite games are those known for their rich stories, epic moments and beautiful art. It also helps when it's fun to play!

Thanks Hana!

Make sure to keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds to see more great work from Ms. Raad.

If you missed the Mass Effect Collector’s edition video that went live last week, today’s BioWare Pulse will show you all of the amazing things you will get if you pre-order it today.

You will also get to meet Eric Fagnan, Mass Effect 3 Gameplay Designer and Corey Gaspur, Mass Effect 3 Combat Designer as they take you into the new features around combat. Learn about the new and unique heavy melee attacks that each class gets and take a sneak peek at the Vanguard and its new power Nova.

This is definitely an episode not to be missed!

The BioWare Store is accepting pre-orders for the beautiful Liara T’Soni statue, the first in the bishoujo series. Shipment will occur April 2012. Check out their site for more details.

With the release of Mass Effect 3 only a few months away and the new co-op feature announced earlier this month, there was little surprise when our twitter feeds were flooded with fan questions about the much anticipated game. Casey Hudson sat down with Kristine Steimer to discuss the game and answer the questions you submitted. Don’t miss today’s episode of BioWare Pulse for the full interview.

Dark Horse Comics and Mac Walters tell us why you can enjoy Mass Effect Comics even if you haven’t played the game yet!

In this week’s episode of BioWare Pulse, Lead Mass Effect writer, Mac Walters, and Dark Horse Comics editor, Dave Marshall, talk about the Mass Effect: Evolution trade paperback that was released this week. As Mac interviews Dave, we learn about how BioWare and Dark Horse Comics began working together and how the comic artists take the unique art style of Mass Effect and add their own flair.

Don’t miss this week’s episode to learn about the newest comic, Mass Effect: Invasion, coming soon.

If you were fortunate enough to go San Diego Comic Con, PAX or Games Com, you would have seen the BioWare crew decked out in some pretty sweet N7 flight suits. Well, the good news is you can now get your hands on your own flight suit, and just in time for Halloween!

The BioWare Store is taking pre-orders for the Air Force style, long-sleeve flight suit with “DIY” Embroidered 5-pack patch kit. The suits are screen printed with the red and white N7 logo on the back. The patches are 100% full-colour embroidered patches and they set includes N7, SR2, Normandy, Alliance Military, and Asari Girl.

Check out the BioWare Store for more details on pre-ordering. If you pre-order, you will receive it in time for Halloween!!

On BioWare Pulse this week's episode features Harrison Krix, the talented craftsman who made the amazing N7 Valkyrie rifle prop used during Comic Con, gives you a look at how he makes such detailed replicas. Check out Episode 26 of BioWare Pulse.

Did you see the amazing N7 Rifle that was at our BioWare Base during San Diego Comic Con? No? Well, now you can not only see it, you can see all the work that went into making it. Check out Volpin Props Blog on creating the N7 Rifle, with lots of cool pictures.

At 6:00PM Pacific on July 23, 2011 we ask you, the people, to march on Comic Con with us. We will supply everyone with Omniblades. You bring your voice, your passion. At the end of the march Commander Casey Hudson will announce something significant for all the Shepards out there. More details on the Mass Effect March Here. You do not need a Comic Con badge to take part, so visit the BioWare Base and join the Mass Effect March.

Our fine friends at Dark Horse Comics are making all of the digital versions of Mass Effect comics available for FREE. Not only that, they have a seven page preview of the upcoming new series Mass Effect Invasion. This only lasts 24 hours, so act fast!

Have you been reading the Mass Effect novels or the Mass Effect comics from Dark Horse? If not, you are missing out on KEY information all Mass Effect fans should know. Fortunately, Newsarama.com now has a list of the 10 facts Mass Effect fans must know from the comics and novels.

CVG has posted an interview with Mass Effect 3 Project Director Casey Hudson and Art Director Derek Watts. In the interview, they answer questions on surprises, inspiration and making tough decisions. You can read the interview at CVG.

E3 is wrapping up, but Mass Effect 3 is still showing strong and has garnered 6 amazing award nominations. Mass Effect 3 has been nominated as Best of Show, Best Xbox 360 Game, Best PC Game, Best RPG, Most Anticipated Game and Best Trailer! Great job by the Mass Effect 3 team.

Mass Effect 3 will be arriving in stores starting March 6, 2012, but you can get a head start by preordering your copy now. Of course you can order the standard edition, but fans of the series will want the Collector's Edition with extra bonuses like a 70 page art book, digital soundtrack and exclusive in-game digital items. Read more about the definitive edition for Mass Effect fans.

The fine folks at IGN have played the new Mass Effect 3 demo that will be at E3 next week. They say "The familiar elements that need to be there are intact - powers and talents are still in the same menu wheel structure, and weapon types remain unchanged. You're not going to select an assault rifle and be shocked by its looks. But you will be taken aback by how well it works. I was."

Read their full article here

We have confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will be released in the first three months of 2012. The development team is laser focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is the biggest, boldest and best game in the series, ensuring that it exceeds everyone’s expectations.” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer Mass Effect series.

There are also 2 new Mass Effect 3 screenshots in the gallery to whet your appetite.

IGN has your first look at Issue #3 of Dark Horse Comics Mass Effect Evolution. Ben has been turned into a monster, Saren is back and the Illusive Man is held captive by the Turians! Check out the covers and first 6 pages HERE

IGN sat down with BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk and asked them about Mass Effect 3. Check out the video interview from IGN.

The fans over at Action Trip were asked to name the games they are most excited for in 2011. The game that came in first? Mass Effect 3!