# Mass Effect > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mass_Effect > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mass_Effect.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect > Source revision: 1354120296 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Science fiction media franchise}} {{About|the video game series|the medical effect|Mass effect (medicine)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Infobox video game series | title = Mass Effect | image = 256px|class=skin-invert | caption = Logo since 2017 | developer = {{plainlist| * [BioWare](/source/BioWare) * [Edge of Reality](/source/Edge_of_Reality) * [Demiurge Studios](/source/Demiurge_Studios) * Straight Right }} | publisher = {{plainlist| * [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) (2007–11) * [Electronic Arts](/source/Electronic_Arts) (2010–present) }} | genre = {{plainlist| *[Action role-playing](/source/Action_role-playing) *[Third-person shooter](/source/Third-person_shooter)}} | platforms = {{flatlist| * [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) * [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) * [iOS](/source/iOS) * [PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) * [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) * [Windows Phone](/source/Windows_Phone) * [Wii U](/source/Wii_U) * [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4) * [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) }} | creator = [Casey Hudson](/source/Casey_Hudson) | first release version = ''[Mass Effect](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game))'' | first release date = November 20, 2007 | latest release version = ''[Mass Effect Legendary Edition](/source/Mass_Effect_Legendary_Edition)'' | latest release date = May 14, 2021 }} '''''Mass Effect''''' is a [military science fiction](/source/military_science_fiction) [media franchise](/source/media_franchise) created by [Casey Hudson](/source/Casey_Hudson). The franchise depicts a distant future where humanity and several alien civilizations have colonized the [galaxy](/source/galaxy) using technology left behind by [advanced precursor civilizations](/source/Elder_race). The franchise originated in a series of video games developed by [BioWare](/source/BioWare) and originally published by [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) on the first two games and its expansions. Later on, the series was taken over by [Electronic Arts](/source/Electronic_Arts) through its acquisition of BioWare. Each installment is a [third-person shooter](/source/third-person_shooter) with [role-playing](/source/Role-playing_game) elements. The first three games form a trilogy in which the [player character](/source/player_character), [Commander Shepard](/source/Commander_Shepard), attempts to save the [Milky Way](/source/Milky_Way) galaxy from a race of ancient, hibernating machines known as the [Reapers](/source/Reapers_(Mass_Effect)). The inaugural video game in the series, [''Mass Effect''](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game)) (2007), follows Shepard's investigation of [Saren Arterius](/source/Saren_Arterius), one of the Reapers' agents. ''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)'' (2010) begins two years later and sees Shepard's forces battling the Collectors, an alien race abducting human colonies to facilitate the Reapers' return. The original trilogy's final installment, ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)'' (2012), depicts a war between the Reapers and the rest of the galaxy. A fourth game, ''[Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda)'' (2017), featured a new setting and cast of characters, and a fifth is in active development. The original trilogy was met with commercial success as well as universal acclaim. Critics praised the game's narrative, characters, voice acting, world building, and emphasis on player choice. The ending of ''Mass Effect 3'' drew widespread criticism for being an unsatisfying conclusion to the trilogy, prompting Electronic Arts to release an expanded cut with additional [cutscene](/source/cutscene)s. ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' received mixed reviews. Praise was directed at the game's visuals and combat, but the game drew criticism for technical issues and its plot. The series has generated attention and discussion about its representation of [same-sex relationships](/source/Homosexuality) and [sexual minorities](/source/sexual_minority).{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Rory |date=2021-01-22 |title=Mass Effect 2 Censored Jack's Sexuality |url=https://gamerant.com/mass-effect-2-jack-sexuality/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Calvin |first=Alex |date=2021-01-22 |title=Fox News controversy impacted Mass Effect 2's non-straight relationships |url=https://www.vg247.com/mass-effect-2-relationships |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=VG247 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fox News' Expert Backs Down From Xbox 'Mass Effect' Sex-Scene Attack |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/n3t56g/fox-news-expert-backs-down-from-xbox-mass-effect-sex-scene-attack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001152656/https://www.mtv.com/news/n3t56g/fox-news-expert-backs-down-from-xbox-mass-effect-sex-scene-attack |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=MTV |language=en}} It also originated the dialogue wheel, a mechanic similar to [dialogue tree](/source/dialogue_tree)s, enabling players to dynamically steer conversations by selecting from a number of preset choices; the feature has since seen widespread use in other role-playing video games. The success of the video game series spawned adaptations in other media, including novels, comics, and an animated film. {{TOC limit}} == Setting == {{Further|Universe of Mass Effect|List of Mass Effect characters}} The ''Mass Effect'' original trilogy takes place in the [Milky Way](/source/Milky_Way) towards the end of the 22nd century. In 2148, humanity discovered an alien outpost on [Mars](/source/Mars), and learned that [Charon](/source/Charon_(moon)) is actually an alien artifact known as a "mass relay" that enables [faster-than-light travel](/source/faster-than-light_travel) to other mass relays located across the galaxy. These discoveries drastically increased the enhancement rate of humanity's technology. Humanity comes into contact with numerous other space-faring alien species, some far more advanced than humans. Humanity's first encounter resulted in the First Contact War, but the Council, a ruling body for the galaxy, intervened to achieve peace and welcomed humanity. The main species encountered by humanity include the [asari](/source/Asari_(Mass_Effect)), a species of mono-gendered beings closely resembling human women; the [salarian](/source/salarian)s, an amphibious species with considerable technological and intellectual prowess and an extremely high metabolism; and the [turians](/source/turians), a heavily militaristic race of raptor-like avian humanoids who fought humanity in the First Contact War. The center of the Council's governing power is the Citadel, another artifact and a massive space station that, like the mass relays, were believed to be made by a race known as the Protheans, who were believed to be the progenitor race for all species but had long since disappeared. Over the next few decades, humanity is given access to new technology, allowing them to colonize new planets, and they are made part of the Citadel Security (C-Sec) forces, a highly regarded position that other species had been long waiting for and take resentment over. Numerous other inter-species conflicts remain active at the time of the first game, results of past wars and conflicts. The first three games center on the character of [Commander Shepard](/source/Commander_Shepard) (whose gender and personality are determined by the player), a leading Special Forces soldier in Earth's Systems Alliance [space force](/source/space_force), the Systems Alliance [Navy](/source/space_warfare_in_fiction). After an Earth colony discovers a new Prothean artifact, it is attacked by an unknown vessel, and the Council names Shepard its first human SPECTRE ('''Spec'''ial '''T'''actics and '''Re'''connaissance), an elite agent with associated authority and impunity, to investigate the incident. Shepard comes in contact with the artifact and has a vision of war and death across the galaxy. Following their vision, Shepard discovers that the strange craft is one of thousands of artificial lifeforms called Reapers, and learns that every fifty-thousand years, the Reapers scour the Milky Way and eliminate all higher forms of life, leaving the younger species to advance and thrive until the next cycle as to prevent constant war and chaos, part of what the Protheans had left behind along with their artifacts. The appearance of the Reapers in this cycle is being manipulated by numerous forces, including a human-centrist terrorist organization known as Cerberus led by the [Illusive Man](/source/Illusive_Man) who believe they can control the Reapers and use them for humanity's benefit. Shepard and their allies discover the Citadel is key to ending the Reapers' cycle and determining the fate of the galaxy. The fourth game takes place in the Heleus Cluster of the [Andromeda galaxy](/source/Andromeda_Galaxy), 634 years after the events of its predecessor. In the midst of events of the first three games, the combined races of the Milky Way sent a number of ships to Andromeda to establish the Nexus, a space-borne operations base and a number of colonies to accept future colonists once contact is established. After over 600 years of travel in [cryogenic stasis](/source/Cryopreservation), they arrive to find the Heleus Cluster in brutal conflict between two native races: the Kett, a barbaric race obsessed with assimilating the traits of other sentient species through a process known as "exaltation"; and the Angara, an emotionally charged humanoid species whose civilization has recently been targeted and nearly decimated by the Kett. The Heleus Cluster is also the location of a series of ruins predating an advanced, spacefaring race known as the Jardaan. The Jardaan made use of powerful [terraforming](/source/terraforming) technologies to colonize worlds in the Heleus Cluster, which was otherwise extremely hazardous and naturally unsustainable for life. They later fled from the Heleus Cluster three centuries before the arrival of the Milky Way races, when a protracted battle against an unknown enemy faction resulted in the usage of a [weapon of mass destruction](/source/weapon_of_mass_destruction) aboard a Jardaan space station. The weapon's activation unleashed a cataclysmic energy phenomenon known as the Scourge, which spread across the cluster and greatly damaged the Jardaan's terraforming systems. After the Jardaan left, the Angara, genetically engineered creations of the elder race, began to develop their own civilization before falling under attack by the encroaching Kett. With the Milky Way species' arrival, it becomes the responsibility of [Pathfinder Ryder](/source/Pathfinder_Ryder) (who, like Shepard, is also customizable by the player) and their allies to shut down the malfunctioning terraforming systems, deal with the Kett and Angara attacks, and make planets habitable for colonization. ==Gameplay== While various features of gameplay varied across the series, the ''Mass Effect'' games are [action role-playing games](/source/action_role-playing_games). The player customizes their version of the game's main character (Shepard for the first three games, and Ryder for ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'') based on physical appearance, background, and one of six [character class](/source/character_class)es, each class centered around one or two specializations in combat, technology, or "biotic" skills (similar to mutant abilities in various franchises.) This establishes a [skill tree](/source/skill_tree) that the player can advance through as their character gains [experience level](/source/experience_level)s through completing missions. Each game generally follows a main story pathway with points of branching narratives and multiple side missions, allowing the player to proceed through the game as they desire. Both story and optional missions most often involve using their ship to travel via the mass relay to remote star systems and explore planets to find target objectives. When exploring planets, the player has the option to bring up to two of their crew members with them, who generally act autonomously but can be given specific orders by the player. In missions, the player can explore an area to find information, discover lootable objects with new gear or in-game currency, non-playable characters to talk to, and key mission items that are to be recovered. Frequently, the player will enter combat, which plays out as a third-person shooter, with the player and their allies using a combination of their weapons and combat, tech, and biotic powers along with tactic use of the environment to defeat opponents. There are six different types of weapons: assault rifles, grenades, sniper rifles, shotguns, pistols, and in later games, heavy weapons (i.e. grenade launchers, rocket launchers, flamethrowers, or heavy machine guns). Due to these weapons being collapsible for easy storage, it is possible for a player to carry all five weapons at once and alternate between them depending on their position, enemy type, and situation. Melee weapons include fists, the butt of a gun, or in later games, a condensed transparent silicon-carbide dagger called an Omni-blade. Through story encounters and missions, the player meets a number of non-player characters and engages in [dialogue tree](/source/dialogue_tree)s with them to learn information and progress the story. This is presented through what BioWare called a Dialogue Wheel, with the player-character reply options shown as choices extending radially outward from a circle at the bottom of the screen.{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=2021-02-22 |title=Five game mechanics legally protected by the companies that made them |language=en |work=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/5-game-mechanics-legally-protected-by-the-companies-that-made-them/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318110637/https://www.pcgamer.com/5-game-mechanics-legally-protected-by-the-companies-that-made-them/ |url-status=live }} Most of these choices are simple questions and responses, but in some dialogues, they offer additional choices that either influence how the game plays out from there, or are as a result from those previous choices. In the first three games, these choices influenced the player-character's morality, putting them on the path of a Paragon or Renegade, indicated by color and positioning on the Dialogue Wheel. With the second and third game, it became possible to select these choices during the non-player's character dialog, resulting in an interruption of the action that could have even larger ramifications. The player's choices of Paragon or Renegade could change how some parts of the story progressed and could limit choices of allies they could gain later in the game or the ability to access powerful gear. Cinematic designer John Ebenger stated in 2020 that only about 8% of the players chose the Renegade route across the first three games, and jokingly lamented about the amount of effort they had put into some of the Renegade cinematics.{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/9-out-of-10-people-played-mass-effect-as-paragon-581278.phtml | title = 9 out of 10 people played Mass Effect as Paragon | first = Brett | last = Makedonski | date = February 21, 2020 | access-date = February 22, 2020 | work = [Destructoid](/source/Destructoid) | archive-date = April 14, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200414155307/https://www.destructoid.com/9-out-of-10-people-played-mass-effect-as-paragon-581278.phtml | url-status = live }} In ''Andromeda'', BioWare replaced the Paragon/Renegade distinctions, which were tied more to the Shepard character, to a new system based on four ideals of emotional, logical, casual, and professional attitudes.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/how-biowares-replacement-for-paragonrenegade-affects-your-mass-effect-andromeda-character/ | title = How Bioware's replacement for Paragon/Renegade affects your Mass Effect: Andromeda character | first = Wes | last = Fenlon | date = February 24, 2017 | access-date = February 22, 2020 | work = [PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) | archive-date = February 22, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200222151822/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-biowares-replacement-for-paragonrenegade-affects-your-mass-effect-andromeda-character/ | url-status = live }} Among notable side missions in the series include the various romancing options with the main character's crewmates: these included both hetero- and homosexual relationships since the player-character's gender was selectable, as well as inter-species options. Players could work to improve their relationship with these characters through dialogue options, providing them gifts, or completing various side missions specific to each character. Successfully romancing a character would typically lead to scenes leading up to a sexual encounter though otherwise not showing anything inappropriate for the game's rating. These options had created some controversy for the first game on release with mainstream reporters critical of the sexual content of the game. == Games == {{Further|List of Mass Effect media}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;" |- ! Year ! Title ! Developer ! colspan="4" |Platform(s) |- ! colspan="7" |Main Titles |- | 2007 | ''[Mass Effect](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game)){{efn-ua|The PlayStation 3 and Windows versions of ''Mass Effect'' were ported by [Edge of Reality](/source/Edge_of_Reality) and [Demiurge Studios](/source/Demiurge_Studios) respectively.}}'' | rowspan="5" | [BioWare](/source/BioWare) | rowspan="3" |[Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) | rowspan="3" |[PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) | rowspan="4" |[Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) | rowspan="2" | |- | 2010 | ''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)''{{efn-ua|Previously available on Sony's [PlayStation Now](/source/PlayStation_Now) streaming service. Removed as of April 2020.{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/guides/all-playstation-now-games|title=All PlayStation Now Games|publisher=PushSquare.com|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407215910/http://www.pushsquare.com/guides/all-playstation-now-games|url-status=live}}}} |- |2012 | ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)''{{efn-ua|''Mass Effect 3: Special Edition'' was ported by Straight Right.}} | [Wii U](/source/Wii_U) |- |2017 | ''[Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda)'' |[Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) |[PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4) | |- |TBA | Untitled ''Mass Effect'' game | colspan="4" |TBA |- ! colspan="7" |Compilations |- |2012 | ''Mass Effect Trilogy'' | rowspan="2" |[BioWare](/source/BioWare) |[Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) |[PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) | rowspan="2" |[Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) | rowspan="2" | |- |2021 | ''[Mass Effect Legendary Edition](/source/Mass_Effect_Legendary_Edition)'' |[Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) |[PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4) |- ! colspan="7" |Mobile Titles |- | 2009 | ''[Mass Effect Galaxy](/source/Mass_Effect_Galaxy)''{{efn-ua|Removed from the [App Store](/source/App_Store_(iOS)).}} |[BioWare](/source/BioWare) | rowspan="2" |[iOS](/source/iOS) | colspan="3" | |- | 2012 | ''[Mass Effect Infiltrator](/source/Mass_Effect_Infiltrator)''{{efn-ua|name=removed-all|Removed from all mobile app storefronts.}} | IronMonkey Studios |[Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) |[Windows Phone](/source/Windows_Phone) |[BlackBerry 10](/source/BlackBerry_10) |- | colspan="7" style="font-size:88%" | '''Notes:''' {{notelist-ua}} |} === Main series === {{VG timeline | compressempty = yes | subtitle = Main series in '''bold''' | range1 = 2007 - | range1_color = #4B0082 #9400D3 | 2007 = '''''[Mass Effect](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game))''''' | 2009 = ''[Mass Effect Galaxy](/source/Mass_Effect_Galaxy)'' | 2010 = '''''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)''''' | 2012a = '''''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)''''' | 2012b = ''Mass Effect Trilogy'' | 2012c = ''[Mass Effect Infiltrator](/source/Mass_Effect_Infiltrator)'' | 2017 = '''''[Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda)''''' | 2021 = ''[Mass Effect Legendary Edition](/source/Mass_Effect_Legendary_Edition)'' | 2029 or later = '''''[Untitled Mass Effect sequel](/source/Mass_Effect)''''' }} ==== ''Mass Effect'' ==== {{Main|Mass Effect (video game)}} ''Mass Effect'' (2007), the first game in the series, was originally created as an exclusive title for the [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) but was later ported to [Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) by [Demiurge Studios](/source/Demiurge_Studios) in 2008, and to the [PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) by [Edge of Reality](/source/Edge_of_Reality) in 2012. The game focuses on the protagonist, Commander Shepard, and their quest to stop the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius from leading an army of sentient machines, called the [geth](/source/geth), to conquer the galaxy. During pursuit of Saren, Shepard develops key relationships with other characters, primarily their squad team members, all while learning of a far greater threat in the form of the Reapers. Saren has been mentally enslaved by the Reaper [vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(military_tactics)) Sovereign, and sent into Citadel Space to initiate the purge of all advanced organic life in the galaxy, a cycle repeated by the Reapers every 50,000 years. Two downloadable content packs, ''Bring Down The Sky'' and ''[Pinnacle Station](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Pinnacle_Station)'', were released in 2008 and 2009, respectively. ==== ''Mass Effect 2'' ==== {{Main|Mass Effect 2|Mass Effect 2 downloadable content}} ''Mass Effect 2'', the second main game in the series, was released on January 26, 2010, in North America and January 29 in Europe for Windows and Xbox 360.{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1035830p1.html|title=Mass Effect 2 Release Date Announced|first=Jim|last=Reilly|date=October 16, 2009|access-date=October 21, 2009|archive-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005226/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1035830p1.html|url-status=live}} A great deal of secrecy surrounded the game prior to launch, with few details emerging other than [Casey Hudson](/source/Casey_Hudson), Project Director for BioWare, stating that "players should keep their save files, because decisions made by the player in the first game will continue to have influences on their character in the sequel."{{Cite news | last = GI Staff | date = March 2008 | title = Afterwards: ''Mass Effect'' | magazine = [Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer) | issue = 179 | page = 24 }}{{cite web | last = Brudvig | first = Erik | title = BioWare Suggests Hanging on to Mass Effect Saves | publisher = IGN | date = February 23, 2009 | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/956/956202p1.html | access-date = March 8, 2009 | archive-date = February 26, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090226131556/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/956/956202p1.html | url-status = live }} The game takes place two years after the events of ''Mass Effect''. Human colonies are being attacked, their colonists disappearing without a trace. The game's protagonist, Commander Shepard, is forced into an uneasy alliance with the pro-Human paramilitary organization, Cerberus, in an effort to discover the cause. Evidence emerges pointing to the "Collectors," an advanced, enigmatic race of insect-like humanoids. Adding to the threat is the revelation that the Collectors are working for the Reapers. Shepard sets out on a "suicide mission" to stop the Collectors, accompanied by a hand-picked team of soldiers, assassins, mercenaries, and specialists. ''Mass Effect 2'' has received overwhelming critical and public praise since its release, for its characters, storyline, voice acting, and refined combat and gameplay with many critics calling it a major improvement over the original and an easy [Game of the Year](/source/List_of_Game_of_the_Year_awards) contender despite its January release. At [Gamescom](/source/Gamescom) 2010, it was announced that a PlayStation 3 version would become available, which was released on January 18, 2011. Seven episodic expansions were released as [downloadable content](/source/List_of_Mass_Effect_2_downloadable_content), with ''Normandy Crash Site'', ''Zaeed – The Price of Revenge'', ''Firewalker'', ''[Kasumi – Stolen Memory](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Kasumi_%E2%80%93_Stolen_Memory)'', ''[Overlord](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Overlord)'', and ''[Lair of the Shadow Broker](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Lair_of_the_Shadow_Broker)'' coming in 2010, followed by ''[Arrival](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Arrival)'' in 2011. ==== ''Mass Effect 3'' ==== {{Main|Mass Effect 3|Mass Effect 3 downloadable content}} ''Mass Effect 3'', the third installment in the original trilogy, was released on March 6, 2012.{{cite web|title=Mass Effect 3 Thrusts Its Way into Early 2012|author=Mike Fahey|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=March 4, 2011|date=March 4, 2011|url=https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-3-thrusts-its-way-into-early-2012-5798587|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106191024/https://kotaku.com/5798587/mass-effect-3-will-be-an-early-2012-release|url-status=live}} Casey Hudson commented that ''Mass Effect 3'' "will be easier [to develop] because we don't have to worry about continuity into the next one."{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/61666/bioware-already-looking-forward-to|title=BioWare Already Looking Forward to Mass Effect 3|date=December 17, 2009 |access-date=October 20, 2011|archive-date=September 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930021807/http://www.shacknews.com/article/61666/bioware-already-looking-forward-to|url-status=live}} However, decisions are routinely imported from the two previous titles to ''Mass Effect 3'' in order to maintain continuity within the series.{{cite web |url=http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=714128&forum=144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107170613/http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=714128&forum=144 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 7, 2010 |title=Choose Language | BioWare Social Network |publisher=Meforums.bioware.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 }} In the final chapter of the trilogy, the Reapers have returned in force, and have begun their purge of the galaxy, attacking [Earth](/source/Earth). During this attack Commander Shepard is on Earth and forced to flee.{{cite web |url=http://www.bunker37.com/2011/08/a-mass-effect-3-gameplay-preview/ |title=A Mass Effect 3 Gameplay Preview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103180028/http://www.bunker37.com/2011/08/a-mass-effect-3-gameplay-preview/ |archive-date=November 3, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} After fleeing Earth, Commander Shepard must hurry and rally the advanced races of the galaxy to make one final stand, not only to save Earth, but also to break a cycle that has continued for millions of years. The first official trailer was unveiled on December 11, 2010, during the [Spike TV](/source/Spike_TV) Video Game Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/interview-bioware-casey-hudson-on-the-making-of-mass-effect-2|title=Interview: BioWare's Casey Hudson on the making of Mass Effect 2|access-date=July 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227100844/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/interview-bioware-casey-hudson-on-the-making-of-mass-effect-2/|archive-date=December 27, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} It was the first title in the main series without involvement from [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) and released on the same date for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Four story-focused episodic expansions were released as [downloadable content](/source/List_of_Mass_Effect_3_downloadable_content), with ''[From Ashes](/source/Mass_Effect_3%3A_From_Ashes)'', ''[Leviathan](/source/Mass_Effect_3%3A_Leviathan)'', and ''[Omega](/source/Mass_Effect_3%3A_Omega)'' being released in 2012, followed by the final expansion, ''[Citadel](/source/Mass_Effect_3%3A_Citadel)'', in 2013. There were also five free DLC packs released for the multiplayer component, ''Resurgence'', ''Rebellion'', ''Earth'', and ''Retaliation'' in 2012 and ''Reckoning'' in 2013, collectively adding thirty playable characters, dozens of new weapons and abilities, seven new maps, and a new enemy faction to complement the base game's three, among other content. ==== ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' ==== {{Main|Mass Effect: Andromeda}} ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'', the first game in a new series, and the fourth major installment overall in the franchise, was revealed at [E3 2015](/source/E3_2015). It was released on March 21, 2017.{{cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=January 28, 2016 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-28-new-titanfall-and-mass-effect-in-the-next-14-months |title=New Titanfall game and Mass Effect: Andromeda coming in the next 14 months |publisher=[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer) |access-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-date=January 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130091533/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-28-new-titanfall-and-mass-effect-in-the-next-14-months |url-status=live }} The title utilizes [DICE](/source/DICE_(company))'s [Frostbite 3](/source/Frostbite_3) engine and was released for [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), Windows and [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One). Andromeda is the first game in the series to feature an open world environment. Set during the 29th century, the player's character is either Sara or Scott Ryder, designated as a Pathfinder – an operative tasked with discovering new planets in the [Andromeda Galaxy](/source/Andromeda_Galaxy) on behalf of their species.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect-andromeda/mass-effect-andromeda-release-date-pc-system-requirements|title=Mass Effect: Andromeda: release date, setting, combat, story – everything we know|newspaper=PCGamesN|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126180028/http://www.pcgamesn.com//mass-effect-andromeda/mass-effect-andromeda-release-date-pc-system-requirements|url-status=live}} Unlike previous installments, ''Andromeda'' did not receive single player expansions, though the multiplayer component did receive new content in various updates in 2017 which added new weapons, abilities, maps, and playable characters. ==== Untitled sequel ==== As part of the 2020 "N7 Day," BioWare affirmed that a new ''Mass Effect'' was in development at the studio.{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=December 11, 2020 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/11/22169646/mass-effect-sequel-liara-bioware-destroy-ending-andromeda-trilogy-legendary-edition |title=The new Mass Effect: everything BioWare has said and teased |publisher=[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website)) |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213110042/https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/11/22169646/mass-effect-sequel-liara-bioware-destroy-ending-andromeda-trilogy-legendary-edition |url-status=live }} An announcement trailer was released on 11 December 2020, hinting at a sequel to the original trilogy and featuring original trilogy character [Liara T'Soni](/source/Liara_T'Soni). The new entry is also confirmed to be run on the Epic Games [Unreal Engine](/source/Unreal_Engine), which was used in each game of the original trilogy, instead of EA internal [Frostbite](/source/Frostbite_(game_engine)) engine which was used for ''Andromeda''.{{cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/next-mass-effect-use-unreal-engine |title=Next Mass Effect to use Unreal Engine |publisher=Windows Central |date=2021-12-17 |accessdate=2022-03-18 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218180215/https://www.windowscentral.com/next-mass-effect-use-unreal-engine |url-status=live }} In November 2022 Bioware announced several lead developers of the game, including some that had worked on the original trilogy. Also released were pieces of concept art for the game, accompanied by an encrypted audio file, again featuring Liara T'Soni, this time speaking to an unknown individual.{{cite web | url=https://blog.bioware.com/2022/11/07/n7-day-2022/ | title=N7 Day 2022 | date=November 7, 2022 }} In November 2023, a short teaser trailer{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefLOWmcFpY |title=N7 Day 2023 |website=[YouTube](/source/YouTube) |date=November 7, 2023 }} and poster{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/bioware/status/1722011793856598386 |title=From our crew to yours,... |author=BioWare |date=November 7, 2023 |website=Twitter |access-date=June 24, 2025}} depicting a new character from the game were revealed after an online [ARG](/source/Alternate_reality_game) for N7 Day. Project Director Mike Gamble reiterated via Twitter that several veteran developers from the original trilogy had returned to work on the new game, including art directors and level designers. === Mobile games === ==== ''Mass Effect Galaxy'' ==== {{main|Mass Effect Galaxy}} ''Mass Effect Galaxy'' is set between the events of ''Mass Effect'' and ''Mass Effect 2'' and exclusively on the [iOS](/source/iOS) platform. The story is focused around a backstory featuring two characters who appear as squad members in ''Mass Effect 2'': [Jacob Taylor](/source/Jacob_Taylor_(Mass_Effect)) and [Miranda Lawson](/source/Miranda_Lawson). When the passenger liner Arcturian Jade is attacked by batarian raiders with Jacob on it, he takes on the task of defending the ship. After safely arriving at their destination on the Citadel, Jacob's former CO contacts him about an undercover Alliance operation in the Nemean Abyss to investigate the batarians' increasingly aggressive activities. It has since been removed from the iOS App Store.{{cite web |title=The One Mass Effect Game You Can't Play Anymore |date=April 30, 2020 |url=https://www.cbr.com/mass-effect-galaxy-cant-play-anymore/ |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525010754/https://www.cbr.com/mass-effect-galaxy-cant-play-anymore/ |url-status=live }} ==== ''Mass Effect Infiltrator'' ==== {{main|Mass Effect Infiltrator}} ''Mass Effect Infiltrator'' is a third-person shooter released on the [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)), [BlackBerry 10](/source/BlackBerry_10), iOS and [Windows Phone 8](/source/Windows_Phone_8) platforms. The story for ''Infiltrator'' involves Randall Ezno, a Cerberus agent, who discovers Cerberus's cruelty and goes rogue, killing Cerberus troopers and freeing prisoners from a hostile base. Players will "receive rewards" for collecting evidence of Cerberus' crimes. According to EA, "Every completed rescue and intelligence discovery in Infiltrator will increase a player's Galactic Readiness rating directly through the 'Galaxy at War' system in ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)''."{{cite web | last = Hamilton | first = Kirk | title = BioWare's Mass Effect iOS Game is the Third-Person Shooter Mass Effect: Infiltrator | publisher = Kotaku | date = February 7, 2012 | url = https://kotaku.com/biowares-mass-effect-ios-game-is-the-third-person-shoot-5883125 | access-date = February 7, 2012 | archive-date = February 10, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120210063557/http://kotaku.com/5883125/biowares-mass-effect-ios-game-is-the-third+person-shooter-mass-effect-infiltrator | url-status = live }} It has since been removed from all mobile app storefronts.{{cite web |title=EA's Mass Effect Infiltrator and Dead Space Removed From App Store | date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/eas-mass-effect-infiltrator-and-dead-space-removed-from-app-store-738856#:~:text=EA's%20Mass%20Effect%20Infiltrator%20and%20Dead%20Space%20Removed%20From%20App%20Store,-By%20Rishi%20Alwani&text=One%20of%20Electronic%20Art's%20better,removed%20from%20the%20App%20Store. |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030311/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/eas-mass-effect-infiltrator-and-dead-space-removed-from-app-store-738856#:~:text=EA's%20Mass%20Effect%20Infiltrator%20and%20Dead%20Space%20Removed%20From%20App%20Store,-By%20Rishi%20Alwani&text=One%20of%20Electronic%20Art's%20better,removed%20from%20the%20App%20Store. |url-status=live }} === Compilations === ==== ''Mass Effect Trilogy'' ==== '''''Mass Effect Trilogy''''' is a [compilation](/source/Box_set) featuring the first three games of the series, released on November 6, 2012 for Windows and Xbox 360 and December 4, 2012 for PlayStation 3.{{cite web |access-date=December 4, 2012 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/mass-effect-trilogy-comes-to-ps3-dec-4-6399374 |title=Mass Effect Trilogy comes to PS3 Dec. 4 |website=[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot) |date=November 2, 2012 |author=Eddie Makuch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116212206/http://www.gamespot.com/news/mass-effect-trilogy-comes-to-ps3-dec-4-6399374 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=live}} For the PlayStation 3 version, ''Trilogy'' also includes the downloadable content for the first two games: ''[Bring Down the Sky](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game))'' for ''Mass Effect'', and ''[Cerberus Network](/source/Cerberus_Network)'' content for ''Mass Effect 2'' along with the ''[Kasumi – Stolen Memory](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Kasumi_%E2%80%93_Stolen_Memory)'', ''[Overlord](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Overlord)'' and ''[Lair of the Shadow Broker](/source/Mass_Effect_2%3A_Lair_of_the_Shadow_Broker)'' DLC's. The Xbox 360 version includes all DLC that came with the original games, with Cerberus Network for ''Mass Effect 2'' and ''Mass Effect 3'' remaining unchanged. The PC version is the same as Xbox 360, except both ''Bring Down the Sky'' and ''[Pinnacle Station](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Pinnacle_Station)'' are available for free as per the standalone purchase of the PC version.{{cite web |url=https://blog.bioware.com/2012/11/01/ryan-warden-an-update-on-the-mass-effect-trilogy/ |title=Ryan Warden: An Update on the Mass Effect Trilogy |website=[BioWare](/source/BioWare) |date=November 1, 2012 |author=Ryan Warden |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015435/https://blog.bioware.com/2012/11/01/ryan-warden-an-update-on-the-mass-effect-trilogy/ |url-status=live }} ==== ''Mass Effect Legendary Edition'' ==== {{main|Mass Effect Legendary Edition}} ''Mass Effect Legendary Edition'' was officially announced on November 7, 2020 or "N7 Day."{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Eric Van|date=2020-11-07|title=Mass Effect Legendary Edition Is a Full Trilogy Remaster Coming Next Spring|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/mass-effect-legendary-edition-new-game-bioware-n7-day-2020|access-date=2020-11-08|website=USgamer|language=en|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128041720/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/mass-effect-legendary-edition-new-game-bioware-n7-day-2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The Long Rumored Mass Effect Remastered Trilogy Releases Next Spring|url=https://kotaku.com/the-long-rumored-mass-effect-remastered-trilogy-release-1845604820|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Kotaku|date=November 7, 2020 |language=en-us|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125213341/https://kotaku.com/the-long-rumored-mass-effect-remastered-trilogy-release-1845604820|url-status=live}} The goal of the remaster was "not to remake or reimagine the original games, but to modernize the experience so that fans and new players can experience the original work in its best possible form." The remaster also features almost all previously released downloadable content, enhanced "textures, shaders, models, effects, and technical features of three enormous games." Due to ''Mass Effect 1''{{'s}} age, it received the most extensive work for the ''Legendary Edition'', which BioWare compared to the quality of a remake, while stating that the other two games were still remasters.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-02-mass-effect-returns-bioware-talks-trilogy-tweaks-and-franchise-revival | title = Mass Effect returns: BioWare talks trilogy tweaks and franchise revival | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = February 2, 2021 | access-date = February 2, 2021 | work = [Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer) | archive-date = February 2, 2021 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20210202170147/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-02-mass-effect-returns-bioware-talks-trilogy-tweaks-and-franchise-revival | url-status = live }} The remaster was released on May 14, 2021 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows.{{cite web|last1=VP|first1=Casey Hudson|last2=BioWare -|first2=Studio GM of|date=2020-11-07|title=Happy N7 Day!|url=https://blog.bioware.com/2020/11/07/happy-n7-day-4/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=BioWare Blog|language=en-US|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201107211703/https://blog.bioware.com/2020/11/07/happy-n7-day-4/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mass-effect-legendary-edition-may-release-date-announced|title=Mass: Effect Legendary Edition May Release Date Announced|date=February 2, 2021|website=[IGN](/source/IGN)|language=en-US|access-date=February 2, 2021|first=Jonathon|last=Dornbush|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225212417/https://www.ign.com/articles/mass-effect-legendary-edition-may-release-date-announced|url-status=live}} == Apps == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;" |- ! Year ! Title ! Developer ! colspan="2" |Platform(s) |- | 2012 | ''Mass Effect Datapad''Delisted from mobile app stores. | rowspan="2" |[BioWare](/source/BioWare) | rowspan="2" |[iOS](/source/iOS) | rowspan="2" |[Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)) |- | 2017 | ''Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ'' |} === ''Mass Effect: Datapad'' === ''Mass Effect: Datapad'' was a free app for iOS devices. ''Datapad'' allows players to check the status of the galaxy map in ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)'' and receive messages from characters. ''Datapad'' contains information about the characters, races, vehicles, weapons, and storyline of the ''Mass Effect'' universe, as well as mini-games that interact with the ''Mass Effect 3'' 'Galaxy at War' system. It was removed from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store on June 5, 2013.{{cite web |title=Mass Effect 3 Datapad app retired today |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-3-datapad-app-retired-today/1100-6409281/#:~:text=Electronic%20Arts%20has%20announced%20that,the%20mobile%2Doptimized%20N7HQ%20instead. |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011041543/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-3-datapad-app-retired-today/1100-6409281/#:~:text=Electronic%20Arts%20has%20announced%20that,the%20mobile%2Doptimized%20N7HQ%20instead. |url-status=live }} === ''Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ'' === ''APEX HQ'' is the official companion app for the ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' multiplayer. Supported by iOS and Android devices, ''APEX HQ'' was released on March 15 in [Canada](/source/Canada), [Ireland](/source/Ireland), [Romania](/source/Romania) and [Singapore](/source/Singapore), and worldwide on March 20, 2017. Through ''APEX HQ'', players can view their progress in multiplayer, equip characters, assign skill points, manage Strike Teams, and access their friend list. The app cannot be used while signed into the game. == Other media == === Novels === Original trilogy tie-in novels published by [Del Rey Books](/source/Del_Rey_Books): * '''''[Mass Effect: Revelation](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Revelation)''''' (2007), by [Drew Karpyshyn](/source/Drew_Karpyshyn): The first novel based on ''Mass Effect'', the plot is centred around then-Lieutenant [David Anderson](/source/Characters_of_Mass_Effect) and tells the story of how he came to know Saren as well as the beginning of his relationship with Kahlee Sanders. It expands on the history of the ''Mass Effect'' universe and reveals in detail how Anderson failed to become the first human Spectre. * '''''[Mass Effect: Ascension](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Ascension)''''' (2008), by Drew Karpyshyn: The second novel based on ''Mass Effect'', the plot centres around protagonist Paul Grayson, a member of Cerberus, who is in charge of raising a biotic girl named Gillian. It is set some two months after the ending events of the first game.{{cite web |url=http://www.drewkarpyshyn.com/novels.htm |title=Drew Karpyshyn Creative Works |publisher=Drewkarpyshyn.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320122546/http://www.drewkarpyshyn.com/novels.htm |url-status=live }} * '''''[Mass Effect: Retribution](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Retribution)''''' (2010), by Drew Karpyshyn: On July 27, 2010, BioWare released the third ''Mass Effect'' novel, a sequel to ''Mass Effect 2'' and ''Mass Effect: Ascension''.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mass-Effect-Retribution-Announced-22215.html|title=Mass Effect: Retribution Announced|date=January 12, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928164455/https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mass-Effect-Retribution-Announced-22215.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.drewkarpyshyn.com/news.htm |title=Drew Karpyshyn Creative Works |publisher=Drewkarpyshyn.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727224519/http://www.drewkarpyshyn.com/news.htm |url-status=live }} * '''''[Mass Effect: Deception](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Deception)''''' (2012), by [William C. Dietz](/source/William_C._Dietz): The fourth ''Mass Effect'' novel, it centres on Gillian Grayson. Response to the novel has been largely negative due to inconsistencies with lore and characterization, prompting fans to petition BioWare to disregard the novel as canon.{{cite web |url=http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/323/index/9070774/1 |title=''Mass Effect: Deception'' critique on official Bioware forums |publisher=Social.bioware.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XBpMF3ONlI308D9IGG8KICBHfWKU0sXh0ntukv-_cmo/edit?pli=1 |title=Canon errors in ''Mass Effect: Deception'' |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510143312/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XBpMF3ONlI308D9IGG8KICBHfWKU0sXh0ntukv-_cmo/edit?pli=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/articles/121/1217690p1.html |title=Mass Effect Tie-in Novel Filled with Errors |publisher=IGN |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812093744/http://games.ign.com/articles/121/1217690p1.html |url-status=dead }} In response, BioWare and Del Rey announced that a number of changes would be made in future editions.{{cite web |url=http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/323/index/9150901 |title='''Mass Effect 3 Official Forum''' – ''Del Rey and Bioware comment on Mass Effect: Deception'' |publisher=Social.bioware.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124135611/http://forum.bioware.com/ |url-status=live }} [''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' tie-in novels](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda_(book_series)) published by [Titan Books](/source/Titan_Books): * '''''Mass Effect: Nexus Uprising''''' (2017), by Jason M. Hough and K. C. Alexander: The novel is the first of three intended to weave directly into ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'', taking place "concurrently with the adventure of the game itself".{{cite web|title=Announcement: official Mass Effect novels coming from Titan Books in 2017!|url=https://titanbooks.com/blog/announcing-official-mass-effect-novels/|work=[Titan Books](/source/Titan_Books)|date=June 12, 2016|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052759/https://titanbooks.com/blog/announcing-official-mass-effect-novels/|url-status=live}} * '''''Mass Effect: Initiation''''' (2017) by [N. K. Jemisin](/source/N._K._Jemisin) and Mac Walters: This is the second novel in the ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' book trilogy.{{cite web|title=Mass Effect: Initiation - Titan Books|url=https://titanbooks.com/mass-effect-initiation-8751/|work=[Titan Books](/source/Titan_Books)|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053140/https://titanbooks.com/mass-effect-initiation-8751/|url-status=live}} * '''''Mass Effect: Annihilation''''' (2018) by [Catherynne M. Valente](/source/Catherynne_M._Valente): This is the third and final novel in the ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' book trilogy.{{cite web|title=Announcing Mass Effect: Annihilation|url=http://blog.bioware.com/2017/10/25/mass-effect-anihilation/|work=[BioWare](/source/BioWare)|last=Pierse|first=Conal|date=October 25, 2017|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052058/http://blog.bioware.com/2017/10/25/mass-effect-anihilation/|url-status=live}} === Art books === *'''''Art of Mass Effect''''' (2007), published by [Prima Games](/source/Prima_Games), showcases the design sketches and concept art which was created for the original ''Mass Effect'' game.Various contributors, November 23, 2007, ''Art of Mass Effect'', Prima Games, {{ISBN|978-0-7615-5851-4}} *'''''The Art of the Mass Effect Universe''''' (2012), published by [Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics), includes art, sketches and paintings for the entire trilogy, including several pieces originally published in the first book.Various contributors, February 21, 2012, ''The Art of the Mass Effect Universe'', Dark Horse Comics, U.S., {{ISBN|978-1-59582-768-5}} *'''''The Art of Mass Effect: Andromeda''''' (2017), published by [Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics), contains art, sketches and paintings that were created for ''[Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda)''.Various contributors, March 21, 2017, ''The Art of Mass Effect Andromeda'', Dark Horse Comics, U.S., {{ISBN|978-1-5067-0075-5}} *'''''The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded Edition''''' (2021), a reedition of ''The Art of the Mass Effect Universe'' published by [Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics), includes all of the content the previous edition included and over 90 additional pages of artwork focused on the trilogy's downloadable content and ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)'''s multiplayer.Various contributors, February 23, 2021, ''The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded Edition'', Dark Horse Comics, U.S., {{ISBN|978-1-5067-2163-7}} === Comics === [[File:10.15.11MacWaltersByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|Writer Mac Walters in front of a ''Mass Effect'' poster at the [Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) booth at the 2011 [New York Comic Con](/source/New_York_Comic_Con)]] All published by [Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics): * '''''[Mass Effect: Redemption](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Redemption)''''' is a four-part [comic book](/source/comic_book) mini-series that was released between January and April 2010. The story, which revolves around Liara T'Soni, is set in the interim period between the prologue and main storyline of ''Mass Effect 2'', and is related to the [downloadable content](/source/downloadable_content) "Lair of the Shadow Broker" that was released for the game.{{cite web |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/100/1005868p1.html |title=Mass Effect Comes to Comics |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=July 21, 2009 |publisher=IGN |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402224003/http://comics.ign.com/articles/100/1005868p1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1748/Mass-Effect-Explodes-Into-Comics-7-21-09 |title=Mass Effect Explodes Into Comics! |date=July 21, 2009 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112152042/http://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1748/Mass-Effect-Explodes-Into-Comics-7-21-09 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-redemption |title=Mass Effect: Invasion |date=January 2010 |publisher=IGN |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009054636/http://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-redemption |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-421/Mass-Effect-Redemption-1 |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #1 |date=January 6, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119170638/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-421/Mass-Effect-Redemption-1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-422/Mass-Effect-Redemption-2 |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #2 |date=February 3, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119213505/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-422/Mass-Effect-Redemption-2 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-423/Mass-Effect-Redemption-3 |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #3 |date=March 3, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119171143/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-423/Mass-Effect-Redemption-3 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-520/Mass-Effect-Redemption-4 |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #4 |date=April 7, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119231940/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/16-520/Mass-Effect-Redemption-4 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/82.mass-effect-redemption-1/ |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #1 |date=April 20, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019120858/https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/82.mass-effect-redemption-1/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/83.mass-effect-redemption-2/ |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #2 |date=April 20, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019184548/https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/83.mass-effect-redemption-2/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/84.mass-effect-redemption-3/ |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #3 |date=April 20, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019124531/https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/84.mass-effect-redemption-3/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/85.mass-effect-redemption-4/ |title=Mass Effect: Redemption #4 |date=April 20, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019184556/https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/85.mass-effect-redemption-4/ |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Incursion''''' is an on-line comic (8 pages) that follows Aria T'Loak's encounter with the Collectors one week prior to the opening events of ''Mass Effect 2''. The events of ''Incursion'' link into the events of the comic miniseries ''Mass Effect: Redemption''. It was released June 21, 2010 through [IGN](/source/IGN).{{cite web |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1100605p1.html |title=Exclusive Mass Effect Short Story |first=Richard |last=George |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707154954/http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1100605p1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041359929-3244427.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 1 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000517/http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041359929-3244427.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041402976-3244428.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 2 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235737/http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041402976-3244428.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041342617-3244423.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 3 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000357/http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041342617-3244423.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041347289-3244424.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 4 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005436/http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041347289-3244424.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041351820-3244425.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 5 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231401/http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041351820-3244425.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041356148-3244426.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 6 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003055/http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041356148-3244426.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041332711-3244421.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 7 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011946/http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041332711-3244421.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041337664-3244422.jpg |title=Mass Effect: Incursion – Page 8 |date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) via [IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000005/http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2010/06/21/mass-effect-redemption-20100621041337664-3244422.jpg |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Inquisition''''' is an on-line comic (8 pages) written by Mac Walters. Taking place after ''Mass Effect 2'', the plot follows Captain Armando-Owen Bailey during his investigation of Executor Venari Pallin and corruption within C-Sec. It was released October 26, 2010 through ''[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)''.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-10-25-masseffect25_ST_N.htm |title='Mass Effect: Inquisition' is ready to blast off |first=Tory |last=Hargro |date=October 24, 2010 |work=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914053241/http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-10-25-masseffect25_ST_N.htm |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Evolution''''' is a four-part [comic book](/source/comic_book) mini-series. The first issue was released in January 2011. The story focuses on the origin of the [Illusive Man](/source/Illusive_Man) and is set during the First Contact War, shortly after the discovery of the Mass Relays.{{cite web | last = George | first = Richard | title = SDCC 10: Mass Effect: The Origin of the Illusive Man | publisher = IGN | date = July 15, 2010 | url = http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1106020p1.html | access-date = August 3, 2010 | archive-date = June 11, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120611011527/http://comics.ign.com/articles/110/1106020p1.html | url-status = live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Conviction''''' is a free short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters. Taking place before ''Mass Effect 3'', the plot follows Lieutenant James Vega during his stay on Omega before returning to Systems Alliance service. Released in September 2011 available through a digital distribution promotion exclusively at participating retailers.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbooked.com/review-mass-effect-conviction/ |title=Review – Mass Effect: Conviction |first=R. B. |last=LeMoyne |work=Comic Booked |date=October 9, 2011 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232655/http://www.comicbooked.com/review-mass-effect-conviction/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://imgur.com/a/vY9yc#Tz0D9 |title=Mass Effect: Conviction – Imgur |publisher=[Imgur](/source/Imgur) |access-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222319/http://imgur.com/a/vY9yc#Tz0D9 |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Invasion''''' is a comic book series (4 issues) released between October 2011 and January 2012. It follows Aria T'Loak, the pirate queen of the space station Omega, as her station comes under attack from a new threat unleashed by Cerberus, the human survivalist organization.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-invasion |title=Mass Effect: Invasion |date=October 2011 |publisher=IGN |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009054647/http://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-invasion |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-568/Mass-Effect-Invasion-1-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #1 (Massimo Carnevale cover) |date=October 19, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221080925/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-568/Mass-Effect-Invasion-1-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/18-733/Mass-Effect-Invasion-1-Paul-Renaud-25th-anniversary-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #1 (Paul Renaud 25th anniversary cover) |date=October 19, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615052756/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/18-733/Mass-Effect-Invasion-1-Paul-Renaud-25th-anniversary-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-569/Mass-Effect-Invasion-2-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #2 (Massimo Carnevale cover) |date=November 16, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221080919/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-569/Mass-Effect-Invasion-2-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-556/Mass-Effect-Invasion-2-Paul-Renaud-variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #2 (Paul Renaud variant cover) |date=November 16, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005013921/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-556/Mass-Effect-Invasion-2-Paul-Renaud-variant-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-570/Mass-Effect-Invasion-3-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #3 (Massimo Carnevale cover) |date=December 21, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221080927/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-570/Mass-Effect-Invasion-3-Massimo-Carnevale-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-557/Mass-Effect-Invasion-3-Paul-Renaud-Variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #3 (Paul Renaud Variant cover) |date=December 21, 2011 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722071456/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-557/Mass-Effect-Invasion-3-Paul-Renaud-Variant-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-631/Mass-Effect-Invasion-4-Massimo-Carnevale-regular-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #4 (Massimo Carnevale regular cover) |date=January 18, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140221080929/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-631/Mass-Effect-Invasion-4-Massimo-Carnevale-regular-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-558/Mass-Effect-Invasion-4-Paul-Renaud-variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Invasion #4 (Paul Renaud variant cover) |date=January 18, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015145/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/19-558/Mass-Effect-Invasion-4-Paul-Renaud-variant-cover |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Homeworlds''''' is a comic book series (4 issues) written by game lead writer Mac Walters released April 25, 2012. Each issue focuses on a main character from the ''Mass Effect'' series.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-s-newest-cast-member-kicks-off-new-dark-hor-5873051 |title=Mass Effect's Newest Cast Member Kicks Off New Dark Horse Comics Series |first=Evan |last=Narcisse |date=April 1, 2012 |work=[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527072441/http://kotaku.com/5873051/mass-effects-newest-cast-member-gets-the-spotlight-in-a-new-dark-horse-comics-series/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-homeworlds |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds |date=April 2012 |publisher=IGN |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009054732/http://www.ign.com/comics/mass-effect-homeworlds |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-458/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #1 (Anthony Palumbo cover) |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |date=April 25, 2012 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140221081202/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-458/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-310/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Mike-Hawthorne-Variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #1 (Mike Hawthorne Variant cover) |date=April 25, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001142/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-310/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-1-Mike-Hawthorne-Variant-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-459/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-2-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #2 (Anthony Palumbo cover) |date=May 30, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221081150/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-459/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-2-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-311/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-2-Mike-Hawthorne-Variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #2 (Mike Hawthorne Variant cover) |date=May 30, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111031857/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-311/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-2-Mike-Hawthorne-Variant-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-460/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-3-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #3 (Anthony Palumbo cover) |date=July 25, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221081204/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-460/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-3-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-312/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-3-Mike-Hawthorne-variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #3 (Mike Hawthorne variant cover) |date=July 25, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111032431/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-312/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-3-Mike-Hawthorne-variant-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-461/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-4-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #4 (Anthony Palumbo cover) |date=August 29, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140221081152/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-461/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-4-Anthony-Palumbo-cover |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-313/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-4-Mike-Hawthorne-variant-cover |title=Mass Effect: Homeworlds #4 (Mike Hawthorne variant cover) |date=August 29, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406220802/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-313/Mass-Effect-Homeworlds-4-Mike-Hawthorne-variant-cover |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Blasto: Eternity Is Forever''''' is a 14-page single-issue written by Mac Walters released on November 7, 2012, through digital distribution. The main character is Blasto, the protagonist of several in-universe films, depicted as the galaxy's first Hanar Spectre.{{cite web |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-887/Mass-Effect-Blasto---Eternity-is-Forever-Digital-Exclusive |title=Mass Effect: Blasto – Eternity is Forever (Digital Exclusive) |date=November 7, 2012 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221081037/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-887/Mass-Effect-Blasto---Eternity-is-Forever-Digital-Exclusive |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-3-s-best-action-hero-is-getting-his-own-com-5951224 |title=Mass Effect 3's Best Action Hero Is Getting His Own Comic |first=Evan |last=Narcisse |date=October 14, 2012 |work=[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401090741/http://kotaku.com/5951224/mass-effect-3s-best-action-hero-is-getting-his-own-comic |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/10002/article/mass-effect-s-blasto-gets-his-own-comic/ |title=Mass Effect's Blasto Gets His Own Comic |first=Ajané |last=Celestin-Greer |date=December 10, 2012 |publisher=Gameranx |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011223/http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/10002/article/mass-effect-s-blasto-gets-his-own-comic/ |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: He Who Laughs Best''''' is a short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters released on May 4, 2013 for [Free Comic Book Day](/source/Free_Comic_Book_Day) 2013. It explains how [Jeff "Joker" Moreau](/source/Jeff_%22Joker%22_Moreau) became the SSV Normandy's pilot prior to the events of ''Mass Effect''.{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-872/Free-Comic-Book-Day-2013-Mass-Effect-Killjoys-R-I-P-D|title=Free Comic Book Day 2013: Mass Effect/Killjoys/R.I.P.D. :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics|work=darkhorse.com|access-date=August 5, 2013|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211074602/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/22-872/Free-Comic-Book-Day-2013-Mass-Effect-Killjoys-R-I-P-D|url-status=live}} * '''''[Mass Effect: Foundation](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Foundation)''''' is a 13-issue comic series written by Mac Walters. The first issue was released on July 24, 2013. It features a story that runs parallel to the game trilogy and is designed to expand the universe as a whole.{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122467-Mass-Effect-Foundation-Expands-Shepards-Universe |title=Mass Effect: Foundation Expands Shepard's Universe |first=Brett |last=Slabaugh |date=March 3, 2013 |publisher=[The Escapist](/source/The_Escapist_(magazine)) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518050407/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122467-Mass-Effect-Foundation-Expands-Shepards-Universe |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferbosier/2013/03/03/dark-horse-announces-mass-effect-foundation-comic-series/ |title=Dark Horse Announces Mass Effect: Foundation Comic Series |first=Jen |last=Bosier |date=March 3, 2013 |work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410144335/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferbosier/2013/03/03/dark-horse-announces-mass-effect-foundation-comic-series/ |url-status=live }} * '''''Mass Effect: Discovery''''' is a comic book series (4 issues) written by Jeremy Barlow released in 2017. Each issue focuses on the Andromeda Initiative from the ''Mass Effect'' series.{{cite web |url=https://digital.darkhorse.com/books/99f76d22158c4f98a14fd50dd3846530/mass-effect-discovery-1 |title=Mass Effect: Discovery |first=Jeremy |last=Barlow |date=May 24, 2017 |publisher=[Dark Horse Comics](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics) |access-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031810/https://digital.darkhorse.com/books/99f76d22158c4f98a14fd50dd3846530/mass-effect-discovery-1 |url-status=live }} === Films === * '''''[Mass Effect: Paragon Lost](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Paragon_Lost)''''' (2012): On April 7, 2011, EA announced that anime distributor [Funimation Entertainment](/source/Funimation_Entertainment) and Japanese studio [T.O Entertainment](/source/T.O_Entertainment) will produce an [anime](/source/anime) film adaptation based on the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-07/funimation-t.o-to-make-anime-movie-of-mass-effect-games|title=Funimation. T.O to Make Anime Movie of Mass Effect Games|publisher=[Anime News Network](/source/Anime_News_Network)|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511015016/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-07/funimation-t.o-to-make-anime-movie-of-mass-effect-games|url-status=live}} The film was released on December 28, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MassEffectAnime/status/243115819280785408|title=Paragon Lost BD & DVD release date changes|access-date=September 8, 2012|archive-date=December 2, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121202110056/https://twitter.com/MassEffectAnime/status/243115819280785408|url-status=live}} It serves as the prequel to ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)'' and follows the early career of Alliance Marine James Vega as he leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against The Collectors during the events of ''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)''. Stationed at a colony in a remote star-system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion by the Collectors, determined to capture the population for unknown purposes. * '''''Mass Effect''''': EA announced in May 2010 that [Legendary Pictures](/source/Legendary_Pictures) and [Warner Bros.](/source/Warner_Bros.) acquired the rights to a ''Mass Effect'' film, with the game's executive producer Casey Hudson, as well as Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck from BioWare, to serve as executive producers. Initially, Legendary planned to produce the film with [Thomas Tull](/source/Thomas_Tull), Jon Jashni, and [Avi Arad](/source/Avi_Arad), with a screenplay by [Mark Protosevich](/source/Mark_Protosevich).{{cite web|url=http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/05/mass-effect-video-game-on-way-to-movie-screen.html|title='Mass Effect' video game on way to movie screen.|access-date=May 25, 2010|archive-date=May 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528123610/http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/05/mass-effect-video-game-on-way-to-movie-screen.html|url-status=live}} Protosevich and the producers had stated that the film would have followed the plot of the original game.{{cite web|url=http://www.legendary.com/blog/sdcc-film-panel-questions-answered|author=Legendary Pictures|publisher=Legendary Pictures|title=Comic Con Q&A Mass Effect|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924004237/http://www.legendary.com/blog/sdcc-film-panel-questions-answered/|archive-date=September 24, 2011|df=mdy-all}} By October 2012, Morgan Davis Foehl had become the screenwriter, according to ''[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))''.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/legendary-arms-mass-effect-with-new-scribe-1118061198/|author=Justin Kroll and Marc Graser|publisher=Variety|title=Legendary arms 'Mass Effect' with new scribe|date=October 24, 2012|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105082852/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118061198/|url-status=live}} In a 2021 interview, BioWare's Mac Walters stated that the film project never progressed further beyond the initial planning stages after it was announced due to two primary issues. First, they were unsure of what they could focus on from the game in a 90 to 120-minute film while keeping the essence of the game. Second, a change in leadership at Legendary’s directed focus away from film projects towards television, and the project had been rescoped for a possible television series but never got off the ground.{{cite web | url = https://www.businessinsider.com/mass-effect-director-on-rise-of-video-game-tv-shows-2021-6 | title = 'Mass Effect' video game director explains what happened with the scrapped movie adaptation and why TV would be better | first = Travis | last = Clark | date = June 26, 2021 | access-date = June 26, 2021 | work = [Business Insider](/source/Business_Insider) | archive-date = June 25, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625215439/https://www.businessinsider.com/mass-effect-director-on-rise-of-video-game-tv-shows-2021-6 | url-status = live }} === Television series === On November 23, 2021, ''[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)'' reported that negotiations were underway to adapt the ''Mass Effect'' franchise for [Amazon Prime Video](/source/Amazon_Prime_Video).{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2021/11/the-wheel-of-time-premiere-ratings-amazon-prime-video-mass-effect-lort-of-the-rings-jennifer-salke-qa-1234879517/ | title = 'The Wheel Of Time' Makes Strong Debut As Amazon Prime Video Doubles Down On Genre With 'Mass Effect' Adaptation & Prepares To Usher In 'LOTR' | first = Nellie | last = Andreeva | date = November 23, 2021 | access-date = November 23, 2021 | work = [Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) | archive-date = November 24, 2021 |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation)| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211124135639/https://deadline.com/2021/11/the-wheel-of-time-premiere-ratings-amazon-prime-video-mass-effect-lort-of-the-rings-jennifer-salke-qa-1234879517/ | url-status = live }} In November 2024, Amazon officially announced the series was in development with Karim Zreik producing under his Cedar Tree Productions banner alongside Ari Arad and Michael Gamble of [Electronic Arts](/source/Electronic_Arts). [Daniel Casey](/source/Daniel_Casey_(screenwriter)) is slated to write and produce the work.{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=''Mass Effect'' TV Series in the Works at Amazon From 'Fast & Furious 9' Writer (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/mass-effect-tv-series-amazon-writer-marvel-1236203755/ |website=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |date=November 7, 2024|access-date=November 7, 2024|archive-date=November 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107180103/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/mass-effect-tv-series-amazon-writer-marvel-1236203755/}} On June 6, 2025, [Doug Jung](/source/Doug_Jung) was hired to serve as showrunner for the series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/mass-effect-doug-jung-tv-series-showrunner-1236423704/|title='Mass Effect': Doug Jung Joins Amazon's Series Adaptation Of Video Game As Showrunner|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=June 6, 2025|website=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)|access-date=June 6, 2025|publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |archive-date=June 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250606213804/https://deadline.com/2025/06/mass-effect-doug-jung-tv-series-showrunner-1236423704/ |url-status=live}} In November 2025, it was revealed that the show would explore a new story set within the ''Mass Effect'' timeline, taking place after the original trilogy.{{cite web|url=https://blog.bioware.com/2025/11/07/n7-day-2025/|title=N7 DAY 2025|date=November 7, 2025|url-status=live}} === Action figures === Two series of action figures were released by [DC Direct](/source/DC_Direct) and Big Fish Toys for ''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)'' and ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)''. Series one included action figures of Commander Shepard, Grunt, Tali, and Thane. Series two included Garrus, Legion, Miranda, and Mordin. Each figure features game-accurate accessories and can be found in game and hobby shops and various online retailers. The figures tied to ''Mass Effect 3'' include bonus downloadable content, which is exclusive and different for each character. === Other === * '''''[Mass Effect: New Earth](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_New_Earth)''''' (2016): A 4D holographic experience introduced at [California's Great America](/source/California's_Great_America) amusement park in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/coming-in-2016|title=Explore – CA Great America|website=www.cagreatamerica.com|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425205108/https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/coming-in-2016|url-status=live}} *'''''[Risk](/source/Risk_(board_game)): Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition''''' (2013) was announced by USAopoly and was released in Fall 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usaopoly-to-unveil-new-games-based-on-the-hottest-licenses-and-iconic-brands-190528631.html |title=USAopoly To Unveil New Games Based On The Hottest Licenses And Iconic Brands |publisher=[PR Newswire](/source/PR_Newswire) |date=February 11, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214002135/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usaopoly-to-unveil-new-games-based-on-the-hottest-licenses-and-iconic-brands-190528631.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/12/mass-effect-risk-coming-this-year |title=Mass Effect Risk Coming This Year |author=Andrew Goldfarb |publisher=IGN |date=February 12, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405062852/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/12/mass-effect-risk-coming-this-year |url-status=live }} *'''''[Monopoly](/source/Monopoly_(game)): Mass Effect''''' (2015){{cite web|title=Monopoly: Mass Effect|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/183604/monopoly-mass-effect|access-date=2020-06-22|website=BoardGameGeek|language=en-US|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623003730/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/183604/monopoly-mass-effect|url-status=live}} *'''''Mass Effect: Priority Hagalaz''''' (2024) was announced as a board game featuring miniatutes set around the time of Mass Effect 3.{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=Mass Effect board game available to pre-order, with £240 miniatures bundle |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/mass-effect-board-game-available-to-pre-order-with-240-miniatures-bundle |website=[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer) |publisher=[Gamer Network](/source/Gamer_Network) |access-date=August 30, 2024 |date=August 30, 2024}} The board game was developed by Eric Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, who chose the Hagalaz setting as a planet that was not fully explored in the video games.{{cite web | website=[IGN](/source/IGN) | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/mass-effect-the-board-game-priority-hagalaz-preview | title = How Mass Effect Became a Board Game | date = September 4, 2024 }} The game features scenarios where the players investigated a crashed Cerberus cruiser, confronting further enemies on the way.{{cite web | website = Kotaku | url = https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-board-game-miniature-liara-tali-garrus-wrex-1851635545 | title = Gaze Upon The Majesty That Is The Mass Effect Board Game | date = August 29, 2024 }} == Development and history == ''Mass Effect'' began as a 2003 pitch for a project codenamed SFX by [BioWare](/source/BioWare) project director [Casey Hudson](/source/Casey_Hudson) to the company's co-founders, [Ray Muzyka](/source/Ray_Muzyka) and [Greg Zeschuk](/source/Greg_Zeschuk). Hudson wanted the company to set a goal on developing its own [science fiction](/source/science_fiction) intellectual property that is on the same scale and scope as the ''[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars)'' setting.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/3/15/2874077/a-look-at-the-mass-effects-that-almost-were |title=A look at the Mass Effects that almost were |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=May 12, 2021 |work=[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website)) |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513141355/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/3/15/2874077/a-look-at-the-mass-effects-that-almost-were |url-status=live }} On 11 October 2007, shortly before the release of the original ''Mass Effect'' video game for the [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) in November 2007, it was announced that EA bought out [VG Holding Corp.](/source/VG_Holding_Corp.), a partnership between BioWare and [Pandemic Studios](/source/Pandemic_Studios) formed in November 2005. The ''Mass Effect'' IP was acquired by EA in the process and BioWare continued their role as the IP's developers.{{cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |title=EA Acquires BioWare, Pandemic |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163607|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522222845/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163607|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2016 |website=[1UP.com](/source/1UP.com) |date=11 October 2007 |access-date=14 June 2009}} The technological outline of the series is based on the theory of [dark energy](/source/dark_energy), a form of energy proposed to be the source of the universe’s expansion, and a hypothetical instrument for faster-than-light (FTL) travel. By applying a strong electric current via dark energy to the fictional Element Zero or "eezo", "mass effect" fields could be created and manipulated: a positive current raises the mass of any object currently occupying that spot and help to create artificial gravity effects, while a negative current does the inverse by reducing mass and improves the cost-effective expenditure of fuel for starships that move at FTL speeds. The stronger the current, the greater the magnitude of the dark energy mass effect.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/great-name-what-does-it-mean/|title=The real meanings behind some of the strangest titles in video games|author=Samuel James Riley|website=[GamesRadar](/source/GamesRadar)|date=March 31, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2021|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604161815/https://www.gamesradar.com/great-name-what-does-it-mean/|url-status=live}} Other real world advanced scientific concepts explored in the series include [3D printing](/source/3D_printing) for the omni-tool concept, [hard light](/source/Holography_in_fiction) technology, and [hypervelocity](/source/hypervelocity) weaponry. Based on the "underlying idea that real-life scientific discoveries consistently create imagery and concepts that blow away previous notions of what is possible," Hudson opined that "reality will continue to be stranger than fiction" which in his view justifies the developers' creative license with their work.{{cite web|url=https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/blueshift/index.php/2012/07/31/explorin-the-galaxy-with-mass-effect-3/|title=Exploring the Galaxy with Mass Effect 3|author=Sara Mitchell|website=[NASA Blueshift](/source/NASA)|date=July 31, 2012|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423142742/https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/blueshift/index.php/2012/07/31/explorin-the-galaxy-with-mass-effect-3/|url-status=live}} Morality is measured by "Paragon" and "Renegade" points for the first three main series games, which has been described as a more nuanced continuation of the morality system surrounding the light and dark side of [the Force](/source/the_Force) BioWare developed for their previous work, the 2003 video game ''[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic](/source/Star_Wars%3A_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic_(video_game))''. A spin-off for the [Nintendo DS](/source/Nintendo_DS) titled ''Mass Effect: Corsair'', patterned after the gameplay of ''[Star Control](/source/Star_Control)'' and centered around a [Han Solo](/source/Han_Solo)-inspired space pirate character played from a first-person perspective was briefly explored in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cancelled-mass-effect-spinoff-was-inspired-by-han-solo-and-star-control/|title=Cancelled Mass Effect spinoff was inspired by Han Solo and Star Control|last=Austin|first=Austin|date=February 2, 2021|work=[GamesRadar](/source/GamesRadar)|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513063237/https://www.gamesradar.com/cancelled-mass-effect-spinoff-was-inspired-by-han-solo-and-star-control/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-corsair-would-have-been-first-person-space-sim-for-the-nintendo-ds/1100-6493393/#comments-block-33562476|title=Mass Effect: Corsair Would Have Been First-Person Space Sim For The Nintendo DS|last=Koch|first=Cameron|date=June 29, 2021|work=[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)|access-date=July 7, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182621/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-corsair-would-have-been-first-person-space-sim-for-the-nintendo-ds/1100-6493393/#comments-block-33562476|url-status=live}} The project was to be developed in tandem with the original video game trilogy, although the developers ultimately abandoned the project due to the prohibitive cost of Nintendo DS cartridges as well as the publisher's unoptimistic estimation of the projected sales data for the project, with the team and its resources reassigned to work on ''[Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2)''. Former BioWare employee Dorian Kieken noted that the central concept of ''Corsair'' as a narrative adventure which follows a morally ambiguous protagonist would have been an ideal vehicle to explore as an expansion of the ''Mass Effect'' universe. For 2017's ''[Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda)'', the binary Paragon and Renegade morality system was removed entirely. In 2007 BioWare filed a patent for the Dialogue Wheel, described in official documents as a "graphical interface for interactive dialog," which was officially granted to its parent company EA International Studio and Publishing Ltd by the [United States Patent & Trademark Office](/source/United_States_Patent_%26_Trademark_Office) in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/video-game-patents-that-might-surprise-you/|title=From the Mass Effect dialogue wheel to Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis System, here are 8 video game patents that might surprise you|author=Heather Wald|website=[GamesRadar](/source/GamesRadar)|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416123130/https://www.gamesradar.com/video-game-patents-that-might-surprise-you/|url-status=live}} === Cultural influences === Besides ''Star Wars'', the ''Mass Effect'' universe is also inspired by several established conventions and tropes found in other [science fiction](/source/science_fiction) franchises, such as ''[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek)'', ''[Blade Runner](/source/Blade_Runner)'', ''[Firefly](/source/Firefly_(TV_series))'', and ''[Battlestar Galactica](/source/Battlestar_Galactica)''.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/19/the-11-sci-fi-influences-that-made-mass-effect |title=The 11 Sci-Fi Influences That Made Mass Effect |author=Joe Skrebels |date=May 3, 2017 |publisher=IGN |access-date=April 30, 2016 |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319140020/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/19/the-11-sci-fi-influences-that-made-mass-effect |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-mass-effect-is-the-most-important-science-fiction-u-5886178|title=Why Mass Effect is the Most Important Science Fiction Universe of Our Generation|author=Kyle Munkittrick|date=February 17, 2012|publisher=io9|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512170658/https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-mass-effect-is-the-most-important-science-fiction-u-5886178|url-status=live}} Other intellectual properties which influenced the series' atmosphere and artistic qualities included ''[Alien](/source/Alien_(film))'', ''[Starship Troopers](/source/Starship_Troopers_(film))'', ''[Dune](/source/Dune_(franchise))'' and ''[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within](/source/Final_Fantasy%3A_The_Spirits_Within)''.{{cite web|url=http://www.xboxgazette.com/interview_mass_effect_en.php |title=Mass Effect: Interview with Casey Hudson |website=Xbox Gazette |date=August 21, 2007 |access-date=September 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810143126/http://www.xboxgazette.com/interview_mass_effect_en.php |archive-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=Unlimited Enabled: Mass Effect |magazine=[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer) |publisher=GameStop |date=March 2008 |pages=24 |issue=179}}{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-is-inspired-by-final-fantasy-5816078 |title=Mass Effect is Inspired by...Final Fantasy? |website=[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku) |author=Luke Plunkett |date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=August 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226082327/https://kotaku.com/5816078/mass-effect-is-inspired-byfinal-fantasy |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} Several video games fed into Hudson's vision for the gameplay experience of the series: these include ''[Deus Ex](/source/Deus_Ex_(video_game))''’s choice-based branching storylines, the gunplay mechanics of the [''Halo''](/source/Halo_(franchise)) franchise, and the open-ended galaxy exploration of the [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS) game ''[Starflight](/source/Starflight)''. Aspects of [Greek mythology](/source/Greek_mythology) have been consistently invoked throughout the series, from the names of in-universe objects and organizations like the planet Elysium or the anthropocentric paramilitary group Cerberus, to the narrative themes of certain story arcs like the Prothean's connection to the contemporary civilizations of the galaxy through the technology they left behind.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/how-mythology-and-pop-culture-influenced-mass-effect-1687928354|title=How Mythology and Pop Culture Influenced Mass Effect|author=András Neltz|date=February 25, 2015|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517005502/https://kotaku.com/how-mythology-and-pop-culture-influenced-mass-effect-1687928354|url-status=live}} === Music === The music of the series is noted for its similarity in style to the vintage synthesizer score for ''Blade Runner'', which creates a mood appropriate for the oscillating wonder and terror of unknown space. According to Jack Wall, who served as the composer for the first two ''Mass Effect'' games, he combined the electronic instrument palette from the late 1970s to early 1980s with organic elements to create the first game's [soundscape](/source/soundscape). {{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/19/jack-wall-feels-the-mass-effect?page=3 |title=Jack Wall Feels The Mass Effect (Page 3) |website=[IGN](/source/IGN) |author=Spence D. |date=November 19, 2007 |access-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920190928/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/19/jack-wall-feels-the-mass-effect?page=3 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |url-status=live}} Subsequent games have adopted a more cinematic, orchestral style with the involvement of composers like [Clint Mansell](/source/Clint_Mansell), while retaining certain elements of Wall's earlier work for the franchise. == Reception == {{VG Series Reviews | game1 = [Mass Effect](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game)) | mc1 = (PC) 89/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Mass Effect'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029234632/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mass-effect |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=''Mass Effect'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118033542/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mass-effect |url-status=live }}
(X360) 91/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Mass Effect'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106133822/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mass-effect |url-status=live }} | game2 = [Mass Effect 2](/source/Mass_Effect_2) | mc2 = (PC) 94/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Mass Effect 2'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113085313/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mass-effect-2 |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 94/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=''Mass Effect 2'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117065757/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mass-effect-2 |url-status=live }}
(X360) 96/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Mass Effect 2'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110173659/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mass-effect-2 |url-status=live }} | game3 = [Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3) | mc3 = (PC) 89/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Mass Effect 3'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113183702/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mass-effect-3 |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 93/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=''Mass Effect 3'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=December 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204173232/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mass-effect-3 |url-status=live }}
(WIIU) 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-3/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=''Mass Effect 3: Special Edition'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920165307/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/mass-effect-3-special-edition |url-status=live }}
(X360) 93/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Mass Effect 3'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129004223/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mass-effect-3 |url-status=live }} | game4 = [Mass Effect: Andromeda](/source/Mass_Effect%3A_Andromeda) | mc4 = (PC) 72/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-andromeda/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320104834/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mass-effect-andromeda |url-status=live }}
(PS4) 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-andromeda/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319214901/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mass-effect-andromeda |url-status=live }}
(XONE) 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mass-effect-andromeda/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' Reviews |publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320232852/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mass-effect-andromeda |url-status=live }} }} ===Critical response=== The original ''Mass Effect'' trilogy has received near-universal critical acclaim across all release platforms, according to [review aggregator](/source/review_aggregator) [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic). All three games have received numerous nominations as well as number of year-end awards from video game publications and major award ceremonies. The first two ''Mass Effect'' titles are widely considered to be among [the greatest games of all time](/source/List_of_video_games_considered_the_best). ''Mass Effect 2'' in particular is the most critically acclaimed game in the series and garnered numerous game of the year awards following its release. It received over 70 perfect review scores.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiiIQ9S03pQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/RiiIQ9S03pQ |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Mass Effect 2 PS3 Announcement Trailer (HD)|date=August 17, 2010|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} In 2013 ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' rated the ''Mass Effect Trilogy'' the best Xbox 360 game(s) out of a list of 25,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/20/the-top-25-xbox-360-games-4?page=3|title=The Top 25 Xbox 360 Games|work=IGN|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513225556/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/20/the-top-25-xbox-360-games-4?page=3|url-status=live}} and the 7th best PS3 game(s) out of a list of 25.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/igns-top-25-playstation-3-games|title=The Top 25 PS3 Games|work=IGN|date=September 4, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212409/https://www.ign.com/articles/igns-top-25-playstation-3-games|url-status=live}} The fourth installment, ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'', received a less enthusiastic critical reception, with a consensus among critics that it was not up to par with its predecessors in terms of overall quality, although the improved combat received praise.{{cite magazine|last=Kain|first=Erik|date=March 20, 2017|title='Mass Effect: Andromeda' Is the Worst-Reviewed Game in the Franchise|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/03/20/mass-effect-andromeda-is-the-worst-reviewed-game-in-the-franchise/#54b88b57555a|magazine=[Forbes](/source/Forbes)|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200118230645/https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2019/10/21/wwe-2k20-review-the-good-the-bad-the-bottom-line/%2326297a1c44e1#54b88b57555a|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Liam|date=March 23, 2017|title=Mass Effect Andromeda review scores: BioWare's worst RPG ever on PS4 and Xbox One?|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/781339/Mass-Effect-Andromeda-review-PS4-Xbox-One-BioWare-scores-EA-Access|newspaper=[Sunday Express](/source/Sunday_Express)|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200118230913/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/781339/Mass-Effect-Andromeda-review-PS4-Xbox-One-BioWare-scores-EA-Access|url-status=live}} ===Sales=== The ''Mass Effect'' franchise has been successful commercially. The first game in the franchise sold over one million units worldwide in less than three weeks after launch.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/mass-effect-amasses-one-million-copies-sold/18805/?biz=1 |title=Mass Effect Amasses One Million Copies Sold |website=[GameDaily](/source/GameDaily) |author=James Brightman |date=December 10, 2007 |access-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212145929/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/mass-effect-amasses-one-million-copies-sold/18805/?biz=1 |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}} Sales rose to 1.6 million copies after six weeks of availability by January 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com:80/articles/news/xbox-360-sells-177-million-halo-3-reaches-81-million-/18979/?biz=1 |title=Xbox 360 Sells 17.7 Million, Halo 3 Reaches 8.1 Million |website=[GameDaily](/source/GameDaily) |author=James Brightman |date=January 3, 2008 |access-date=October 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104213250/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/xbox-360-sells-177-million-halo-3-reaches-81-million-/18979/?biz=1 |archive-date=January 4, 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/arts/television/26mass.html?_r=5&ref=arts |title=Author Faults a Game, and Gamers Flame Back |author=Seth Schiesel |date=January 26, 2008 |website=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |access-date=October 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518201628/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/arts/television/26mass.html?_r=5&ref=arts |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |url-status=live}} Its sequel, ''Mass Effect 2'' shipped more than two million copies to retailers within the game's first week.{{cite magazine|title=Mass Effect 2 sales top 2m|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/mass-effect-2-sales-top-2m/|last=Parfitt|first=Ben|magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |date=January 29, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510010006/https://mcvuk.com/mass-effect-2-sales-top-2m/|url-status=live}} The game sold over 500,000 copies in the month of release, despite being released at the end of the month.{{cite web|title=Mass Effect 2 takes silver as Jan. sales slip 13% - NPD|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-2-takes-silver-as-jan-sales-slip-13-npd/1100-6250305/|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|date=February 11, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913091612/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-2-takes-silver-as-jan-sales-slip-13-npd/1100-6250305/|url-status=live}} Before the release of the third game, the series sold a combined total of 7 million copies worldwide.{{cite web|title=Mass Effect Sales Top 7 Million|url=http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/04/22/mass-effect-sales-top-7-million/|last=Wingler|first=Matt|work=TheSixthAxis |date=April 22, 2011|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209022932/http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/04/22/mass-effect-sales-top-7-million/|url-status=live}} ''Mass Effect 3'' was the most commercially successful game of the series: it sold over 800,000 copies in its first 24 hours,{{cite web|title=EA on 'Mass Effect 3′ Sales: Over 890K Copies Sold in First 24 Hours|url=http://gamerant.com/mass-effect-3-sales-ea-benk-137689/|last=Kendrick|first=Ben|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209021855/http://gamerant.com/mass-effect-3-sales-ea-benk-137689/|url-status=live}} and its opening month sales were twice that of its predecessor's,{{cite web|title=Opening month US Mass Effect 3 sales double ME2's|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-13-opening-month-us-mass-effect-3-sales-double-mass-effect-2s|last=Purchese|first=Robert|website=[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)|date=March 14, 2012|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209021220/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-13-opening-month-us-mass-effect-3-sales-double-mass-effect-2s|url-status=live}} selling over 900,000 copies on the Xbox 360 version, outselling the PlayStation 3 version 4 to 1 and bringing in over $200 million in revenue.{{cite news|title=Mass Effect 3 makes over $200 million in sales|newspaper=Destructoid |url=http://www.destructoid.com/mass-effect-3-makes-over-200-million-in-sales-227119.phtml|date=May 8, 2012|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=February 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221005802/http://www.destructoid.com/mass-effect-3-makes-over-200-million-in-sales-227119.phtml|url-status=live}} By April 2012 it sold over twice as many copies as ''Mass Effect 2'' in their respective launch months{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=Opening month US Mass Effect 3 sales double ME2's |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-13-opening-month-us-mass-effect-3-sales-double-mass-effect-2s |website=[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer) |access-date=July 8, 2018 |date=April 13, 2012 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150210030838/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-13-opening-month-us-mass-effect-3-sales-double-mass-effect-2s |url-status=live }} and generated lifetime sales of over six million copies.[http://www.itechpost.com/articles/80302/20170203/mass-effect-andromeda-sales-expected-hit-3-million-copies-first.htm Mass Effect Andromeda Sales Expected To Hit 3 Million Copies In First Week Of Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412162924/http://www.itechpost.com/articles/80302/20170203/mass-effect-andromeda-sales-expected-hit-3-million-copies-first.htm |date=April 12, 2019 }}. "Jorgensen issued the statement during a discussion of the third-quarter final results. He based this number on the six million copies of Mass Effect 3 that the company sold in total although the exact details were not divulged by the executive." The ''Mass Effect'' series had sold a total of 14 million units by July 5, 2014.{{cite web |title=What EA Must Do to Make 'Mass Effect 4' a Blockbuster |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/05/what-ea-must-do-to-make-mass-effect-4-a-blockbuste.aspx |last=Sun |first=Leo |date=July 5, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042635/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/05/what-ea-must-do-to-make-mass-effect-4-a-blockbuste.aspx |url-status=live }} ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' continued the sales success of its predecessors.{{cite web|last=McKeand|first=Kirk|date=July 28, 2017|title=Mass Effect: Andromeda was a financial success|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect-andromeda/mass-effect-andromeda-sales-numbers|publisher=PCGamesN|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516182057/https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect-andromeda/mass-effect-andromeda-sales-numbers|url-status=live}} By May 2017, an analyst noted that at least 2.5 million retail copies of ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' had been shipped for $110 million in revenue.{{cite web|last=Ciaccia|first=Chris|date=May 14, 2017|title=5 ETFs to Buy If You Love EA's Fourth-Quarter Earnings|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/14114720/1/5-etfs-to-buy-if-you-love-ea-s-fourth-quarter-earnings.html|publisher=The Street|access-date=January 12, 2019|archive-date=September 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908130551/https://www.thestreet.com/story/14114720/1/5-etfs-to-buy-if-you-love-ea-s-fourth-quarter-earnings.html|url-status=live}} Additionally, $53 million in net sales from digital and special editions for ''Andromeda'' were generated in March 2017 but deferred to a later date.[https://web.archive.org/web/20171112131812/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ERTS/5152838879x0x942093/F8CC9A2C-9672-43CE-B7BE-4CF06FBFACD6/Q4_FY17_Prepared_Comments.pdf Electronics Arts Q4 FY17 Prepared Comments.] May 9, 2016. Page 7. ==Legacy and cultural impact== Tauriq Moosa from ''[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)'' lauded the ''Mass Effect'' franchise as some of the best science fiction ever made, describing its overarching theme of "aspiration and connection in the face of an indifferent cosmos" to be "as cerebral as ''[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek)'', as hopeful as [Asimov](/source/Isaac_Asimov) and as dramatic as ''[Battlestar Galactica](/source/Battlestar_Galactica)''".{{cite web|last1=Moosa|first1=Tauriq|title=Why Mass Effect is some of the best sci-fi ever made|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/aug/14/why-mass-effect-is-some-of-the-best-sci-fi-ever-made|website=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)|access-date=December 28, 2021|language=en|date=August 14, 2021|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228153546/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/aug/14/why-mass-effect-is-some-of-the-best-sci-fi-ever-made|url-status=live}} Jessi Sampson from ''PCGamesN'' concurred and called ''Mass Effect'' an "impressive melting pot of ideas" from various seminal science fiction works, and that the ambition of the first game and its developers shaped the video game industry and "left behind a legacy as bright as the stars it had so vividly imagined".{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect/5-wishlist|title=What Mass Effect 5 can learn from each game in the series|publisher=PCGamesN|date=March 3, 2021|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303175201/https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect/5-wishlist|url-status=live}} Writing for ''[Wired](/source/Wired_(magazine))'', Jonathan Wood said the first ''Mass Effect'' set a high bar for storytelling in the video game medium unmatched by most of its contemporaries.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/01/redefining-storytelling-videogames/ |title=After Mass Effect: Redefining Videogame Storytelling|author=Jonathan Wood |date=January 9, 2013 |magazine=[Wired](/source/Wired_(magazine)) |access-date=May 16, 2021 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect/5-wishlist|title=What Mass Effect 5 can learn from each game in the series|publisher=PCGamesN|date=March 3, 2021|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303175201/https://www.pcgamesn.com/mass-effect/5-wishlist|url-status=live}} Benjamin Bullard from ''Syfy'' noted that the first game debuted at a time when science fiction video games mainly revolved around persistent conflict and violence between alien and human characters, and the franchise had since grown from a niche RPG into a "full-scale [AAA gaming phenomenon](/source/AAA_(video_game_industry))."{{cite web|last1=Bullard|first1=Benjamin|title=The Week in Gaming: Mass Effect Legendary Edition, new DualSense colors, E3 goes virtual & more.|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/week-in-gaming-mass-effect-legendary-edition-dualsense-colors-e3-app-more|website=[Syfy Wire](/source/Syfy_Wire)|access-date=May 16, 2021|language=en|date=May 14, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516032603/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/week-in-gaming-mass-effect-legendary-edition-dualsense-colors-e3-app-more|url-status=live}} In 2010, ''[GamesRadar](/source/GamesRadar)'' called ''Mass Effect'' the best new franchise of the (then seventh) generation, with a galaxy setting "so well-constructed that it felt like a decades-old franchise and represented a high-water mark for video games as a story-telling medium."{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-best-new-franchises-of-this-generation/ |title=Top 7 Best New Franchises of this Generation |publisher=GamesRadar |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=May 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504212555/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-best-new-franchises-of-this-generation/ |url-status=live }} [Colin Moriarty](/source/Colin_Moriarty) stated that "the ''Mass Effect'' series is one of the defining video game franchises of [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|[the seventh] generation]]".{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcB-sCxa20 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/iPcB-sCxa20 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Mass Effect 2 PS3 Video Review|date=January 18, 2011|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Kyle Munkittrick from ''[Gizmodo](/source/Gizmodo)'' argued that ''Mass Effect'', based on several factors articulated in his article, is the most important science fiction universe of the contemporary generation.{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-mass-effect-is-the-most-important-science-fiction-u-5886178|title=Why Mass Effect is the Most Important Science Fiction Universe of Our Generation|author=Kyle Munkittrick|date=February 17, 2012|publisher=io9|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512170658/https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-mass-effect-is-the-most-important-science-fiction-u-5886178|url-status=live}} Patrick Carlson from ''[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)'' called ''Mass Effect'' one of the grandest and most personal science fiction epics across all mediums due to the successful combination of classic [space opera](/source/space_opera)'s best elements with an [RPG adventure structure](/source/role_playing_game) that "encourages both playful and serious challenges to traditional science fiction".{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/if-you-like-mass-effect-youll-also-like/|title=If you like Mass Effect you'll also like…|last=Carlson|first=Patrick|date=March 20, 2017|work=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)|access-date=February 2, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043206/https://www.pcgamer.com/if-you-like-mass-effect-youll-also-like/|url-status=live}} Cian Maher from ''TheGamer'' credited the series' well-written codex entries as playing an instrumental role in building "one of the most fascinating universes in the history of video games".{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/mass-effect-lore-codex-universe/|title=How Mass Effect Became One Of The Best Video Game Universes Ever Made|last=Maher|first=Cian|date=February 5, 2021|website=TheGamer|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513103633/https://www.thegamer.com/mass-effect-lore-codex-universe/|url-status=live}} upright|thumb|110px|The N7 emblem N7 Day is an informal commemorative day observed annually on November 7 by BioWare, Electronic Arts and ''Mass Effect'' fandom.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/11/06/mass-effect-fans-should-expect-big-news-for-n7-day/|title=Mass Effect fans should expect big news for 'N7 Day'|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|date=November 6, 2020|website=VentureBeat|access-date=May 17, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517142804/https://venturebeat.com/2020/11/06/mass-effect-fans-should-expect-big-news-for-n7-day/|url-status=live}} It originated as a marketing initiative by BioWare in 2012 to celebrate the ''Mass Effect'' media franchise.{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|date=September 27, 2012|title=Mass Effect Trilogy Set Announced|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/26/mass-effect-trilogy-set-announced|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=IGN|language=en|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115152842/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/26/mass-effect-trilogy-set-announced|url-status=live}} "N7" refers to Commander Shepard's in-universe military designation code worn on the character's armor: "N" is the classification for special forces and "7" is for Shepard's highly prestigious in-universe rank.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/mass-effect-n7-day-commander-shepard-bioware/|title=Mass Effect: What Is N7 Day?|last=Creswell|first=Jacob|date=October 19, 2020|website=CBR|access-date=May 17, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517142804/https://www.cbr.com/mass-effect-n7-day-commander-shepard-bioware/|url-status=live}} === Unofficial === The ''Mass Effect'' franchise has inspired a number of noteworthy [fan labor](/source/fan_labor)-driven works: *''Mass Effect: Assignment'' (2012) is a [fan film](/source/fan_film) set in the same timeline as the ''Mass Effect'' game series, but following a group of original characters. The film follows the story of two N7 Soldiers, Meer and Hale, who are hunting down Defoe, a smuggler whose cargo is of great interest to a lot of parties. The film was produced by filmmaking duo Sneaky Zebra and marks the first fan film set in the ''Mass Effect'' universe. The film features the unique element of being interactive much like the games series allowing the viewer to choose the path of the plot to four possible endings.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/this-fan-made-mass-effect-film-is-shaping-up-nicely-5865339|title=This Fan-Made Mass Effect Film is Shaping Up Nicely|publisher=Kotaku|date=December 5, 2011|access-date=October 2, 2012|archive-date=January 27, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127051744/http://kotaku.com/5865339/this-fan+made-mass-effect-film-is-shaping-up-nicely|url-status=live}} Three character-based teaser trailers were released in December via Machinima with the full short being released in February 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/21/mass-effect-fan-movie|title=Link to Wired.co.uk Article: Fans create interactive 'Mass Effect' film for YouTube|publisher=[Wired](/source/Wired_(magazine))|date=February 21, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505115715/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/21/mass-effect-fan-movie|archive-date=May 5, 2013|df=mdy-all}} *''Red Sand'' (2012) is a fan film that serves as a prequel to the ''Mass Effect'' series. It is set 35 years before the plot of the games and tells the story of the discovery of the ancient Prothean ruins of Mars. The film stars [Mark Meer](/source/Mark_Meer), voice of the male version of [Commander Shepard](/source/Characters_of_the_Mass_Effect_universe) in the games, as Colonel Jon Grissom. It was produced by the students and faculty of the Digital Video Program at the [University of Advancing Technology](/source/University_of_Advancing_Technology) in [Tempe, Arizona](/source/Tempe%2C_Arizona).{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/this-mass-effect-movie-actually-stars-the-real-commande-5885575|title=This Mass Effect Movie Actually Stars the Real Commander Shepard|publisher=Kotaku|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2012|archive-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712011451/http://kotaku.com/5885575/this-mass-effect-movie-actually-stars-the-real-commander-shepard|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/move-over-hollywood-mass-effect-fans-bring-game-film-792972|title=Move over Hollywood, Mass Effect fans bring game to film|publisher=[MSNBC](/source/MSNBC)|date=May 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906170519/http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/move-over-hollywood-mass-effect-fans-bring-game-film-792972|archive-date=September 6, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gameverse.com/2012/05/23/holy-mark-meer-batman-red-sand-looks-amazing/|title=Holy Mark Meer, Batman! Red Sand Looks Amazing!|publisher=Gameverse|date=May 23, 2012|access-date=May 24, 2012|archive-date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731102224/http://www.gameverse.com/2012/05/23/holy-mark-meer-batman-red-sand-looks-amazing/|url-status=live}} *''Mass Effect: Pick Your Path'' (2012) is an interactive fiction novel written by Mike Kayatta that runs parallel to the events of ''Mass Effect 2''. It follows the exploits of an unnamed Citadel merchant who chases Commander Shepard around the galaxy to gain an endorsement for his shop. Encouraged by The Illusive Man for unknown reasons, the merchant becomes haplessly entangled with the dangerous aftermath of Shepard's various adventures. The story, considered similar to the [Choose Your Own Adventure](/source/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure) series of books, features the same choice-driven format of the games, allowing the reader to choose between "paragon" or "renegade" actions, drastically affect the ending, and even romance a selection of unique party members. The full story was published by [The Escapist](/source/The_Escapist_(magazine)) in March 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9514-Pick-Your-Path-Mass-Effect|title=Mass Effect: Pick Your Path|publisher=Escapist Magazine|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-date=May 1, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120501232345/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9514-Pick-Your-Path-Mass-Effect|url-status=live}} ===Controversies=== {{see also|Mass Effect (video game)#Controversy|Controversies surrounding Mass Effect 3}} The ''Mass Effect'' series has been the subject of several major [video game controversies](/source/video_game_controversies). A [cutscene](/source/Mass_Effect_(video_game)) from the first ''Mass Effect'', which contains depictions of partial [nudity](/source/nudity) and sexual activity, was accused by conservative media outlets of being obscene content in late 2007. Controversy over the cutscene, especially one version which depicts a potential intimate scene between [Liara T'Soni](/source/Liara_T'Soni) and a female Commander Shepard, attracted at least one instance of government scrutiny, which led to the game being briefly banned in [Singapore](/source/Singapore).{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mass-effect-banned-in-singapore|title=Mass Effect banned in Singapore|author=Phil Elliot|date=November 15, 2007|work=Gamesindustry|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011547/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mass-effect-banned-in-singapore|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/singapore-unbans-mass-effect/1100-6183016/ |title=Singapore unbans Mass Effect |author=Emma Boyes |date=November 16, 2007 |website=[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot) |access-date=October 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317132439/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/singapore-unbans-mass-effect/1100-6183016/ |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |url-status=live}} The controversy prompted an intervention from BioWare management into the development of ''Mass Effect 2'' to remove planned same sex romantic content for companion characters like [Jacob Taylor](/source/Jacob_Taylor) and [Jack](/source/Jack_(Mass_Effect)).{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-2-nearly-had-another-gay-romance-option-with-jacob-taylor-according-to-ex-bioware-animator/|title=Mass Effect 2 nearly had another gay romance option with Jacob Taylor, according to ex-BioWare animatore|author=Alyssa Mercante|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2021|work=[GamesRadar](/source/GamesRadar)|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206050156/https://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-2-nearly-had-another-gay-romance-option-with-jacob-taylor-according-to-ex-bioware-animator/|url-status=live}} Although ''Mass Effect 3'' garnered critical acclaim like its predecessors, [controversy surrounded its release](/source/Controversies_surrounding_Mass_Effect_3). The most notable incident involved the public's reaction and refusal to accept the game's (and the trilogy's) ending.{{cite web |title='Mass Effect 3' Fans Petition For New Game Ending |date=March 12, 2012 |url=https://gamerant.com/mass-effect-3-game-ending-fan-petition/ |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206195221/https://gamerant.com/mass-effect-3-game-ending-fan-petition/ |url-status=live }} Several players organized themselves around internet campaigns to demand a better ending to the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17444719|title=Mass Effect campaign demands new ending to series|date=March 20, 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903192617/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17444719|archive-date=September 3, 2012|url-status=live}} Both the US [Federal Trade Commission](/source/Federal_Trade_Commission) and the British [Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)](/source/Advertising_Standards_Authority_(United_Kingdom)) received complaints alleging that BioWare misled consumers under existing law which governs product advertising and consumer rights.{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118223-BioWare-Reaps-Forgiveness-From-FTC-Complainant|title=BioWare Reaps Forgiveness From FTC Complainant|date=July 2, 2012|magazine=[The Escapist](/source/The_Escapist_(magazine))|last=Chalk|first=Andy|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122062149/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118223-BioWare-Reaps-Forgiveness-From-FTC-Complainant|archive-date=January 22, 2013|url-status=live|access-date=July 2, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Mass Effect 3 ending complaints rejected by ASA|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/mass-effect-3-ending-complaints-rejected-by-asa/|work=MCV Staff|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124135732/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/mass-effect-3-ending-complaints-rejected-by-asa/|url-status=live}} BioWare later released an "extended cut" patch which would expand upon, but not replace, the endings of ''Mass Effect 3''.{{cite web|url=http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut/|title=Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut|author=darklarke|work=bioware.com|date=April 5, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2014|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709062611/http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/21/mass-effect-3-new-ending-incoming|title=Mass Effect 3: New Ending Incoming|work=IGN|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424132706/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/21/mass-effect-3-new-ending-incoming|url-status=live}} BioWare also faced accusations of unethical business practices over its handling of the release for the ''[Mass Effect 3: From Ashes](/source/Mass_Effect_3%3A_From_Ashes)'' DLC pack,{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/part-of-mass-effects-controversial-day-one-dlc-is-on-th-5892307|title=Part of Mass Effect's Controversial Day-One DLC is on the Disc, Video Alleges [UPDATE]|publisher=Kotaku|author=Owen Good|date=March 11, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304163136/https://kotaku.com/part-of-mass-effects-controversial-day-one-dlc-is-on-th-5892307|url-status=live}} as well as potential [conflict of interest](/source/conflict_of_interest) over video game media personality [Jessica Chobot](/source/Jessica_Chobot)'s involvement in ''[Mass Effect 3](/source/Mass_Effect_3)''.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/13/4661472/jessica-chobot-daylight|title=Jessica Chobot: stepping into Daylight|publisher=[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))|author=Charlie Hall|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519045041/https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/13/4661472/jessica-chobot-daylight|url-status=live}} Other noteworthy controversies surrounding the series include [public outrage over the alleged link](/source/Video_game_controversies) between the series' [in-game combat violence](/source/Violence_and_video_games) to the perpetrator of the [Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting](/source/Sandy_Hook_Elementary_School_shooting), which was later debunked;Ashcraft B. [https://kotaku.com/mob-blames-mass-effect-for-school-shooting-is-embarras-5968683 "Mob blames mass effect for school shooting, is embarrassingly wrong"]. ''Kotaku'' 15 December 2012.{{cite news |url=https://ideas.time.com/2012/12/20/sandy-hook-shooting-video-games-blamed-again/ |title=Sandy Hook Shooting: Video Games Blamed, Again |magazine=Time |last=Ferguson |first=Christopher J. |date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111231223/http://ideas.time.com/2012/12/20/sandy-hook-shooting-video-games-blamed-again/ |url-status=live }} the [appropriation](/source/Appropriation_(art)) of [assets from ''Mass Effect 2''](/source/Illusive_Man) into a [propaganda video](/source/Propaganda_through_media) to support [the 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump_2016_presidential_campaign), which was [promoted by Trump's social media accounts](/source/Social_media_use_by_Donald_Trump) shortly before it was taken down over claims of [copyright infringement](/source/copyright_infringement) by publisher EA;{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/04/04/donald-trump-promotes-over-top-video/82622724/|title=Trump promotes perhaps the most over-the-top campaign video in American history|publisher=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)|author=Donovan Slack|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205070825/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/04/04/donald-trump-promotes-over-top-video/82622724/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/04/ea-trumps-trump-ad-takes-down-supporters-retweeted-mass-effect-video/|title=EA trumps Trump ad, takes down supporter's retweeted Mass Effect video|publisher=[Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica)|author=Kyle Orland|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517023754/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/04/ea-trumps-trump-ad-takes-down-supporters-retweeted-mass-effect-video/|url-status=live}} and reactions to the portrayal and representation of [women](/source/Gender_representation_in_video_games) as well as sexual minorities.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-do-you-hate-mass-effect-3/1100-6365175/ |title=Why Do You Hate Mass Effect 3? |author=Kevin VanOrd |website=[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot) |access-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111214806/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-do-you-hate-mass-effect-3/1100-6365175/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.straight.com/blogra/mass-effect-3-goes-gay-lesbian-and-gay-sex-scenes-spark-debate|title=Mass Effect 3 goes gay: Lesbian and gay sex scenes spark debate|author=Craig Takeuchi|date=March 9, 2012|work=[The Georgia Straight](/source/The_Georgia_Straight)|access-date=March 19, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320181031/https://www.straight.com/blogra/mass-effect-3-goes-gay-lesbian-and-gay-sex-scenes-spark-debate|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/bioware-apologizes-for-mass-effect-andromedas-hainly-abrams-character/|title=BioWare apologizes for Mass Effect: Andromeda's Hainly Abrams character|author=Andy Chalk|date=April 5, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2021|work=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514153008/https://www.pcgamer.com/bioware-apologizes-for-mass-effect-andromedas-hainly-abrams-character/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mic.com/articles/173100/mass-effect-andromeda-news-bio-ware-might-finally-be-taking-its-queer-fanbase-seriously#.8ELLy2XIj|title='Mass Effect: Andromeda' News: BioWare might finally be taking its queer fanbase seriously|author=Tim Mulkerin|date=April 5, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2021|work=[Mic](/source/Mic_(media_company))|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302111254/https://www.mic.com/articles/173100/mass-effect-andromeda-news-bio-ware-might-finally-be-taking-its-queer-fanbase-seriously#.8ELLy2XIj|url-status=live}} {{clear}} == References == {{reflist|30em|group=note}} == Further reading == *{{Cite news |last=Broadwell |first=Josh |date=2025-11-07 |title=They just don't make space operas like Mass Effect anymore |url=https://www.polygon.com/mass-effect-space-opera-sci-fi-games/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Polygon |language=en}} == External links == {{Commons category}} {{Wikiquote|Mass Effect|Mass Effect}} * {{Official website|https://www.ea.com/games/mass-effect}} {{MassEffect}} {{Bioware games}} {{Electronic Arts}} {{Portal bar|Video games|Speculative fiction}} Category:Mass Effect Category:Action role-playing video games Category:Apocalyptic video games Category:Video games about alien invasions Category:Electronic Arts franchises Category:Military science fiction video games Category:Milky Way in fiction Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Romance video games Category:Science fiction video games Category:Space opera video games Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2007 Category:Video game franchises Category:Science fiction franchises Category:Video games about ancient astronauts Category:Video games about artificial intelligence Category:Video games adapted into comics Category:Video games adapted into novels Category:Video games set in the 22nd century Category:Video games set on fictional planets Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life Category:Video games set in the future --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mass Effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.