Mass Effect Release Date Announced

Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare issued a press release this afternoon announcing that Mass Effect will ship to retailers on November 20th.

Critically-Acclaimed RPG “Mass Effect” Begins Epic Journey to Retailers on November 20

One of the hottest and most anticipated video games of the year will open up whole new worlds to explore this holiday, exclusively on Xbox 360

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (August 30, 2007) Today, Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) “Mass Effect” will ship to retailers throughout North America on November 20, 2007. The recipient of more than 50 awards, including the 2007 Game Critics Awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best RPG” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo last month in Los Angeles, “Mass Effect” is poised to become the must-play RPG of 2007.

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire,” comes an epic space saga for Xbox 360 that spans the entire galaxy. Combining RPG and tactical action elements, “Mass Effect” offers an engaging mix of gameplay set against a deep, multi-directional story.

“With ‘Mass Effect,’ BioWare is delivering an incredible next-gen gaming odyssey. Our fans will journey through a vast, futuristic universe as they are challenged to make impactful decisions that will determine the very fate of the galaxy,” said Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer, BioWare Corp. Added Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare Corp., “The best games bring players into an immersive, realistic world that is fun to explore from beginning to end. We’ve achieved that in ‘Mass Effect’ by putting the player at the center of a compelling, cinematic storyline full of realistic characters and hundreds of exciting locations.”

Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GameStop Corporation commented that, “Only a handful of video games redefine their genres, and judging from the excitement and demand we’ve seen from fans, ‘Mass Effect’ for Xbox 360 is one that can bring role-playing games to a broader audience through its beautifully realistic graphics and cinematic, emotionally charged gameplay experience.”

“Mass Effect” will have an estimated retail price of $59.99 and is rated “M” for “Mature” by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.masseffect.com.

About BioWare
BioWare Corp®. is an electronic entertainment company which develops computer, console, handheld and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare® has created some of the world’s best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur’s Gateâ„¢ and Neverwinter Nightsâ„¢ series, as well as the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢. Original BioWare-created IPs include the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empireâ„¢, with next-generation titles Mass Effectâ„¢ and Dragon Ageâ„¢ currently in development. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is also hard at work on several unannounced projects including a massively multiplayer online game. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.

About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®”; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®” and “Forza Motorsport®”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”

To celebrate the announcement, BioWare has added five new screenshots to the game’s official website.