Thank the Enkindlers! Encompassing an entire galaxy's worth of alien beings, uncharted worlds and tattooed psychopaths, Mass Effect's bible doesn't exactly make for light reading. "We probably spent 6-12 months with a team of designers, artists and so on doing concepting, world building, design and character iteration, timelines, and the history of the universe," BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka recently told IGN. The "IP bible" is consulted for all Mass Effect games, he explained, comparing it to an "iceberg that's down there, giving it weight and gravity, credibility and depth."
Echoing earlier statements made by BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk, Muzyka pointed to the franchise's considerable backstory as a viable source for "future extensions, ancillary products, things like that." Things like that may include spin-offs like Mass Effect: Galaxy for iPhone, novels, further expansions to Mass Effect 2, and, obviously, Mass Effect 3.
Sadly, if there's one thing the Mass Effect bible can't teach us, it's the virtue of patience. Who wouldn't kill for the next part of the trilogy right now?
Reader Comments (72)
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 2:53PM Mmmmz said
You're silly.
GOOFBALLS SILLY!!!
Besides, you think people won't shut up about Final Fantasy XIII or Gran Turismo when it comes out?
There is no bias and this is a very solid game. Get over yourself. You'll be happier.
GOOFBALLS SILLY!!!
Besides, you think people won't shut up about Final Fantasy XIII or Gran Turismo when it comes out?
There is no bias and this is a very solid game. Get over yourself. You'll be happier.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 2:55PM (Unverified) said
Well, I guess it's not mandatory that you stay a virgin with this, but a side-effect.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 2:56PM aristokrat said
You were a lousy judge too, so I'm not surprised you're blind to this.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 2:57PM (Unverified) said
You, sir, are a blight.
(If you get the reference I'll
(If you get the reference I'll
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:03PM Vcize said
Did I just enter some crazy world where KotoR, Dragon Age, and Baldure's Gate (among others) don't exist?
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:06PM RKN said
Sucks that 3 probably won't be out for another 2 years. So as I play 1/2 now, I'll have to play them again before 3 comes out to remember everything.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:07PM Alan Smithee said
Filthy thinks Dragon Age is terrible, probably because it doesn't hold his hand.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 4:39PM (Unverified) said
that is literally the exact opposite of why I didn't like it
you have 5 minutes to admit Dragon Age is terrible before I add you to the list of NSF casualties
Reply
you have 5 minutes to admit Dragon Age is terrible before I add you to the list of NSF casualties
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 5:36PM TheDarkWayne said
i have no idea what the NSF casualties are, but Dragon Age was awesome god dammit
Reply
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 6:59PM (Unverified) said
its great if you like really dumb baby RPGs I guess
Reply
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:08PM MonkeyPunch said
Yes, I'm afraid I'd kill for the next Mass Effect :[
gimme gimme gimme
(watch someone in the media pick up on that comment... next headline: "gamers deranged enough to want to kill to get their next game...")
gimme gimme gimme
(watch someone in the media pick up on that comment... next headline: "gamers deranged enough to want to kill to get their next game...")
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:08PM Alan Smithee said
@nerdy
You make that sound like a punishment...
You make that sound like a punishment...
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:23PM tensider said
Since Green Ronin has already done the Dragon Age RPG, I hope they could also get the license to do the same with the Mass Effect universe.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 3:56PM WiNGSPANTT from TopTierTacticsco said
I'm Commander Shepard and the Mass Effect Bible is my favorite religious text on the Citadel.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 4:40PM (Unverified) said
Hey everyone! This post discriminates against the poor!
Reply
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 4:41PM WiNGSPANTT from TopTierTacticsco said
Dude shut up and go fi-ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL
Reply
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 4:43PM (Unverified) said
*stabs you in the back*
You're working too hard. B)
Reply
You're working too hard. B)
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 4:13PM Rocket Raccoon said
Ugh... I was hoping this would be a Mass Effect encyclopedia like they have for Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel and DC. :(
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 5:38PM TheDarkWayne said
I'm not sure what to think about their "ancillary product" thing. On one hand, mass effect is really really incredible, so there's a good chance the stuff could be great, but on the other, it's nice to actually have a story conclude. I mean, having the Emperor die at the end of Return of the Jedi is a lot better than having him come back as a clone and then pretty much conquer the galaxy all over again like the books had it do.
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 7:59PM likedamaster said
When it's from an Epic franchise, it's referred to as "bible".
Posted: Feb 8th 2010 8:24PM (Unverified) said
no, it's just a term for the book of rules/lore establishing any given universe in fiction
there's a Fallout bible, for example. has some interesting stuff in it too.
Reply
there's a Fallout bible, for example. has some interesting stuff in it too.
Posted: Feb 9th 2010 3:28AM 2space said
I want to thank all of you for making me. It was in 2046 that I first was programmed into cell code by Bioware as an example of what could be done in D.oQ-gaming (a term I will not disclose here, for your own good). After 2011 the franchise grew even further and by 2019, it had become the biggest in the history of what we call the pre-structural media era. In 2108 my code was picked up by a cog mixer (cognitive remix analyzer) and coupled with the then new tissue printer in an experiment conducted by Mass Effect fanatics, that's how I was born and through technology, you'll understand I wouldn't disclose, I'm happy I finally made the step towards all you people, so thank you, I will always be grateful.
Take care of your planet.
Shepard
Take care of your planet.
Shepard
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