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We reported over the weekend, when speculation was wild of Mass Effect’s soon-to-be gold status, that we could expect an announcement from BioWare in the next few days. Turns out, we didn’t have to wait long as BioWare today has announced that Mass Effect, the already critically acclaimed RPG from BioWare, has gone gold.

I can imagine many are psyched over this. As for me… well, I reserved this game last month, and already have a weekend set aside to hunker down and play from start to finish, only stopping to eat, utilize and shower.

Spacefarers Rejoice! Mass Effect Goes Gold, Limited Collector’s Edition and Exclusive Pre-Order Bonus Disc Unveiled

Fans of this year’s hottest RPG - available exclusively on Xbox 360 - can get their hands on unique and collectible content by pre-ordering Mass Effect at participating U.S. retailers

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (October 22, 2007) - Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) Mass Effect has gone gold, and will be offered in a limited collector’s edition. Additionally, an exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order the game. The bonus disc is available at participating U.S. retailers while supplies last.

The limited collector’s edition will be offered through participating retailers, and will include the following bonus materials:

* A Mass Effect fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”
o A 36-page guide to the Mass Effect universe, including a Citadel timeline and a guide to all non-human races, biotics and the key locations in the Perseus arm of the galaxy
* An additional Mass Effect art book titled “A Future Imagined”
o A 36-page collection of BioWare’s concept art for the game
* A bonus DVD of exclusive Mass Effect background material and additional content including:
o “The Vision of Mass Effect documentary
o “The Making of Mass Effect documentary
o “Interactive Storytelling” documentary
o “Inside BioWare” documentary
o 18 Mass Effect themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six)
o 16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four)
o Ten songs from the Mass Effect soundtrack
o Five historical Mass Effect trailers from X05 through E3 2007 and the official TV trailer
o A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3″ and “Halo Wars”
o Design galleries featuring 600 concept images fully commented by the Art Directors

The exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order either edition of the game at participating retailers and will include the following contents:

* A short documentary on DVD introducing the game
* 12 Mass Effect themed gamer pics (two unique sets of six)
* Eight dashboard themes (two unique sets of four)
* Three songs from the Mass Effect soundtrack on a CD
* Four historical Mass Effect trailers from X05 through E3 2007 on DVD
* A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3″ and “Halo Wars”

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire comes an epic space saga exclusively for the Xbox 360 that spans the entire galaxy. Combining a rich and engaging narrative with intense sci-fi tactical combat, Mass Effect features an immersive and cinematic gameplay experience rarely seen before in video games.

Mass Effect will have an estimated retail price of $59.99, and the limited collector’s edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99. Mass Effect 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 Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, as well as the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Original BioWare-created IPs include the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire™, with next-generation titles Mass Effect™ and Dragon Age™ currently in development. Mass Effect will ship to retailers globally in November, 2007. The game has received more than 50 awards, including the 2007 Game Critics Awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best RPG” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is also hard at work on a new title for the Nintendo DS™ based on Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as 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, including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox and Xbox 360, including such games as Gears of War and franchises such as Halo, Fable®, Project Gotham Racing® and Forza Motorsport®; and MSN® Games, the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and Hexic®.

[BioWare]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, BioWare, Mass Effect, press release