PS3 Doesn’t Need Mass Effect, Mass Effect Doesn’t Need PS3
A rumor that is consistently pressed upon the gaming community is the release of the Mass Effect series on the PlayStation 3 platform. Retailer listings have appeared for a PS3 version of the game, adding fuel to the already aggressively hot rumor that the current Microsoft exclusive series would eventually make its way to PS3. When the rumors finally fizzled out, PS3 code was found in the PC version of the game re-igniting fanboy flames. It’s certainly possible that Mass Effect 2 could come to PlayStation 3, but at the moment, it looks unlikely.
After all this talk about Mass Effect on the PS3, a recent article hit the web stating why Mass Effect needed the PS3, and vice versa. So, let me put it clearly: PS3 doesn’t need Mass Effect, and Mass Effect doesn’t need PS3.
Disclaimer: This editorial expresses the views of the Author and is not a representative of the views of PlayStation LifeStyle as a whole.
The original Mass Effect released in 2007, one year into the famous Xbox 360/Wii/PS3 console war. It was the first BioWare title of the next generation of consoles, and 4 years since its last science fiction title. Mass Effect received rave reviews, complimenting its incredible graphics and fantastic storytelling. And with that, the rumors began to swirl. Why is it that a fantastic title such as Mass Effect, a Microsoft exclusive title, has to come to another platform? Can it not just stick to one?
I’d like to stick out this quote from Now Gamer article PS3 Needs Mass Effect, Mass Effect Needs PS3, which was:
“What’s stopping EA? Nothing, as far as we know. They are as big a fan of PS3 as any other publisher. So maybe it’s BioWare, who want to keep things exclusive to one console for the sake of… not… making money?”
We should point out right now that we have absolutely no idea what is happening behind the scenes with BioWare, EA, and Microsoft. Perhaps EA and BioWare do not wish to release Mass Effect because they risk losing money rather than earning it. By now, when you think of Xbox 360 and its titles, Mass Effect is near the top of that list.
When I think of that snippet from the above article, the first example that comes to mind is Metal Gear Solid 4 and the rumors saying it would release for the Xbox 360. Well, what was stopping Kojima Productions and its publisher Konami? Nothing. Why would they like to keep that game exclusive, instead of possibly making more money releasing an Xbox 360 version? Kojima Productions respects their fans. When they say something is exclusive, they stick to their word, and it seems BioWare does as well.
I believe we are mature enough to admit that 2007 was not the best year for the PS3. In that year, PS3 gamers were ridiculed for not having any games, and instead watching Blu-Ray movies. To be honest, that was true to a certain degree. We did not have many titles to choose from. However, most of the games we could choose from were multiplatform games, such as Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, and Assassin’s Creed. But along with those multiplatform titles, new IPs were introduced exclusively on PS3. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is a shining example of this, and was direct competition to Mass Effect which released the exact same day.
A lot has changed now. Former exclusive titles have made their way over to the PS3 (GTAIV DLC cough, cough), and the system has certainly started to pick up in sales. 2009 was a huge year for the system; the PS3 was re-launched and re-branded, complete with a redesign aiming to lower costs, which Sony then past on to the consumers with a new, reduced price of $299. The PS3 even got a new logo and new advertising push, and thus, our man-crush on VP of Everything PlayStation, Kevin Butler was born. Then, the icing on the cake, Uncharted 2–the Game of the Year- was released-exclusively on PS3. Uncharted 2 was a landmark for games, and raised the line of storytelling and graphics significantly. It would be three months before Mass Effect 2 hit stores, prompting fans of both systems to battle it out. Both games, as of right now, are at the same level of scores on Metacritic. Both titles have raised the bar for storytelling, gameplay, and graphics. Both games are fantastic, period.
The PS3 does not need Mass Effect. The PlayStation 3 has hundreds of great titles to choose from, and mature gamers can agree that it doesn’t matter if the Mass Effect series is added to that list. Mass Effect does not need PS3. The Mass Effect series is incredibly successful on Xbox 360 and PC, and doesn’t need a transition to PS3. If EA and BioWare decide that Mass Effect shouldn’t get a release on PS3, it wouldn’t matter, they would still make a lot of money. Simply put, we don’t need Mass Effect, and Mass Effect doesn’t need us.
18 Responses to “PS3 Doesn’t Need Mass Effect, Mass Effect Doesn’t Need PS3”
I don’t need mass effect either. That game is not good in my opinion. Rather have the PS3 exclusives compared to the 360 exclusives. They don’t have anything really, that is compared to PS3 exclusives. I guarantee if PS3 came out first, no one would have a 360. That is the only reason people have them. I was a 360 guy. Bought a PS3 and fell in love. Way better in every way. My xbox 360 is sold and I will never play that again, not even the next console they bring out.
I have both consoles this generation. Thank God, just having only one of the two sucks. Though I play my PS3 far more than my 360, I’ll probably buy Mass Effect 2 sometime down the line…
I beat Mass Effect 2 and enjoyed it a lot, but PS3 definitely doesn’t need it. Xbox 360 is the one that needs it.
True PS3 doesn’t need Mass Effect and vice versa. But if Bioware releases it on PS3 I would most likely get it. But we have guys like Nathan Drake, Kratos, and others I can’t think of right now. So I’m not jealous of xbox 360 owners.
I have both consoles as well. Though for the past couple months my 360 has been collecting a lot of dust. To be honest I unplugged it and put in my PS2 in its place. Why…because the new PS3′s are not backward’s compatible. Other than that…I have ME 1 as well. I just for some reason can’t seem to get past say the second planet. Just don’t have the patience to wade through all that…the game just doesn’t do it for me. Though I can admit its a great game, just not one for me. I’d even still consider getting ME 2. And as for Bioware…I loved DAO…beat that game in 3 days…nonstop.
But the author is right, just seems like the 360 has been on hibernate mode for a bit, makes you wonder what they have up their sleeve.
I agree with Massi. The PS3 does not need Mass Effect and being that Mass Effect is on PC, and every PS3 owner also owns a PC, they it is potentially available to everyone who would want to play it (Of course, your PC has to be powerful enough). Really the PS3 doesn’t need any of the 360 exclusives because they all become available on PC eventually. The XBox 360 actually does need most PS3 exclusives just because they have no other outlet to play them. If you don’t own a PS3, you can’t play its exclusives, it’s pretty simple.
They don’t need ME, but ME DOES need the PS3. Also, if ME DOES come to the PS3, PS3 fans would GLADLY welcome it. So Bioware, don’t think that just because this article exists, that they “or gamers like me) wouldn’t buy it if you ported it.
hello …
i always said that the best combo is PS3 & Monster PC (best gaming machine in terms of power, but expensive).
like some said, Xbox360 exclusive are rarely Xbox ONLY, they are MS Exclusive so come also on Windows.
I’m not against the Xbox360 or MS, but have a higher preference for SONY exclusives & being a former (no lah, i’m still) PC gamer, so i have the best of both worlds .. LOL!
I bought ME1 off steam during holiday sales, but never downloaded it, i don’t even have a new machine that can run it, i’m waiting for Diablo III to be released to build one, for now i rarely play on my old rig & mostly for Diablo II LOD.
If ME would come to PS3, i may buy them both but if not, i don’t care, if it works fine on PC, i’ll get that version & anyhow would always be the better version.
So yes, we don’t need ME on PS3, not the bad way, but it’s not necessary, if we get it, may be OK but if the developer said was exclusive they’d better keep their words, for i’m sure we wouldn’t like the other way round. We already faced such issues with next MGS, Tekken & FFXIII …
cheers!
I partially agree with what you said, but I still need to play Mass Effect 2 on my PS3. Mass Effect 2 is one of the best games yet, I know there’s a lot of great games coming to PS3 this year but a title like Mass Effect 2 shouldn’t be missed by gamers. I don’t care about rumors whether it’s coming on PS3 or not, I’ll be waiting for the official announcements from EA and BioWare.
Own both UCs and a 360 and ME plus GW2 but I’m not gonna buy ME2, might rent it but after gettin the system and serious looking at it’s graphics capablities compared to the PS3. I’m just not impressed. I’m finally playing GW2 and I’m just not feeling it like I did Uncharted 1, and it’s their second attempted. Resistanse 2 and KZ2 are just on a different level graphically and I can’t see where the arguement comparing Gears to those games. They look soo much better and people for some reason sided with Gears.With that said, who can ME2 do anything to graphically touch games like KZ2 and UC2. Maybe the PC version but the 360 is just not on their level in soo many ways. If they built it up from the both and really put effort in pushing the graphics to meet the PS3′s standard then maybe I’d pick it up for the PS3. If not then they should just forget it and moving on with the 360. Do give me some Fallout3 effort and expect me to be impressed. All this is story aside just visually. That be said, don’t try to say that after watchin Blu Ray movies that DVD still does it for you, but cause all us PS3 owners now that it doesn’t. I’m at the point where I’m just gonna hook my 360 back up to a standard TV because hidef just highlights the imperfections of their games lower grade.
Side note what’s up with me having to install all my games so I can hear myself think, that just screams halfassed design on Microsoft behalf.
Sorry, but the PC needs Mass Effect…not the consoles. Played it on the 360 and the PC and the PC version is superior.
@Robotron if the pc has better hardware(if u ave the money) than the xbox no shit its going to be better.
I can live without mass effect.
Uhhhh Hey guys……You know we don’t NEED video games in general. I’m pretty sure the question about mass effect 2 was never if we needed it or it needed us, I’m positive from the beginning people have played games because they’re fun and not because they need to.
The comment about MGS4 not coming to XBox is a little weird… I’d say there are 50GB worth of reasons that it didn’t happen. Even if you compress the hell out of that, how many disks would it be? Five? I really can’t see that happening – that would be an embarrassment to MS, really.
I played ME1 on a PC and it was ok. The story was good but I found the gameplay pretty empty. I thought I would want ME2 a lot more than do now that it is out, I have to admit.
I’m sure it would be possible for Metal Gear Solid 4 to come to Xbox 360, just look at Final Fantasy XIII.
PS3 does not need the Mass Effect franchise but havint it will increase sales. What the PS3 really needs is more Exclusives titles specialy new IP’s, for some reason I dont get Sony let go some of their best third party’s developers games on PS2 (resident evil,grand theft auto,final fantasy…). if those games were only for PS3 the story for XBOX 360 will be diferent.