shinobi602
Member
The original X05 reveal trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVF8Mpte0Ww
E3 2006 Gameplay Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwnWo4_Yjx0
X06 Caleston Gameplay Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRNG4Lhbj4k
E3 2007 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqmJJIbOjl4
Launch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqBpRJ7qgaM
One of the most well crafted and cinematic games of its time (and my personal best game of all time), Mass Effect, was revealed to the industry on October 4th, 2005 at Microsoft's X05 event in Amsterdam as BioWare's first next-generation RPG on the Xbox 360. It went on to become one of the most well-received games (and series as a whole) of last generation, scoring a 91 on Metacritic. By late 2006 and leading into 2007, this was probably the most excited I've ever been for a video game, and that still stands today.
The original press release read:
"Set 200 years in the future in an epic universe, "Mass Effect" places gamers in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue. A spectacular new vision from legendary developers BioWare, "Mass Effect" challenges players to lead a squad of freedom fighters as they struggle against threatening armies to restore peace in the land. "Mass Effect" is the first in a trilogy of games with an overarching story, where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity."
Some old links for nostalgia:
-Gamespot: New 360 games unveiled at X05
The next trailer unveiled a new, all-original title from developer BioWare, the role-playing game specialists best known for Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Titled Mass Effect, it will be a real-time RPG, a la Jade Empire, set in a science-fiction universe. It puts gamers into the role of the first human member of Specter, a group sworn to uphold peace in the galaxy. Gamers will lead a squad as they protect the universe, through tyrannical or humanitarian means, from a former Specter agent and his new sinister army. Battles will take place between a variety of combatants, from alien beings to mechanical enemies.
In addition to progressing through the main story, users will also be able to explore alien worlds, uncovering new life forms, technologies, and archaic civilizations.
-Microsoft: The countdown for Xbox 360 begins at X05
-Engadget: BioWare's Mass Effect revealed--exclusive trilogy
During an X05 press conference, Microsoft revealed the identity of BioWare's previously undisclosed Xbox 360 project. What was widely believed to be Jade Empire 2, turned out to be Mass Effect, the first title in a trilogy of games that will be exclusive to the Xbox 360. Mass Effect is set 200 years in the future in a vast inter-galactic universe threatened by a legendary agent gone rogue. Players will lead a group of freedom fighters in an effort to save—what else—the universe. The trilogy will focus on the conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence.
-1UP: BioWare reveals its next big original game (think KOTOR)
Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but the end result proved untrue: There is no Jade Empire 2 in the works -- as far as we know. But Xbox and Microsoft devotees Bioware did announce Mass Effect, their first Xbox 360 game at the X05 conference in Amsterdam with a brief teaser. The trailer was short, but showed promise of new sci-fi worlds to explore and alien races to, presumably, slay.
-Eurogamer: Bioware's Mass Effect for X360
Microsoft and Bioware have announced a brand new Xbox 360-exclusive RPG at the X05 event in Amsterdam. It's called Mass Effect, and it was just shown off at Microsoft's mammoth press conference, which has now concluded. It's the first game in a trilogy with an overarching story "where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity."
It's set in the 23rd century and exclusive to the platform. Microsoft says it places gamers "in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue". Players get to lead a squad of freedom fighters struggling to restore peace. A short trailer was also shown. Bioware, of course, was the developer responsible for the two Knights of the Old Republic Star Wars RPGs that helped give the Xbox real credibility in that genre, as well as the more recent Jade Empire
Pre-Release Screenshots (2005 era)
2006 Screenshots
2007 Screenshots
If you remember this time, how did you feel about it? What got you excited the most? Share some of your thoughts or memories about the game, or X05 in general. It was a very exciting time to be a gamer.