Mass Effect 3 Confirmed Features Thread (Updated 14th June) - Farewell, old thread - General Discussion

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Platforms: PC, PS3, XBOX 360[15](simultaneous release)/IPhone/iPod Touch ?
Price: 60$
Box Art: TBA
Distributor: Electronic Arts
Release Date: NA: 6 March 2012, EU: 9 March 2012

COUNTDOWN TO RELEASE DATE

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

14th June.- Russian version added, Shepard's background matters 93,note about helmets added 94, more squad banter promise 95.
10th June.- The Citadel will be a playable area 92, the geth will listen to Shepard, whose previous actions will have a
bearing on whether Shep can "leverage them to help against the Reapers. 92
9th June.- New info from EA Live Stream with Jesse Houston 91, weapon customization, PC specs, squad armour and stats. New countdown clock, Anderson will be staying on Earth? 91 Multiple missions on Tuchanka. 91, new screenshots added to the gallery. New gameplay video.
8th June.- One new screenshot added to the gallery, an HD of an earlier one as well.
7th June. - New screens added to gallery.
7th June. - European release date announced, Uber Edition cancelled 91, Occulus appear in-game 90.
7th June.- Anderson will be a temporary squadmate, the Normandy can do airstrikes from now and then. 90
6th June.- ME3 will support Kinect 87, but it is not required 88. By pressing 'Y', the camera turns in mini-cutscenes 90. Centurions hold shields, which affect enemy tactics. Shepard says that Cerberus troops are indoctrinated. 90 Two gameplay videos added.
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5th June.- Preston Watamaniak: Shepard will have access to all of his personal effects from ME2, the questions is, where are they? 87
4th June.- A lot of clarifications and new information, source # 86, read the original source here. Big part of the thread updated accordingly.
2nd June.- At one point in the game, you will have to escort a Krogan princess off Sur'Kesh, the Salarian Homeworld.She is important for uniting Tuchanka. Mordin Solus and Wrex will help. If you didn't play any of the DLC, ME3 assumes that the events happened. Liara is the new Shadow Broker, and Shepard is on trial back on Earth.A tech-blade is the unique killing blow for Soldiers."Blades of psionic energy" are the unique killing blow for Adepts.Grenades are making a return. 84, 85. 3 new screenshots added.
2nd June.- Rumour: Mass Effect 3 to support Kinect? 83
31st May.- Christina Norman says that "Shepard will have the ability to select a single bonus power, if you already have one it will replace the one you have". 82
30th May.- Preston Watamaniuk confirms a replacement for carnage 80, Christina Norman says that Every class will have a specific set of powers, including at least one new power, plus you can add a bonus power of your choice. 81

Read news from previous weeks here.

[
Mass Effect 3 Teaser
GameInfomer: The Sound Design of Mass Effect 3
GameInformer: Creating Garrus
Mass Effect 3 Earth Invasion Trailer
Mass Effect 3 Kinect Gameplay
EA Conference Footage
Spike TV Gameplay - Earth and Sur'Kesh

Forum Rules currently restrict us from posting magazine scans.
Screenshots Gallery (Last Update: 9th June)

Source Notes: [GI]=Game Informer, [ESP]=Spanish Magazine, [PS3M]=Official PlayStation 3 Magazine, [SM]=Swedish Magazine, [F360]=French XBOX 360 Magazine, [PCG]=PC Gamer, [OXM]= Official XBOX 360 Magazine, [XD]=Xbox 360 Dashboard

These features have been officially confirmed by the devs. While changes do occur during game development, chances are that you'll see them in-game.
Because of spoilers, the Story section has been moved in a seperate page. Click here to get to it.
The mining mini-game won’t be abandoned completely. [3]
The import feature will be present, with more variables than ME2 had. [4]
If your Shepard dies in ME2, you won't be able to import your save in ME3.[16]
ME3 was fully playable during Christmas (Possible 'Hardening' development stage? (4/5) ) [22]
If you don't import a save game a 'Previously on Mass Effect' comic will allow you to make major decisions. [30]
Skill trees to be larger. [30]
Powers to evolve more times than once. [30]
Weapon mods to make a return. Not all guns can support all kinds of mods. [30] [ESP] [86]
classes can wield all weapons, but only Soldiers can have all of them at once. The rest of the classes will have limited slots. [30]
No Multiplayer for ME3 [30]
Melee attacks will gain more focus [GI]
Shooting specific armor parts can have certain effects, and the AI of the enemies will have them routing Shepard and will coordinate with each other[GI]
Enemy Weapons may be used. Bioware is currently testing whether they should drop weapons or not. (June 2011) [GI] [86]
NG+ will be a hybrid of ME1's and ME2's. You can go back and finish some stuff in the post-game. [GI]
The cover system has been improved [GI]
You start out with the basic powers from ME2. [GI]
Various enemies have 'built-in' melee weapons. The Assault Troopers for example, will be equipped with 'shock sticks', Shepard will be unable to use them. [32]
Cerberus troops include: Troopers, Centurions, Phantoms, Guardians and Atlas. [86] [ESP]
Shepard can jump and roll [GU,ESP,OXM]
The Engineer can build turrets, which will distract but not 'decimate' the enemy. [ESP,PS3M]
There will be more items to loot [ESP]
In a few flame attack, Shepard uses his omni-tool to inflict a burn to the enemy. [PS3M] [86]
There will be a one-hit-kill melee attack, depending on your class. The engineer uses the aforementioned flame attack.[PS3M][PCG]
Directed energy weapons are around, one of them is a laser gun. They, may however, not be shipped because they are too expensive, performance-wise. [42] [86]
The Reaperised krogan (Brute) wears heavy plates, while the Reaperised asari (Banshee) "has a bit of a potbelly" [PCG] [86]
You can change the colour and camoflage of weapons. [OXM]
Partial Leaning has been introduced. [OXM] [86]
A female Cerberus operative that you'll face in the game, will be one of the most elite troops, but not a boss or a unique character. [45]
You can still dispatch squadmates to waypoints and have access to their class-based powers. [OXM]
You can shatter the glass of the Cerberus mech, Atlas, and throw the pilot out. [OXM]
New banter systems have been introduced [47]
You will be able to equip of remove helmets. [48]
Every weapon can be customized with up to five modifications. [XW]
Cover is still assigned to "A". [86]
You get to keep the weapons that you pick up, like ME2. [60]
You will be able to pilot the piloted mech, Atlus as long as you kill the pilot first.[62]
ME3 will use thermal clips, not ME1-style regeneratable ammo. [65]
ME3 will include heavy weapons. [66]
Just like ME2, squadmates will be using only 2 weapons. [70]
The powers of squadmates evolve as well. [71]
Interrupts are back, but with new "tech and methods". [72]
Squad weapons can be selected and customized. [73]
Ammo is fully replenished after every mission. [74]
You will have one heavy weapon, like in ME2, but there'll be more variety. 77
Most pistols reload quickly, hit harder, but have less ammo. [78]
You can reload while aiming out of cover. [79]
A tech-blade is the unique killing blow for Soldiers. [84]
"Blades of psionic energy" are the unique killing blow for Adepts. [84]
Grenades are making a return. [84]
Shepard will have access to all of his personal effects from ME2, the questions is, wher are they? [87]
ME3 will support Kinect [87], but it is not required. [88]
Guardians are holding shields, which affect the enemy's gameplay tactics. [90]
Graphical display of bars and values to the different attributes of weapons and abilities. [91]
Ammo powers will stay as 'powers' a la ME2. [91]
New ability shown in Garrus' talents tree called Proximity Mine. [91]
The Soldier class has a grenade power. [91]
[91]You will be able to change the colour and camo of your weapons.
Clint Mansell to join as a music composer. [23]
The PS3 version of ME2 will use parts of ME3's engine. [18]
The Normandy has been refitted [GI]
There will be multiple types of husks, human, turian, batarian, Rachni, Harvester and more [GI]
Mass Effect 3 will be using the same audio engine as ME2. [33]
Bioware partially co-operated with DICE in order to develop the sound effects. [33]
Reapers have different sizes, ranging from 500-600 meters of the smaller ships to the 2km for Harbinger [ESP]
Bioware is attempting to reach photorealism by trying out new lighting techniques [ESP]
Customization will be more extensive [PS3M]
Jack's appearance will be redesigned and will be more mature. [PS3M]
You won't be able to feel a sense of security, because the enviroment changes all the time. [38]][http://www.gameinfor...back-loop.aspx][38]
New designers have been working on some of the models. [SM]
Combat areas are now multi-layered. [PCG]
Abilities such as Concussive Blast will now take into account the ammo power you have added, so you can have a Cryo Concussive Blast [PCG]
Water physics in ME3 are advanced. [OXM]
Shepard armour will be different. [XW]
Bioware is attempting to achieve seamless loading. [49] [76]
Bioware has fixed limitations that hair had in the previous games. [52]
Removable helmets for some armours and conversations.[55]
You blow the top of a Husk's head off... but he keeps on coming. That makes the creature feel more relentless, and also makes it a little harder for you to get headshots on him.[67]
Improved technolodgy allows for longer hairstyles. [68]
ME3 will be using a heavily modified version of the Unreal 3, March 2010 edition. 75
By pressing 'Y', the camera turns in mini-cutscenes [90]
There will be more squad banter, possibly more than in any ME game. [95]
You can turn helmets on, off, and off in only conversations. [94]

Promises made by developers go here. While they may appear in-game, always remember that marketing works in strange ways, and that sometimes, devs can't do whatever they planned initially.
~~Uber-Collector’s edition will come with a special bonus item. [source rip]~~
The uber edition has been cancelled. [91]
Richer RPG elements[7]
Conversations will be more cinematic. [9]
Vehicle Based Exploration is currently considered and might return in ME3.[11]
Vanguard charge will 'definitely' be in ME3. [20]
Tricia Helfer, who voice acted as EDI in ME2, will be back for ME3. [25]
Mass Effect 3 will have big levels. [26]
Dr. Pepper DLC items to make a return in ME3 [27]
Seth Green to voice act Joker in Mass Effect 3. [28]
Music to be designed in very close co-operation with the game developers. [29]
ME3 will be more difficult than ME2 [GI]
The cinematic sense of scale will be greater. [GI]
Some squaddies will return as permament ones, while others as temporary. [GI]
The sound effects will be more immersive [33]
Game speed improved by 10-15%, you won't stay in cover for too long. [ESP]
Writers are discussion about how to resolve the Liara/Aethyta storyline in ME3. [34]
Cerberus Troops will include 'Phantoms' and 'Assasins' [PS3M]
The Vanguard will be the same, but improved. [36]
The Tech Armour will return, but the visuals may change. [36]
We will see more from RPG systems and customization, in the ME2 style. [http://www.gameinfor...ack-loop.aspx]][38]
You have more to buy in stores and loot. [http://www.gameinfor...ack-loop.aspx]][38]
Jack will be wearing a shirt, and her hair "won't be as shaved". [F360]
Mass Effect 3 will not end like a traditional war story (Kick enemy's ass, proceed to celebrations) [PS3M]
In ME3's story structure, the objective will not be clear, you will be gathering clues in order to solve a puzzle. [PS3M]
Bioware is hoping to add an audible effect on the modding system. [40]
Occlusion and obstruction of projectiles to be sorted out, audio-wise. [41]
Biotics are more potent in combat. [PCG]
All weapons from ME2 will return. [PCG]
Liara's AI in LotSB will help in writing squadmate AI in ME3 [43]
Changes based on the results of the heavy weapon poll may happen. [44]
ME3's economy will be much bigger and there will be more choices in weaponry and armour. (Casey Hudson's twitter)
ME3 will have a deeper exploration system. [XD]
There will be intros to LIs for new players, and a final resolution for previous romances. [46]
Bioware is trying new ways to build more of an emotional connection to Shepard's experience as they head to the finale. [51]
ME3 is aimed to have the same length as ME2, but with more replayability. [53]
All weapons will be available in ME3. [59]
Squad armour customization will have more options than ME2. [63]
Non-romance interactions to be breaking the mold. [57]
Game choices from ME1 and 2 will affect the war in ME3. [61]
ME3 will have a gore system, but not for a shock effect. [67]
There will be more animations for combat, movement and character interactions. [69]
There will be more personality to each weapon.[78]
There will be a replacement for Carnage. [80]
Every class will have a specific set of powers, including at least one new power, plus you can add a bonus power of your choice[81]
Shepard will have the ability to select a single bonus power, if you already have one it will replace the one you have [82]
More squad armour customization. [91]
PC specs should be around the same as ME2's. [91]

Rumours, with little to no basis go under here. Don't get your hopes up, folks, not everything that's listed here will even appear in-game.
LotSB may have set the standards for ME3, gameplay and dialogue-wise.
ME3 might have 3D [17]
ME3 may have timed decisions [19]
London will be featured. [14]
Attention is given to Tali's popularity [31]
Space battles [ESP]
Mac Walters hints that Conrad Verner will make a return. [34]
Some of the bosses will need to be lured into specific locations in order to be destroyed. [PS3M]
We will see more alien species in ME3. [37]
Wrex will be a temp squadmate, not a permanent one. [PCG]
IMDB says that Emily Hopkins will be voice acting a vigilante. [64]
Emily Hopkins may be voicing a squadmate, the "Vigilante".
Rumour: Mass Effect 3 to support Kinect? [83]

PLEASE DON'T POST ANY ME2 SPOILERS HERE

And don't forget:

Chris Priestly wrote...

Keep in mind that nothing "quoted" is 100% guaranteed. We are still developing the game and features change, we adapt, refine and improve. Just because you think it is there now based off an old interview (or even a new one) that doesn't mean it will or will not be in the game.

I only point this out so people don't say "But I saw in a thread that "X" feature was confirmed". NOTHING is confirmed until we ship.

[smilie]http://social.bioware.com/images/forum/emoticons/devil.png[/smilie]

If you would like to suggest any features that should be added, please don’t forget to mention your source.[smilie]http://social.bioware.com/images/forum/emoticons/wink.png[/smilie]

Credits to the people that helped add new features:
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