BioWare has announced that new parent company Electronic Arts will publish its space-epic RPG
Mass Effect for the PC in May 2008.
The company says the game, which tasks players with saving the galaxy from destruction in the role of customizable protagonist Shepard, will be re-designed for the PC.
Specifically, PC-oriented optimizations include fully customizable controls designed for the PC, high-resolution visuals, hotkey-assigned run-and-gun controls, a new decryption mini-game, and a new inventory screen GUI and functionality.
Mass Effect was originally released for the Xbox 360 and published by Microsoft in November of 2007. EA Games president Frank Gibeau explained that EA has "struck an agreement" with Microsoft to handle future publishing of the title, promising "brand new titles" in the future.
Mass Effect was also
recently awarded Role-Playing Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
BioWare general manager Ray Muzyka commented, "
Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline - all set in a compelling new universe."
