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BioWare to lecture about Mass Effect 2 level design at GDC photo

BioWare -- my RPG BFF -- are going to host a developer’s session on Mass Effect 2’s level design at Game Developer’s Conference this year. The session is named “The Iterative Level Design Process of BioWare’s MASS EFFECT 2,” and can be found nestled in the event’s schedule.

The session doesn’t sound as boring as the title indicates. ME project manager Corey Andruko and lead technical designer Dusty Everman will lecture an audience through 60 riveting minutes of level building action, focusing on what BioWare has done in ME 2 based on the “major issues” in the original title. The date and time of the session are currently listed as “TBD."

No doubt BioWare are going to rev the marketing engines before GDC, but it’s nice to know that ME 2 will be seen in some capacity this year. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

[via ShackNews]


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31 comments | showing # 1 to 31

gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:16
gamadaya
While I wouldn't call level design BioWare's specialty, Mass Effect did have some pretty well put together storehouses (I'm assuming that's what the places where you fought most enemies were supposed to be).

If I were them, I would worry less about their level design techniques, and more about their actually finishing the freaking game before launching it techniques with ME2.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:21
NihonTiger90
I want to go to this. Badly. <3 BioWare
Serivor's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:23
Serivor
I can't wait for this game's release. I wish something other than level design would be discussed as well.
ZombiePlatypus's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:24
ZombiePlatypus
I've been waiting to hear some info on Mass Effect 2, can't wait to see what they're doing...
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:34
ArrestedDeveloper
How I wish ME2 would come out in 09
LukienAkeela's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:35
LukienAkeela
It's about time something came out with this game. Mass Effect definitely had its good and bad points, but it was something different and enjoyable.
Superfluous Moniker's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 22:50
Superfluous Moniker
Personally, I can't wait to stand in futuristic elevators some more.
Serivor's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:07
Serivor
"Personally, I can't wait to stand in futuristic elevators some more."

Yeah, hopefully they cut down the time for that.
Atlas's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:13
Atlas
The Mako better handle better than a turd on wheels this time around.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:13
Dan CiTi
I can't wait to what Jim has to say about this one. I still can't believe that I technically own Mass Effect.
faultymoose's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:15
faultymoose
Let's hope it takes more than a lazy afternoon to complete.
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:19
Velt
I bought ME for the PC over STEAM and replay it, the PC version is so buggy... but still is a great story, a nice game, and a good RPG that sucked me.

I want the ME 2 to have more diversity, more richness and of course a better level design. If you watch it coldly most of the levels repeat over and over again, at least the "asignments", the optional quests.
the Golden Avatar's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:30
the Golden Avatar
@Velt

I wish a game would suck me.
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/08/2009 23:53
ThunderHeartXI
I hope that we get to port our Mass Effect 1 characters into ME 2. That would be so bad ass.
microwavefood's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 00:11
microwavefood
is this coming out 09?
if so... so far this and SF4 are buys for me.
dgschrei's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 00:20
dgschrei
@ ThunderHeartXI.
According to Wikipedia Casey Hudson told us that we "should keep [our] savegames". So I'd say we'll probably be ablte to import our Level 60 characters into ME 2.
(That reminds me that I still have to get that achievement. God I love this game.)
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 00:25
mistic
Wooooot finally we here something about it! Can't wait to see what the rest of the story shows us :-)
Endstiem's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 01:03
Endstiem
HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

Damn, I want this game. The fact that I beat this game 4 1/2 times in a row just cements that fact....
JustLikeBuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 03:20
JustLikeBuck
Their level design is second to none in some games.

How bout we get rid of them loading screens between.

I would rather a sing along karaoke than an awkward elevator scene.
CWal37's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 03:46
CWal37
I just started playing Mass Effect. Seems pretty good so far.
Crumpet Lips's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 04:36
Crumpet Lips
I dunno why so many people here bad mouth Mass Effect but I guess everybody has a different opinion of everything.

I personally loved Mass Effect and will be picking up Mass Effect 2 as soon as it hits the shelves :)
faultymoose's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 05:41
faultymoose
Mass Effect was a great game. All 15 minutes of it. :/

</hyperbole>
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 07:46
Demtor
Well, there is a lot of room to improve upon the original. I for one hope they don't change all that much. They just need to make what they had, better. Level design would be a good start.
Rational Animal's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 09:07
Rational Animal
"The Iterative Level Design Process of BioWare’s MASS EFFECT"

Read: How to Make All of Your Levels Look Like Slight Variations of One Another
YARLY's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 09:10
YARLY
"Oh yes, you'll see ME2 this year. Next year you'll see ME3. Bioware's owned by EA."

Yep, then when sales slip because EA forces the devs to keep putting together shoddy sequels, they will probably lay off all the employees and wonder what happened to PC gaming.
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 09:37
Niero
I love me some Mass Effect. I can't wait.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 09:56
TrailerParkJesus
I heard all of Mass Effect 2 takes place in an elevator.
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 09:58
silvain
Say what you want about Bioware, but they really shouldn't be touting their level design.

Rational Animal said:
"Read: How to Make All of Your Levels Look Like Slight Variations of One Another"

Hell, they've been making the same level since KOTOR.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 11:58
akathatoneguy
@ silvain and company:

Har har! It's ironically similar to how people are making the same tired jokes about the elevators and level design, isn't it?
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 14:20
Holyetheline
hope this one ships with 90% fewer glitches.
Tuxy's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2009 19:12
Tuxy
Hopefully this lecture will be available for download.
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