BioWare considering Mass Effect for DS

By Robert Purchese Published 8 August, 2008

Maybe Jade Empire and Dragon Age too.

BioWare is considering doing DS versions of Mass Effect, Jade Empire, and Dragon Age, plus a couple of others.

Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer Germany, Miles Holmes, lead designer of Sonic Chronicles, said the developer was looking at "basically anything that reinforces the franchises".

"I tell you which one I would want. I want the Mass Effect one," said Holmes, no relation to Sherlock.

"We have a lot of big plans for Mass Effect. Having a DS version would be an awesome way to keep interest alive and keep it going in addition to [Mass Effect 2]."

Holmes said the overall goal of the handheld team is to reinforce major title releases, and at full capacity will work on up-to three projects at once.

Sonic Chronicles, due out on 26th September, is the DS game from BioWare. Holmes talked of the game as a way to get the handheld division off the ground.

His comments echo those of fellow Sonic Chronicles team member Mark Darrah, who recently revealed BioWare was looking into PSP and Wii development as a way to "broaden our portfolio".

BioWare was bought by mega-publisher EA last October.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (33) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • DUFFMAN5 #1 4 years ago

    How the hell can they fit these games on a DS. If they can then GTA better be good. I wish the ds was the same power as the psp, we could then start getting some really great titles on it.

  • Razorus #2 4 years ago

    Sounds interesting. It would be nice to see those franchises branch out more. A Mass Effect DS game could be about a young Anderson; maybe the story based on the book? That way, it would be accessible to ME n00bz and in the same time, enhance the experience of the ME V3tz!
    (I just invented that word, copyright Razorus 2008, all rights reserved. Means veteran, or an experienced player).

    I want a sequel to Jade Empire before any spin-off. And where's the ME2 news? Dragon Age looks wack.

  • spazmo #3 4 years ago

    Franchises. ugh.

  • AphoticCosmos #4 4 years ago

    Don't fuck about on inferior consoles, just get straight to Mass Effect 2 plz.

    Kthxbai

  • des #5 4 years ago

    If they do i am buying DS...

  • Darren #6 4 years ago

    Well the DS version of Mass Effect would surely have no texture pop in like the 360 original since it cannot do textures... can it? ;)

  • Wickerman #7 4 years ago

    If they want to make a Mass Effect SRPG then great. Anything else I can't see really utilising the DS features whilst adding to the franchises worth. Still, would love to be proved wrong - I know a lot of my instant 'hmm' at this sort of news article comes from the recent addition of EA to the mix (old knee jerk reactions die hard I guess) and the fact that I am a Bioware whore from the 'good old PC days'...

  • benjymous #8 4 years ago

    Mass Effect could work well as an isometric X-Com like game, I guess. Each turn your squad members would be able to shoot or use a biotic/engineer power

  • Number1Laing #9 4 years ago

    Awesome! Looks like Sonic RPG has warmed them up to the DS. Of course, the DS can't handle Mass Effect graphically like it was on 360 (the argument can be made the 360 couldn't either!), but make it top down or whatever and it can definitely handle the story, dialogue options, wide open setting, etc.

    DUFFMANS, the DS already has lots of great games.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/08 @ 13:30

  • jlaakso #10 4 years ago

    I would be very interested indeed in Bioware's takes on mobile versions of its RPGs. Tactical games, space exploration, what have you.

  • gooners2006 #11 4 years ago

    how would Mass Effect DS work??? 3D would just take up too much space for that and a massive storyline.....maybe 2D

  • Raz76 #12 4 years ago

    Dear Bioware,

    Please quit this DS/MMO/Sonic-bollocks. Here is what we want:

    Mass Effect DLC
    Mass Effect 2
    KOTOR 3
    oh - and Jade Empire 2 would be fine too I guess.

  • kangarootoo #13 4 years ago

    "said Holmes, no relation to Sherlock"

    Oh jesus, did that really just happen?

    On the subject at hand, the graphic engine would clearly not go unchanged. And the number one thing taking up disc room ina game like MS is graphical assets. I'm sure they can retain the gameplay and story whilst still implementing a graphical style that is feasible on the DS.

    I'd bloody love it if they started porting some of their old titles. It would probably sell a DS to me (I've been right on the line for ages now).

  • mkreku #14 4 years ago

    If they put Baldur's gate & Baldur's Gate 2 on the DS, I'm in. Mass Effect.. not so much.

  • muscleblade #15 4 years ago

    "I wish the ds was the same power as the psp, we could then start getting some really great titles on it. "

    I wish the Wii was the same power as the 360/PS3, we could then getting some really great titles on it.

    Same thing isnt it.

  • NewbieZilla #16 4 years ago

    "Don't fuck about on inferior consoles, just get straight to Mass Effect 2 plz.

    Kthxbai "

    Er, right. I'm sure the handheld team will get right on that.

  • Zomoniac #17 4 years ago

    Instead of doing this can you release a patch that makes the jeep thing use the controls of the warthog or GTA or anything that doesn't involve putting accel/reverse and steering on one stick. And sack whoever thought of doing that, while you're at it.

  • Razorus #18 4 years ago

    I'm surprised by how narrow-minded some of you are being. Who said a DS version has to fit a massive story and 360-graphics? Of course it can't recreate a "next-gen" environment.
    Use your imaginations! The guy that suggested an isometric view had a good idea. And it's not like Bioware is only a few people. They have a Mass Effect team, so I'm sure they're hard at work bringing us ME2, while another team can bring a SPIN-OFF game to the DS.

  • TheTingler #19 4 years ago

    I can imagine something like Bioware's older games - Mass Effect as an isometric 2D RPG? Wow!

  • peak_performance #20 4 years ago

    So us DS players are given games that are basically reinforcement more than actual games? No, that's not completely what they said but what it feels like to me. Instead of developing something catering to the consoles strength we get quick rehashes for money - effing yawn.

  • m0thr4 #21 4 years ago

    What about a PS3 port? I'm sure that could be... oh wait... no, forget that one.

  • Dynamize #22 4 years ago

    Wow, it didn't take long after acquisition for Bioware to start sounding exactly like EA. Shovel that ware!

  • Tweakmonkey #23 4 years ago

    The DS needs more serious franchises on it so this is good. However I think the DS is started to look dated and they should consider the PSP instead.

  • zoch #24 4 years ago

    they should make it for the ps3

  • Farzlepot #25 4 years ago

    "The DS needs more serious franchises on it so this is good. However I think the DS is started to look dated and they should consider the PSP instead."

    Look dated?

    The DS has never been about graphics, much like the original Gameboy wasn't. If you judge your games and your consoles solely by how good they look, then you're seriously missing out. Nintendo will replace it when they're good and ready, and given its current sales record, I don't think that'll be too soon.

  • Tweakmonkey #26 4 years ago

    I suppose I implied the DS graphics are looking dated but I didn't really mean that as I don't judge games solely by graphics at all. What I meant was that the DS has lost a certain amount of appeal for me now as the screen technology really is definitely looking dated compared to other handheld/mobile devices available.

  • ardamillo #27 4 years ago

    I just wish they would release more DLC for the versions they already have!

  • SirScratchalot #28 4 years ago

    YES PLEASE! JUST MAKE IT LIKE SHADOWRUN ON THE GENESIS!
    Honestly, makes a lot more sense than an RPG co-starring Big the Cat.

  • menage #29 4 years ago

    I'm agreeing with some of you lot here.

    Cut the crap and give me ME2:p

  • UncleLou #30 4 years ago

    "Don't fuck about on inferior consoles, just get straight to Mass Effect 2 plz.

    Kthxbai"

    Are you listening Bioware - even 360 gamers demand PC exclusivity.

  • dominalien #31 4 years ago

    Maybe they'll do it for the PS3 as well, this way I would actually play it.

  • sirtacos #32 4 years ago

    Mass Effect and Dragon Age for DS? Let's see...

    Ummmm...

    No.

    Just focus on ME2, fuckos.

    I read the post below but refuse to acknowledge a truth where I can't complain. You should try wallowing in ignorance sometimes, kangaroo; it's fun.
    Edited by 3 at 11/08/08 @ 23:23

  • kangarootoo #33 4 years ago

    Jesus christ, did none of you read NewbieZilla's post, or you all just ignoring it so you can continue looking dense.

    The team that works on a DS version of ME will not be the same team that works on ME2.

    Now everyone can hopefully get a restful night's sleep.