Mass Effect iPhone is a side-story

By Robert Purchese Published 5 May, 2009

Plus: Shepard likely for Mass Effect 2.

BioWare has confirmed Mass Effect: Jacob's Story for iPhone and iPod Touch, after a focus group tester broke NDA to leak the project last month.

The game will not be a prequel to Mass Effect 2, however, but a side-story about one of the characters in it.

"Yes, this is not a hoax or fake story. BioWare is making a game for the iPhone and iPod Touch based in the Mass Effect universe," writes BioWare's community manager Chris Priestly on the official forum.

"The story of the game is not a 'bridging' story between Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2. It is a cool little side-story about one of the upcoming Mass Effect 2 characters. It is not 'required reading' to enjoy the core trilogy, but a fun optional 'extra' game."

Jacob's Story - a blend of top-down arcade shooter combat and graphic novel-style story sequences - will be developed by a separate team within BioWare that has nothing to do with the hold-up of any new Mass Effect DLC.

Other details on the project are scarce. Priestly promises the wraps will be off sometime during this month or June, so E3 is probably a safe bet.

That, promises BioWare, will be when we hear more about Mass Effect 2, which is scheduled for launch on PC and Xbox 360 next year. Co-op and use of saved games from ME1 are among the features rumoured for the sequel so far. Mass Effect 1 hero Commander Shepard may also not be as "killed in action" as the first teaser trailer for Mass Effect 2 suggests, either.

"I've heard some rumours that Commander Shepard is dead," writes executive producer Casey Hudson on the Mass Effect 2 IGN blog.

"Better not be. We had a lot of big plans made, so if someone's gone and killed Shepard then things are going to take an unexpected turn..."

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 (12) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • Eraysor #1 3 years ago

    I'm a little less excited now I know it's not a prequel. I'll have to wait for the reviews before I decide on a purchase.

    I thought there was supposed to be DLC that would bridge between the two games? Presumably they aborted that after their useless last attempt.

  • PlugMonkey #2 3 years ago

    "Shepard's ALIVE?!

    /Brian Blessed.

  • ronuds #3 3 years ago

    Poor BioWare. I hope they at least have an easy access skirt, so they don't have to keep wasting their time pulling their pants down.

  • the_dudefather #4 3 years ago

    "Yes, this is not a hoax or fake story. BioWare is making a game for the iPhone and iPod Touch based in the Mass Effect universe,"

    what happened to 'we cannot confirm or deny any rumors' or 'we have no such plans'?

  • AphoticCosmos #5 3 years ago

    With multiplayer now an added function

    Multiplayer hasn't and won't be confirmed you tool, stop believing the EA-bashing-train of vitriol.

  • Chufty #6 3 years ago

    Wow, Crofto really is a bit of a cock.

  • ronuds #7 3 years ago

    "Multiplayer hasn't and won't be confirmed you tool, stop believing the EA-bashing-train of vitriol."

    Well, they're already living up to their name by releasing this iPhone abomination. BioWare wouldn't even dream of making an iPhone game if not for EA and their money-hungry ways.

    This will be significantly more shit than the original ME. I guarantee it. However, Crofto is dead wrong in believing the original was anything but a masterpiece.

  • metalangel #8 3 years ago

    Before I join in the calling of cock, Crofto, what *is* a good RPG on the 360?

    Warning: The answer 'Final Fantasy' will result in you being 'lifted' and then 'thrown' off the top of a very tall building.

  • Ninja_Tino #9 3 years ago

    I'm jumping on the bandwagon and agreeing that Crofto is a cock. He (or it?) always goes on about mainstream games being complete rubbish and despises multiplayer in any, and every, form. Anyway, this game might be fun, no need to suddenly hate it. If it's well written it should be a fun little diversion.

  • Katsumoto #10 3 years ago

    Remember people, we should take heart from Crofto's comments. They're a good excuse to look at his profile and have a little laugh for a few minutes. Go on, check out his blurb. Comedic genius.

  • Eraysor #11 3 years ago

    They're a good excuse to look at his profile and have a little laugh for a few minutes. Go on, check out his blurb. Comedic genius.

    Thank you for enlightening me to that. Pure hilarity.

  • NonniR #12 3 years ago

    Hope he's dead. That would be kinda cool in this: "you spent 50 hours leveling your character only for him to die in the sequel. Haha. Now, play this generic soldier".

    Fun fun.