http://www.totalvideogames.com/news/Microsoft_Strikes_Mass_Effect_Deal_With_EA_12754_7351_0.htm

"As the Bioware RPG is confirmed for a Spring release on PC, EA announces that a publishing deal has been struck between them and Microsoft..."

"EA has today confirmed that Mass Effect, released last year on Xbox 360, will be heading to PC this May...but not by Microsoft Game Studios. Instead, publishing duties will be taken over by Electronic Arts, adding further clarification to MGS boss Shane Kim's comments yesterday to MTV. "

Kim mentioned that "From a platform perspective, is it the most important that Microsoft Studios publishes it or [rather] that it's exclusive to the platform? That's the way we have to think about it."

From what Kim says, it looks like EA will receive publishing rights for Mass Effect but the game will stay exclusive to the 360/PC

Overall it might be or might not be a good deal for MS corporate, but it does help out guarantee a new exclusive IP for the 360.

well....at least we can play Bioshock on PC now

 Bioshock has been out for a long time on PC.  They are referring to Bioware's title Mass Effect.     

WOW. If this entire trilogy is a 360 console exclusive, thats big. Its AWESOME!

>WOW. If this entire trilogy is a 360 console exclusive, thats big. Its AWESOME!

it's only said Microsoft only get exclusivity for this one. And considering EA will be publishing the next two, combine that with EA's attitude toward xbox (predicting PS3 outselling it in US this year), don't be surprised if the next 2 titles come out on PS3 as well.

No not really... but thanks...

kingofwale....

Calm down and think about what has just happened for a moment. EA announced they will release the game on PC (which MS would never have opposed anyway). They also announced that MS has given them PUBLISHING RIGHTS!!! There is no reason for MS to give up publishing rights to a popular new IP for nothing. JUST YESTERDAY Shane Kim (MS executive) had this to say about Mass Effect.......

Intriguingly Kim responds to suggestions that Mass Effect will move over to the PlayStation3 following EA's acquisition of Bioware. Suggesting that Microsoft will remain the publishing partner, Kim's states, "From a platform perspective, is it the most important that Microsoft Games Studios publishes it or [rather] that it's exclusive to the platform? That's the way we have to think about it."

We cannot be sure either way, but i'd say MS has just guaranteed that at least some ME games stay console exclusives by handing EA the extra revenue from publishing rights.

 Different article, same story.