And reading the highlighted part, it's obvious. MS has the trump card in this deal.

Regardless of how bad folks want this on the PS3, I seriously - seriously doubt the ME franchise will ever, ever see the light of day on the PlayStation. EA has its hands tied, and couldn't even publish the original game to PC without MS approval. Add to the fact of how much EA loves to pimp out their games, and will dilute it to cell phones, every time some one asks about ME 2 or 3 coming to the PS3, it kills them they can't say 'No, MS screwed us out of pimpin' it.'

Believe you me - if MS agrees to let EA publish future MEs, it will involve at least one of the following:

1. First born

2. A truckload of cash

3. Mad shares of EA stock

And I seriously doubt MS wants any of that. MS knows they have one of the hottest dates at prom and has no plans to share her with anyone - except a gay friend.

Read it and form your own opinion.

Source: http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/press_releases/2008_02_12_mass_effect_pc/

For Immediate Release

Mass Effect To Land On PC In May 2008

Award-Winning Epic Will Be Published By EA

Redwood City, Calif. (February 12, 2008) - Leading video game developer, BioWare™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) company, has announced that the award-winning space epic Mass Effect™ will be released for the PC in May 2008. Published by EA and re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:

• Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
• High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
• Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
• Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to 'hot keys' allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
• New decryption mini-game.
• New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

"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," said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA's Games Label added, "EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future." Originally released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, Mass Effect has received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 70 awards including Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year. Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David. Mass Effect for the PC has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Sounds about right madskillz.

Don't worry I have been saying this for a long, long time my friend. There is a reason Ngai said his EA PR source stated 360/PC only. When the time is right we will see it.

Before Bioware was bought by EA,MS signed an exclusivity contract for Mass Effect TRILOGY...therefore,EA had to ask MS for permission to publish ME1 on Pc. They are still negociating with MS for a Pc port for ME2 even if they OWN Bioware.

MS remains MS,the big corporation that can`t AFFORD to lose something that makes them money. They are a software company,so contracts are the bread and butter of what they do.

Gears 2 made a lot of people get 360`s...Fable 2 made a lot of people get 360`s... now Mass Effect 2 will get a lot of people to get 360`s because they played the first part on the Pc and now it`s exclusive to 360 so they NEED to buy a 360. How do you know that MS will allow ME2 to be on Pc? What about ME3 on Pc? They are not and will not be forced to own the IP/own the developer to have ME trilogy exclusive to the 360.

MS is smart and has a bunch of smart lawyers. What more can be said?

This proves nothing apart from the fact that Microsoft owns the publishing rights to the first Mass Effect game, unless we can see that M$ owns the franchise I won't be convinced that EA can't release ME 2 on PS3

How unpredictable of you.

Yes no proof. But the assumption is that MS did some kind of deal with EA to hand over the publishing rights. Realistically you would think that would of included some kind of exclusivity on future releases.

It still feels 50/50. I wouldn't be shocked if it went either way.

But Munkeh - read this from the PR release - "EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future."

If that's the case, and it is, MS hit a deal with EA to let them publish Mass Effect from now on. If EA was big and bad, they would have said 'We are going to publish Mass Effect for the PS3 now.' They couldn't and you won't see it on the PS3. Now, as far as future installments, I think MS has some legal parameters in place with Bioware that will hold up in a court of law. Has Mass Effect PS3 come out of EA's mouth? They have to adhere to whatever contract that was put in place.

Remember when EA bought Bioware? EA was very vocal about Bioware's future and MS was like 'We are working on securing the Mass Effect IP.' All of a sudden, everything got quiet. MS more than likely found something that will keep the ME franchise on the Box and PC forever.

I could be wrong - but GDC is going to shed some serious light on this matter, one way or another.

@ madskills, if they meant Mass Effect franchise I think they would have said franchise

It does matter little to me, as I will get the game on Xbox anyway, but I do believe that Bioware are finally going to make a game for a playstation console

I hope ME franchise still exclusive, if there's a PS3 port version in the future, it will be like fallout 3 PS3 imo, a much inferior version of a great game.