E3: Bioware Says Mass Effect Novel A 'Natural Fit'

Released earlier this year, Mass Effect: Revelation is the first book set within the same universe as Bioware's upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive RPG, and also represents one of the first, if not the first video game novelization to be released ahead of the actual game's release, an arrangement that Mass Effect project director Casey Hudson explained as being a “natural fit.” “We're in a fairly unique situation where we have a writer on staff who writes novels,” commented Hudson. Revelation is written by Mass Effect lead writer and novelist Drew Karpyshyn, who also contributed to Bioware's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, and Baldur's Gate II. “I think it was something where the relationship was already there to put a writer in place,” Hudson told Gamasutra. “So obviously it was the next obvious thing, the next book that [Del Rey was] going to do, and it just fell into place.” Mass Effect is the next game from developer Bioware, and the first in a planned trilogy from the studio. Expected for release this November, Mass Effect places players in the role of an elite human soldier named Commander Shepard in the year 2183. Describing the novel's premise, Hudson explained that “the book is really fueled by the game experience, but it's also a prequel.” “It really tells you about why all these characters that you meet in the game have got these really neat back stories, including how Captain Anderson and the main villain in the game, Saren, actually fit together,” he continued, adding that while while either can be enjoyed independently, it's possible that those who read the book may get a bit more out of Mass Effect once it is released this fall.