Mass Effect 3 isn't due to hit retailers until March, but a number of gamers got an advance look at BioWare's next sci-fi role-playing game over the weekend. The client for Mass Effect 3's beta surfaced on Xbox LIVE Friday, offering gamers a look at the single-player and multiplayer component of the upcoming game.
BioWare acknowledged the leaked content shortly after its appearance online, saying that a Microsoft employee inadvertently published the beta for those who had signed up to test the fall Xbox Live dashboard update.
As most of you know by now, this evening an accidental leak occurred of some early Mass Effect 3 beta code. Microsoft has advised us that through human error at their end, content which was meant for internal beta testing was flagged incorrectly and released to individuals who had signed up for the beta of the Xbox Live dashboard update. It has since been taken down and deactivated.
We'd like to stress that the leaked code is in a rough, unfinished state and was not meant for public release. The content is not final, and is not reflective of the quality of the finished, polished game due for release on March 6, 2012 (March 9 in Europe).
One feature that was present in this early build is a set of game play modes that are in development. In the beta code they are referred to as "action mode", "story mode" and "RPG mode". We want to stress that these features are still in the early stages of development and will receive considerable iteration and refinement. These modes are designed to give players an even finer degree of control over their game experience than ever before. Whether it be someone who finds the combat difficult but wants to experience the amazing story, someone who wants to focus on the action and combat game play, or fans who want the rich, story-driven RPG Mass Effect experience they've come to love – Mass Effect 3 will support all of these options. We'll have more info in the days ahead!
Microsoft went as far as to send a cease-and-desist order to one forum due to its spoiler rich thread which included game details and screenshots. You can see a second, much tamer thread,
here.
About Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth.
Release Date: March 6, 2012
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
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