Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) “Mass Effect” has gone gold, and will be offered in a limited collector’s edition. Additionally, an exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order the game. The bonus disc is available at participating U.S. retailers while supplies last.

The limited collector’s edition will be offered through participating retailers, and will include the following bonus materials:

·         A “Mass Effect” fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”

o        A 36-page guide to the “Mass Effect” universe, including a Citadel timeline and a guide to all non-human races, biotics and the key locations in the Perseus arm of the galaxy

·         An additional “Mass Effect” art book titled “A Future Imagined”

o        A 36-page collection of BioWare’s concept art for the game

·         A bonus DVD of exclusive “Mass Effect” background material and additional content including:

o         “The Vision of “Mass Effect” documentary

o        “The Making of “Mass Effect” documentary

o        “Interactive Storytelling” documentary

o        “Inside BioWare” documentary

o        18 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six)

o        16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four)

o        Ten songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack

o        Five historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 and the official TV trailer

o        A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”

o        Design galleries featuring 600 concept images fully commented by the Art Directors

The exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order either edition of the game at participating retailers and will include the following contents:

·         A short documentary on DVD introducing the game

·         12 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (two unique sets of six)

·         Eight dashboard themes (two unique sets of four)

·         Three songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack on a CD

·         Four historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 on DVD

·         A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire” comes an epic space saga exclusively for the Xbox 360 that spans the entire galaxy. Combining a rich and engaging narrative with intense sci-fi tactical combat, “Mass Effect” features an immersive and cinematic gameplay experience rarely seen before in video games.

“Mass Effect” will have an estimated retail price of $59.99, and the limited collector’s edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99. “Mass Effect” is rated “M” for “Mature” by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.masseffect.com.