Press Release relating to Mass Effect 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Dav

I get quite a few press releases from the EA gang and most of them relate to stories we're already talking about here on Boards, so I tend not to post them, but this one struck me as interesting:

EA Press Release wrote:

38 STUDIOS SUMMONS A DEMO FOR KINGDOMS OF AMALUR: RECKONING AND UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE MASS EFFECT 3 BONUSES FROM BIOWARE

Cross-Promotion Rewards Mass Effect 3 Fans with Exclusive Items Designed by Todd McFarlane and Reckoning Fans with Items Inspired by Mass Effect

JANUARY 11, 2012 – The massive world of Amalur will finally break open when Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) and 38 Studios, LLC release a demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™ on January 17, 2012. Available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC, the demo will give players a taste of the rich, diverse, action-packed world of Amalur, and will also unlock special items in the final game.

In addition to the demo, 38 Studios has teamed up with BioWare to create a cross promotion to reward fans of both Reckoning and Mass Effect 3*. By playing the upcoming demos for both Reckoning and Mass Effect 3, gamers will receive special in-game items, including Mass Effect inspired, Omni-blade daggers in Reckoning and special Reckoning-themed armor and assault rifle in Mass Effect 3 designed by award-winning artist Todd McFarlane.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver this massive one-two punch with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3. We wanted to provide fans of the Mass Effect franchise with a unique set of rewards for diving into the expansive universe of Reckoning,” said Curt Schilling, Chairman and Founder of 38 Studios.

“We are excited to be collaborating with 38 Studios to bring pieces inspired by the Mass Effect universe into the world of Reckoning and to have items designed by Todd McFarlane in Mass Effect 3,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label and Co-Founder of BioWare. “This is an awesome way to reward our fans with unique content that not only looks cool, but also delivers some great in-game benefits.”

By playing the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo, gamers will receive two unlocks for Mass Effect 3 when the highly anticipated game releases on March 6, 2012, both designed by the renowned creator of Spawn, Todd McFarlane:
· Reckoner Knight Armor: This armor will maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed–up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity.
· The Chakram Launcher: This weapon uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs. This weapon is earned after completing the Reckoning demo and watching the trailer at the end.

By playing the upcoming Mass Effect 3 demo, fans will unlock the following items for Reckoning when the game launches on February 7, inspired by Mass Effect:
· N7 Armor: Players can unlock special armor inspired by Commander Shepard’s iconic N7 battle armor including Helm, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Chausses and Greaves.
· Onmiblade Daggers: A holographic blade stemming from Commander Shepard’s Omni-Tool, the Omni-blade allows players to stab enemies in close combat. Once players install and play the Mass Effect 3 demo, they will unlock the daggers.

The Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo features the introduction to the game, allowing players to experience the game’s Tutorial Mode and a portion of its large, open world. Players will create and customize their hero and drop right into the action. Once players master the basics, they will have 45 minutes to explore the vast world of Amalur and begin to embark upon a quest that could redefine their character’s destiny forever.

In addition to the Mass Effect items above, players who play the Reckoning demo will also unlock:
· Twist of Fate Card: This card boosts the player’s ice resistance and is immediately unlocked when he or she activates the Reckoning demo using his or her Origin account.
· Twinned Souls Chakram: A unique weapon that damages enemies while boosting player health and mana in Reckoning.
· The Infernal Helm: Unlocked after completing the Reckoning Tutorial Mode, this protective helmet increases players’ fire damage throughout Amalur.

Set in an entirely new universe crafted by New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is brought to life visually through the trademark visceral style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. With a sprawling explorable world and deep RPG gameplay at its core, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning adds a new level of intense action combat to the genre and a one-of-a-kind advancement system as players unfold and evolve their destiny through constant character customization. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is being developed under the creative leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed open-world RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Developed by 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games in Baltimore, Maryland and 38 Studios in Providence, Rhode Island: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available on February 7, 2012 in North America and on February 10, 2012 in Europe on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Learn more about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning by visiting www.reckoning.com or follow us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/ReckoningTheGame) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReckoningGame).

I spent a couple of hours playing "Reckoning" at a press event last November (XBox 360 version) and it was the surprise gem of the day for me. If, like me, you were bitterly disappointed by Fable 3 then this is the game for you. It was quick to start and engaging and matches the Open World idea from Skyrim with the sort of 3rd person action/adventure stuff from Fable or maybe even Dragon Age in places. The 2 hours disappeared in no time and I'm really looking forward to it's full release.

Mass Effect 3 needs no discussion I think - I had a go of the multiplayer of it at that same press event I mentioned a moment ago and whilst it was reasonably good fun, I'm sure like most people, I'm more interested in seeing the single player story and how that pans out.

Anyway, probably no harm to take a look at the demos and avail of the free in-game stuff - this method of promotion sure as hell beats pre-order retailer exclusives if you ask me.

Gunmonkey

Armour in both games: meh, usually this kidna stuff has bad stats and not too useful.

Demo of Reckoning on the 17th: f*** yeah, really looking forward to it so a demo next week is nice.

Kiith

Play two demo's, get free stuff in 2 games i'm going to buy anyway?

Sounds like a good deal to me.

Zero-Cool

This is a great ploy. I never heard of and would never have downloaded KINGDOMS OF AMALUR demo but if it gives me free ME 3 stuff, i'll def give it a go. And the items are designed by Todd McFarlane! Bring it EA!

Retr0gamer

I've heard Kingdoms of Amalur is looking promising but it needs a less generic name and a lot more publicity to make it. Hopefully this demo does that.

Kiith

Screenshots on the Kotaku page.

http://kotaku.com/5875094/i-reckon-mass-effect-3-in+game-goodies-will-do-wonders-for-the-kingdoms-of-amalur-demo/

Magill

Never heard of the game before now.... looks pretty impressive from the footage i've looked at on youtube tho... Might be a sneaky buy from me.

Zero-Cool

The armour for ME 3 looks class!

wes

Unfamiliar with KINGDOMS OF AMALUR, but sure if playing the demo gets me some free stuff, I will give it a go. Would definetly have played the Mass Effect demo either way as well. Great promotional idea as well.

Completionist

sheehy83 wrote: »

The armour for ME 3 looks class!

Image

That could be the nicest looking set of armour i have ever seen, Iron man needs to get himself a set of it asap.

Will something like it be available in Kingdoms of Amalur?

Sephiroth_dude

Kingdom of amaular looks interesting alright

Gunmonkey

Video up for this deal/offer/thingy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu9aybFgLRI

danthefan

Also never heard of KoA, looks half decent though.