Tag / Mass Effect 3

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Mojang confirms new game Mars Effect

Mojang, the Swedish studio best known for Minecraft, has today unveiled its new game, entitled Mars Effect. In a post on the game’s website, Notch explains how the company came up with the name:

After several weeks of trying to come up with a good name for the game, we finally decided not to learn from previous experiences and pick a name that’s already kind of in use by a huge existing franchise. After playing around with names like “Elight”, “Wind Commander”, and “Steve Online”, we finally settled on the very catchy name “Mars Effect”.

While not much is currently known about the game, Mojang has released a list of features:

  • Hard science fiction
  • Lots of engineering
  • Fully working computer system
  • Space battles against the AI or other players
  • A game ending that makes sense
  • Abandoned ships full of loot
  • Waist high walls
  • Seamlessly landing on planets
  • Advanced economy system
  • Mining, trading, and looting

More information about the game can be found on its website, and with the hashtag #marseffect on Twitter.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

Game Group set to enter administration

British retailer Game has announced plans to go into administration, shortly after de-listing from the London Stock Exchange. With the announcement, the chain, which has 1,270 stores under the Game and Gamestation brands in Europe and Australia, plans to operate as normal, while trying to find a buyer. Rumours have circulated that American retailer GameStop might take over the UK’s largest specialist game retailer, but, with shares haven fallen 71% in the past year and games such as Mass Effect 3 not being in stock due to credit problems, consumers may soon have to look elsewhere for their games. Read the full press release below.

Further to this morning’s announcement of the suspension of trading in shares of GAME Group plc, the board has concluded that its discussions with all stakeholders and other parties have not made sufficient progress in the time available to offer a realistic prospect for a solvent solution for the business. The board has therefore today filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

In the short term the Board’s intention is that the business will continue to trade and discussions with lenders and third parties will continue under the protection of the interim moratorium.