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Mass Effect 3 to feature Kinect voice controls

Published on 6th June 2011 by Joe Martin

Microsoft has confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will feature voice controls on Xbox 360.

Microsoft and Electronic Arts have confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will feature Kinect voice controls, ending speculation which began last week when Electronic Arts let Kinect-labelled box art slip out.

Confirmed at Microsoft's keynote as part of E3 2011, Mass Effect 3 will allow players to read out dialogue options as a means of selecting what Shepherd will say.

Kinect's built-in microphone can also be used in combat too, allowing players to direct squadmates and use special abilities by voice.

An on-stage demonstration was given at E3 2011 by Bioware's Jesse Houston, with more details of the system promised to be unveiled throughout the week.

Mass Effect 3 is currently set for an early 2012 release on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Check out the Mass Effect 3 trailer below, then let us know your thoughts in the forums.

You can check out other news from the show via our E3 2011 News hub.

25 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Spreadie 6th June 2011, 18:17

Sounds like a crappy gimmick, more likely to add a little something to game franchises that can't compete.

Thankfully the Mass Effect series is fine in that regard - Will probably buy it for the PC, so this doesn't interest me.

Darkefire 6th June 2011, 18:23

Ditto, I bought the first two on PC and see little need to change things up and buy it for my PS3 instead. I can't wait for this game, possibly the only title coming out in the next year (barring a surprise HL2:EP3 announcement) that I'll deliberately take the day off work to play.

Ayrto 6th June 2011, 18:31

Mega dumb down cash in?

Tangster 6th June 2011, 18:39

Lol. This had better not be why it was delayed.

Flibblebot 6th June 2011, 18:41

Hmmm...could get interesting during the obligatory Mass Effect sex scene...;)

RedFlames 6th June 2011, 18:58

So when you're swearing at the friendly AI for being useless it'll actually listen to you*

* Assuming you're one of the 5 people who can get the voice recognition to work

Pete J 6th June 2011, 19:01

So, if I wave my...equipment at Liara, does that engage the romance lines?

SMIFFYDUDE 6th June 2011, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flibblebot
Hmmm...could get interesting during the obligatory Mass Effect sex scene...;)

Surly PS Move controller would make more sense.

Glad that people are paying £80 or whatever for Kinect so they can make use of £1 worth of crappy microphone. Money well spent i'm sure.

Lord Blobbery 6th June 2011, 19:11

Have to say, the system appeared to work a hell of a lot better than I'd expected for current voice recognition tech. Not something I'd miss in the PC version, but an interesting (and functional) feature.

Glix 6th June 2011, 19:15

Looked terrible, also the same old issue, I want to say "yes", shepard answers "no but I agree". Also the realtime commands why? Surely it's still quicker to pause and list the actions wanted.

mucgoo 6th June 2011, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glix
Looked terrible, also the same old issue, I want to say "yes", shepard answers "no but I agree". Also the realtime commands why? Surely it's still quicker to pause and list the actions wanted.

shouting throw/lift/pull etc could make a bionic playthrough very fast and fluid
probably take some getting used to

Jehla 6th June 2011, 21:13

Is there any reason this could not work on the PC too? I'm sure most people have a mic or webcame/mic combo.

Podge4 6th June 2011, 21:14

Still be getting it on pc, same as first 2, i just hope i don't regret my choice at the end of 2.

greypilgers 6th June 2011, 21:49

Don't gamers have enough of a bad-rep stereotype image to contend with without friends and family watching you call out that 'it doesn't matter if you cant take off your spacesuit becasue you'd die, i still love you', or 'edi, fire up the warp drive and let's run those artifical life forms down!'...
Dear oh dear... I am a big time gaming fan, but even i have todraw the line at making myself look a fool...

greypilgers 6th June 2011, 21:50

Also - isn't this game being developed by Americans? Does that mean that no one with a Geordie accent will be allowed to play the game?

;)

Glix 6th June 2011, 22:11

Sigh, ammo system is still in the game as well...

Mentai 6th June 2011, 23:55

I bet the PC version will just get modded by someone unlocking voice commands with just a mic. That will result in me screaming I LOVE YOU TALI every time she\'s on screen. Looking forward to it.

Bede 7th June 2011, 00:12

I was actually quite surprised by the quality of voice control shown by ME3 and Ghost Recon (not the motion control, that was embarassing to watch). Of course they practice it over and over again, and for all we know it may have been scripted, but I'm going to be optimistic and hope that since they are pushing it so hard it might actually work.

Bindibadgi 7th June 2011, 02:17

Kinect voice = not interested
Kinect movement = very interested.

Imagine the reply options:

"Agree (paragon), Disagree (renegade), Groinal Thrust (sexy paragon), Fondle (sexy renegade)".

mi1ez 7th June 2011, 08:22

Is noone else thinking Famicom Fail?

Bede 7th June 2011, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindibadgi
Kinect voice = not interested
Kinect movement = very interested.

Imagine the reply options:

"Agree (paragon), Disagree (renegade), Groinal Thrust (sexy paragon), Fondle (sexy renegade)".

Did you watch the demo? They appear to be writing the responses to have contrasting intonations to make it easier for the xbox to pick up the difference, therefore the player actually says what is on the screen. This to me is far more exciting than input-lag filled waving at a screen.

Blademrk 7th June 2011, 10:24

The voice "choices" didn't interest me, the power/team-mate voice commands did and at least you can use a controller in conjunction with kinect.

At least you haven't got to aim like they did in the COD: MW3 demo, I hated that as soon as I saw it (pulse your hand to fire :( ), the gunsmith minority report style interface however was interesting.

Glix 7th June 2011, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blademrk
At least you haven't got to aim like they did in the COD: MW3 demo, I hated that as soon as I saw it (pulse your hand to fire :( ), the gunsmith minority report style interface however was interesting.

What were you watching?

Are you sure you weren't getting confused with Ghost Recon?

Blademrk 7th June 2011, 13:43

yeah I think I got it confuesed with GR, was watchin it late last night. MW3 was the first one they showed wasn't it?

Using the gunsmith to configure the weapons looked cool, but reaching over your sholder to "draw" the weapon for testing, pulsing your hand to shoot,it just looks like it would be annoying to play like that.

Glix 7th June 2011, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blademrk
yeah I think I got it confuesed with GR, was watchin it late last night. MW3 was the first one they showed wasn't it?

Using the gunsmith to configure the weapons looked cool, but reaching over your sholder to "draw" the weapon for testing, pulsing your hand to shoot,it just looks like it would be annoying to play like that.

Yep Mw3 involved blowing up subs, clearing streets of baddies, and a building... and a few roof tops.

The gunsmith thing just looks like a tech demo rather than a major part of the game though, doesn't look like it's needed for the game.

Kinect just seems to be dying on it's ***.