Mass Effect 2 Gets Dated

The game will take place 2 years after the first Mass Effect (and was originally supposed to be released 2 years after as well, but who wants to go up against Modern Warfare 2). The game will utilize your save-data from the first game, converting any decisions you may have made for better or for worse. The game won't convert any level ups you may have gotten, so ability-wise, you're starting off brand new.

Here is the press release for said game, which also includes what pre-order items exist.

BIOWARE ANNOUNCES JANUARY 26 LAUNCH DATE FOR MASS EFFECT 2 TOGETHER WITH EXCITING PRE-ORDER INCENTIVES

Unique Armor and Weaponry Available with Pre-Orders at Select Retailers Worldwide

Mark your calendar and lock in your copy of Mass Effect 2 now! Leading video game developer BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that the epic Shooter/RPG Mass Effect 2 will be on store shelves in North America on January 26, and on January 29 in Europe. With its larger-than-life hero Commander Shepard, intense shooter action, nuanced characters and a rich storyline, the much-anticipated sequel to the original award-winning opus is one of the most anticipated titles of 2010. In support of the launch, BioWare is releasing unique Mass Effect 2 pre-order incentives* at key retailers in North America and across Europe. Codes for downloading these items will be provided to players who have pre-ordered, usable when the game is released.

"Our fans are in for a genuine thrill in the New Year with Mass Effect 2 - the second installment in the trilogy will be of amazingly high quality," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. "BioWare`s fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting this epic sequel, and we couldn`t be more excited to reward them for pre-ordering by delivering some awesome bonus content!"

In North America, pre-order bonuses* include special-ops armor and weaponry that are designed to boost Commander Shepard`s skills and abilities. At GameStop, Terminus Gear is available with pre-orders, which includes the powerful Terminus Assault Armor and the M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon:

* The Terminus Armor is designed for use in extreme planetary conditions, increasing run speed and personal shields, and augmenting weapons with an additional magazine of reserve ammo.
* The M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon generates a high-powered localized gravity well, accelerating particles to near-infinite mass, and ultimately expanding the selection of heavy weapons available to players when they gear up for combat missions in Mass Effect 2.

Players that pre-order Mass Effect 2 at other retail outlets in North America will receive the potent Inferno Armor, which is used by officers to monitor battlefield conditions by recognizing elevated heart rates, and regulates sub-systems with extreme efficiency to allow for greater response times - together these abilities translate in-game into a negotiation bonus for Commander Shepard and an increase in run speed and augmented damage from combat powers.

The Mass Effect trilogy is an emotionally charged science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it`s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.

Mass Effect 2 will be available on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC. Pre-order incentive assets are available at info.ea.com. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/masseffect2. For more information on Mass Effect 2, go to http://masseffect.bioware.com/.

*Restrictions apply. See actual pre-order offers for details.