Mass Effect

On Friday I bought a copy of Mass Effect.  I could have received a free copy from work, but wanted to support the company by picking up a retail copy (and so should you!).  I figured I should probably get around to playing the flagship game of the company I work for.  I remember a friend of mine renting it back in Winnipeg, but I never got a chance to get into it.  But this time I am.  I’m still early in the game, and moving really slowly because I’m finding the back story so interesting I talk to every person and read every Codex entry.

The game is not perfect, and without giving away any company secrets I can say they’ve learned a thing or two for Mass Effect 2.  I’m hoping playing through this game will make me more helpful to the Mass Effect team the odd time they ask for my help with something, and also that this will ensure that happens more often.

DAO: E3

Towards the second half of the vid Ray and Greg talk about how Dragon Age has gone through a lot of end-production polish.  Ahem…  :)

These guys are awesome, they’re the heads of Bioware, and were doctors first!  I’ve had the pleasure of talking to both of them, really down to earth guys, but accomplish so much!  Which is more than I can say for the announcer, who is so stereotypically American he insults Canada!  But not before Ray and Greg give Edmonton some love!

Sims 3

I’m an addict.

Pet Peeve

Ok, this is a pet peeve of mine, and I just saw it on the blogs of 3 people I follow (I’m sorry if you were one of those people):

Dear Everyone:
Writing everyday normal sentences in the form of a formal letter isn’t hip anymore, I’m sorry.
Love,  Dale.

I <3 Bioware

The other day some new terms started.  It’s standard protocol to have a nerf raid on them during their orientation, where we lay into them while they have no weapons to fire back.  It’s an initiation of sorts, and I took my shots my first week.

I’ve been put in charge of mentoring and training the new term in our office.  I’m basically doing what my trainers did when I first started.  Very cool feeling to suddenly be the old hat, seeing the fresh new terms.

Today was a company wide meeting where we got inside information on tons of awesome Bioware games, etc.  Of course nothing I can write about here.  After the meeting the entire company was treated to free BBQ hotdogs and burgers.  We grabbed our free food and played some Soul Calibur in the lunch room, which drew a crowd.  This has become a bit of a tradition.

Bioware is an amazing company to work for, and I’m very proud to be a part of this team.  They know how to treat their employees too.  They’re actually one of the top employers in Canada.  Last year they made it in the top 10, of the entire country.  Check it out!

Dragon Age In Comics

Click to enlarge.

Things I’m Looking Forward To

• iPhone OS 3.0 on June 17th!
• My free copy of Sims 3 I get through work in a week.
• My Mom visiting and giving her the tour of Bioware.
• The company picnic!
• The rest of the Devin Townsend Project, 3 more albums within a year!
• Many awesome games including Bioshock 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, Just Cause 2, Alan Wake and so many more!
• All the awesome social additions to Xbox Live.
• My free Dragon Age shirt.
• Scribblenauts for DS
• Folk Fest
• Seeing the movie Moon.
• The final season of Lost!!!
• Beating Chad’s Gamerscore.
• Toy Story 3!
• My next visit to Winnipeg, probably in October.
• Hopefully getting a fulltime permanent position at Bioware!  Fingers crossed!
• Kicking Dave’s ass at Soul Calibur 4.  It’s coming Dave, be ready for it!
• Dragon Age’s release, showing friends back home my name in the credits!!
• Possibly going to the lake with Dann and Melissa.
• Much more!