Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition to feature a female lead

Over the past few years, games have increasingly started to attract a much broader audience than they used to, so much so that the spotty teenage boy stereotype seems even less applicable now than it did then. With a majority of players now being female, many games have noticed the expanding audience they're starting to attract, and have begun to offer the ability to play as a female, as well as a male lead. While it doesn't really matter so much in games like Tomb Raider, or Halo, in role playing games where you're meant to be playing as a character, sinking yourself into a world, and making choices for yourself, it's understandable that you'll want to play as someone who at least matches your sex. The Mass Effect series has long been one of the leaders in terms of player freedom, by not only letting you play as a female, but as a character of whatever sexual orientation you choose, too - but with their upcoming space opera Mass Effect 3, they're taking things a step further.

While the game's always offered you the chance to play as a character of your creation, the artwork, and trailers for the game have always featured what was made out to be the "main" character, or "official" choice - the male Commander Shepard. For Mass Effect 3, however, things are a little bit fairer.


On his official Twitter account, David Silverman, the director of marketing at BioWare has confirmed that a female version of Shepard, otherwise known as "FemShep" will be making an appearance on the boxart. She'll also be starring in a trailer closer to the launch of the game. While suddenly acknowledging a female shepherd may play havoc with the canon of the series, it's certainly a nice inclusion - and just another part of EA's attempt to make Mass Effect 3 appeal to a wider audience. The inclusion of Kinect support was step one.

For those simply interested in what the package will hold, the N7 Collector's Edition of Mass Effect 3 contains:

• Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard.
• 70-page hardbound art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team.
• Limited edition Mass Effect comic by Dark Horse Comics, complete with unique cover artwork.
• Join the ranks of the N7 with the premium fabric N7 patch.
• Exclusive 4x6 lithographic print featuring a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
• A full collection of in-game content that can’t be found anywhere else!
• N7 Arsenal Pack – Bring the firepower with the N7 Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, SMG, and Pistol.
• Robotic Dog – A faithful sidekick to keep you company on board the Normandy.
• Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack – New appearances for your favorite squad members.
• N7 Hoodie – For Commander Shepard’s casual days on board the Normandy.
• Relive all the greatest moments of Mass Effect 3 with the digital soundtrack.
• Xbox LIVE Normandy prop for your Avatar. (Available on Xbox 360 version only.)
• The ability to display your initiation into the N7 ranks with a collection of forum and social badges, avatars, and perks.

Mass Effect 3 is set for launch on the 6th March, 2012. Telling the final chapter of the current trilogy of Mass Effect, the game sees an alien race, known as the Reapers, on the verge of overthrowing the galaxy. Earth has fallen, and the rest of the galaxy sits on the brink. Playing as Commander Shepard, it's up to you to turn the tide of the battle, as you put together a squad of people you know you can trust, and come up against some of the largest moral decisions you'll face, as you play through this sci-fi epic.

Hopefully, we'll be getting to go hands-on with this soon. We'll bring you more as soon as we get it.