14 DAY TRIAL // A set of new job postings at publisher Electronic Arts suggests that the company might be preparing to bring a Mass Effect video game to the popular social site Facebook, probably in time with the launch of the third installment in the series.
EA is looking for a number of developers in order to create something described as a “social game for gamers.”
The phrasing probably means that the game will be more suited to those who are engaged with retail video games like Mass Effect rather than just playing social games like FarmVille and other Zynga like titles.
Electronic Arts has commissioned BioWare and EA 2D to create two Facebook games based around the Dragon Age franchise.
The second of them, called Legends, still receives new content and graphical updates and allows players to follow a storyline that is parallel to that told in Dragon Age 2.
It is currently liked by more than 227,000 gamers and reports have suggested that the entire project is profitable.
More than three quarters of a million players are also currently fans of the Mass Effect series, which might turn into a solid player base for a Facebook video game.
Legends is free-to-play and Electronic Arts makes money from microtransactions, selling potions, items and some game options to those willing to pay.
Mass Effect 3 is being launched in March 2012 by BioWare and Electronic Arts and this will be the last game to feature Commander Shepard and the current cast of characters.
BioWare has said that it will use the universe for another titles.
A Facebook game, launched just before the retail one, might introduce newcomers to the series and might make them curious enough to pick Mass Effect 3 up in stores.
Electronic Arts has strengthened its position in social gaming by acquiring companies like Playfish and PopCap Games.