Mass Effect 1 DLC Cut Because of Corrupted Source Code

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is shaping up to be the definitive version of the original Mass Effect trilogy. Aside from multiplayer, Mass Effect Legendary Edition will come with nearly every bit of content and DLC, except for one piece of DLC from Mass Effect 1 that may be permanently lost. The DLC is Pinnacle Station, an add-on for the first Mass Effect that was originally released on the Xbox 360 and included a new map and 13 combat scenarios to help players hone their skills. Unfortunately, in an interview with Game Informer Legendary Edition project director Mac Walters reveals that despite the developers' best attempts, the DLC's source code is corrupted beyond repair. Word of Pinnacle Station's source code woes actually dates back to when the Mass Effect Trilogy was released on the PlayStation 3, As in the Legendary Edition, Pinnacle Station was not included in the PS3 trilogy and at the time the developers shared it was due to a source code corruption. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-our-first-impressions"] That issue persists today when Walters revealed that attempts to get the DLC into the Legendary Edition were "an emotional roller coaster[.]" Pinnacle Station was actually developed by an external studio called Demiurge. BioWare contacted Demiurge to see if they could get the original Pinnacle Station files from this team in place of BioWare's files. And although Demiurge successfully found the source code, theirs too was also corrupt. Walters says the only way to get the DLC into the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is if it were completely remade from scratch, which he says is unfeasible as that would "basically take us another full six months just to do this with most of the team we've got[.]" "I wish we could do it. Honestly, just because this is meant to be everything that the team ever created, brought together again," says Walters. "And so, leaving it all on the cutting-room floor, it was heartbreaking." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-official-trailer"] Walters is referring strictly to single-player content. Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode also won't be in the Legendary Edition, which Walters tells IGN was ultimately about "knowing where to draw the line." Walters cites challenges like incorporating crossplay and bridging in the small number of players still playing the original multiplayer. And ultimately, Walters says the team needed to focus on creating a definitive single-player experience. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available for pre-order now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It will be forward-compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X, though there won't be a dedicated version for next-gen consoles, and it will include nearly everything even the Extended Cut Ending. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter @lawoftd.