Mass Effect 2 confirmed for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3

That Electronic Arts and BioWare have been at work on a follow-up to 2007’s Mass Effect hasn’t exactly been a guarded secret. The term “Mass Effect trilogy” has been bandied about by EA brass since it acquired the studio in 2007, with CEO John Riccitiello most recently pegging the game for a multiplatform release in early 2010. Of course, that reveal was quickly followed by the game’s first teaser trailer last month.

Now, a year on from when BioWare executive producer Greg Zeschuk made first reference to the game by its title, EA has officially announced Mass Effect 2. Tempering speculation that the game will see a multiplatform release on the PlayStation 3, EA confirmed it for release only on the Xbox 360 and PC in early 2010. The first installment in the franchise was published by Microsoft and debuted on the Xbox 360 in 2007 before moving to the PC last year.

BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka said that it will offer “intensified combat and expanded weapon options as well as increased depth of planet exploration.” And, as is the hallmark of games produced by EA’s subsidiary, BioWare promises a cinematic storyline that will play out in a fashion similar to the first game in the series.

Unfortunately, EA remains tight-lipped on Commander Shepard’s latest mission, saying only that humanity now faces a threat greater than the robotic Geth army seen in the original. Indeed, Commander Shepard may not be party to the proceedings at all, considering that last month’s trailer indicated humanity’s first Spectre had been killed in action.