OP DISCLAIMER (Please Read):
At first I wasn't going to make this thread because I knew that I'd be going on a bit of a media blackout with this game as soon as it got announced - and I felt like I may not be able to update the OP as much as a thread focused on this game deserves. However, after thinking about it a bit, I decided that I'd go ahead and create the topic anyways since I like to flatter myself as the torch bearer for anything Mass Effect-related here on CAG :lol:
The OP will be updated with the vital information that gets released for the game (actual street date, multiplayer info if any, different editions of the game, "official" trailers released at E3 and other big events, etc.). The things that won't be posted include (but not limited to): dev diaries, party member reveals, class previews, commercials, articles, rumors, leaked information, etc. Again, these are things that you will not find in the OP or posted by me in any of the posts. If you want to keep track of those various sources of information: talk with people in the thread, visit the BioWare forums, check the Mass Effect Wiki - there are numerous sources out there for everything you need. I'll even post links on where to go for that kind of information, as we move closer towards release. I'm doing this because I won't be seeing this information and because I don't want to automatically subject anyone to what may/may not be considered spoilers if I don't have to.
The other side of this idea of me not being as "involved" in this thread compared to ME2 is the fact that I won't be around in the thread as much to make sure that there is a degree of control when it comes to tagging information with spoiler tags. I'm proud to say that we did an amazing job with keeping spoilers to an absolute minimum in the Mass Effect 2 thread, especially considering that it's one of the largest threads on CAG. I'm fairly confident in the fact that you all are disciplined enough to know what should/should not be in spoiler tags, and I hope to continue the trend we had from the ME2 thread. Just remember that many of your fellow CAGs have been playing this series since the start, and they've worked just as hard or harder than you towards completing the first two steps of Shepard's goal to wipe out the Reapers once and for all - so keep that in mind whenever you decide to post the newest screenshot of a character in Mass Effect 3 or what some German article says about specific information regarding the game. If you see any posts that may contain a bit more information than you think is necessary for the average person to know about ME3, call that person out (nicely) about it. If you get hit with some "spoiler tags, please!" responses, don't fight about it or take offense to it - just do it. If someone chooses not to spoiler tag a post that definitely deserves to be tagged, report it to our mods and/or tell me and I'll even help to get it corrected (be sure to leave out the info that's spoiler-y, please!). To err on the side of caution, always post spoiler tags if you are posting any form of "breaking news" that isn't an official release from BioWare.
I realize that maybe 10 people will read this disclaimer and take it to heart, but I hope we can have an awesome discussion about what looks to be the greatest game of all time as we countdown this long, one-year wait. We had a lot of great discussions, debates, and different insights regarding the numerous aspects that the game and it's universe brings to the table in the Mass Effect 2 thread - and I know a large population of people from there will be making their way here as time goes on. We're all in for the long haul here, and we all are eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this epic story. Treat others with at least some respect (no matter how crazy their opinions/rants may be) and let's make the wait for Mass Effect 3 as enjoyable as possible.
Thanks.