Switch Lights

The lights are on

Mass Effect: The Origin of Species

With the release of Mass Effect 3 on the horizon, we wanted to take a look back at the conception of the galaxy's alien inhabitants. We spoke with Mass Effect's associate art director Matt Rhodes to talk about his inspirations and the creative process behind each of the main alien races. Check out the videos below to learn the secrets behind some of the most iconic races in gaming.

Be sure to check out our video feature on Garrus to learn about the creation of the Turians, or click on the link to our hub below to learn even more about Mass Effect 3.

Email the author , or follow on , and .

Comments
  • Thank you Ben Hanson! This is freaking awesome!!
  • Mass effect aliens (like most) are pretty dissapointing, somehow they all use DNA, very humanoid, most are bipedal, most communicate with sounds, their culture is pretty comperable to humans... W T F? Living things on Earth with common genetic origins are more diverse than this "intergalactic community" made up of pseudo-humans. I find it impossible that they are all from completely different evolutionary lines and biogenesises.

    At least Turians look *** awesome.
  • Bald asari reminded me of Zotoh Zahn. Frelling awesome!

  • I always thought they resembled humans a little too much, but whatever, I love Mass Effect. My GF will HATE me when ME3, BF3 and GOW3 come out. My life as I know it will end.
  • This is awesome Ben! Thank you so much!

  • So there's a Salarian modeled after Clint Eastwood, huh? Does he yell at you if you mess with his Gran Torino?

    Good videos Ben. :)

  • My anticipation for ME3 is reaching a fever pitch with these videos. New races?!....Maybe?....Good enough.
  • Thank you Gameinformer for bringing constant ME3 articles/videos! It's really interesting to read and watch these articles while I'm going back and replaying both ME1 and ME2. Had an unfortunate lapse in brain function and didn't transfer any save files to my new hard drive when I bought the slim, but I'm kinda glad becuase now I'm replaying the first and realizing how much this series rocks!
  • Awesome. It could be interesting to see the addtion of more alien races in the Mass Effect Universe.

  • Pretty cool. I love time lapse art videos to remind me I'll never be as great as that.

  • dudes, I am loving this Mass Effect coverage. Its good to get refreshed on the deatils too. I might have to buy back my copy of ME2 from game stop and play that a bit before the new one comes out...why the H#!! did I sell that in the first place?!
  • Love this stuff. This is what I want to do with my future. I'm going to college for concept art and design. Now I really want to see a video about the design of Reapers and Quarians.

  • This is awesome...now, where is my Ipad codex application? A lot, and I mean A LOT of fans have been wanting that for a while. Also, I'm wondering if, after the trilogy is over, our decisions continue to make effects on other console entries?
  • bitchin.
    ADD: also.... I don't know why..... but I really hate the asari.... I mean really hate them.
  • I am so... empty you could say. think about it

  • this was really cool. I love stuff like this where they go behind the scenes are delve into the minds of the creators.

    and thanks for clearing up why Mordin is so awesome. How could a character based on Clint Eastwood NOT be awesome?

  • Am I the only one who thinks that Jillian Murray kind of looks like Miranda?

  • It always awsome to see how they come up with character models.

  • Gettin to see the creation of Wrex. I love it.

  • This was really cool. I hope that GI releases a new trailer for ME 3 at the end of their hub or at least allow us to ask questions for a podcast.

    What I am interested in though, is can I develop my relationship with Liara, maybe have a child etc. Same thing with other relationships.

1 2 3 4 Next