Update for Mass Effect Fans!

LONDON 2nd October, 2007 - Microsoft Game Studios today announced some new information on some of the main characters in the game Mass Effect, due for release on 23rd November.

The first character to be introduced is Nihlus Kryik, one of the Citadel Council's most decorated Spectre agents. His skills are unquestioned, but his attitude is not. A confidant of Saren, the main villain in "Mass Effect," Nihlus has learned a trick or two from the master. Eventually, he stepped out of his mentor's shadow and established himself as one of the Council's top agents. Since then, Nihlus has completed countless missions as a Spectre, each one more difficult and dangerous than the last. Though his methods aren't as brutal as Saren's, he will not hesitate to efficiently and thoroughly eradicate anything or anyone that stands in his way, so watch out.

Please feel free to download Nihlus's bio and screenshots through our FTP site: http://microsoft.gamespress.com/xbox360/product.asp?s=53 and share this with your viewers.

For additional information on "Mass Effect," please visit http://masseffect.bioware.com. "Mass Effect" is rated 12 BBFC.

Watch out for the next character profile video in the near future.

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Notes to editors:

For more information, please contact:

Kate Szlendak / v-kaszle@microsoft.com / 0118 909 5334

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows ( http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox and Xbox 360 ( http://www.xbox.com), including such games as "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo," "Fable®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "Forza Motorsport®"; and MSN® Games ( http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."