Mass Effect 2 Digital Art Book

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Mass Effect 2
PRIMA Official Art Book
Prima Games
An Imprint of Random House, Inc.
3000 Lava Ridge Court, St. 100
Roseville, CA 95661
www.primagames.com
The Prima Games logo is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Primagames.com is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., registered in
the United States.
© 2010 EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. Mass Effect, Mass Effect logo, BioWare and BioWare logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the
U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. EA and EA logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without
written permission from Prima Games. Prima Games is an imprint of Random House, Inc.
Please be advised that the ESRB Ratings icons, “EC,” “E,” “E10+,” “T,” “M,” “AO,” and “RP” are trademarks owned by the Entertainment Software Association, and may only be used with their permission and
authority. For information regarding whether a product has been rated by the ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org. For permission to use the Ratings icons, please contact the ESA at esrblicenseinfo.com.
Important:
Prima Games has made every effort to determine that the information contained in this book is accurate. However, the publisher makes no warranty, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, ef-
fectiveness, or completeness of the material in this book; nor does the publisher assume liability for damages, either incidental or consequential, that may result from using the information in this book. The
publisher cannot provide any additional information or support regarding gameplay, hints and strategies, or problems with hardware or software. Such questions should be directed to the support numbers
provided by the game and/or device manufacturers as set forth in their documentation. Some game tricks require precise timing and may require repeated attempts before the desired result is achieved.
F_ME2_Mini Art Book_001_013.indd 1 11/12/09 4:54 PM

O1: HEROES AND VILLAINS
MASS EFFECT 2 ART BOOK
The original title in the Mass Effect trilogy set a new standard for emotionally engaging digital actors.
To push the quality bar even higher, the art team painstakingly developed sophisticated concepts and
new technologies for the characters of Mass Effect 2. Personalities and back stories were woven
into every detail of the designs, and several characters were born out of production paintings like
this one of the Illusive Man. Capturing more than just his appearance, this painting portrays a
moment that defines the spirit of the character.
3
2
The tank-bred Grunt was designed to contrast with other krogan by having smoother horns and a
4
showroom-new armor.

After a painful introduction to Shepard, Garrus’ appearance for
the remainder of the story would bear the scars and bandages
of a near-fatal injury.
5
The Illusive Man’s suit was
designed to capture an impec-
cable futuristic style, combined
with the casual swagger of a
6
charming billionaire.

Early ideas of
Miranda pegged
her as a blonde,
but once her Cer-
berus uniform was
concepted, black
hair seemed to
better complement
the “femme fatale”
7
look.

Jack’s extensive tattoos suited her personality better than
clothing or armor. The final designs were intricately crafted
as a visual story of her past.
8

Samara’s armor and jewelry were created with feminine lines
and ornate detailing meant to capture her archetypal description
of “mystic warrior”.
9
Legion presented
an opportunity to
develop the basic
geth design by
adding moving
parts that allowed it
to animate with de-
tailed expressions.
Originally added to
the concept just for
fun, Shepard’s N7
armor became an
integral part of
Legion’s appearance
10
and back story.

Mordin’s design needed to balance the look of a brilliant scientist
11
with that of a combat-ready tech specialist.

Having completed her pilgrimage, Tali’s new look was designed to be familiar yet
12
noticeably more mature than in the original story.

The design for Thane was one of the most challenging, as he
needed to be not only a sleek-looking alien assassin, but also an
13
attractive potential love interest.

O2: ALIEN LIFE FORMS
As the scope of the story expanded dramatically in the second part of the trilogy, so did the scale of
creatures and enemies faced by the heroes. In particular, the hybridization of humans and Reaper
technology is revealed through several stages of increasingly powerful enemies, culminating in the
enormous and terrifying Reaper-human larva shown here in early production paintings.
15
14
The countless designs for the Reaper-human larva [above and previous page] covered a
full spectrum between Reaper and human forms. Ultimately, a more human shape was
chosen, albeit one that’s only partially formed, and of distinctly Reaper construction.
16

Scions are essentially walking genetic
experiments, crudely fusing Reaper
technology with human anatomy.
17
The Collectors were originally inspired
by electron microscope photographs of
insect heads. Their full-body designs
ranged from humanoid to highly-abstract
creations.
18

19
20
2 0

Clearly fusing Collector DNA with the combined brainpower of several human heads,
21
the Praetorians are another example of horrific Reaper experimentation.

O3: ALIEN WORLDS
O3: ALIEN WORLDS
Having established a galaxy of locations with the first story, the art team for Mass Effect 2 had the
luxury of returning to familiar places to develop them further, or create completely new and exotic
locales. This balance helps anchor the story in idyllic and familiar settings like the Citadel (shown here
in a matte painting), while offering new locations that reveal the darker side of the Mass Effect universe.
23
22
O3: ALIEN WORLDS
Interiors for
Cerberus locations
[right] epitomize
the clean and geo-
metric design style
of the Mass Effect
universe, while the
concepts for Cer-
berus’ Minuteman
Station [above and
opposite] reaffirm
25
24
its inspiring scope.

O3: ALIEN WORLDS
While the more elitist locations of the
Citadel were featured in the original story,
Because it is an asari homeworld, designs Mass Effect 2 takes players to some of
for Ilium [opposite] had to capture the the grittier and more vibrant districts of
27
26
beauty and serenity of the species. the enormous space station. [above]
O3: ALIEN WORLDS
With guards moving through “hamster Korlus [above] is equally
tubes” to observe the prisoners below, grim, fulfilling the promise
Purgatory’s colorless environment of the planet’s working
[opposite] offers no hope to its inhabitants. name: “junk world”.
29
28
30

O3: ALIEN WORLDS
The archetypal opposite of the Citadel, Omega is a
lawless and dangerous city in space, ruled by
powerful gangsters and mercenary groups. Its
unique shape was inspired by a blossoming nuclear
mushroom cloud.
31
O3: ALIEN WORLDS
Collector interiors had to feel uncomfortably alien, with vistas of epic proportions. To
ground their look in something familiar, artists took inspiration from natural bee hives.
33
32
O4: TRANSPORT
O4: TRANSPORT
With a fast-moving story that spans the galaxy, Mass Effect 2 brought new demand for spaceship and
vehicle designs. From the rusty krogan hauler shown here to the impressive new incarnation of the
35
34
starship Normandy, vehicles continue to play a key role in the Mass Effect experience.
36

O4:
O4 TRANSPORT
Perpetually seeking a new homeworld, the ships of the quarian migrant
fleet [above] were envisioned as tadpole-like shapes strapped with myriad
cargo containers.
To help portray the Collectors as disturbingly insect-like, the final design

for the Collector ship [opposite, bottom] combines sleek metallic struc-
37
tures with organic shapes inspired by the termite mounds of Australia.

With the new Normandy being substantially larger, a shuttle
[right] was designed to transport the squad anywhere the
big ship couldn’t go. And since it would also be featured in
cutscenes and interior shots, its design had to incorporate a
detailed interior and functioning doors. For future vehicular
missions, the Mako was re-imagined as a hovering tank [above].
38

O4: TRANSPORT
An enemy of devastating power, the Gunship combines the posture
39
of an attack helicopter with futuristic propulsion and weaponry.

40

O4: TRANSPORT
With the destruction of the original Normandy [opposite], the Cerberus-built Normandy
SR2 was conceived as a bigger and faster starship, borrowing its sleek proportions from
delta-winged fighter jets.
41
O4: TRANSPORT
The replacement Normandy was originally meant to feel like a crude knockoff of the
original ship: bigger and more powerful, but without the luxuries. The final design,
however, featured numerous luxurious improvements, including posh living quarters
and a top-of-the-line galley, not to mention wood inlay and leather seats.
43
42
O5: WEAPONS
O5: WEAPONS
With an increased focus on intense tactical combat, Mass Effect 2 brought new opportunities
45
44
for the team to create weapons with unique designs and spectacular effects.
46

O5: WEAPONS
The addition of heavy weapons provided artists the opportunity to create weapons of otherworldly firepower, ranging from the
organic but deadly Collector beam weapon [opposite, bottom] to the ultimate in personal protection, the tactical nuke [above].
47
48

b o o k
a r t
a r t b o o k
822708
ESRB: FRONT: __mm x __mm, __pt online statement

BACK: __mm x __mm (excluding descriptor box), __pt descriptor text
_MASS2CmultiARTBOOKdwnld.indd
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822708 TM Helvetica, Condensed, Bold C M Y K Special notes here
11/10/09 02:00P J. Lee Condensed
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CS3 A. Ramirez PMS PMS PMS PMS
TMN: 906339 PA:MC Mech:_MASS2CmultiARTBOOKc1rev2.indd

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b o o k

ESRB: FRONT: __mm x __mm, __pt online statement

TMN: 906339 PA:MC Mech:_MASS2CmultiARTBOOKc1rev2.indd

F_ME2_Mini Art Book_001_013.indd 1 11/12/09 4:54 PM

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and back story.

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noticeably more mature than in the original story.

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its inspiring scope.

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F_ME2_Mini Art Book_034_043.indd 36 11/12/09 5:01 PM

To help portray the Collectors as disturbingly insect-like, the ﬁnal design

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ESRB: FRONT: __mm x __mm, __pt online statement

TMN: 906339 PA:MC Mech:_MASS2CmultiARTBOOKc1rev2.indd

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