June 22, 2007

More Details on the Krogan Race from Mass Effect

Last week Microsoft introduced the Krogan race, a species of large reptilian bipeds that will play a vital role in the universe of “Mass Effect,” the upcoming exclusive for the Xbox 360. This morning, the “Mass Effect” Web site (www.MassEffect.com) has been updated to shed a bit more light on the Krogan’s background and their history in the galaxy.

Roughly 2,000 years ago, the Krogan were a primitive tribal species trapped on a world suffering through a nuclear winter of their own making. They were liberated from this state by the Salarians, who “culturally uplifted” the Krogan by giving them advanced technology and relocating them to a planet void of lethal levels of radiation, toxins and deadly predators. The Salarian’s ulterior motive was to have the Krogan join the Citadel forces as soldiers to stand against the unstoppable Rachni – a race of intelligent space-faring insects with whom they were engaged in a galactic war. The plan worked to perfection, and within two generations the rapidly breeding Krogan not only had the numbers to drive the advancing Rachni back, but pursue them to their home worlds and eradicate the entire species.

The Krogan were hailed as saviors of the galaxy, but without the harsh conditions of Tuchanka to keep their population in check, their numbers exploded. Overcrowded and depleted resources meant that the Krogan spread out to forcibly claim other worlds that were inhabited by races loyal to the Citadel. The so called “Krogan Rebellions” continued for nearly three centuries, during which massive casualties were sustained, but countered by their incredible birth-rate. In a pivotal move, the Turians unleashed a genophage on the Krogan home worlds, which caused near total infant mortality in the Krogan species, with only one birth in every 1,000 producing live offspring. Now faced with the certainty of their extinction as a species, most Krogan typically serve as mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, though many still resent and despise the Citadel races who condemned them to their tragic fate.

To learn more about the Krogan and view new screenshots, visit the “Mass Effect” Web site, which will be updated on a regular basis. Microsoft will continue to uncover more “Mass Effect” information and details on the game in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled for updates.

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