Mass Effect 3 Kinect voice commands listed

Mass Effect 3 will be "better with Kinect" thanks to exclusive voice commands. But how exactly does it work? Microsoft has sent us an official "cheat sheet," with all the commands you'll be able to say.

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Mass Effect 3 will be "better with Kinect" thanks to exclusive voice commands. But how exactly does it work? Microsoft has sent us an official "cheat sheet," with all the commands you'll be able to say. For example, you can tell Shepard to "switch weapon" and then say the name of the weapon. You can also say ammo type, such as "incendiary ammo," to switch to it. And, if you don't feel like pressing "A" on your Xbox 360 controller, you can tell him to "open" or "examine" something. For squad members, you must say their name and then issue a command. For example, you can say "Liara Singularity," and she will fire a blast at where your reticule is pointed. "Tali Follow" will have Tali follow you. "Kaiden Attack" will have him focused on the enemies your reticule is pointed at. Here's the full list of commands:

Kinect commands for Mass Effect 3

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    February 15, 2012 9:00 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Mass Effect 3 Kinect voice commands listed.

    Mass Effect 3 will be "better with Kinect" thanks to exclusive voice commands. But how exactly does it work? Microsoft has sent us an official "cheat sheet," with all the commands you'll be able to say.

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      February 15, 2012 9:06 AM

      I could see this working out well, but I could also see just falling back into my old routine without thinking about it.

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        February 15, 2012 10:17 AM

        I found myself reading the dialog options through connect A LOT during the demo. As far as abilities go, party or crew ability commands are where its at. Not having to pause the game and issue commands makes this such an amazing experience.

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      February 15, 2012 9:08 AM

      COVER ME!

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      February 15, 2012 9:29 AM

      Can someone tell my why this needs the Kinect?
      Couldn't you just use the headset mic?

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        February 15, 2012 10:29 AM

        Kinect and its API's are doing all the hard work of doing voice commands. In order to do the same Bioware would have to spend extra time reinventing what the Kinect provides them without all the extra work.

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          February 15, 2012 10:39 AM

          That is dodging the question though. The question is why does it need it. The answer is it does not need it.

          Does it make it easier on the developer? Likely. Does it force Kinect installs in houdehold that don't have it yet? Likely. Does it generate more profit for MS? Liklely.

          Bioware is a very talented, experienced, and well funded developer. If they really wanted this functionality in the game, they could easily do it without Kinext and its APIs. At the end of the day this is a MS pushed feature. Kinect just made it easier on them to implement.

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            February 15, 2012 11:08 AM

            It's not quite that simple. If, for example, implementing their own voice recognition system would take 100 man hours of dev time and doing it with Kinect only cost 8, then it could make sense for them to go with the Kinect route. Yeah it's better for Microsoft etc etc, but it also allows them to do more with their budget.

            It's similar to choosing a middleware engine like Unreal rather than making your own. Sure, Bioware is very talented and could make their own engine, but going with Unreal was (presumably) a better cost-benefit choice.

            This is just me playing Devil's Advocate though. I think most of the decision was driven by MS wanting to push the Kinect.

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            February 16, 2012 5:46 AM

            Having played the demo with Kinect I would say it is one of the best new features of the game. Lets not forget that it was Microsoft who first funded the series so it is not like Bioware has to be forced into adding features for them. Microsoft and Bioware have a great working relationship.

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          February 15, 2012 2:06 PM

          Calling BS on that. Voice command has been done properly long before Kinect.

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            February 15, 2012 2:47 PM

            Yeah but you think one developer/publisher is going to open up their tech to others when the platform did it for them?

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              February 15, 2012 3:58 PM

              This is age old tech. Much older than the 360. A large company like EA can get ahold of these techniques.

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                February 15, 2012 4:18 PM

                They did, it's called Kinect.

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                  February 15, 2012 7:25 PM

                  Okay, now you are just dancing around the point. My initial question is whether or not Kinect is necessitated. If that's your best answer then forget it.

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                    February 15, 2012 7:46 PM

                    You're asking WHY it needs it in the initial post rather than using a straight up Mic.

                    There are other games like EndWar or Rainbow Six 3 where you could command your dudes with your voice. They used mics and software built into it developed in house at the developer.

                    Now EA/BioWare are adding it in but they're a completely different company and developer than the others that have done it prior. They're not going to go ask Ubisoft or Red Storm for the code. They can certainly make it themselves but they opted to utilize a feature of a device developed by Microsoft (who also has had their own in house experience with voice recognition) which is integrated into the Kinect. Now they just have to use the tools provided by Kinect development kits and implement it into the game. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary has Kinect voice features too. They can now market these games as "Kinect Enabled" or "Better with Kinect." Note it does not say "Kinect Required" because that would imply it supports motion controls only and limit the game's audience.

                    Don't have a Kinect? Well now you can buy one. It's all marketing to add more use for the device which otherwise is mainly known for motion capture. It was easier to develop it on Kinect and certainly took less time. Since the feature was announced not that long ago and probably wasn't even considered until it was into development. You don't change development of a game and its features on a fly without consequences of increased expenses or time. It's like how an airplane is fueled with only enough fuel to reach it's destination and them some. They don't load more fuel than is needed and they can't necessarily change the flight plan to a farther destination than originally intended.

                    I have a Kinect with my 360 but I'm not going to buy the game for 360. I'm getting it on PC where I have since ME1 (though I did play ME1 initially on 360). ME3 supports Eyefinity which to me is a better experience to be had than my Kinect. That I reserve for games like Dance Central.

                    You aren't being clear about what you want as an answer or you're just changing your question because you don't like the answer.

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                February 15, 2012 4:54 PM

                I think you're looking at it the wrong way. Rather than decide to put voice in and look around for a way to do it, they saw the Kinect (and maybe a briefcase full of money) and used it to put some voice stuff in.

                On a related note, what all is involved in adding voice recognition with Kinect? I mean, do you just need a list of words or do you need to include extra information to match the thing the person said with the action you want to trigger?

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        February 15, 2012 10:33 AM

        it doesn't but it may be cool to issue voice commands quickly rather than abruptly pausing the action to issue commands through the radial

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      February 15, 2012 9:30 AM

      Excuse the painfully obvious question here, but... why can't we do it with the headset ala Endwar? Why must this only work with a Kinect?

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        February 15, 2012 10:16 AM

        There is no reason other tha they want you to buy Kinect. I had a huge debate about this with a friend this week. Its that simple.

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          February 15, 2012 11:21 AM

          Not allowing headset commands as an alternative to Kinect is a joke. Can't blame Bioware for this though. It's the game I want.

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          February 15, 2012 11:43 AM

          That's more of a reason why the feature even exists at all.

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        February 15, 2012 10:24 AM

        To sell more Kinects

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      February 15, 2012 9:30 AM

      [deleted]

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        February 15, 2012 6:25 PM

        I know. This is what I came to see but Bioware disappoints.

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      February 15, 2012 9:32 AM

      [deleted]

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        February 15, 2012 9:33 AM

        Downloading. Your account has been charged the sum of $375.00 US. Thank you for your purchases.

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      February 15, 2012 9:34 AM

      no wonder the PC demo is so lackluster. all the energy is for console development.

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        February 15, 2012 11:46 AM

        No the 360 demo was pretty lackluster too.

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      February 15, 2012 9:42 AM

      [deleted]

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      February 15, 2012 10:29 AM

      I used the commands demo, and I had a blast.

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      February 15, 2012 10:34 AM

      ASHLEY PICK UP LIARA

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      February 15, 2012 10:40 AM

      Wait! No Miranda? wtf?

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        February 15, 2012 12:11 PM

        [deleted]

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          February 15, 2012 12:20 PM

          Squad list:
          Ashley or Kaidan
          Garrus Vakarian
          Tali'Zorah vas Neema
          Liara T'Soni
          James Vega
          And 2 more that are spoilers.

          Some ME2 characters may be temp squad members for a mission or two, but from what I've read (and I'm talking 90,000 lines of leaked script), the permanent squad is what I've listed.

          Last 2 squad members: Spoilers below. Seriously. Do not click if you don't want to be spoiled.

          EDI. She gets a robot body.
          DLC character: Prothean.

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            February 15, 2012 12:30 PM

            [deleted]

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              February 15, 2012 12:37 PM

              Yeah, I'm *almost* happy with it.
              I definitely won't miss Jack, Thane, Zaeed, Kasumi, Samara, Jacob. I like most of them, but weren't anything special.

              I'll miss Mordin and Grunt, but it appears Mordin will have a big part to play outside the squad, and Grunt will have his own chunk.

              Legion, well, Legion kicks ass. But he'll also have a big part with some awesome possibilities, though I'll miss him because he's so awesome.

              Miranda's the only one I don't really understand leaving out of the permanent squad due to her intimate knowledge of Cerberus, who's a big enemy in ME3. I mean, what else is she going to do except watch out for her sister?

              Oh well.

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                February 15, 2012 12:46 PM

                [deleted]

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                  February 15, 2012 12:50 PM

                  Well, provided they survived, they'll all be back. Just none of them will be in the permanent squad.

                  Grunt, I'll miss just because he was hilarious and awesome. Kind of like the bodily function jokes vs Wrex's witty limericks, so to speak. Given that there'll be more squad interaction, including some stuff aboard the Normandy, Grunt would've fit in awesome in some of that stuff.

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            February 15, 2012 12:51 PM

            [deleted]

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            February 15, 2012 2:01 PM

            That spoiler made me happy.

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            February 15, 2012 2:09 PM

            [deleted]

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            February 15, 2012 2:13 PM

            WHAT. No Legion!!

            And no Dr. Solus!! Motherfucker!

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            February 15, 2012 2:18 PM

            Question: Could Garrus or Tali die in ME2 and still have you get a legit ending?

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            February 15, 2012 2:35 PM

            I sure am glad I spent AN ENTIRE FUCKING GAME building a crew I don't get to use !!

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            February 15, 2012 2:37 PM

            this is not good news. :( they need to add a fourth game mode into ME3 called "jaded and pissed"

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            February 15, 2012 2:40 PM

            [deleted]

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              February 15, 2012 2:44 PM

              [deleted]

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                February 15, 2012 2:45 PM

                [deleted]

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                  February 15, 2012 2:47 PM

                  Mordin and Legion may not be permanent squad members, but they'll play pretty good roles in main quest lines if you let them live, so don't slit your wrists yet.

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                    February 15, 2012 2:59 PM

                    [deleted]

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                      February 15, 2012 2:59 PM

                      [deleted]

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                        February 15, 2012 4:28 PM

                        [deleted]

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                          February 15, 2012 5:59 PM

                          [deleted]

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                          February 15, 2012 6:47 PM

                          how about all 5 options to adjust the graphics. yikes. :(

                          I'm pretty bummed as well. It seems like the focus of what made this a spectacular IP is long gone, shredded into scope creep and a bunch of tangential shit. :( :( it was a SINGLE PLAYER GAME and now I have no idea what it's trying to be. neither does anyone at bioware. it's supposed to be everything and everywhere, and they went for quantity instead of quality. DLC, ios, multiplayer, return to ME1 cast, old graphics, no graphic options... wow.

                          brickmatt I'm pretty sad. I have seen two INCREDIBLE game series go to shit.

                          I have a signed pride demon from DA:O that I got professionally mounted and sealed.

                          I have a signed Omega station from ME2 that I got professionally mounted and sealed.

                          I wonder if their value is going up... or down.

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                February 15, 2012 8:29 PM

                i want legion and wrex the most.

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                February 15, 2012 10:22 PM

                [deleted]

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            February 15, 2012 2:42 PM

            Oh, no Thane :(

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            February 15, 2012 2:43 PM

            And fucking Tali Vacuum Cleaner Face, fuck fuck

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            February 15, 2012 7:11 PM

            Sweet, I'm going to have me 1 perma squad of Garrus and Liara again!

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            February 15, 2012 7:22 PM

            The question is with EDI are we going to actually get an interesting character design for her or is it just going to be another Maria from Metropolis clone

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        February 15, 2012 2:34 PM

        Everyone from ME2 can die so I guess it would be really hard to write for every possible outcome. I'm sure they'll write some miracle save for Tali and Garrus. It would get old for the entire ensemble. Yea they really wrote themselves in a corner there.

        The current ME3 cast looks identical to the ME1 cast sans a Krogan in exchange for (yawn) another human. So far the squadies fail to impress as the ME1 crew was pretty bland overall. Wrex being the most interesting is possibly eliminated from the first game so I guess I can understand why they didn't include him. Tali and Garrus didn't get interesting until ME2. Overall, they did an excellent job for all characters then. It's a shame they can't be a big part for this one.

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        February 15, 2012 7:12 PM

        Pretty much called it back in 2010 http://www.shacknews.com/article/66557/weekend-discussion?id=24577990#item_24577990 Actually I said something similar back in Jan of 2010 http://www.shacknews.com/article/62168/weekend-discussion-huuugs?id=22043909 Luckily I was wrong about Tali and Garrus

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      February 15, 2012 11:05 AM

      Voice commands worked well for me when I played the demo. I was pretty impressed. I'll use voice commands for sure.

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      February 15, 2012 2:37 PM

      I do not feel right screaming at my television

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        February 15, 2012 2:39 PM

        given the way ME3 is going, I think it will be suitable. :(

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      February 15, 2012 2:39 PM

      I'm just wondering what poor fate is awaiting Shepard that will cause him/her to lose his/her face and powers again.

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        February 15, 2012 2:43 PM

        Haha. Well, this time, if you import, you start at whatever level you imported from. So maxed ME2, you can import at level 30 out of 60.

        Of course, you can still change your class and appearance, I believe, but no idea what the canon will be for that...unless they just don't even acknowledge it.

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      February 15, 2012 6:49 PM

      This this work on the pc version too?

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      February 15, 2012 7:07 PM

      All I want to do is say "Wrex" and have him say, "Shepard"

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      February 15, 2012 8:08 PM

      [deleted]

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      February 15, 2012 9:53 PM

      Hopefully Bioware trolls everyone and makes the Kinect Motion Control for "Biotic Charge" identical to the actual move.

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