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Mass Effect 2 doesn't arrive on retail shelves for another two weeks but that doesn't mean BioWare isn't already working on the third installment of the trilogy.

BioWare project manager Casey Hudson spoke with IGN at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, offering insight into the development of Mass Effect 3: "We are already at work on Mass Effect 3 - building the first bits of the story, putting that together."

When asked about the turn-around for the final game, and whether it might be scheduled for an appearance on an upcoming console update, such as the XBox 720, Hudson was clear about BioWare's priorities concerning the Mass Effect trilogy:

"We always wanted to make sure that we got the entire trilogy of games done within this console's life cycle. We didn't want to take forever with it. So we definitely want to make Mass Effect 3 a fairly short turnaround, but also being that it needs to be a tremendous and epic conclusion to the trilogy."

Hudson also offered up information concerning DLC for Mass Effect 2: "There will be great downloadable content throughout the time that Mass Effect 2 is out there while people are waiting for the third one. You'll always have great stuff. New adventures to play. New things to do."

In terms of a time frame for the DLC releases, Hudson revealed what sounds like a pretty aggressive DLC schedule:

"We don't have anything specifically announced yet, but we basically plan for DLC pretty shortly after the release of the game and then a pretty intense schedule of downloadable content throughout. This is one of the big improvements that we've been able to do for Mass Effect 2. Lots of DLC and lots of really high quality DLC that players can look forward to."

It's great to see BioWare preparing a thorough plan for the DLC in order to span the gap between the trilogy episodes. "Bring Down the Sky" was a good edition to the first title but felt like a deleted scene, or an afterthought, not part of an actual DLC strategy.

Obviously, BioWare knows they've got a great brand with a built-in audience at this point - so they can invest more at a lower risk of return. Mass Effect 2 is certainly prepared to satisfy fans of the franchise while also bringing in plenty of fresh sales from gamers who may have passed on the first title.

Now we just need January 26th to hurry up and get here.

What are you looking forward to most in Mass Effect 2? How do you feel about the quick turn-around on Mass Effect 3?

Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for a January 26th release on PC and Xbox 360.

Source: IGN