Microsoft's 'Mass Effect' Aims To Be Next Xbox 360 HitMicrosoft's 'Mass Effect' Aims To Be Next Xbox 360 Hit

Microsoft is hoping that its Tuesday launch of the video game Mass Effect will provide the next big hit for its Xbox 360 gaming console.

Mass Effect is a role playing game based in a sci-fi universe. Assuming the character of an elite super-agent named "Commander Shepard", players "are charged with uncovering a terrifying truth," according to Microsoft.

The game was developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Games Studios. Among other things, it features an advanced dialog system that allows players to interact with characters voiced by actors Seth Green, Lance Henriksen and Marina Sirtis -- who played the character Deanna Troi on "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Microsoft is introducing Mass Effect, which can only be played on the Xbox 360, to considerable hype. In addition to launch events, the Sci Fi Channel will air a special tonight that looks at the game's making.

Mass Effect is already pulling in accolades. It was voted Best Console Game and Best Role Playing Game at the 2007 Game Critic Awards.

Microsoft is no doubt hoping that Mass Effect will rack up sales similar to those enjoyed by Halo 3, a first person shooter that the company unveiled in September. The title broke game industry records by tallying sales of $170 million on its first day of availability.

Halo 3 also helped drive a 100% increase in Xbox 360 sales in Microsoft's fiscal first quarter.

Mass Effect sells for $59.99 for the standard edition, and $69.99 for the Collector's Edition -- which features bonus books and a DVD containing songs from the game's soundtrack.