File this under “sketch” but we just love Bioware’s epic science fiction extravamaganza Mass Effect so darn much we couldn’t resist: rumors about the game’s highly anticipated sequel have surfaced and they include mouthwatering new features such as a five-player co-op mode and a considerably expanded universe.

Website Co-Optimus cites a forum post from a website that cites a Norwegian message board that cites a now non-existent Gamespot article that detailed an alleged Bioware press release with tasty new details about the game. Like we said: sketch. It’s a slow news day in the world of games.

Daring to believe the information, some of the possible features of the new game may include:

-The same team that worked on Mass Effect is working on Mass Effect 2.

-The story in Mass Effect 2 will continue two months after the end of the first game.

-Your character from the original title can be transported into Mass Effect 2 via save-files.

- The game will have a CO-OP feature that can accommodate up to five players.

-There will be a multiplayer component called “Survival” where players will crash on a planet and battle to survive against endless hordes of enemies.

-The Mass Effect universe has been expanded, allowing players to explore eight times more planets than in the original.

- Players can now lead a squad of 2-5 members, instead of the previous Mass Effect’s two-member limit.

The list goes on and on and much of it feels more like a (Gears of War) fan’s wish list than actual features in the new game—like “Battles will be on a much larger scale, reported scale is the same as in Gears of War 2” and “The player can now equip a knife, the knife can be customized and upgraded, the knife can also be used with different powers.” (A knife? In Mass Effect? Really?)—but any discussion of Mass Effect 2 is a fun way to start off the week, no?

You can check out the full list of alleged features here.

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