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Frosty Toolsuite provides comprehensive modding support for two distinct BioWare and DICE titles: Mass Effect: Andromeda and Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.

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Supported Titles

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Released: March 2017Profile: MassEffectSDK.dllVersion: 20170321

Mirror's Edge Catalyst

Released: June 2016Profile: MirrorsEdgeSDK.dllVersion: 20160607
While these are separate games from different genres, they share similar Frostbite 3 technology from the 2016-2017 era and are grouped here for their common technical characteristics.

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Mass Effect: Andromeda

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Game Information

Genre: Action RPG / Space Exploration Developer: BioWare Montreal Profile Size: ~7.2 MB Profile Version: 20170321 Mass Effect: Andromeda is BioWare’s science fiction RPG set in the Andromeda galaxy, built on an advanced version of the Frostbite engine with RPG-specific customizations.

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Technical Characteristics

Engine Features:
  • Advanced character customization system
  • Complex facial animation technology
  • Open-world planetary exploration
  • Modern mesh format with enhanced rigging
  • Extensive dialogue and cinematic systems
Mesh Format:
  • Uses specialized mesh structure
  • Special handling for character creator morphs
  • Enhanced bone system for detailed animations
  • Facial blend shapes for expressions
Code reference: source/Plugins/MeshSetPlugin/Resources/MeshSet.cs:612

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Modding Capabilities

Extensive character appearance modding:
  • Face Presets: Custom Ryder appearance options
  • Hair Styles: Additional hairstyle models and textures
  • Skin Textures: Enhanced or alternative skin tones
  • Eye Colors: Expanded color options
  • Facial Features: Custom morphs and blend shapes
  • Body Types: Alternative character proportions
MEA’s character creator supports detailed modifications through Frosty.
Armor and weapon modifications:
  • Armor Sets: Retextured or recolored N7 and other armor
  • Weapon Models: Enhanced weapon designs
  • Armor Tinting: Custom color schemes
  • Material Shaders: Improved surface properties
  • Equipment Stats: Modified item attributes
The Andromeda Initiative’s equipment is highly customizable.
Companion modifications:
  • Companion Appearances: Modified default looks for squadmates
  • Outfit Variants: Alternative clothing for crew members
  • Armor Customization: Custom armor tints and textures
  • Abilities: Modified power visuals
  • Romance Content: Enhanced or modified romance scenes
World and visual enhancements:
  • Planet Textures: Enhanced terrain for explorable worlds
  • Tempest Interior: Ship interior improvements
  • Heleus Cluster: Skybox and space visual enhancements
  • Lighting: Modified scene lighting and atmosphere
  • UI Elements: Custom interface graphics

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Known Issues & Considerations

MEA’s facial animation system is complex:
  • Uses extensive blend shape technology
  • Automated facial animation may conflict with mods
  • Some animations are procedurally generated
  • Custom face morphs require understanding of the blend shape system
When modding character creator assets:
  • Some options are gender-specific
  • Face codes may not work with extensive mods
  • Hair and makeup use layered systems
  • Test in-game animations, not just character creator

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Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

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Game Information

Genre: First-Person Action / Parkour Developer: DICE Profile Size: ~3.4 MB Profile Version: 20160607 Mirror’s Edge Catalyst is DICE’s parkour action game set in the futuristic city of Glass, featuring a distinctive visual style and fast-paced movement.

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Technical Characteristics

Engine Features:
  • First-person perspective optimization
  • Advanced movement and animation systems
  • Distinctive visual aesthetic (clean, minimalist)
  • Modern mesh format with ushort bone counts
  • Enhanced environmental rendering
Mesh Format:
  • Modern Frostbite 3 mesh structure
  • Ushort bone count storage
  • Optimized for first-person character models
  • Special handling for parkour animations
Code reference: source/Plugins/MeshSetPlugin/Resources/MeshSet.cs:706

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Modding Capabilities

Faith and character customization:
  • Faith’s Outfit: Modified colors and textures
  • Tattoos: Custom runner tattoo designs
  • Gloves & Shoes: Enhanced gear textures
  • Character Model: Body mesh modifications
  • First-Person Arms: Visible arm textures and models
MEC’s distinctive red and white aesthetic is fully moddable.
The game’s unique visual design:
  • Runner Vision: Modified highlighting colors
  • Environment Colors: Adjusted city palette
  • UI Elements: Custom interface colors and designs
  • Glass Materials: Enhanced reflective surfaces
  • Lighting: Modified time-of-day and ambient light
MEC’s clean aesthetic allows for dramatic visual overhauls.
City of Glass modifications:
  • Building Textures: Enhanced urban architecture
  • Skybox: Custom sky and atmospheric effects
  • Billboard Graphics: Custom advertisement designs
  • Terrain: Rooftop and ground surface improvements
  • Props: Modified objects and details
Functional modifications:
  • Collectibles: Modified item appearances
  • Progression: Visual indicators and UI
  • Abilities: Modified visual effects
  • Equipment: GridLink and gear appearances

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Known Issues & Considerations

Modding considerations for FPS view:
  • Separate first-person and third-person models
  • First-person arms are distinct assets
  • Some modifications only visible in specific views
  • Test in both gameplay and cutscenes
Maintaining the game’s aesthetic:
  • MEC has a specific art direction (clean, minimal, high contrast)
  • Runner Vision depends on color coding
  • Extreme texture changes may affect gameplay readability
  • Consider artistic consistency when modding

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Shared Technical Details

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Mesh Format Compatibility

Both games use modern Frostbite 3 mesh formats from the 2016-2017 era: 
Mirror's Edge Catalyst: Modern format, ushort bone counts
Mass Effect Andromeda: Similar modern format with RPG-specific features
Both titles support:
  • Advanced vertex attributes
  • Enhanced bone systems
  • Modern texture compression
  • Improved LOD handling

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Profile Loading

Both games are detected and loaded through their respective SDK profiles:
  • MirrorsEdgeSDK.dll: 3.4 MB profile for MEC
  • MassEffectSDK.dll: 7.2 MB profile for MEA (larger due to RPG complexity)
Profiles automatically configure:
  • Game-specific asset loaders
  • Deobfuscation settings
  • File system sources
  • Shared bundle definitions

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DRM & Online Considerations

Both titles include EA’s DRM systems:Mass Effect: Andromeda
  • Requires Origin client
  • Some features require EA account
  • DLC integration may affect modding
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
  • Requires Origin client
  • Online leaderboards and social features
  • May have mod detection in competitive modes
Always backup original files and respect EA’s Terms of Service.

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Getting Started

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For Mass Effect: Andromeda

  1. Setup
    • Install Frosty Editor and Mod Manager
    • Ensure MEA is fully patched
    • Install all DLC if available
  2. Launch Frosty Editor
    • Select “Mass Effect: Andromeda” profile
    • Wait for asset indexing (10-15 minutes)
    • Large asset database due to RPG complexity
  3. Browse and Modify
    • Find character assets in Data Explorer
    • Locate armor and weapons
    • Use Texture and Mesh editors
  4. Test
    • Save as .fbmod
    • Apply through Mod Manager
    • Test with new game or existing save

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For Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

  1. Setup
    • Install Frosty Editor and Mod Manager
    • Ensure MEC is updated
  2. Launch Frosty Editor
    • Select “Mirror’s Edge Catalyst” profile
    • Asset indexing (5-10 minutes)
    • Smaller database than RPG titles
  3. Browse and Modify
    • Find character and environment assets
    • Focus on visual elements
    • Use Texture Editor for appearance changes
  4. Test
    • Save as .fbmod
    • Apply through Mod Manager
    • Test in gameplay for first-person visibility
Both games benefit from starting with simple texture mods before attempting complex mesh modifications or gameplay changes.

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Community Resources

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Mass Effect: Andromeda Community

  • Character preset collections
  • Armor retexture projects
  • Companion appearance enhancements
  • Visual upgrade mods
  • Gameplay balancing tweaks

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Mirror’s Edge Catalyst Community

  • Runner outfit variations
  • Visual overhaul mods
  • UI customization
  • Environment enhancements
  • Custom runner vision colors
Both communities have active forums with tutorials, resources, and support. For detailed general tutorials, see the Getting Started guide.

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