Mass Effect 2 - Interview @ GameShark

GameShark posts the results of a conference call  featuring Bioware's Ray Muzyka presenting a few pages of details on their upcoming rpg, Mass Effect 2.

Here's a short sample:

While Muzyka wouldn't go into detail, he promised that side quests and visits to optional planets will be more intertwined with the narrative. You may even find some of the most memorable moments within the optional content. According to Muzyka, choosing to do these quests will also have a tremendous impact on your ability to survive. In fact, one concept of the game lies almost exclusively in your willingness to explore. During your journey, you can find research that will improve your equipment or bestow special abilities on your characters, something that will definitely improve your chances of survival.