Downloadable Content. This simple phrase can scare off buyers of the game that aren’t as hardcore as they thought. It also allows real hardcore players of the game to boast that they’ve bought them. Some people even count down the hours before the DLC becomes purchasable.
However, EA has taken it to a new level with the upcoming release of Mass Effect 3. Sure, you might get some games that have bonus DLC if you pre-ordered, or a bonus gift when you get a milestone or something, but Electronic Arts is releasing their game with an Online Pass that you have to buy separately, or miss out on the cool multiplayer features the game has to offer.
Shepherd thinks of lines that are kind of like what you chose but not quite...
“The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3,” EA said in a press release. “The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system.”
And might I add that the multiplayer is cool.
The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature will have four player co-op, in which you can perform missions as various races from the Mass Effect universe, such as Turians, Asari, Krogans and more! The Galaxy at War multiplayer will have an effect on your ‘Galaxy Readiness’ meter in your campaign, which indicates how ready the galaxy is ready to defend against the coming Reaper invasion.
Of course, the Space Opera story that everyone has been following, with our chameleon hero, Commander Shepherd. And once again, hence the chameleon prefix, you will be moulding his face to appear as much like yours as possible.
BioWare community manager Chris Priestly stated that as well as these features that have already been announced, many more ‘platforms and interfaces’ will soon be released and announced as the game arrives. It was also said, “Both studios work together as partners, lead by the core Mass Effect team, unified in a single vision. Under the direction of Casey Hudson and other team veterans, both studios make contributions to both the single player and multiplayer modes in Mass Effect 3.”
Of course, we’ll just have to see how the Mass Effect ‘Threequel’ will live up to the phenomenon that was Halo 3, the last ‘Space-hero battles aliens from outside his galaxy’ story.
I gave that lad a cracked helmet. Lads love cracked helmets.
And we’ll see how many diehard fans fork out for the four player co-op that will get everyone Mass Effect fan falling on one side or the other.
Mass Effect comes out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on 6th March, 2012.
Hope you didn't ditch them last game...