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Companies have been trying to come up with ways to incentivize end-users to purchase video games new rather than waiting and picking them up used. BioWare has been one of the leaders and innovators of such tactics. With Dragon Age: Origins, one-time use codes were included that allowed for bonus content to be unlocked for free. Subsequent users of the game (i.e. picking the title up used) would only be able to get access to the goodies by paying for it separately. Today, BioWare detailed The Cerberus Network for Mass Effect 2. The Cerberus Network is an online portal that will allow purchasers of the new game to receive “bonus content as well as daily messages and news on upcoming releases for Mass Effect 2 for no extra charge.” Being a member of The Cerberus Network will give players a launch day DLC pack on January 26, 2010, featuring new missions, characters, and in-game items. According to the presser, “Included in this pack is a mission that introduces Zaeed, a rugged and deadly gun-for-hire who is recruited to join Commander Shepard’s mission to save mankind.” Thereafter, additional DLC add-ons will be made available. The next pack introduces the Hammerhead, a hover tank that “features improved handling on rough terrain and maneuvers deftly in combat.” Also, more new missions and items, the Cerberus Assault Armor, and the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun will be included in the second installment. From the language of the news, it appears all content through The Cerberus Network will be provided to players for free. There is no word yet on whether other “premium” DLC packs will be made available for an additional fee, or if The Cerberus Network is BioWare’s way to support players with ongoing content like Valve does through Steam. In fact, we’re a little surprised Microsoft is letting this fly for the Xbox 360 version.
Press Release: EDMONTON, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), today revealed ‘The Cerberus Network’, an in-game portal in Mass Effect 2 that will keep fans engaged with the rich and dynamic Mass Effect universe through downloadable content (DLC) and news. ‘The Cerberus Network’ is activated exclusively by original purchasers of Mass Effect 2 through a single-use unlock code that comes included in retail and digital versions of the game worldwide. ‘The Cerberus Network’ is a conduit for players to receive bonus content as well as daily messages and news on upcoming releases for Mass Effect 2 for no extra charge. For players who do not buy the game new, ‘The Cerberus Network’ can be unlocked through a one-time, in-game purchase of a new activation code*. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward loyal BioWare and Mass Effect fans with ongoing, high quality content and provide a direct channel for our players to dive deeper into the intriguing lore of Mass Effect.” Mass Effect 2 is the first blockbuster video game release of 2010, having recently been named as one of the “Most Anticipated Games of the Year” by the New York Times, IGN and Wired. “The Cerberus Network augments and extends the rich universe of Mass Effect 2,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward loyal BioWare and Mass Effect fans with ongoing, high quality content and provide a direct channel for our players to dive deeper into the intriguing lore of Mass Effect.” Players who access ‘The Cerberus Network’ will receive the first DLC pack on January 26th (launch day in North America) featuring new missions and in-game items. Included in this pack is a mission that introduces Zaeed, a rugged and deadly gun-for-hire who is recruited to join Commander Shepard’s mission to save mankind. After launch, BioWare will release another DLC pack for Mass Effect 2 that introduces the Hammerhead, a new vehicle in the Mass Effect universe. This agile hover tank features improved handling on rough terrain and maneuvers deftly in combat — a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments throughout the galaxy. In addition to this new vehicle, BioWare will release new missions and unique in-game items, including Cerberus Assault Armor which boost shields, health and heavy weapon ammo and the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun. The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding a crew of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, stunning space exploration and emotionally engaging characters, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience. Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29, 2010 in Europe and has been rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ‘18+’ by PEGI (please visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.eu for more information on ratings). For more news from the development team, please follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit the game’s official website at http://masseffect.bioware.com/. * Activation is tied to a specific EA Online account and is non-transferable. |
