Unacceptable: Mass Effect 3 Strips Core Content for Paid DLC

GR - "Addressing BioWare's plan to release core content of Mass Effect 3 separate from its standard retail release to put out as paid DLC."

[slavish]

This really pisses me off. Unfortunate I love mass effect too much to cancel my preorder :(. I love dlc but not when it could have been on disc thats thq low :(

[Peppy la Moca]

It could have been on the disc if you were willing to pay extra for it. Because that's what it is, extra content. People who buy cars without power windows or leather seats other "extras" don't complain that someone else who payed more for their car got that extra content.

[crxss]

those greedy EA peoples. they know most of us who'll buy ME3 will buy it anyway regardless of how much is stripped from it.

[JhawkFootball06]

This happens with nearly every game. UFC it was preorder and you get a couple of fighters. Racing games, you preorder or buy the better edition to get "exclusive cars." Shooting games you might get an extra gun, etc. I'm not saying this is right or anything, but developers will use various techniques like this to further their profit. Sadly, we are the ones that take the hit.

[Blacktric]

If they were greedy, they would've made this an online pass DLC rather than a frigging day 1 and CE included one. What they're doing is just pathetic. Why do I have to pay 10 bucks to get a "very important" squadmate that should've been in the game from the get go? It really is pathetic to see shallow piece of crap characters like James Vega and Diana Allers makes it into the retail game but not this one.

[antz1104]

SPOILER ALERT

The character is a Prothean, and is supposed to tell about the history between the Protheans and their fall into the collectors. This is Main story dlc, not some side aspect like the asteroid mission. So as far as I'm concerned this is pretty unacceptable. I posted the following in another article, summing up what Im seeing:

"Great, so anyone that bought the standard version is bent over a barrel having to pay the $10 dlc if you want the complete squad, and dont have the option to buy the CE version because it sold out.

The extra squad member was originally in the CE, then dropped. A lot of gamers cancelled their CE when that happened, and then it was added again. But this wasn't until after the CE completely sold out. Oh, and they cant make more because there was a limited # of hardcover books.

Thanks for officially selling out EA, and gouging the masses that buy the regular edition for $70 a copy if you want all the characters......so shady.

Aaaand....end rant :-D "

[darthv72]

funny thing is, he is right....to a degree. If the game were released in the sense that you could not complete it WITHOUT the need for this DLC then I could agree with the anger such a decision has caused.

Yet it seems obvious that whatever this content is has no definitive bearing on the main game what-so-ever and is purely expansion. Similar to his example of buying a car without leather seats or power windows. Neither of which deter the driver from actually driving the car.

If those are options that you are looking to have then you pay a little more for them. Although...in this day and age, power windows are pretty much standard. The leather seat idea makes more sense.

[Gamer-Z]

@Peppy la Moca

Its not extra content its content that was developed in the game and striped out, big difference. And as for your car analogy it would be more like buying a car and having the stereo and air conditioner striped out because technically you don't need those things to drive it but they are definitely part of the car.

[Godmars290]

Its not about it being unimportant to the game, its about it being important to the *STORY.*

The way its being done is the difference between, "Oh S***! This is happening!" and "Well, that happened..." as far as story context is concerned. At the absolute very least it should be a notable plot development but instead its now trivial.

This is the exact same thing as Shepard coming back from the dead to work for an infamous terrorist organization and it being boiled down to, "Oh hey, long time no see," as far as friends and the authorities are concerned.

[darthv72]

I had that happen once. Bought a used car and the AC didnt work and the radio was crap so i removed them both.

I sold the car before i ever got them fixed but none the less i was still able to drive. Not much of a chic-mobile without tunes but I managed.

@god...yeah i get what you are saying. I do like me a good story in a game and if it feels broken then the whole sense of proceeding through to the end is somewhat detached.

[morganfell]

@Slavish. Your remark, the fact you will buy it anyway, is why gamers will continue to be treated in this manner. No, actually it will encourage responsible parties to push the boundaries further.

I can honestly say with the all of the games that are now out, and owning every platform, there is too much already. It's why I cancelled my pre-order for Mass Effect 3 some weeks ago.

[mayberry]

Nice analogy, but games are trying to be on par artistically as movies! I dont see a AAA movie charging more than a low budget release at the box office! But somehow just because a game franchise gets to be BIG, all of a sudden big name actors and personality's wanna be in it, and the publishers wanna charge for s++t that shouldve been in it from the beginning! For that simple fact alone, games will always be a big joke to the non-gaming world!

[zeeshan]

So is this Bioware or is the evil empire we call EA? In any case, screw this practice. This is unacceptable and sh** like this is why I oppose the whole DLC concept.

[frostypants]

Yeah, people might not like this, but...well...if you agree to buy the game despite knowing this, then clearly it's not a rip-off. If it were truly a rip-off, you would speak with your wallets. Bioware is merely doing what any business does: charging what the market will bare. If enough of you back up your supposed anger by refusing to play the game, then maybe they will get the message.

But complaining about it, yet still buying it, won't change anything.

*ducks and prepares for disagrees*

[darkphoenixgeeknihil]

But there is a significant difference between cars and game content. Power windows and leather seats need to be manufactured for each car while it costs practicaly nothing to burn a few extra mb on a game disc. There would be a difference if they made dlc after the game but here it will be avaiable day one.

[RyuX19]

You suck and nobody likes you.

[TKCMuzzer]

@Peppy
How do you know it was extra content? How do you not know it was not originally part of the game then just stripped away for extra money? A car still comes with windows as standard, electric or not.

[LastDance]

'waits for ultimate edition'

[badz149]

those Evil Assholes (EA) are doing this on purpose! I hope this game BOMBED HARD!

[Spydiggity]

I don't know why so many of you put up with this. this is the reason why things keep getting worse...because you are BAD consumers.

and ME isn't even that good of a series to begin with. very overrated. basically you get to fire your weapon or use an ability for about 5 minutes every 2 hours. and all you ever really seem to be doing, when you aren't infrequently shooting, is trying to get in some girl's pants.

I liked the first game because it was one of the first games that felt next gen, but by the 2nd game i was just bored. i still would have bought the 3rd one just to complete the trilogy but this just put the nail in the coffin.

i will NOT support any company that tries to nickel and dime the consumer...

EDIT: lemme just add that if it is a Mass Expense to hire big name actors to do the voices, then don't. if i gave a sh*t about celebrities, i'd still pay to see their garbage movies.

just get some decent voice actors and make the game fit a budget if that's a real problem.

...as if the game isn't going to make the money back in the first place.

[Darth_Bane79]

If most of us were smart and had a strong will to make our voices heard, then we could force EA to change this by canceling as many pre-orders as possible, or not buying the game until they fix this. But in the real world this is just impossible. If you really wanna change things you better start by changing yourself, and for that reason IAM CANCELING MY PRE-ORDER, even if I'm alone in this, I'm still gonna do it.

[EVILDEAD360]

LMAP @ people pretending that GOOD DLC takes a month to develop.

We are not talking about clothing items...

Developers have been adressing this issue for years. In order to make good DLC content it has to be a part of the planning process of the actual game itself.

You don't just finish Mass Effect 3, then frantically keep developing to get DLC out on time.

What arrives in the final product for the full retail game is the developers choice. What arrives is their choice as well.

How can some fan blogger site make assumptions when theyknow absolutely zero about what goes into ANY development of ANY particuliar game.

Countless games use exclusive content as incentives for gamers to pre-order or purchase games from a particuliar retailer.

But, now it's an issue because its ME3, especially to the point where you are dropping spoilers in your blog?

Weaksauce..Don't buy game or the optional content..your choice

Day one or me..

Evil

Evil

[da_2pacalypse]

my pre order is already cancelled. I'll buy this game when it's cheaper than 20 dollars. That's what EA gets for trying to take advantage of me. They're lucky I have the decency to not pirate their game.

[RedDead]

Good for you having the decency not to pirate, I however am pirating it now. I do not give money to devs/publishers who do this. I can either give it to gamestop...or pirate it. Or I can wait 6 months and get it cheap(no for me).

[Rageanitus]

it is greed driving the DLC..... there is a lot of crap that shouldnt be really charged..

This is why it does not really fly on the pc market.... because alot of the extras are from the community.

Your comparison to the car market does not make sense. I can assure if you buy a base mode car and wanna add air conditioning afterwards you will realize it is a ridiculous price.

[Anon1974]

I love how people are so quick to blame EA for this. In my conversations with Bioware folk, Bioware was pushing for DLC back when EA considered anything but retail distribution hearsay. Now that Bioware is getting what they wanted in terms DLC, suddenly it's "evil EA's" fault. Grow up.

Bioware puts out games that usually have zero multiplayer and lend themselves to be played through once in a large campaign and then shelved or traded in. Single player games in general hit the trade in shelves fast, so Bioware augments their revenue stream with DLC. That's just good business sense and that's the reality of the industry. Get over it. No one's forcing you to buy it.

[antz1104]

^ Really? Because most Bioware games I've played warrant a second playthrough, and maybe even a third.

Its not good buisness sense if you screw over your fanbase. After DA 2 everyone was a little wary, but this could put a lot of ppl off of Bioware for a while or EA all together.

[zeal0us]

thq low no you mean crapcom low.

[StayStatic]

Don't suppose you could tell my why their was no fortune in my fortune cookie ? =(

[Godmars290]

Then how about manning up and either buy it used, or wait for an ultimate edition?

[VanguardOfCalamity]

I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong but... its not like its free for anyone - if you bought the CE edition or digital deluxe it cost $10+ more then regular version..

But do I think that the dlc character in question should be a imperative part of the game and not DLC - absolutely

[BraveToaster]

How about manning up and NOT giving huge greedy corporations your money for mediocre games?

[MikeGdaGod]

@Godmars290

i agree...if i still bought games (i have gamefly), i'd just wait for the ultimate edition....around Christmas time i'm sure it'll be same price as the standard edition is now.

[Blues Cowboy]

It's that attitude that allows DLC to flourish - the whole "I love a particular brand too much to actually vote with my wallet."

I know because I do it too. I understand. But really, we all need to take a tougher line on this.

[Darth_Bane79]

THEN DO IT!! CANCEL YOUR PRE-ORDER! MAKE A STAND!! WE HAVE TO PUT AN END TO THIS!! COMON PEOPLE WAKE UP!!

[Blues Cowboy]

@Darth_Bane79: Easy to say, but hard in practice.

You're absolutely right. 100%, full-on, totally right. But sadly, I can't see it happening... because it should have happened years ago.

[Darth_Bane79]

I cancelled mine. It might only be a few of us, but at least I know I made my stand. If we all didn't give in to their crap it could change a lot of things. The moment you let them get into you by thinking that your opinion alone didn't matter, thats when you let them get away with whatever crap they want.

[mynameisEvil]

I find something EXTREMELY pathetic. This crap happens, they pull CORE content, and everyone goes "Well, that sucks. But I'm still getting the game."

Great job, everyone. You're encouraging this kind of crap from EA. It's the same reason why CoD has yearly releases. Everyone here is doing FANTABULOUS at "sticking it to the man."

Seriously, people, grow a pair and don't buy the game new. If you don't, guess what! This same crap will be pulled for every EA release. For every Kingdoms of Amalur, every Battlefield, every Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Sims game, sports game, Dead Space, Crysis, Mercenaries, Command and Conquer, etc. BECAUSE THEY CAN. Because they weren't slapped on the hand when they reached for the cookie, they grabbed the entire plate. Because everyone LET them.

[SilentNegotiator]

Delayed, stripped, pass system, origin, and favoritism on a system (with poor reasoning given (cheap processor, speech system similar to one found on other system, etc), insulting our intelligence).

If you support Mass Effect 3, you can't expect things to get any better. Only worse. If you can say "But I like the series too much!" to all of that....

....save yourself some time and register your brain frequency to Origin, and remember to plug in your brain whenever you want to play. Because at this rate, we're only 5 years or so from that.
(Hint: yes, I'm being hyperbolic. The point is, we're in a downward spiral of taking crap from people we're paying $60+ for a game to.)

NO GAME is worth that much abuse.

[Christopher]

I like how we are jumping to the conclusion that this party member is really all that important.

Zaeed? Dude wasn't tied to anything in the game other than his one side mission. Hell, you meet him, he joins you and says he has a quest to fulfill. His quest had no bearing on the overall story, he never was a character who spoke up during plot scenarios. He was a nobody except for his nice grenade loyalty ability.

So, I think we're jumping to conclusions a bit here and I doubt this guy will be anything close to core to the campaign. Will he have a voice in various plot scenarios or just on his one loyalty quest we get to work through?

I get people's dislike of Day One DLC. I also get the company's use of it to influence day one and early one sales. It's a grey area, not a black or white area, IMHO.

[Gazondaily]

I didn't read the article for fear of spoilers but if its Zaeed that the extra paid DLC relates to, I can breathe a sigh of relief because he died on my playthrough of Mass Effect 2 lol.

[SpaceGhost]

Totaly agree, people are but hurt for something that was never promised to them, and they think that cause in the past they got something for free they deserve more things for free

@septic no, its not Zaheed its another character, and its what race that character is that is getting everyone butt hurt over.

[TheMailman]

Thats why I only play PS3 exclusives..

[showtimefolks]

atleast give this game free to those who buy it new. EA and bioware have become just as bad as anyone

[NewZealander]

im happy with the decision, i payed extra for the collectors edition, so its nice to know im getting my moneys worth.

its a ce bonus, just be glad its not exclusive to the ce and you have the choice to download it.

and we all know theres no point blaming bioware, this will be purely EA's decision.

[WitWolfy]

I agree,EA is just trying to minimize the chances of people buying it preplayed.. But this is pushing it a bit.....

[Consoldtobots]

@ slavish

people like you are the reason we get gouged by developers for every nickel and dime.

YOU PUT PERSONAL PLEASURE AND SATISFACTION over principle as a gamer and they know that all too well.

If people boycotted a game everytime they tried this it paid PRElc would be a memory by now.

[SpaceGhost]

God so many people on here are being idiots, Just because you got something free once does not mean it will always be free, and we get gouged by every nickle and dime is because of the sheer costs of making video games these days, cause tolls like you need the best of everything for nothing.

[CoLD FiRE]

You know what, I bought the two first games but because of this douchy move by EA and Bioware I'm pirating this one. Yes I said it. I'm PIRATING it!

*Edit: It's been 4hrs since I commented and I'm just trying to see if I could glitch the Edit feature. If you're seeing this then it means the glitch worked :S

[OmegaSlayer]

Welcome to this gen.
The one created by Microsoft that imported DLCs, patches, bug fixes concepts from the PC World to the consoles.

Once games were complete and refined out of the box.
Now everything has DLCs.
Some of them even deeply rooted in the storyline (like Mass Effect or Castlevania).
It's what we wanted because we supported, we can't whine now.
Once the games were on the shelves on a single edition, but then we started calling for pricey editions and goodies, and CliffyB proposal to make low budget editions didn't even made a ripple in the business.
It's late.
On the matter...lots of players (all the PS3 only owners) missed the whole ME1, so many will miss the overall experience anyway.
What I really find unacceptable is that Bioware/EA didn't make enough copies of the N7 edition.

[shinrock]

i agree.

[WildStyles]

WTF. Screw Bioware.

[LOGICWINS]

Screw EA...they're the ones who are making Bioware do this. I'll wait for the Ultimate Edition in a year and if theres no Ultimate Edition, I'll just buy the game used.

[Sashamaz]

You are delirious if you think the devs would want to give you this stuff for free. If you had any idea how much work it is to produce anything in 3D then you would know that no one wants to give away their hard work for free. You work day and night, with tight deadlines not to give away your work for free but to earn a living. Games are a business just as any other media. Sales of games such as call of duty and battlefield have proven that the laud voices are only in the minority.

[_Aarix_]

Biowares the reason im buying this game. EA is a very greedy sob. Otherwise id never buy a game with an online pass and published by ea.

[luoshuigui]

Here's the thing: This DLC was meant to be ONLY for CE users, you be a fan, you pay more for a CE copy, you get something more. Then the preorders number has gone nuts and the CEs started running out since last october then completely soldout last month, so more and more players who can not buy CE posted on official forums asking Bioware to make the CE stuff available for everyone.
Bioware answered fans' demand, and still some people are angry? You just cant win against spoiled self entitled kids.

[lashes2ashes]

It's not core content. It is just an extra character and some story. Maybe it was almost done when the game went gold and it was finished at the last second but to late to make it to the disc. It's not like you have to pay extra to beat the game. Most of the people bitching about "it should have been on the disc' have never had to develop a game in a set period of time. If you don't work at bioware then stop acting like you know for a fact it could have been on the disc and finished in time for shipping. No one is forcing you to buy it and I doubt not playing it will make the game better or worse.

[STONEY4]

If you knew what the DLC character was, it's a very big deal to the lore of Mass Effect. Enough to where you would think he'd play a huge role in the story and the war against the reapers. But since he's just a DLC character, he'll probably barely have an impact, which is sad. Because it's a HUGE deal who he is.

It definitely wasn't thrown in at the last second, since the character has been leaked for a while now. But really, so much wasted potential on the character.

[lashes2ashes]

The character I be leave was leaked yesterday.

[STONEY4]

His dialogue was in the leaked script from back in November, and it's pretty much become widespread knowledge since last month for anyone keeping up with the game. The fact that his dialogue was in the leaked script, and since that was before the delay, means that he was completed already for a while.

[ginsunuva]

It's one character and his story for 1/6 of the whole game's price!

[Scumlabs]

Anything to make a little extra money eh?

[FrightfulActions]

Is this really news? When CE was announced they said they'd have a special squad mate and mission that the normal game wouldn't have. The only difference now is that we know what that mission/squad member is. They made it so that the content that otherwise is only found in Collectors Editions available for purchase so that those who did not manage to score a CE can still get there hands on that extra content. Unless I'm misunderstanding the entire thing, it's basically DLC the CE content, or at least a fraction of it. What's so terrible about that? Would you rather they not release it as DLC so it's impossible to ever play if you didn't have Collectors Edition?

Hopefully this content is accessible early in the game, like Zaeed and Kusami are in ME2. I still feel that Legion should had been DLC, at least then you could get him sooner instead of at the last possible minute, leaving you with only one quest to play with him on. What wasted potential. You have to purposely avoid doing side missions until you beat the game just so you can use Legion as a squadmember. He's such a interesting character, he deserved more attention than he received.

That being said, is it too impossible that this is DLC and not on the disc, because there's so little room to work with on the 360 discs? The game is coming on two discs as it is, maybe they couldn't fit it in. Unlikely, but a possibility.

[krazykombatant]

This is main cannon dlc! how did the prothean survive?? this is almost as much b.s as the lair of the shadow broker and arrival dlc. those were cannon to the story and they made it dlc.

[CAPSLOCKFURY]

canon*

Arrival and Shadow Broker were also post-launch DLC. It's kind of hard to put something on a disc if it was made after the disc was made.

[Summons75]

Thats dumb, but it isn't shocking they did that with mass effect 2 as well.

[IaMs12]

I really hate DLC now. Its ridiculous, they need to release the DLC a short while after the game is released so it entices gamers to 1. continue playing so you have new things to look for or 2. replay the game.

It also annoying how some DLC is $15, that adds 4 maps.

[solar]

I liked it when DLC was called expansion packs and was actually worth the content and money. Now the developers have found that console gamers are illinformed and will buy this crap. Not all console gamers but the majority who dont follow the industry as closely as us.

[pandehz]

Theres nothing wrong with this kind of dlc. Did anyone actually read :

"It should be clarified that all this content is available to anyone who purchases the standard editions of these games, and comes at no extra charge."

[Psychonaughty]

No it seems you didn't read the article actually, it says "We're happy to confirm that Mass Effect 3: From Ashes DLC will be available at launch for all platforms. For those of you who have purchased the N7 Collector's Edition (including the PC Digital Deluxe Edition)".

The comment you quoted was just referring to past Bioware games.

[pandehz]

I take back what I said. Completely misunderstood the damned thing.

Sucks if we have to pay for that

[TheBreezyBB]

I would never pay a single penny for any DLC.

[rattletop]

i have pre-ordered my copy. will be getting the argus rifle. i know where i am going to get the rest of the dlcs.

[FlashBack]

I already lost count of all the dlc, and the game isn't even launched. Oh well, I'll buy the game and pirate the f*ck out of the DLC, same as Mass Effect 2

[kevnb]

and this is why they focus on console for single player games, if us pc gamers feel we are being robbed we wont pay for it. Console gamers cant do much about it, you cant rent dlc or buy it used, and its hard to pirate it. It all started with dragon age, which was a fantastic game molested by crappy dlc.

[Kingdom Come]

It's shameful lazy development, done just to make some extra cash. Sure, it's business, but having people pay $870 on extra accessories and merchandise they possibly are uninterested in for content already on the disc is disgusting. And having DLC Expansions already listed on Xbox Live and possibly already developed pre-launch, that just shambolic...

On release date of Gears of War 3 I purchased the Limited Edition Xbox 360 (My old Xbox 360 having broken a week prior to the launch of Gears of War 3) and the Epic Edition, that totals up to around £370, on top of that I purchased the Season Pass, taking it to near £400 and that was just on the day of release. Whilst I've been a Dedicated fan of the franchise since the release date of the original, I am willing to admit that Epic used their fans dedication to their own personal gain.

[tmoss726]

What are you talking about? It's the fact that it's a character very important to lore, and they just make it DLC. The season pass with Gears 3 is a good deal imo. I think they've released like 3 maps packs and Raams Shadow, along with the numerous weapon skins.

[Kingdom Come]

I don't think you understand my comment. I'm not stating the season pass to be a bad idea, I'm stating the fact that Bioware are releasing. mass Effect 3 and for their fans to have all the available extras (all on the disc), they have to spend $870 over 10 times the cost of the disc the content is already on.

[HacSawJimThugin]

The season pass with Geow 3 has to the best DLC deal yet. Just look at all they have given since launch for 30 dollars. On top of the new DLC Forces of Nature next month (Raven Down FTW!!!). If your gonna do DLC this, IMO, is the model to follow. It's fair and I don't feel robbed at all...it's the DLC that keeps on giving.

Mass Effect 1 was good, after 2 I lost interest and this one isn't even going on my GameFly.

[beastlysensation]

haha..day 1 pirate. Screw this shit. Follow remedys alan wake route with an amazing port worthy of the pc game title and then cd projektts free enhanced edition for witcher 2...again, day 1 pirate. Gets old being slapped on the face continuously by these people, when they dont even bother to add an fov option to the game and keep it consoletrocioulsy.

[Denethor_II]

"Addressing BioWare's plan to release core content of Mass Effect 3 separate from its standard retail release to put out as paid DLC"

I wouldn't blame Bioware for this as much as I would EA.

[Canary]

I can't say THIS really makes me care one way or the other. The whole Origin crap already ensures I'm not going to buy the game--so I won't be buying the DLC, either.

Though I do look forward to playing it.

[PCE]

Then I am going to watch a video walkthrough on YouTube instead. Thanks BioWare/EA for making my decision easier. Fail company is fail.

[mep69]

This is all the result of Console gaming.

Before Console gaming was considered big; every thing was given for free on PC(like maps etc), but when it came like really major like adding new guns and features etc they release expansions (which were worth the money).

Now they use DLC and most the time it's complete crap, i mean some of it is really over priced for what nonsense it is.
But they keep on doing it because it keep selling.....
Annoying really.

[cemelc]

Do you think that if console didnt exist it would have been free forever?

If your going to blame someone blame farmville and the microtransaction crap.

[DragonKnight]

BS. This is the result of PC's and the fact that they started DLC to begin with. Consoles used to have unlockables. Stuff like secret weapons, characters, costumes, enemies, etc... All of that was in-game and unlockable. But the very second an aspect of PC gaming was introduced to consoles, everything went to hell. Thank you Microsoft and PC's for introducing this garbage to consoles, completely getting rid of the traditional unlockable content we used to have in-game.

[annus]

PCs use to have unlockables.... Games like Tony Hawks and a lot of the older games that were notorious for unlockables were on the PC as well. DLC really picked up once PS3/360 came along with their brand new online stores that enabled people to download extra content after the game had been released. Of course the game developers exploited it and decided to start adding stuff at release, it had nothing to do with PC at all.

[DragonKnight]

I never said that PC's didn't have unlockables, but it's an undeniable fact that PC's had DLC WAY before consoles. That aspect of PC gaming, once introduced to consoles via Microsoft, destroyed the era of unlockable in-game content and ushered in the era of paid DLC on consoles. Thus, it has everything to do with PC's. A company who made their fortune on PC's introduced more PC centric features to consoles, such as patching and DLC. Once publishers realized that they had been missing out on a HUGE revenue source, once completely populated and controlled by the PC gaming market, it was only natural from a business sense they'd start milking it on consoles.

It's not like it was an idea born on, and evolved from, consoles.

[Rageanitus]

umm NO....

PC gaming was driven by user community MODS!, and for paid extra content it was usually expansion packs. Case an point brood wars or q3 team arena.

It was only till xbox/ps3 came along the dlc train started to come..... and sorry to say this console only gamers are blind... paying for costumes for your avatar, extra money for map..
not to long ago 15 dollars for 4-5 call of duty maps...

Sigh it is te console gamers pushing the idea that it is ok tocharge for dlc

[mep69]

@Rageanitus

Ahh someone that acctually knows what used to happen in the world of PC gaming.

Thumbs up man ^_^

[krautgamer]

just pirate it or wait a year for the complete edition. it´s not that hard. there a re tons of games out there. if they dont want you do buy it then buy another one from a publisher that is not completely retarded.

[Roper316]

this is exactly why I stopped preordering games and have started to wait for them to hit around the $20.00 price point. I can then use that 40 I saved to buy the locked content so I have the complete game for the $60.00 they charge for a so called complete game.

maybe its time to spend the thousands a year I spend on games on hookers & weed instead.

[cyclonus007]

Hookers contain locked bonus content, as well.

It's commonly known as STDs.

[MilkMan]

Ahh the greed b!tch is back. I fully back and endorse closing off and not giving in to used sales. You buy used and you must buck up and pay the extra money to get good stuff.
But now your doing it to folks that bought the game new? Just cause you want to peddle your sh!t.

That's low brother. Take ME3 and shove it up your wanzer.

[SneeringImperialist]

EA are absolute scum.
Bioware, shame on you for allowing yourselves to be controlled by these parasites.

[Swiggins]

You've obviously never heard of Contractual Obligation...-_-

[idolater]

Ea = Reapers

[CoLD FiRE]

More like EA = Rapists

[C_Menz]

I already canceled my pre-order since I am so disappointed in this game now. Maybe I will end up picking it up towards the end of the year, but I doubt it.

Seems like they stripped the game of all of it's good RPG elements and sectioned off parts for DLC. So most likely I'll just read about the ending to the story now.

Thank you EA for killing a great franchise I loved.

[Fuzrum]

Lol. Entitled gamers....sigh. Ok, this is the exact same thing they did with Dragon Age 2 with the Exiled Prince that only came out with the purchase of the Signature (Collector's Edition) except in -this- case, they're actually making it available (not free) to those who did not opt to, or couldn't, purchase the Collector's Edition. I don't see the difference here, except that it's an even better situation for the Standard Edition purchaser in this case. It's Collector's Edition-only content that they are making available to everyone.

Now, you can certainly argue all day long that DLC is evil and there shouldn't be Collector's Edition content, but that's just the way the world is. It's like paying extra for 50 yard line tickets: you pay more, you get more. And don't berate me for reminding you all of that. Again: not saying it's right. It's just the way it is, and it should be no surprise to anyone.

[cemelc]

It is ppl like you that likes to get the short end of the stick, and that doesnt mind anything that makes gaming the way it is.

If you never take a stand for yourself then eventually youll get only microtransaction games..which to me is the end of gaming.

[Fuzrum]

It's ppl like me...yeah okay. Look, no offense (really), if you want to go change the world and the industry: more power to you. I wish you all the luck in the world along with the genie's lamp or magic wand you're going to need to make it happen. For the most part I agree about paid DLC and the direction it seems to be taking: I don't like it. But in this case, I am willing to pay more for extra content because I love this series so much.

I might be getting screwed a little, but I don't fee like I'm getting the short end of the stick. Those canceling their pre-orders, in my opinion, are: they don't get to play the game. Legally anyway. But that's another discussion.

[cemelc]

So youre fine with having an RPG with no side quest or barely a few, chopped dialogs, less characters and half the weapons being dlc preorders?.

Thats not getting at all the short end of the stick right /s. But dont worry next time youll have main quests chopped too.

Dont worry about the ppl canceling their preorder they just dont like to get robbed thats all.

[ThreshStar]

"...but that's just the way the world is." - Fuzrum

There you have it, the crux of all garbage arguments. Instead of debating whether or not this will have a negative or positive impact on the future of gamer's rights and game economics, let's just chalk it up to "that's the way it is so deal with it".

...Kind of like our Founding Fathers just sat around doing nothing. The Federal Government not giving women the right to vote. Sorry Black people but no civil rights for you, just because "that's just the way the world is".

I'm tired of this "Can't do anything so just accept everything" garbage argument. The reason why Smartphones are ungodly expensive, gas prices keep going up, and yes, video games continue to nickel & dime us because we accept it.

...and just so you know, your 50 yard line analogy? Pure crap, because if nobody buys those tickets and puts up a protest, guess what they do? Lower the prices - they HAVE to sell them or risk big losses. If people buy them in droves, prices stay the same or more likely increase

[Fuzrum]

You seem to be missing the point of the analogy (50 yard line). It's not "pure crap." Nowhere did I discuss how expensive those tickets are and if it's a reasonable price over the cheap seats. That's up to the person going to the game. Just as how I'm not discussing the actual price of the DLC or the Collector's Edition versus the Standard. My point was: there will -always- be different levels of service or quality in products based on consumer demand. People pay more for better service or a better quality product. That's part of capitalism. If you want to change -that-, you are definitely in the wrong forum.

And for what it's worth: "..but that's just the way the world is" was not my argument. It was an observation/opinion. My argument was actually comparing this situation to the Dragon Age 2 DLC and how this situation is actually better. But I'm not going to win any arguments here. And I certainly have no interest in getting into deep discussions on the Constitution and Civil Rights in this forum. Best wishes.

[vortis]

You missed the point.

There's always Collector's Edition DLC for games. No one cares about that.

THERE IS A STORY CANON CHARACTER THAT IS DLC ONLY THAT PEOPLE ARE PISSED ABOUT.

You get that? You don't get the WHOLE story until you get the character. The. Character. Is. Canon.

It's like watching a movie and wondering where some random guy comes from but in order to find out why it makes sense to the movie at all you have to pay $10 to find out.

That's BS.

Your strawman argument will only continue to catch fire with angry gamers who recognize this BS but you can keep patting yourself on the back thinking you understand why gamers are pissed. Obviously, you don't.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

While I will get Mass Effect 3 I will not buy ANY of their DLC or for that fact ANY future EA DLC until they change this kind of policy. BF3 map packs inclussive. EA can suck it.

[Dorwrath]

a) It was stated when the CE was announced that the people buying the CE edition were getting a character & DLC included. Nobody said anything then, it wasn't an outrage then. Now all of a sudden its a prothean character and your all complaining about it.

So what are you complaining about the DLC that was stated for months that is coming for free with the collectors edition or the fact its a prothean character. It has to be the Prothean character because you lot would have jumped all over the free dlc with the CE when the announcement of it being included with the CE was announced wouldn't you?

b) You can still but it for $10 and still spend less than us collectors edition buyers.

[Psychonaughty]

How is it free dlc when you're paying £20 more for it lol... EA better announce it as free dlc for the rest of us (albeit a timed exclusive or something) or that's my pre-order cancelled.

[SneeringImperialist]

your not just getting one DLC for an extra £20

Mass Effect 3 N7 Collectors Edition Contains:

Exclusive Collectible Tin featuring male and female Shephard
Exclusive Hardcover Art Book
Exclusive N7 Fabric Patch
Exclusive 4x6 Lithograph
Exclusive Extended Soundtrack
Dark Horse Comic Book
Additional Downloadable Mission and Character
Bonus Avatars and More

Exclusive Bonus In-Game Packs

Exclusive Squad Appearance pack
Robotic Dog

Exclusive N7 Arsenal Pack

N7 SMG
N7 Shotgun
N7 Sniper Rifle
N7 Pistol

[Fadetoblack69]

DLC craziness... the reason I'm glad I broke my gaming addiction when I did ;)

It's only going to get worse and worse....

[iMpuTeD]

that's why its getting pirated and not bought lmao

[NotSoSilentBob]

Just goes to show the gaming world that Bioware died back in 2007 when they were bought out by EA.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

EDIT...OK, so I just killed part of this post as its clear the article has it right after reading the forum...

I guess they are adding this in as an additional perk to the N7 edition...which you cant get the 360 version now on Amazon as its sold out. This was never part of the N7 edition perks before...

Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector's Edition for Xbox 360 Contents

- Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard
- 70-page hardbound art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team
- Limited edition Mass Effect comic by Dark Horse Comics, complete with unique cover artwork
- Join the ranks of the N7 with the premium fabric N7 patch
- Exclusive 4x6 lithographic print featuring a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork
- A full collection of in-game content that can't be found anywhere else:
* N7 Arsenal Pack - Bring the firepower with the N7 * Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, SMG, and Pistol
* Robotic Dog - A faithful sidekick to keep you company on board the Normandy
* Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack - New appearances for your favorite squad members
* N7 Hoodie - For Commander Shepard's casual days on board the Normandy

- Mass Effect 3 with the digital soundtrack
- Xbox LIVE Normandy prop for your avatar
- A collection of forum and social badges, avatars, and perks

[krazykombatant]

They might not have listed it, but its there. Its not just this website reporting, but tons of people like Totalhalibut complaining that this is ridiculous. They know they have a concrete fanbase, specially those of us who have been here since day one, and this is how they repay us. Bunch of c*nts. Bioware is just as guilty as EA for whoring themselves out.

[Dorwrath]

.

[Dorwrath]

DLC +Character was listed from day 1 when they announced the collectors edition. It didn't say what the charter or DLC mission was but it was there. It's not just being added, it was always there.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

@Dorwrath, you may be correct in that they said it way back when (I honestly cant dispute that as I don't have first hand knowledge) but in my post above that is the direct pull off Amazon for the description of the Collectors edition as of today...and NOWHERE does it mention any "mission" dlc for any of the versions ...even now.

http://www.amazon.com/Mass-...

http://www.amazon.com/Digit...

http://www.amazon.com/Mass-...

[maawdawg]

It was removed from every description at retail. Gamestop, Amazon, Buy.com, Walmart, Target. None of those outlets list the extra character as a part of the CE. That is why I skipped the CE and now would have to shell out $70 for the regular edition with a character that should at least be included in the online pass as Shale and Zaheed were in previous Bioware/EA games.

The whole thing is a shady cashgrab. I am instituting a "buy used only" policy for EA published games for myself now.

[ablecain]

Simple: Just wait a bit and buy it used. That's what I'm going to do.

[krazykombatant]

Well forget buying this game for now. I'll have to wait till there is a price drop or something. I'm not paying 20 extra quid for material in the damn disk! FUUU EA/BioWare.

[hazelamy]

another nail in the coffin of gaming as far as i'm concerned.

the gamers have become little more than a resource to be exploited.

i'll still game, but i'm through lining the pockets of these megarich publishers.

there are far more worthy places i can spend my money.

[Genecalypse]

Its a squadmate thats a damn Prothean, how could it possibly not be 'required'!?

[birdykilla]

Another reason to switch to a PC so your able to have a choice in the matter. If you don't like something a company is doing just pirate their games and DLC. Stick it to the man! On consoles our only choice is to take it straight up the piehole!

[Imalwaysright]

That is exactly what im doing! I dont condone piracy but i rather steal than being raped and i hope that this game bombs. Mass effect 3 will be the 1st game that im going to pirate and thats exactly what those fuckers at EA and Bioware deserve.

[Kos-Mos]

Welcome to this generation. Thank Lord for Nintendo Wii: a console I can play games on without stressing or use uneccesary money. I have a PS3 as well. Thanks From Software for finishing/not ripping of customers in your games.

[dragonknight4]

I just want to add that From Software is quite generous. Not only do they release a game that is 100% complete with no DLC, but if you log in to the Japanese PSN, you can download 8 FREE Dark Souls PS3 themes! Did I mention they're free?

[Bonerboy]

CHA-CHING! CHA-CHING! Well played Bioware.

I've got and idea... have some bloody restraint and simply dont buy the damned DLC. Problem solved.

[Imalwaysright]

That way we would still give money to them fuckers. They want to rape us but this time i will be the one raping them.

[Dorwrath]

http://imageshack.us/photo/...

The added DLC and Character has always been there, it was not added later. You all knew about it when the CE was announced.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

The problem is that isn't listed on retailer sites as I pointed out above via Amazon. Had I known a Mission pack was part of the N7 package I actually might have considered it...but now, its sold out on Amazon where I buy. So EA's loss I guess.

and its not listed as a perk on BestBuy either...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site...

and not at Gamestop...

http://www.gamestop.com/xbo...

Apparently we all were just supposed to buy from EA directly as this "knowledge" of the mission and character was only listed on their site.

[Dorwrath]

It was always on the graphics. Bioware, EA are not responsible for Gamestop, Amazon, Best Buy etc failing to add it in their own lists.

Be mad at them by all means for failing to list every perk of the collectors edition.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

@Dorwrath.. considering NONE of the retail sites have this "Exclusive mission & character" listed then I would say you are wrong...it IS on EA and its there fault that they didn't send out the correct product information to EVERY retailer selling their game. This is absolutely shady business tactics on EA's side.

[Lex Luthor]

F U EA.
Still love Mass Effect too much though.

[ShinraE5]

Is this wrong? Yes. It seems like a very key character given the story and this should be free to all who buy the game new.

However...are we the gamers responsible for this? YES !

How many of you have bought "on-disc" dlc, day 1 dlc, etc? If we keep buying the BS we give them, do we have a right to complain?

I dont like this move on bioware/ea's part...but if I buy it, I have no right to piss and moan when I buy a game.

We vote with our wallet.

[nik666uk]

This is online gaming for u!!(which I've never been a fan of personally) For all the good people will argue it's done for gaming we have never been so ripped off as we are now!!! I've started renting instead of buying games now!!

[neonlight45]

One word pirate.

[deadfrag]

another reason to pirate an EA game!

[urwifeminder]

Blah blah what a bunch of whingers i swear people on this site are pro bitches or something stamp your feet chuck a tantrum at the drop of a hat.

[DW74]

Fu*k off, troll.

[urwifeminder]

Really nice whinge.

[SicilianGunner]

they keep fuckin with loyal fans they gonna regret it people will get sick of this and stop buying the game ..there gonna make a shitload of money with mass effect 3 do they really have to be that greedy wtf i dont really care since i stopped buying sequels mass effect 1 was awesome i didnt like mass effect 2 but wtv

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

This s#!t is getting so stupid!

Gaming this gen has gone to s#!t in a lot of ways. The plague also known as COD helps show other devs that this kind of stuff is acceptable. The supporters of COD make plagues like this okay to do to other gamers.

This IS an outrage... and it totally has me worried about what s#!t gamers will be taking up the tail pipe next-gen also!

[Kahvipannu]

Yeah, DLC with consoles made everything crazy.. People buy this shit, hell, they even buy CoD every year, so it will continue. PC gamers know to expect more/better deals, but now days they suffer from this stuff too.. It's not cool, not cool at all...

[2pacalypsenow]

meh im gettin it for $47.99 so i cant complain its wrong and sucks but nothing we can do people are still gonna buy this just like COD

[GraveLord]

Doesn't matter. People will eat it up.

[Zephol]

DLC is bad for us and good for them

[Kahvipannu]

Man... Not good at all EA, not good...

[NeoTribe]

Good think im skippin this pile of garbage. The demo left me putrified. Horrible walking, running, and cover animations made the game seem broken to me. Plus NOTHING has changed. Same crap skills, same watered down rpg elements, same crappy graphics.

[SeraphimBlade]

EA boning over their customers? What else is new?

[AusRogo]

I love their games too much, I cant not buy mass effect because of this, it still looks great

[Mister_V]

Has anyone seen Casey Hudson's recent tweets?

1. https://twitter.com/#!/Case...
2. https://twitter.com/#!/Case...
3. https://twitter.com/#!/Case...

He pretty much debunks everything. BioWare still kicks ass :)

[cemelc]

Debunks what? you still have to pay for day 1 dlc he just confirmed it.

So now you just have a dmg control statement to go along with this day one robbery.

[Mister_V]

Wasn't it confirmed a while back that DLC would be available on day-one (included for CE owners)?

[ninjahunter]

Yea, bioware, Me and a notable piece of your fanbase will be waiting over here with out money, may it be $80, or $60. Its not about the DLC, Its about you taking advantage and screwing your fanbase over.

[Tanir]

FINALLY! im so glad people are finally complaining about this. Bioware has been milking dlc since forever, their previous worst was the launch dlc of dragon age 2 being around 80$ all together for non playable characters. the golem was 25$! wtf.

good to see people open their eyes for once

[Flewid638]

And we're all gonna buy it anyway. :-(

[CalvinKlein]

This is a HUGE rip-off and disservice to fans. This is not some extra character in a fighting game or a new skin or weapon, this is an extra character in a story intensive game that is a PROTHEIAN!!!!

Prothians are a huge part of the story of ME as they were a really advanced HUMAN-LIKE race that was supposed to be long gone and transformed into the collectors by the reapers. But now there is suddenly a Prothian that you can have in your party IF you pay an extra 10$

Id love to know how he survived, what happened to the prothians, his feeling of hate for the reapers, etc, but in order to do that I have to pay an extra 10, even tho Im supporting them and paying 60$ for the game new the day it comes out.

It pisses me off that I will pay 60$ for the brand NEW game on the day its out, and yet I will still have to pay $10 more to see not only a big part of ME3, but a HUGE part of the overall mass effect story, The prothian story and and anACTUAL LIVE PROTHIAN> WTF BIOWARE, really are ES's little b@tches now huh.

[Grimhammer00]

FYI - dev leads @ bioware had an interview I just read today on this very site. Bioware says they are in full control of their destiny and products. So this is every bit on them as it is in EA.

[MrJuniorer]

Although that really sucks, I'm still getting Mass Effect 3 because I love Mass Effect. I just wish people (the company) wasn't to greedy but I guess they gotta do what they gotta do. It would be better if everyone who preordered got the content free but oh well, blogging about it ain't gonna change anything since it's already agreed. Well if I didn't love Mass Effect so much then i wouldn't buy it but since I do, I'm determined to get it.

[stragomccloud]

Lame!

[Tommy334]

Couldnt fit on 1 dvd

[ozstar]

And now Nintendo's doing it too.

Honestly, this gen. is the worst thing to happen to gaming ever.

[luoshuigui]

Here's the thing: This DLC was meant to be ONLY for CE users, you be a fan, you pay more for a CE copy, you get something more. Then the preorders number has gone nuts and the CEs started running out since last october then completely soldout last month, so more and more players who can not buy CE posted on official forums asking Bioware to make the CE stuff available for everyone.
Bioware answered fans' demand, and still some people are angry? You just cant win against spoiled self entitled kids.

[ThreshStar]

I kinda disagree with your point about gamers being "spoiled self entitled kids".

The major issue here I think is what happened with Mass Effect 2. If you bought the game when it came out, you got the Cerberus Network - including a free companion, a couple of weapons/armor and a quick planet to explore. Nothing amazing, but a nice little "thank you for buying the game at launch and here's a little token of our appreciation".

Now Mass Effect 3 has none of this, and is even telling us "If you want to actual COMPLETE package that is being created at lauch, pay us $70."

$60 for everything that's available the moment it's launched vs. $70...for everything that's available the moment it's launched. It may only be $10, but it just reeks of more over-reaching at the expense of fans who are investing time and revenue in their product.

[gcolley]

nothing new here

[PixL]

I don't suport milking gamers but how is that news anyway? Many games, not only from EA, have chapters cut out. Assassin's Creed had them as paid DLC, LA Noire had them. It's sad but nothing new.

[acbluflame]

I've pre-ordered the game already, so I'll just pirate the DLC, which should have been in the pre-order. EA's money making scheme can suck my left nut.

[WitWolfy]

Im still gonna get it, no use crying over spilt milk now is there?

[PirateThom]

The game looks like garbage anyway, full on shooter and Jessica Chobot? Day 1 DLC that is actually relevent to the overall story is just the icing on the cake.

[k4rma]

I have already stated on several sites that i'm not buying from any publisher who thinks its cool to treat gamers this way. Its really not fair on the poorer gamers to create such a two class system in which those willing to pay higher prices get a better game.

I'm sure most people will just take the plunge because they want to play the game so badly, but i'm sticking to my guns for the third year running now. Any game that ships with day 1 DLC developed in conjunction and stripped from the game I wont buy new. Instead I'll get it second hand or rent.

And then i'll contact the EA support line and explain that I bought the game new and it didn't come with the unlock code, just like I did with Batman Arkham City and Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Also I'll make sure my metacritic review score of the game accurately represents how I feel about such practices. Along with posting how I feel about it on any ME3 news articles I spot around the web.

I'm a dissatisfied customer and I'm damn well gonna show it.

Really though, I'd rather just buy my games and not have to worry about all this underhanded penny pinching. Its ruining gaming for me.

[Deadpool616]

Good to see you stick to your guns. You know when to say no and this is one of those cases.

It sad to see so many people let these companies have their way with them. It's like they can't stop themselves and look at what's happening to gaming with all these greedy corporate tactics.

If you think it's bad now, wait until next gen...it may get worse.

[kesvalk]

all points out for a farmville style of monetization...

you have the barebone game and if you want anything more than the basic of the basic, you will need to pay.

[kesvalk]

the game will be better off without this stupid prothean, the reapers were badass because they extincted a entire civilization, now one guy survived, and if i go by the writing of ME2 ppl will be like "yeah whatever" even if you pass in front of them with a living, breathing protheann by your side...

i prefer to not have this damn prothean in the game at all!

also, it's just me or he seems to have a Jamaican accent?

[DarkBlood]

its why i have the

ultimate edition of dragon age

still waiting on the ultimate edition of dragon age 2

bought ce edition of me2

they sold out me3 ce edition but thats my fault for waiting near ish the release date to preorder but hey i get a futureshop exclusive steelbook to hold all of my mass effect games with the regular edition of the game being preordered

i was lucky with fallout 3 game of the year but it was why i waited for a game of the year for new vegas for years

i even got borderlands game of the year edition so i will be doing the same for borderlands 2

i tried to do this for mass effect 3 and see if i can try to wait for it to go down to 20 or 30 dollars at most but this is the battle i lost in my mind but i wont many battles as stated above in my unconstructed paragraphs.

[shammgod]

cancelled my preorder. EA and Bioware get no more of my cash

[StitchJones]

Another greedy move by EA, what a shame.

[Candy1]

As said, there'e no need for stripping when you consider all content could be contained on multiple discs in the first place. The more we buy profit based dlc, the more likely offline gamers become deprived with pre-orders playing second fiddle for extortionate content. I'm boycotting it in support of off-liners without Limited Editions.

[Garbage_sells_Nyc]

Simply pathetic. Whats more pathetic are the ppl bending over backwards promoting this bs or feeding into it. I have left a few franchises bcus of shady practices and def will not being buying this crap. Consumers keep making excuses of why companies do these thngs and thts selling yourself short and just allowing them to run rampant. There are plenty moe games out there to play dont condone these practices bad enough these games sell millions and these companies make substantial profits but now thy want to water games down and charge you for thngs tht shdnt be dlc.

[Krakn3Dfx]

"- The content in “From Ashes” was developed by a separate team (after the core game was finished) and not completed until well after the main game went into certification."

Didn't this game just go gold like a week ago?

I call BS. This is like listening to the GOP debates, if you believe what they're telling you, it's only because you want to believe it and are too weak to think for yourself and know the truth.

[monsterduc1000]

I sent a formal complaint to Bioware, as well as saying I will not be buying the game if this is not changed. I will wait for the special edition with all the dlc content for free, or wait for a price drop on the game.

[MasterD919]

Some people really are idiots...

It was mentioned that you were getting an extra squad member and mission if you were buying the CE. There was a Bioware ad with bullet-points which stated what was included on every retailer site I've seen...If you missed that its your own damn fault.

Now people are pissed off because they can't find a CE a week or two before release. You are the ghetto gamer.

[monsterduc1000]

Extra mission that enhances the game, fine. Actual story content that is crucial to the game, NOT FINE!

[m23]

It was announced since Day 1 that the collector's edition would be getting a bonus character and mission. At first I did see why people were complaining, but then I remembered it was a promise they made to the people buying the CE version. Why didn't people complain when they first announced it?

[FantasyStar]

I remember that too. However, I also remembered that the "bonus character" wasn't disclosed at that time. Back then, people(and me) thought it was just another character like Zaeed or Kasumi. However knowing it's a Prothean makes this a huge deal.

[upallnightgamer]

$10 for the squadmate, his mission (on Eden Prime, of all places), a new weapon, AND extra costumes for EVERYONE on the team? And people have the gall to complain? How ungrateful can you get? And if you were smart enough to pre-order the CE early, you get all this plus everything else offered at no extra charge.

I understand people are suspicious of CEs when they don't contain a lot of extra content beyond a soundtrack and an artbook, or something similar that doesn't add value to the game, but this CE isn't like that. For all the stuff they've offered, why wouldn't you pay the extra $20 if you were gonna get the game all along?

[MasterD919]

Forgot the robot dog and in-game N7 hoodie as well ;)

Agreed though...The CE has us theoretically paying for this Prothean character too but we get far more content for virtually the same price people would pay buying the DLC outright on top of the standard version.

Its a no brainer if you love the series. Seems like some people love the series but love even more to complain about how their laziness screwed them over.

[m23]

This CE version is really worth the extra money, and that isn't always the case. A lot of CE's recently don't give a lot of value for the extra money, but this one offers up a lot. If there was one thing I would have hoped for, it would have been some behind the scene stuff like Bungie did with Halo 3, but for the most part its a great value.

[IM_KINECTED]

EA hasn't been the best thing to happen to Bioware that's for sure. This kind of bugs me because I intended to get the N7 edition but they stopped taking pre-orders on it. So now I have to settle for the standard version.

I'm not sure the price point for this, but I hope it's not too costly. I don't really enjoy the way DLC is going these days. Release date DLC is greed in the worst way, if you have it ready for release, you damn sure can add it to the disk at launch.

[Basjohn]

There was an askreddit post a few months ago to discuss the general DLC contreversy.

On it one developer (anon of course) did rather casually admit that it's industry standard for the publisher to approach the developers 3/4 in the development process and decide about how DLC will be handled. This is almost always (as he admitted himself) stripped out content, whether they admit it or not.

Also, don't preorder. Preorders are a way of them selling you bad games before you know they're bad. It makes publishers warm and fuzzy inside but only contributes to more and more DLC stripping.

[SpaceGhost]

Wow everyone here that is bitching about something that was once free not being free anymore needs to realise that is how the world works, nothing can be free forever. If you are angry over it don't buy it, if you are angry over Origin don't buy it, if your panties are too tight Don't fucking buy it.

[stumpa]

Bend me over again EA i love it when you shaft me AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN trouble is while we keep paying and putting up with this shit games companies are gonnaa keep doing it simple

[Bobby Kotex]

Am I freaking missing something? That explanation doesn't address the point that we have to pay for a very important part of the story. Screw that DLC, I'm not buying it, and I'll be wary about buying Bioware games in the future.

[KaBaW]

I just wonder whose decision it was to do this, BioWare or EA.. regarldess, it's shady.
And, this is the reason I buy pre owned games, now, as well as buying cheaper..
The games now a days are no where near the $60 they charge us to buy the game.

Good job you big wig (idiots) of the gaming industry.

[m23]

I tend to disagree that games are not worth $60. Games like Gears 3 and Halo: Reach have so much content stuffed into them, its hard to argue with the value. Same with Mass Effect, there is a lot of content in the game, not only is there a huge campaign, there is multiplayer (which is fun as hell) included. If its anything like ME2 or even ME1, I will be replaying this game several times, you just have to appreciate games for what they are.

[KaBaW]

Okay, I'll agree that some games do have the content, but still ..
But, at the same time, $60 is still a lot of money to spend on a game.
And, when companies purposely hold off content, there is something wrong..

[Candy1]

Just don't buy? Objectionable democracy is key, statistics is manipulatable.