Mass Effect 2 teaser and stuff! Now coming to the PS3!

[EddieA]

Where did you see the dlc will be free outside the first one? That article linked makes no mention of that.

‘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*.

This sounds to me like you get everything they release on the network.  It's free with a new copy or a one-time fee if you buy the game used.

[jersoc]

That doesnt sound like to me at all. Pretty sure it's just the first set of DLC for free. I'll ask someone I know at a bioware though.

[CeeKay]

I gotta agree with the Grumpy One  and say to me that reads like you get access to the network for free, nit necessarily all the DLC.

[EddieA]

‘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*.

Unless the "no extra charge part" refers only to the "daily messages and news on upcoming releases" part, then it sounds like it's all included.  Also, if you don't get everything, why would there be a "one-time" charge to activate the network?

[farley2k]

It won't be free.  Come on do people really expect a company to put out DLC for free just because they love us so much? 

[MaxSteele]

I'm going with anything released on the portal is free.

I know it's hard to believe that, but they may have seen low sales with individual DLC and lost sales to used titles, so they're trying to combat this by making original purchases get the portal and all the DLC for free, and used copies can buy the portal and get all the DLC released.

We'll find out when the second DLC is released.

[Turtle]

Bioware devs on the forums have said that all release day DLC will be free, all of it.  This includes a bunch of new missions, cerberus gear, and the new character Zaeed, and more.  There will also be later, smaller DLC packs that are also free.

However, there will be for pay DLC later that will run the gamut from small single missions, mid sized missions like Bring Down the Sky, to full on mini-campaigns.

The Hammerhead isn't releasing under after release day, so it's unknown whether it will cost money.  Most likely it will not since it's a feature that will be used in other DLC.

It's kind of weird that the Hammerhead was made into DLC, I'm not sure how it works though.  This means that all the regular missions in ME2 do not have driving sequences, you just land where you need to go.  Then, later DLC missions will have you using the hammerhead.  It's just weird.

I'm canvasing the forums for info, but there isn't much.

EDIT: Okay guys, I can confirm.  To new buyers, it's all free, the first few DLC packs are all free and come part of your Cerberus Network membership, which is included in every copy of ME2, not just collector's.  This is tied into your social.bioware.com account, much like Dragon Age.

It's really just prepping the way for future DLC, and getting people used to DLC content.  It's also a way to combat piracy and used game sales by putting a lot of free content behind a one time use code and user account.  They've built ME2 as a bit of a platform, you can continue playing past the final story mission in ME2 and they're taking advantage of that.

As above, the Hammerhead is only usable in the DLC content, all ground missions in the base ME2 game do not involve driving a vehicle.  Word is there's going to be a large chunk of free DLC, a lot of which uses the hammerhead, and this content will be available both during the ME2 campaign and after.  If you play the content during the campaign you get the normal benefits that add towards the final mission.

[jersoc]

the guy i know at bioware hasn't responded yet, but no way every dlc will be free. i wont complain if i'm wrong though.

[greeneggsnham]

Any thoughts on the preorder equipment? This is one of the few times where the Gamestop preorder actually looks to be worth having, though I'd rather order the game through D2D or Steam.

[jersoc]

get it from amazon imo. you get a 10$ coupon, then turn around and preorder FF13 for another! that's my plan at least.

[Turtle]

the guy i know at bioware hasn't responded yet, but no way every dlc will be free. i wont complain if i'm wrong though.

Every DLC won't be free.  However, most, if not all of the early DLC will be.

[Soulchilde]

Just finished my second play of ME 1 and I still haven't hit 60.  Anyway, I'm eagerly awaiting ME 2

[CeeKay]

I guess they're running out of stuff to show when they start showing movies on importing your character 

(warning: looks to contain how the game starts off)

[Pharaoh]

I'm hoping for review copies to go out and it be confirmed that the only thing that matters if you import a ME1 character is you start with maybe 1000 resources instead of 0 or something silly. No developer is going to make the game significantly different for people who played the original...at the most, I think we'll get a line of dialogue acknowledging your origins "Oh ya, you are that PARAGON/RENEGADE who SAVED/KILL the council...should have expected that coming from a SPACER/COLONIST" or nods to your choices, but the core game of ME2 ignores it.

[Roguetad]

I'm hoping for review copies to go out and it be confirmed that the only thing that matters if you import a ME1 character is you start with maybe 1000 resources instead of 0 or something silly. No developer is going to make the game significantly different for people who played the original...at the most, I think we'll get a line of dialogue acknowledging your origins "Oh ya, you are that PARAGON/RENEGADE who SAVED/KILL the council...should have expected that coming from a SPACER/COLONIST" or nods to your choices, but the core game of ME2 ignores it.

That's what I was thinking too.  Probably a nice dialogue nod to your choices from ME, maybe a small starting credit bonus, but nothing too extravagant.  I can guarantee my ME2 Shephard will be unfaithful to his ME1 love interest, so I don't really care about that aspect of plot continuity...unless his infidelity creates some fun drama

[Ridah]

I've since lost my ME save data and I couldn't get myself to do a second play-through of the game so I'm hoping it isn't significant either, otherwise I'll be kicking myself.

[Kevin Grey]

I, on the other hand, hope the changes are relatively significant. I'm not expecting anything too huge but I will disappointed if it's as minor as as you guys are expecting. 

[Soulchilde]

I, on the other hand, hope the changes are relatively significant. I'm not expecting anything too huge but I will disappointed if it's as minor as as you guys are expecting. 

+1   It shouldn't be game breaking, but some type of visible reward would be welcome

[Razgon]

It will be a Pulse Laser rifle, +1 vs Androids with a THACO of 0!

[Pharaoh]

They cant be significant because its not mandatory to have an ME1 save file. Therefore, the game has to be able to cater to both old play-throughs, and new players. So the gameplay designers have to build the game to support both variables, and focus the game on new players, with cosmetic rewards for older ones which don't change the game in any meaningful way.

If ME2 requires new players to decide their back story with those choices shown in the recent IGN video (did you save the council, what was your race, who did you love), then sure it can be significant. But since I haven't seen anything remotely like that, then I don't see how its anything but verbal nods or +1-5% for rep gain, etc.

[Vindel]

Interesting:

Earth in Mass Effect 2 DLC?
   
[1:16 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
Mass Effect 2 Interview with Casey Hudson Part 2 of 4 on GameZone is an audio interview with BioWare's Casey Hudson about Mass Effect 2, the upcoming RPG sequel. They cover a number of topics, and when asked if there will be an opportunity to visit Earth, Mars, or Venus in the game he indicates Earth may be part of a future DLC release: "They're there in the galaxy map, but currently they're not it'll be like Mass Effect 1 where you don't land on any of them; in Mass Effect 1 you can go to the moon on some of your missions. So I think there's potential for that in some of the downloadable missions for the future." He goes on to discuss the significance of Earth in the Mass Effect story, and says: "we do plan to go there at some point, just not yet."

[Kevin Grey]

If ME2 requires new players to decide their back story with those choices shown in the recent IGN video (did you save the council, what was your race, who did you love), then sure it can be significant. But since I haven't seen anything remotely like that, then I don't see how its anything but verbal nods or +1-5% for rep gain, etc.

I can't remember how they handled that aspect but I thought at one point they basically said that if you don't have an old save then they just make certain assumptions for you.

But I guess it depends on what you mean by cosmetic.  For example if:

Spoiler for Mass Effect 1 spoilers:

Wrex is available as a squad member for those who let him live throughout ME1 then I would count that as signficant. Same with Ashley or Kaiden.  

Or, alternatively, if a having made certain decisions in ME1 (whether about the fates of squad members, council membership, Raccni, etc) play a role in the fates of the new squad members in this installment, then that would be significant to me as well.    

I don't expect the game to offer up new locations or major story elements depending on ME1.  But I do expect the game to make everything organic in such a way that this feels like a natural and direct continuation of the choices and experience that *my* Shepherd had in the first game.  

[Kevin Grey]

Interesting:

Earth in Mass Effect 2 DLC?
   
[1:16 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
Mass Effect 2 Interview with Casey Hudson Part 2 of 4 on GameZone is an audio interview with BioWare's Casey Hudson about Mass Effect 2, the upcoming RPG sequel. They cover a number of topics, and when asked if there will be an opportunity to visit Earth, Mars, or Venus in the game he indicates Earth may be part of a future DLC release: "They're there in the galaxy map, but currently they're not it'll be like Mass Effect 1 where you don't land on any of them; in Mass Effect 1 you can go to the moon on some of your missions. So I think there's potential for that in some of the downloadable missions for the future." He goes on to discuss the significance of Earth in the Mass Effect story, and says: "we do plan to go there at some point, just not yet."

I expect that they'll hold off on Earth for ME3. 

[metallicorphan]

question about the 2 DVDs

how will this work?,will it be like Forza 3 where you install the second disc and play of the first disc(and install that one as well if you wish),or will it be like Star Ocean or Lost Odyssey where you just switch to disc 2 at a certain point in the story?

[Kevin Grey]

I think it's the latter- a single disc switch at a certain point in the game.  I don't believe there is ever a reason or need to swap discs again. 

[Pharaoh]

Ahhh I see your point Kevin. That's understandable, I just was hesitant that entire portions of the game would unlock or lock depending on your background. ME1, no matter who or what you did, still ended up at the same point, and I expect ME2 will be identical.

I'm excited to see the customization options for both your armor and the Normandy. Hopefully that video is next!

[CeeKay]

Has anyone heard if Gamestop is doing a midnight opening for this?

[Pharaoh]

They are, it comes out the same time as MAG for PS3, so its a double midnight launch I believe. At least it is in Arizona.

[Kevin Grey]

Has anyone transferred ME1's "hidden" final save to a different Xbox?  I still have it on one of my Xbox's but the 360 I plan to play ME2 is in a different room so I will need to move the ME1 final save over there .  Otherwise I will just just have to start ME2 on the 360 I first played it on and then move that save to the MU.

[CeeKay]

woohoo!  just walked past the local GS in time to see them putting up the signs for the midnight sale.  looks like I'll be breaking out the ECWS next Monday night!

or at least be hanging out in the bar across the street to watch the line dwindle while I'm nice and toasty.

[Starshifter]

My anticipation is reaching major boiling point here.  I'm quivering with excitement.  I've avoided most stuff about the game thus far.  Back to exploring the galaxy!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's where I belong. 

[jersoc]

mass effect edition with casey from bioware.

http://www.giantbomb.com/podcast/?podcast_id=138

[CeeKay]

5 days and 4 hours....

[jztemple2]

I've avoided most stuff about the game thus far.

I've been avoiding any previews as well. I want to be surprised... pleasantly of course.

[coopasonic]

Has anyone transferred ME1's "hidden" final save to a different Xbox?  I still have it on one of my Xbox's but the 360 I plan to play ME2 is in a different room so I will need to move the ME1 final save over there .  Otherwise I will just just have to start ME2 on the 360 I first played it on and then move that save to the MU.

I'm facing the same problem. Friend has my old xbox. I guess I'll be borrowing that HD back for a while.

[Caine]

i just finished up me 1 last night, oddly enough for the first time since burning out on it way back.  not sure i liked the coin flip aspects to the ending, but i do hope they port the major aspects of the game into the sequel so i can get into it like a movie would.  i also hope they make it useful to have buffed up my sniper rifle in the first and start me out with something nice.  hell, give me a worn down version of the one i got with scuff marks and i'll be happy, even though it will be nerfed in some form.  i would like to see the character's face look slightly older this time. 

if nothing else, open up a few side missions due to all the exploring i did. 

seeing as how none of the major retailers are doing a great special (tru has one, but it's not that great) i think i'll just grab it from best buy on launch.

[Barrakketh]

Brand new launch trailer. Warning, contains spoilers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZK9vrBNRys&feature=sub

Awesome trailer. I can feel the 'Dirty Dozen" vibe.

[Turtle]

Um, yeah, definite spoilers in that video guys, don't watch it if you want to save some stuff.  Especially so if you've played ME1 since it's got spoilers about ME1 characters.

It's good for people from haven't played ME1 and don't know the characters though, and those who haven't been following ME2 the way I have and thus won't be able to piece things together.

That said, it's a really, really, freaking awesome trailer.  They show snippets of what is likely the final mission, and let's just say there's awesome dirty dozen type stuff going on.  Really gives you the feeling like "this is serious".

Spoilers about the trailer's spoilers:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Poor Ashley, seems every colony she ends up on is horrifically attacked.

Also, here's an IGN video about the Normandy SR2:
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/me2_spc_ship_012010.html?show=hi

[KePoW]

It's an *awesome* trailer, and I really don't understand the complaints about spoilers.

I mean yeah it shows some characters, but they're just quick flashes and snippets and it's not anything that you couldn't have guessed yourself.  There's nothing more 'spoilerish' than your typical extended length movie trailer.

It's like in Assassin's Creed 1 where everyone was trying to hide the fact about the Animus.  But then come to find out it's something you discover in the first 5 minutes of the game anyway, or even from the game's title screen.

Watch this ME2 trailer, it's great.  I mean Bioware made it themselves, you really think it has major spoilers or describes the plot in length?  It's just movie type teasers.

[Kevin Grey]

Watch this ME2 trailer, it's great.  I mean Bioware made it themselves, you really think it has major spoilers or describes the plot in length?  It's just movie type teasers.

As Turtle said, it often depends on how closely you are following a game.  I've seen plenty of trailers made by the game companies where between what was actually shown in the trailer and what I had read or seen elsewhere, I put two and two together and was spoiled on some relatively major stuff.

Re: movies- they are just as bad. The goal of marketing is to get you to buy the product, not protect the story.