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UPDATE: EA Responds To Mass Effect 3 Day One DLC Allegations

UPDATE: EA has provided us with the following official statement in response to allegations that the "From Ashes" day one DLC for Mass Effect 3 was on the disc:

"From Ashes is a 600 MB+ download with all new content, including the mission on Eden Prime, new dialogue options and conversations with Javik, new cinematics, the Prothean weapon, and new appearances for all squad members. All of the above content was completed while the main game was in certification and are not available on the disc.
 
"As stated previously, in order to seamlessly integrate Javik into the core campaign, certain framework elements and character models needed to be put on disc. We did something similar with Zaeed and Kasumi in Mass Effect 2."

ORIGINAL STORY: From angry fans to defensive developers, everyone seems to have an opinion on Mass Effect 3's day one downloadable content and whether or not it's acceptable. The latest update comes from a fan claiming to have proof that the squad member unlocked in the DLC was on the disc from the start.

Responding to statements from BioWare saying that the "From Ashes" DLC content was not worked on until after Mass Effect 3 was completed and thus couldn't be included on the disc, YouTube user lljkceski created the video below. In it, the fan claims that by changing a single line of code in the PC version of Mass Effect 3, you can unlock the Prothean squadmate for play without downloading the DLC.

You can watch the video below to see the evidence and decide for yourself if you think its damning. Keep in mind that at this point it's basically BioWare's word versus random fan's word -- either way, you're trusting someone without full knowledge of what went on behind the scenes.

For now, I've reached out to EA and BioWare to see if they have any further comments on the day one DLC or the allegations made in this video. I'll update this post if I hear anything back.

 

[Thanks to Duraigo for the tip]

Comments
  • I got mine for free
  • I wish deleting one simple line of text changed the ending, too.
  • EA is awesome with Origin and most fo their games, but when it comes to the fanbase, their brats trying to make money

  • This is really dumb...

  • Jesus, people need to get over it.
  • You know regardless, we call these "patches" when it's on PC.

    It isn't worth that much at all, it should be illegal.

  • Could just pirate it to hell,that would actually be better than buying this crap.

  • If I didn't have DLC character would my game be afffected? I usualy ask myself this before purchasing DLC and since I have DLC which I got from the CE the answer is for me personaly.

  • I still don't get what all the fuss is about.

  • Take that you f***ing hippy-gamers!

  • k, I gotcha. Granted I don't know enough about reading code or hacking to have any idea what that guy did, but good on ya

  • Developers should know better than to lie by now. Remember when the hot coffee stuff in San Andreas was "not on disc"?

  • I love and respect Bioware, and I fully understand that EA is pulling the strings on this Day One DLC business. Either way it is NOT ok, it is a money grab, if you have the time and resources to make this DLC to release on time with the game then it should be in the game, no excuses. Otherwise it looks like your after our pockets.
  • If this is true, he just taught millions of PC players how to get the prothean for free.

  • Guys, this was already on the disc. Remember when they announced the Collectors edition and one of the items was the Prothean squad mate and weapon? They quickly did damage control and Chris at Bioware said that it was a typo/accident. They knew damn well the whole time they were going to release this day 1 and charge for it.
  • This is what is known as a first world problem.
  • Eh...who cares. Game was good...stop b*tching about it. There are far worse people to complain to that steal your money. How about we all go and yell at the Oil Companies for jacking up the prices of gas and not even bothering to put in funding to find some other fuel sources. They'd still make a killing if they crack the problems with them......

  • Now I'm really debating purchasing this. I hate the fact that I buy new games to support the game industry and yet they try to *** me with on disc DLC, I never buy used but it seems like I can comfortably buy this used and not feel bad for screwing them the way they try to screw us.
  • Michael Gamble. is nothing but another pawn in the EA/bioware employee bonus structure.. he gets a bonus for the number of units and more lucrative perks for the number of downloads a project gets. Again..as you see they continue to lie lie lie lie.. this is a legitimate deceptive trade practice.... you want to send EA and companies a message. then STOP buying all DLC.. leave it there waiting to be downloaded for a couple of months.. that'll send a message. the dev's will act spoil.. threatending to limit content.. then they'll whine "well not enough people are buying the dlc's anymore so.. we cut back on content"... this is all a plan.. sometimes i wish Anonymous would get involded to uncover their other dark secrets.