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Mass Effect 3 downloadable on PS3 at launch

Digital copy of BioWare's upcoming RPG to be available to players via PSN at launch; M55 Argus rifle included to those who take up the offer.

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One of the biggest titles of the new year will be downloadable on the PlayStation 3 day-and-date with its retail launch.

According to Sony, Mass Effect 3 will be available digitally at launch to anyone who preorders the title via the PlayStation Network. Gamers will be able to do so from today on the PlayStation Store.

Mass Effect 3 to be available digitally on the PS3.
Mass Effect 3 to be available digitally on the PS3.

Sony also revealed anyone who preorders the digital version of the game will receive the M55 Argus rifle, a close-range weapon that uses bursts of fire to ensure ammunition conservation, as well as a special Mass Effect 3 PS3 theme, which will only be available for digital preorders.

Sony's offer will not be available after the launch of the game.

Developed by BioWare, Mass Effect 3 is the final entry in the Mass Effect 3 trilogy but not necessarily the last title set in the game's universe.

The game will be out on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on March 6. For more on Mass Effect 3, check out GameSpot's latest hands-on preview.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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syafiqjabar

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@Shredwolf While the disc size could be an issue, in the future having games be available for download on launch isn't going to be something special. It will just be something expected like water is wet and fire is hot.

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Shredwolf

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A measly PS3 Theme for buying it over online and waiting for a day to finish downloading the game that would have more than 10 gb of size? No thanks.

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gekki37

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I cant wait! I just got this and I am SO FREAKING PUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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wyan_

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That's one giant leap for Mass Effect; one small step for cloud gaming.

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Llama345

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@XBLACKXVIPERX shoulda blogged it bro.

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XBLACKXVIPERX

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if not all the power of the PS3 to look like that but on a system thats less powerful than the PS3 like the PSV some sacrifices had to be made to make it a port instead of remaking it from the ground up but 2Ghz system vs a 3.2GHZ system is quite a bit of difference so other than adding features to that version that came out today sacrifices had to be made to keep the game looking as much as the PS3 version version as possible some devs prob make games to run at 2ghz speed for the PS3 and they use the rest of the power just for gameplay purposes thats why bbecause you can limit how much of the systems power you can utilize prob thats how they were able to make sigma run os the Vita but some sacrifices had to be made at least remaking or porting a game to a more powerful system should make a title play better ,faster and look better it it doesnt then its because the DEVS didnt take the time to take advantage of the hardware properrly and they just rushed to make it to make a buck or because they were restrained by time and from prob being pushed by the publisher to make the game by a certain deadline

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XBLACKXVIPERX

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PlayStation Store .........other than the digital movies they have avilable they have PS and other ystem gamesi n digital format for u to buy in there and recently now you see PS2 and PS3 games in digital format and for the PS2 games it might be in some sort of port probaly remaster but not a "REMAKE" as I see many ppl incoerrectly define these games a remake usually means its built from the ground up like all previous versions of RE1 before the GC remake and the Wii port of the GC remake came out...i dont know hwhy so any ppl incorrectly term these games as remakes another example would be NG that came on xbox, it was rereleased as black then it was either ported or remade from the ground up using the PS3 ahrdware and then it was put on the PSV now Im assuming that NGZ was using most

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XBLACKXVIPERX

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and digital format being pushed so hard especially in this generation of entertainement might mean that the next systems from microsoft or sony might just be strictly digital but its unlikely anytime toos at least thats not to say it wont happen it will eventually happed i mean we might still pay over regular price preoder incentives like special or limite editions but it will come with just a code to download the digital copy on to ur system it wont be on any physical media or format whatsoever only time will tell but from what im seeing its looking likely

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XBLACKXVIPERX

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hmmm it seems little bylittle the digital format is pushing the physical format out of the equation but there are negatives and positives to both...for instance most of the time you cant trade a digital copy or sell it normally like you would a physical one but sincedepending on hardware and what type of drive you're using it will load faster at least and also most collectors pefer a physical copy as opposed to a digital cause its worth more

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CaptainHerlock

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Why do gamers honestly believe that digital copies should be cheaper? Think about it, it's the perfect money making scenario. You minimize the product, cut out the middle man, you have ZERO competition in the marketplace, and maximize the profits, and there's no need to worry about used copies, because you've emasculated your right to resell the game by buying a digital copy. You can repeat the Steve Jobs/Bill Gates propaganda of "but... but... but... but.. it's more convenient and I don't have any clutter!!" until you're blue in the face. They aren't going to be swell guys and cut you a break, and hard copies have the advantage of competition in the market place.

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Unfallen_Satan

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What is the price for the PSN pre-order? Amazon still has the PS3 physical standard edition for $60 and $10 cash back + M5 Argus. Still, some people really want it on Day 1--I myself will pick up from Best Buy--so more options can't hurt,.

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KaizerJinn

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not a fan of digital copies.... :\

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Dmg051793

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Should be $5-10 cheaper. That would make me buy it on PSN possibly. It's not like a middle-man needs to be paid when you download.

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shadowkratos774

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F*** THAT seriously I did that ME2 and i ended up paying $80 because i was short 32 cents for tax and couldn't use my credit card for some reason and it took like 8 hours to download and 2 hours to install and it was like 12 gigs and it was just ALL BAD!!!

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TheArcade

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Yeah, nice try Sony. Sticking with disc.

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AvnKnight

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Its a new game its probaly gonna be 50-60 dollars I seriously doubt its gonna be more. that'd be laughable if it was.

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DL_gamer

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Sony usually sells digital copies more expensive than the physical ones. So what is the point!?

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zzamaro

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:lol: at pre-ordering DL games

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delete-EasyComeEasyGo

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@FLOWZMENTAL I'm With you, I started Mass Effect 1 on my Xbox 360 follow by Mass Effect 2 and I own Xbox 360 and PS3. I play ME1 and 2 countless times and it took one year for the PS3 just to get Mass Effect 2 [Which I didn't see that coming] and it was not worth it and the Genesis comic book was a joke. Another problem I see with the DD is that it is the same price as the Physical Copy, [PS+ members should have gotten a price-cut] and it is not a Collectors Edition [which I pre-order at Gamestop] so it is a rip-off.

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strayfies

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They should really consider a pre-load option to bring in those sales. A lot of us remember the burden of merely trying to add Day One DLC to a sony title and finding the servers choked. There's a PC digital pre-load option, both through Amazon (and I assume Origin), so it's not like the notion *didn't* occur to them.

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BibiMaghoo

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If it matches or is less than the retial price, then this is good. But we all know it will be more expensive, like every other retail release on PSN. Sort your pricing out Sony, and then people will buy from the store.

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darksiED70

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how can i trade a digital copy after i've played the heck out of it? if sony will offer half price for it (which will be the game's trade in value at gamestop if traded in a month's time) then that is the only time i MIGHT consider this offer. i'll still buy this game for the ps3 but sony, this digital crap is another fail. what you guys should be talking about is dropping the price for the vita's memory cards to a dollar a gig. i know it's off topic but you guys need to get your @#$%@# act together.

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RitsukoEX

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@FallenOneX LOL!!! nice joke!

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majere613

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Now here's an idea- how about, instead of just having a set theme with a premade FemShep, being able to export your Shepard from the game into the theme? No reason why it couldn't be done, and would add at least one demi-Norris of awesome, IMHO.. :)

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DarthLod

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Yes, if the price is the same then why? If I am getting the exact same thing then I am buying something I can hold in my hand and put on a shelf to display. They should at least knock off 10 bucks if you want it for d/l. This is just more proof of the blatant greed ruining the industry as a whole. Instead, they just spit on the consumer.

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mrcharrio

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I see an attempt to take away physical copies so people can't sell their used copy. Smart but blatant after all the whining over used games.

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deactivated-5ae060efb3bf6

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Takes to long to download on the PS3. I'll stick to a hard copy for the box.

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Starkzard

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If the price is the same as a hard copy then what's the point? I'll be getting it for Xbox 360 anyways, I wish the first one was released on PS3, owners deserve to get the full experience! :)

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meedokicky

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lol i won't download even for free :P i'll leave it to those who have super internet! already pre-ordered my physical copy ;)

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Atheosis

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Pre-order a digital copy? That makes no logical sense...

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supertom221

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Wow, really? They do realize this means every CFW PS3 will be able to play this on 3.55, right?? Risky move, there. Still Awesome, my PC just died on me so this might work out. But I hope they do something like Genesis for ME2, because you can't port savegames across platforms, and I want to keep my Tali romance..... Have to know what's under that mask!!

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Carpetfluff

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I could get a bus into town and pick up a copy five times over in the time it takes to download a full game from PSN. It would have to be way, way cheaper than the physical copy for me to do that with a new release.

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Spartan_418

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A physical copy is always the smarter choice if the digital release is the same price

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FLOWZMENTAL

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I started Mass Effect on my 360 and that's where it stays. I do have both systems and would have to agree and say that the PS3 did get the definitive version in 2. It still wasn't a worthwhile purchase (for me at least for me, cause of my early statement). And with the PS3 getting a download copy is still not a worthy purchase. Especially while the PS3 notoriously long download times this only makes for a horrible deal. Plus a physical copy is always better you get the box and manual.

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FallenOneX

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I say this being the owner of a 360: With no major bugs withstanding, the PS3 wins when it comes to which version of ME3 is the best when it comes to consoles IMHO. That feature alone is worth it. I would love to do the same on my 360. I'd settle for ME2 on XBL.

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mtait01

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I never download games that I could buy in physical format, I always like to have the box in my collection. Also most of the time on PSN or XBL the games are way overpriced. For example on the PS, Rayman Origins, in shops 39.99, on PSN, 47.99. And an example for XBL, Halo Reach, in stores 39.99, on XBL, 49.99. Can someone please explain to me why this is, I get that they want profit... but surely selling games cheaper online would be beneficial to both the company and the consumer - the consumer gets it cheaper and the company doesn't need to rely on a retailer to get it sold - all the profit is there's except for the small bandwith fee

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HollowNinja

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@Icehearted: That is very true for console games. On the PC, however, it's almost the exact opposite. The lack of platform restrictions solves a lot of problems. Just one more reason why we should do away with consoles and, for that matter, publishers of entertainment media altogether. It's an outdated business model in a world where control of the entertainment is finally moving to the control of the consumer.

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svaubel

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You would think with much larger profit margins and all the middle-men cut from a digital release over retail, that digital games would be 40-50$ at most. But nope and we can rest assured that the digital version will still be 60$ a year later while the retail version is half that. Seriously if publishers expect digital sales to take off, they have to give people a reason to buy that way.

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Icehearted

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I remember when Microsoft started with the digital games, and it was for titles that had been out for some time, and the digital versions were much more expensive (about $40 more I think). Part of how they used to justify pricing was the manufacture, packaging, and shipping to retail, none of which are, oddly (but unsurprisingly enough) not discounted from the digital price of a game now. If they really want an all digital content future (HAHAHA) they should offer incentives to people, other than plainly ripping them off with an equally priced but inferiorly delivered product. Price drops always affect retail long before digital as well, making this a bum deal all around, unless you really want the "whole game" and not the skeletal one with missing pieces, which even then can only be gotten via preorder. This whole thing stinks. This is what happens when publishers dictate how content is delivered; profit by any means first, customer satisfaction last.

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SDBusDriver1979

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It must be a dull day if this is the top story.

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DaNubianPryns

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Only if it is cheaper than in stores. Otherwise, I agree, not really worth it.

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Marky360

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Well this is different Digital releases are usually never available on the day of release at least not on the PS3 anyway I'm not so sure about the 360 though. I'm not looking forward to Mass Effect 3(I don't really like the Mass Effect series)but even if I was I seriously doubt I'd buy it digitally I'd rather have the physical copy I mean why waste the space on my harddrive when I don't have to.

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Gelugon_baat

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@alenth [quote="You"]... i don't know how people still buy this.[/quote]

Because they are die-hard fans. :roll:

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servb0ts

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I'm happy for ME gamers who enjoy this series, its very hard for meto get into it for some reason.

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Cowboy-Bebop

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@ender707 Absolutely right. Why would anyone pay the same price for a download. I hope this flops. Publishers save money and they need to pass some of it on to gamers.

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elbert_b_23

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good for sony this is pretty awesome for them

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alenth

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DLC on day 1 is always ridiculous and absurd and even more when it comes before the lauch date, i don't know how people still buy this.

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beuneus12

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i'll just wait 4 months to buy the game, so more dlc, less hefty price

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ender707

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Bad deal, without a good discount there is no reason to do this.

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LordelX

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Sweet, I'd rather download it anyway. Gotta finish Mass Effect 2 first...

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