EA details Mass Effect 3/Kingdoms of Amalur crossover promo

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3 are both role-playing games published by Electronic Arts, but their worlds are vastly different. However, EA today announced a new crossover promotion that will bring the two a little bit closer.

A demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning arrives on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on January 17, and gamers who download the trial will unlock items not only for the fantasy title, but also for Mass Effect 3.

Items available for Mass Effect 3 via Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning are The Reckoner Knight Armor and the Chakram Launcher. The Reckoner Knight Armor maximizes close-quarter damage and increases projectile velocity. The other Mass Effect 3 in-game item gamers will earn for playing the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo is the Chakram Launcher. This weapon fires "lightweight, explosive ammunition discs" and is only available to those who complete the Reckoning demo and watch the trailer at its end.

The promotion doesn't end there. Gamers who participate in the Mass Effect 3 demo (which does not have a release date yet) will unlock the N7 Armor and Omniblade Daggers for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The N7 Armor is based on Commander Shepard's iconic apparel, and the Omniblade Daggers are holographic blades that let gamers stab foes in close quarters. Mass Effect 3 is due out for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on March 6.

As for what gamers can expect from the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo, EA said the trial will allow players to create and customize hero characters, partake in the game's tutorial mode, and then venture into a "portion" of the title's world. Following the completion of the tutorial mode, gamers will have 45 minutes to explore the world of Amalur.

In addition to the items mentioned above, gamers who participate in the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo will score three more items. These include an ice resistance booster Twist of Fate Card; a health and mana boosting Twinned Souls Chakram weapon; and a protective helmet called The Infernal Helm, unlocked after the completion of tutorial mode. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is due out for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on February 7.

For more on the games in question, check out GameSpot's latest coverage of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3.