Free Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut coming this summer

Fans cried out, and BioWare listened. Today, the company announced Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut, a free download that will offer gamers "deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes."

Due out this summer for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, the Extended Cut for the sci-fi role-playing game will expand on the endgame with "cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes." Specifics were not mentioned.

BioWare cofounder Ray Muzyka said, "With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team's artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe."

According to executive producer Casey Hudson, postlaunch development initiatives for Mass Effect 3 have been "reprioritized" as a result of Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut.

[UPDATE] In an update to BioWare's website, the company said it has no plans to offer new or additional endings for Mass Effect 3. Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will provide only greater context, according to BioWare.

"BioWare strongly believes in the team's artistic vision for the end of this arc of the Mass Effect franchise," reads a line from the statement. "The extended cut DLC will expand on the existing endings, but no further ending DLC is planned."

"Though we remain committed and are proud of the artistic choices we made in the main game, we are aware that there are some fans who would like more closure to Mass Effect 3. The goal of the DLC is not to provide a new ending to the game, rather to offer fans additional context and answers to the end of Commander Shepard's story."

Gamers have until April 12, 2014, to claim Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut. The move comes after BioWare said last month that it planned to revisit the Mass Effect 3 ending and offer gamers new content.