PS3 Mass Effect 2 release detailed

At GamesCom in August, Electronic Arts announced that BioWare's Microsoft-exclusive sci-fi role-playing franchise Mass Effect would soon be a multi-console enterprise. Early next year, EA will publish Mass Effect 2 on the PlayStation 3. The outing will follow on from the game's release on the Xbox 360 and PC in January 2010 and portends well for Mass Effect 3's eventual distribution on Sony's platform.

This week, BioWare offered PS3 gamers a glimpse at what they'll be able to expect from Mass Effect 2's Blu-ray disc debut. Namely, the primary advantage of the PS3 edition of the game will be on-disc access to content released in a downloadable form for the Xbox 360 and PC. This content includes the Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory, and Blood Dragon Armor packs.

PS3 gamers who purchase Mass Effect 2 new will also gain access to the Cerberus Network, which offers free access to additional downloadable content ranging from the Zaeed character missions to the Hammerhead hover tank. Used-game purchasers will be required to purchase access to the Cerberus Network.

BioWare will also be offering a make-good to PS3 gamers for the absence of the original game on Sony's platform. The studio's Edmonton arm will be collaborating with Dark Horse Comics on an interactive comic that helps fill in the story leading up to the events in Mass Effect 2.

"While I can't release all the details about this yet, what I can tell you is that we want to create a stunning visual experience that not only tells the core story elements of Mass Effect 1 but also is fully interactive, allowing you to be faced with some of the major choices, which will have consequences your Mass Effect universe," said BioWare producer Jesse Houston of the comic. He also noted that it will be included with the Cerberus Network and initially be a PS3 exclusive.

Lastly, BioWare confirmed a number of additional DLC packs will be available for the PS3 edition of the game, of both the free and paid variety. Though the studio didn't delve into the specifics of these add-ons, it did offer the names Aegis Pack and Recon Operations Pack.

For an idea of what to expect from Mass Effect 2 on the PS3, check out GameSpot's coverage of the Xbox 360 edition.