By now you've probably already read our discussions on whether Mass Effect 3 does or does not need a new ending, but regardless of that you're interested to see what extended conclusion BioWare has crafted in the form of the Extended Cut DLC. Though the DLC doesn't officially release until tomorrow, Mass Effect Producer Michael Gamble has taken to Twitter to explain when exactly gamers might be able to get their hands on the hotly anticipated DLC.

For Xbox 360 gamers, the DLC should be available around 5 AM EST, the usual release window for Xbox Live products. For PS3 players, the DLC should become available some time in the afternoon — the PSN update times tend to fluctuate based on server stress and demand. And for PC players, Gamble says they are trying to get the DLC up by about noon MST on Origin.

Along with revealing these release times for the expanded Mass Effect 3 ending Gamble also delivered some hints as to what type of impact the DLC will have on the game's missions. Essentially he recommends that players begin the game from the attack on Cerberus base (the save point created once Mass Effect 3 is completed) in order to see all the additional scenes.

Further expanding on that point, Gamble explains that about 3100 war assets are necessary for the "perfect" ending in the game -- just to make sure gamers don't continue to feel like they missed out on something. One of the most convenient ways to max out one's War Assets, besides simply completing every side mission or promoting multiplayer characters, is through the Mass Effect Datapad app. It's a bit time consuming, but for gamers who want to roll through the game from start to finish with the intent of gaining new perspective, it's a handy way of accumulating extra galactic readiness to then maximize the usefulness of your war assets.

By this time tomorrow gamers will either be singing the praises of BioWare for the expanded conclusion they have provided, or once again lamenting their inability to satisfyingly conclude one of this generation's biggest trilogies. Creative Director Casey Hudson has already said it won't satisfy everyone, but if it at least provides some extra context post-decision that could be enough.

Are you planning on playing through the Extended Cut DLC as soon as it releases? Will you be starting from the very beginning or only from the recommended start?

Mass Effect 3's Extended Cut DLC releases tomorrow June 26, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Source: Michael Gamble