Despite a serious outpouring of fan disappointment over the From Ashes DLC for Mass Effect 3, BioWare is keeping their marketing train trucking undeterred. Of course, before getting to some of the more important promotional pieces for From Ashes, Creative Director Casey Hudson had to do a little damage control and hopefully set the record straight for fans that were making assumptions.
Now that the story has been further fleshed out – BioWare started work on From Ashes after Mass Effect 3 development was finished – it’s time for that big marketing push as we get closer and closer to March 6th. The first, and official, part of the From Ashes promotion is a set of screenshots that were released over the weekend.
But, before getting to those screenshots, it’s best to address two issues. The first is that these screenshots could be considered spoilers for Mass Effect 3, or at least for some potential story beats or poignant moments.
A summary for From Ashes has been circulating the Internet since it leaked on the Xbox Live Marketplace, but for those that were hoping to keep the final leg of their Commander Shepard trilogy as pure as possible, it’s best to turn back now. But, before skipping over the screenshots, know that they look exactly like Mass Effect 3 in the truest sense, no bombastic sequences just plain talking and shooting.
For those that are interested though, continue on for the screenshots:
As you can see the biggest reveal in the screenshots is the Prothean character that is the center of this entire DLC controversy. Since Mass Effect‘s overarching story has revolved around the Prothean’s war with the Reapers, it has disappointed a wide group of fans to learn that getting to recruit a member of that race, and potentially get a little back-story, is locked behind DLC.
Combat wise, the DLC looks like run of the mill Mass Effect 3 content, so maybe it isn’t as integral to the story as it seems. Those who pick up the N7 Collector’s Edition of the game will be able to tell us for sure, but as of right now it still seems pretty important.
What do you think of these DLC screenshots? Based on what we know about the DLC so far do you feel it to be integral to the experience or purely additional?
Mass Effect 3 releases March 6, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.
Source: Joystiq
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Okay, so I’m implying from a particular sentabce that the Collector’s edition will feature this DLC? I was considering upgrading anyhow (I’m an artist and I really want the art book…) and that would only infer courage m decision to do so.
Yes the N7 Collectors edition comes with the “From Ashes” dlc as the bonus mission
Unless you get the digital deluxe version, good luck finding one. Pretty sure it’s sold out pretty much every major retailer unless you buy on day 1 at a place like Target.
But there is an art book that I did buy that doesn’t come with the Collectors edition called Art of the Mass Effect Universe, which is pretty cool
Encourage* not infer courage. Sorry.
Most places are sold out of the collectors edition so good luck getting a copy I’m so happy I pre ordered it a while back
I doubt the DLC will be a must have to enjoy the story. Both ME1 and ME2 were complete and good games without their DLC. That said If you are a hard core fan you will buy the DLC. I only get pissed if the DLC is boring or totally uninspired. I thought The Arrival DLC was kinda blah, but I still would have bought it even knowing it was subpar. DLC for the most part will always be lacking. It can not be integral to the game story as whole so it will always feel tacked on. If you jut have to have every little bit of a game buy it. If you just want a good core game ignore the DLC it is always optional.
You know that liara is probably gonna try to have her way with the prothean right?
Hi, I’m the typical blogger who preordered the collector’s edition and is looking pretty darn smart now. Oh, yeah, I better rub it in to everyone who didn’t preorder the collector’s edition with comments like “good luck finding one.”
I hope the DLC is available to purchase within a few days (or on the day of) the release. Most likely I’ll be too busy playing the main story to care anyway (though I do want to see and talk to a Prothean, plus see where this guy has been hiding his mug).
Day of dlc so you can buy it March 6 in North America march 9 Everywhere else
On another note, why is the Prothean character firing at Collectors? Didn’t Shepard destroy the Collectors in ME2? Must be a few stragglers.
The Collectors were shaped by the reapers to act as pawns. That said, the Collectors in ME2 were probably there to support Sovereign and do his dirty work. It is definitely probable that more of the Reapers have their own Collectors as their henchmen rather than the usual husks.
It could also be that they use the Collectors to protect key points of interest, such as the construction site of the human Reaper or the resting place of the last true Prothean.
Lol Sovereign died in ME1 I think you mean Harbinger