cerberus-network
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PSA: Mass Effect 2 PS3 Cerberus Network issues currently being worked on
Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network is currently down on PS3. Joystiq has an email from EA support saying that the publisher is aware of the problem, and sources at Sony tell us it is working on a fix. There is also this EA support log which states: "The Cerberus Network and comic part of the Cerberus Network is currently down and hope to be up and working in next 24-48 hours." We've contacted Sony and EA for an official explanation of the situation. Normally we'd guess this is a classic example of the "PSN hasn't updated yet" issue, but at the moment, neither corporation will confirm that. Update: Players report it's working now. [Thanks, Luke]
Mass Effect 2's 'Cerberus Daily News' to go on hiatus, pick back up before more DLC
One of the key props in the grand illusion of Mass Effect 2 is the Cerberus Daily News, a news feed that has displayed daily happenings from around "the universe" (in 2185 CE and into the new year) on Commander Shepard's computer terminal -- the game's title screen. These briefings began on launch day, January 26, 2010, and kept us hooked into a wide array of galactic goings-on over the months: from a Cerberus "torture den" to a trapped family in decaying orbit to the long-term effects of performance-enhancing drugs on athletes. Then, yesterday, a fourth wall–smashing "out-of-game notice" confirmed that the Cerberus Daily News would go on hiatus beginning January 24, ending its surprisingly long run of (phony) news updates. It seems that even a hundred and seventy-five years from now, we'll still be struggling to keep the news in business. (Read the update in full after the break.) On the bright side, the CDN editors will get some temporary work during three weeks this year (2011 CE). The first week of updates will precede what we assume will be the final Mass Effect 2 DLC release, which BioWare has continually insisted is in the works and will likely feature the completion of that treacherous bridge ... to the next game. Speaking of Mass Effect 3, two additional weeks of Cerberus Daily News reports will lead up to its release at the tail end of this year. Is it wrong to want 2011 to be over already? [Thanks, Anthony]
Mass Effect 2 DLC on PS3 explained, interactive comic confirmed
As rumored over the weekend, Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 iteration will come packed with "6+ hours of bonus missions" -- rather than being PS3-exclusive bonus content, however, it'll comprise the game's three big expansions: Kasumi: Stolen Memories, Overlord, and Lair of the Shadow Broker. EA corroborated the news this morning by releasing the game's PS3 box art (found in full below the break), which clearly details its contents just inches above Miranda's flowing locks. BioWare producer Jesse Houston also took to the company's forums to clear up what exactly will be on the Blu-ray disc (and what will be downloaded). "Of course Mass Effect 2 will be included. On top of that, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour. Also included is, as on Xbox 360 and PC, an access code to the Cerberus Network. This will give you instant access to the same great lineup of Downloadable Content such as Zaeed and Firewalker." Furthermore, he confirmed an "interactive comic" will ship with ME2 on PS3, cursorily detailing it by saying, "BioWare Edmonton (the group that made Mass Effect 2) teamed up with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive backstory. 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. This interactive comic's initial release will be exclusive to PS3 owners who would be otherwise unable to realize the full effect of choice in the Mass Effect universe and will be included on the Cerberus Network." He also -- somewhat ambiguously -- described additional, exclusive DLC for PS3 owners, explaining that, "There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack." Perhaps in an attempt to calm the seething forum member responses, the post was later edited with the explanation, "While I can't go into details, all of this content is or was available to Xbox/PC owners, but otherwise wouldn't be available to PS3 owners. More details about this will be released later." Though EA/BioWare have yet to give it a price, retailers are currently putting the DLC-packed release at a regular $60.
PS3 Mass Effect 2 to have 'seamless introduction,' integrates 'a lot' of DLC
BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka has revealed to VG247 that Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network DLC will be available for the PS3 version in a "full way." While he didn't get too specific, he indicated that "a lot," if not all of the post-release content that's been released for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of the game will be integrated into the initial PS3 release. Additionally, the PS3 port will feature some form of an "introduction experience that provides the backstory and the things that have happened" in the first game (which is not available on PS3). "We haven't revealed what that is yet," Muzyka said of the introduction for first-time Mass Effect players. "It'll be something that provides a good introduction and provides a lot of the backstory and introduces you well to the story-arc, and kind of makes you feel like you're part of it all. And then you can jump right into the action in Mass Effect 2." Muzyka also touched on the possibility of Mass Effect 3 launching simultaneously on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, teasing, "That'd be a good guess, but we haven't announced any details on any future formats or anything -- or even formally announced Mass Effect 3 yet." Of course, BioWare "wants to support different platforms, reach different audiences," Muzyka added, "we're part of EA and we want to make sure we can embrace that as well. I think we're trying to do that with all of our products, whether it's Dragon Age or Mass Effect."
Mass Effect 2 'Firewalker' DLC coming March 23
Commander Shepard can pick up the keys to the Hammerhead hover tank on March 23, the official release date of the Firewalker pack. The new wheels, er, propulsion things are the latest piece of free Mass Effect 2 DLC. Available through the game's Cerberus Network, the pack includes five missions that utilize the new vehicle -- which will hopefully handle a little better than the first game's infamous space car. (Of course, a drunk krogan successfully engineering a geth self-destruct algorithm was more likely to yield success than the Mako's control system ... ) %Gallery-70022%
Mass Effect 2 gets free Arc Projector heavy weapon, courtesy of Cerberus DLC Network
Commander's Log: Well, whaddya know? I get up this morning and ride down to Deck 2, and the first thing outta Kelly's mouth is that I have a new message at my Private Terminal. About time -- things have been hella boring around here since beating up the Collectors! Anyway, it's from Illusive Man -- who else -- with a tantalizing subject line: "Arc Projector." So, get this: Mr. Smokey says Cerberus has passed off a new "advanced electrical attack device" to me. It was recently tested on some geth during a "highly successful" skirmish in the Skyllian Verge. (I won't tell Legion that part, but "they" probably already know.) Well, I'd sure like to test it myself, but the galaxy's awfully quiet these days -- still waiting on that Hammerhead delivery. I guess I'd better just start up that New Game+ ... –Shepard P.S. I've been feeling really homesick for Cali lately. That's where I grew up before enlisting in N7, fool.
Mass Effect 2 'Firewalker' DLC coming late March, includes Hammerhead vehicle and 5 missions
BioWare has detailed another dose of Mass Effect 2 DLC, dubbed the "Firewalker" pack. The upcoming release includes five missions featuring the Hammerhead vehicle, according to an update on the Cerberus Network page, part of the official Mass Effect site. BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk described the Hammerhead as a "hover tank," during a recent interview with Joystiq, adding, "It's not a wheeled vehicle, so it's going to have a bit of a different control scheme" than did the much-maligned Mako vehicle featured constantly in Mass Effect 1. On the website, the Hammerhead is promoted as "a heavy assault vehicle that hovers over the battlefield at up to 120 kilometers per hour [75 mph] and features a guided missile system ensuring accuracy even during aggressive maneuvering." In other words, it's everything the Mako wasn't -- and it's optional. The Firewalker DLC pack is scheduled for a "late March" release and will be accessible free of charge through the Cerberus Network in-game delivery system. Of course, nothing's really "free" when it's got Cerberus' shady name attached to it, is it, Mr. Illusive Man? [Thanks Runyon C!]
BioWare server maintenance makes Dragon Age unplayable for some [update]
We've been big supporters of BioWare and EA's approach to churning out lots of DLC for its new releases, but it seems to have hit a serious snag this morning. Due apparently to some scheduled downtime for BioWare's social site, players have been unable to download DLC from Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network (unfortunate, but understandable) and some have been completely unable to play Dragon Age: Origins -- kind of a big issue for a single-player game. Near as we can figure with our limited staff testing, the Dragon Age issue might involve whether or not you chose to submit your feedback and character profile data to Bioware.com. We'll keep up with the situation and let you know when it's resolved. The server maintenance was scheduled to end at 9 a.m. EST, so here's hoping it'll pass soon. [Update: Judging by those same forum threads, things seem to be up and running now.] [Thanks, requiemvalorum]
Schappert clarifies EA's sweeping DLC and online strategy
During this week's quarterly earning's report, EA COO John Schappert answered an investor question with a somewhat vague but potentially far-reaching comment regarding the publisher's future strategy for implementing online functionality into its games. "In fiscal 2011 [from April 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011], every one of EA's releases will have an online component, both downloadable content and online play," Schappert said, according to a VG247 report. CFO Eric Brown then cited Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network as the company's "most recent example" of how this plan might manifest. The obvious question: Does the plan apply to all platforms, including Wii, DS, PSP, and mobile? Schappert clarified to Joystiq today: "My statement wasn't in reference to any specific platform as most of our titles are multiplatform and have different features per platform. Though you can expect our PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 titles to have very robust online features. Of course, depending on the title, this may extend to other platforms as well." While this clarification is not exactly the firestarter statement one might interpret from Schappert's original comment, the plan still raises concerns -- based on recent experiences -- that EA games' online components could continue to induce headaches so long as they are tied to EA.com accounts and the issues that have arisen as EA has increased its DLC efforts. If the plan is to include online components in all EA games in the future, then the wrinkles need to be ironed out of Project Ten Dollar now.
New Mass Effect 2 DLC armor, shotgun available tomorrow
A post on the Bioware forums has revealed that two new bits of DLC will be coming to Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network tomorrow, February 9. Players will be able to download both a new set of armor and a new shotgun for free via the game's DLC pipe. The Cerberus Armor ups heavy weapon ammo capacity, shields, and health by 10 percent each, and the M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun is "a longer-range shotgun with armor-piercing loads" that "also violates several intergalactic weapons treaties." But those "treaties" were never ratified by the Citadel Council anyway, so who cares? The new DLC should be released by 2pm ET, so you can start ganking with the new space shotty then. [Thanks, Michael]
PSA: Mass Effect 2's Zaeed DLC now available
It would appear that BioWare has gotten things with our buddy Zaeed all sorted, as his Xbox 360 DLC pack is now available through Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network. Coming in an update this morning, the disgruntled, padded mercenary is now available for the low, low price of zero dollars. As BioWare doc Greg Zeschuk explained to us recently, additional content arriving for Mass Effect 2 through the Cerberus Network will be free of charge, with "paid DLC packs" available separately. %Gallery-70022%
Mass Effect 2's Zaeed DLC delayed on 360, coming later this week
It seems there's a slight clog in Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network DLC pipeline. Though the promised bonus mission is still available, the deadly, rugged and elaborately scarred mercenary Zaeed has been held up until tomorrow or Thursday on the Xbox 360, according to a BioWare spokesman writing on the company's official forums. You could spend time being sad about the delay or you could spend time playing Mass Effect 2. We think the choice should be pretty clear. Just pretend his space luggage got lost or something. [Thanks, Theresa]
Tons of Mass Effect 2 DLC available free right now [update]
Here's the deal: We're not going to be the least bit clever or amusing in this post. 1. It's just past 7 a.m. and Uncle Joystiq got a little ... silly last night and do these lights have to be so bright? and 2. We don't want you to waste a second reading when you could be grabbing all the Mass Effect 2 DLC that's currently on Live. You'll find links after the break. Is it supposed to be up yet? Will it be free forever? There's no earthly (or spacely, for that matter) way of knowing. But do you really want to be the guy that missed out? [Update: Okay, it looks like all have been pulled now, except the Collector's Weapons and Armor.] [Thanks, Ryan Gan] %Gallery-70022%
Mass Effect 2 DLC not only available through Cerberus Network
The announcement of Mass Effect 2's in-game DLC pipeline, "Cerberus Network," left some details unclear. For example, will DLC through Cerberus be free, since the network itself costs money to install for those without a code from a new copy of the game ($15, to be exact, as reported by Bitmob)? And will DLC only be available through Cerberus? In a video interview with Joystiq (to be published later today), BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk cleared up some of the confusion around the DLC portal. "We'll definitely have for-pay DLC down the road too," he said, revealing that the DLC through Cerberus will be free. "It's not going to be all free DLC for Mass Effect 2 -- far from that. There'll be paid DLC packs, and there'll be stuff available through Cerberus as well." The way Zeschuk puts it, there will be two separate types of DLC: free material that is offered through the Cerberus Network and paid DLC that can be purchased without Cerberus (through BioWare or Xbox Live Marketplace).
Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network: an 'in-game pipeline' for DLC [update]
The Mass Effect 2 universe is a sprawling place -- but BioWare is prepared to expand it in ways far more elaborate than demonstrated by the delayed and haphazard additions to the original game. Available to new purchasers of the galaxy-hopping RPG later this January (digital and retail), "The Cerberus Network" will offer an in-game delivery mechanism for Mass Effect 2 downloadable content, including a free day-one pack featuring new missions, in-game items and Zaeed, a mercenary sporting very appealing proportions of deadliness and ruggedness. He might also have a scar on his face. Though BioWare's future plans seem ambitious -- a second DLC pack featuring the Hammerhead hover tank is promised, as are pieces of armor and new weaponry -- some may consider them to be equally aggressive. Exhibit A: Yo three-headed dawg, I heard you like DLC, so I put the Cerberus Network DLC in your DLC so you can get more DLC. In other words, if you buy a used copy of Mass Effect 2, you'll need to unlock The Cerberus Network through a "one-time, in-game purchase of a new activation code." We've asked BioWare and EA to comment the price of that activation code, and whether or not Cerberus will act as the exclusive mechanism to obtain future DLC. BioWare's most recent title, Dragon Age: Origins, also offered in-the-box DLC in the form of "The Stone Prisoner" add-on, which costs $15 separately. Update: Reiterating that the day-one DLC will be "free to those who access The Cerberus Network," EA has told Joystiq that additional details regarding "all ways to access DLC" are forthcoming. As for the price of Cerberus Network access itself? "More details to come on that."
