MASS EFFECT 3 Deluxe PC Edition to be Available Only on EA's 'Origin'

Seen by many as a direct attempt to compete to with Valve's Steam distribution platform, EA's Origin service is preparing to bolster its presence in the gaming world. EA has announced the service's next exclusive to be the PC Deluxe Edition of Mass Effect 3.

Not everyone will survive. An ancient alien race, known only as "Reapers", has launched an all-out invasion leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction.

You are Commander Shepard, a character that you can forge in your own image. You determine how events will play out, which planets to explore, and whom to form alliances with as you rally a force to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. Mass Effect 3 will react to each decision you make as you play through a truly unique experience of your own creation.

Since recently launching its digital distribution service Origin, EA has stated numerous times that it is committed to the advancement of the platform. The company made waves when the popular first-person shooter Crysis 2 was pulled from Steam and briefly labeled an 'Origin only' exclusive, the reason being a dispute between the two publishers over direct patching. Since then, EA has announced that BioWare's upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic will also be an Origin exclusive.

Now, the publisher has announced that the Deluxe Edition for Mass Effect 3 on PC would only be available through Origin. While there has been no indication that Mass Effect 3 won't appear in its standard form on other digital distribution platforms, fans who want the special in-game content found only in the Deluxe Edition (the N7 Arsenal Pack with exclusive weapons, the robotic dog, and the Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack) will have to purchase the game from Origin.

Mass Effect 3 is scheduled to launch March 6, 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.