As much as I prefer gaming on the almighty PC vs playing them on my consoles I’ll have to go on record and state that I simply refuse to pick up Mass Effect 3 on the PC and will be opting to play it on my Xbox 360. I’m dead serious, so serious that I’ve gone and picked up Mass Effect 2 for the Xbox 360 so I can have game saves for when Mass Effect 3 comes around. Though I really wish there was some way to export my PC game saves to the Xbox 360.
But enough about that as I’ve beat around the bush and haven’t stated why I’ll be sitting it out on the PC this time. Simply put I dislike the fact the EA refuses to play nice with Valve’s Online Distribution service, Steam and I hate the fact that EA is requiring that both the digital and physical copies of Mass Effect 3 will require access to Origin. Nope there’s no option to get around it, you MUST use EA’s Origin service.
You want proof? Here you go – http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/323/index/8975536
Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions about Origin and Mass Effect 3. Thank you for your patience as we have worked to answer them.
1) Will Origin be a requirement to play all versions of Mass Effect 3? (Digital and/or from a retail brick and mortar store)
Yes, Origin is required for all PC editions of Mass Effect 3, physical or digital.2) Is constant Origin connection required or is it a single one off authentication when the game is first installed. Is there also a limit to the number of installations available?
Mass Effect 3 will require a one time, single authorization for the single player game. There is no limit to the number of installs. Playing Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer will require a constant connection.3) Is Origin required for the retail versions of the game?
Origin is required for the PC versions of Mass Effect 3, both physical and digital.4) Will ME3 be available on Steam?
During initial release Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time. Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content. We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers.
Sadly this is also why I’ve skipped out on Battlefield 3 even though I’ve waited for that game for like forever.
So yes it will be Mass Effect 3 for Xbox 360 for me and you know what, I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy it just as much as I would on the PC… just with lower graphical setting.
