BioWare Talks Mass Effect 3 Demo Plans

The Mass Effect 3 demo will launch in January 2012 with both single-player and multiplayer components.

BioWare's Community & Social Media Manager Jessica Merizan said on Thursday that Mass Effect 3 will have a pre-release demo in January 2012 offering both single-player and multiplayer options. Gamers who redeem their Online Pass for Battlefield 3 will get early access to the multiplayer portion, but the single-player aspect will be open to all at the demo's launch.

"Owners of Battlefield 3, on any platform, who activate their Online Pass will automatically be granted early access to the multiplayer portion of the Mass Effect 3 demo," Merizan said. "There is no need to enter any other codes, the early access will be applied to the EA Account associated with the Online Pass. Note: BF3 Origin Customers automatically have the BF3 Online Pass."

The exact date of the demo launch will be announced in late November, and the length of the early access period is yet to be determined. Merizan said there will also be another program allowing players and fans of the Mass Effect franchise to unlock early access to the multiplayer portion with no purchase necessary – this will also be announced in late November or early December.

Merizan also added that there will be a tool posted on www.masseffect.com allowing players to check if their EA account has been granted the early access.

Mass Effect 3 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC will arrive on store shelves March 6, 2012.