DLC is controversial, on-disk DLC is something I believe is breaking a law somewhere, forcing people to fork over money to use something they have already bought. EA made this comment over on-disk DLC. Their response to a recent request for info was basically “We have already commented on this matter”.
What was said was “The content in From Ashes was developed by a separate team, after the core game was finished, and not completed until well after the main game went into certification”. To give some info, once a game goes in for certification, the content of it cannot be changed without having to resubmit it, which can be a bit of a pain in the backside. Especially if they have to fix a bug or add a scene or character that got lost due to human error. These lines and others were cited in a YouTube video.
However, changing one line, not multiple, not installing a mod, one measly line completely circumvents the DLC requirement and unlocks the character. Called my uncle to confirm this, and he was absolutely raging on the phone as I type this.
As for what you change, it’s simple.
First off, getting the Coalesced Utility for Mass Effect 3, a file editor, is needed. Opening Coalesced.bin in the ME3 folder with it, and searching for the line that determines if you can access him or not is up next.
That line is: MemberValidCID=22, MemberAvailablePlotLabel=IsSelectableProthean,
Replace that with: MemberValidCID=, MemberAvailablePlotLabel=,
And BAM, you have your Prothean without having to fork over for on-disk DLC. This is just another nail in the coffin of EA among many other acts of being called out for various BS.
As with all file-editing shenanigans, back up the file you’re editing somewhere in case you break it. Obviously this wont unlock all of the From Ashes content, just the character. A small thing, but the fact it’s there and locked away until you pay a premium is like me selling you a house and then the key to the pantry. Well a crowbar isn’t hard to find. Just be careful using this, as it can be buggy, glitchy, or highly unstable.
Rian Quenlin
My uncle also said, word for word, “’em fannies arnae gettin’ any of mah money noo. Wink wink nudge nudge.”
Chris Hernandez
So the character is on the disc not the whole DLC. So, its not just an unlock code, that’s just part of it.
To use your analogy, you can access the pantry for free, but its not the whole house (the actual DLC)
I’m guessing they had finished the character and the other team worked on the actual mission an environment, so this makes sense why it was on the disc already. Also, it costs $10,000 to re-certify a game, not quite worth it.
Michael Lacerna
Exactly, EA basically just released a statement saying just that:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/03/11/fan-claims-proof-that-mass-effect-3-day-one-dlc-was-on-disc.aspx
It’s not unusual for core elements of DLC to already be on the disc (see the huge chunks of empty land on the Skyrim disc that are rumored to be used in future DLC for an example of this,) as they need to be programmed into the framework of the game. Altering the code gives you access to the basic character, yes, but the actual meat of the DLC — the mission and level in which you recruit him, the bonus gear, conversations, and extra costumes — are all contained in the download.
Chris Hernandez
worth the $10 to me. I’m not really sure why everyone was so up in arms over this.
i suppose they needed something to rage about.