There seems to be a little confusion as to what is going on with the Cerberus Network. The originally announced Downloadable Content pipeline that costs $15 if you don't have the code that comes with every new copy of Mass Effect 2. The first impression of the Cerberus Network was that without it there was no way to get Downloadable Content and that this was EA/Bioware's way of keeping people from buying the game used. Or at the very least, making it not a very worthwhile proposition for quite a while.
However, Greg Zeschuk, co-founder of Mass Effect 2 development studio BioWare had an interview with Kotaku that seemed to change everything as to what we originally thought about the Cerberus Network.
"You could either join it or not join it," he said. "You could still get... DLC ... for purchase." Greg said when speaking about the need to be a part of the Network to get downloadable content.
Also Greg went on to say, "There will be some free stuff ... There will be surprises that we spring on people, [saying] 'Hey there's a new x,y, or z, go check it out.' That's one of the benefits of being part of the Cerberus Network."
This makes the Cerberus Network more like Halo Waypoint or Ubisoft's U-Play. I like this kind of thing. I think it creates a more intimate relationship between publisher and consumer. But there are many people out there who think this a bad idea and that the whole structure of systems like XBOX LIVE Marketplace and Playstation Network are made for delivering this content. And why do we need publishers or anyone layering something else on top of this. Well, something like the Cerberus Network can only happen if they do this. And this is the first step in publishers selling full games and downloadable content; offering discounts and free exclusive content. This is probably something that might happen on the next console because as things stand right now, publishers want a bigger piece of the collective profit pie.
But in the short term, don't go worrying your pretty little heads. If for some reason you don't want to buy a new copy of Mass Effect 2; just spend another $15 and you will have access to everything. Which in the preliminary looks pretty nice.
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