Mass Effect 2 Free and Paid DLC Plans Clarified

While all new copies of Mass Effect 2 will come with a "single-use unlock code" that enables owners to download free add-ons through the in-game "Cerberus Network," developer BioWare is unsurprisingly planning to charge for some later add-ons.

"We'll definitely have for-pay DLC down the road too," BioWare's co-founder Greg Zeschuk told Joystiq. "It's not going to be all free DLC for Mass Effect 2 -- far from that. There'll be paid DLC packs, and there'll be stuff available through Cerberus as well."

Those that don't buy a new copy of the PC and Xbox 360 action-RPG (due January 26) will have to pay 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) to access the Cerebus Network and its various free add-ons--making it the same value as the Stone Prisoner download that came free with new copies of Dragon Age: Origins--according to Kotaku and Bitmob.