In Mass Effect 3, an ancient alien race known only as “Reapers”, has launched an all-out invasion of the galaxy, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction. You, as Commander Shepard, must lead the counter assault to take it back. Only you can determine how events will play out, which planets you will save from annihilation and which alliances you will form or abandon as you rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all.

BioWare also unveiled today the Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition, a special edition of the game featuring exclusive bonus content and unlockable items including in-game appearance packs, a Dark Horse Comic Book, a hardcover art book, an exclusive extended soundtrack, exclusive lithograph and an exclusive N7 patch. Designed to delight both new and seasoned fans, the Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition also gives instant access to the N7 Arsenal Pack which features four tactical guns exclusive to this special edition. The Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order now at participating retailers for $79.99 in limited quantities.

Blending world-class shooter combat with interactive, cinematic storytelling and space exploration, the Mass Effect series is one of the most highly decorated in the history of games, having earned over 200 international awards.

The Mass Effect 3 pre-release demo will launch in January 2012 (exact date will be announced in late November) and will include both single-player and multi-player sections.

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. There is no need to enter any other codes, the early access will be applied to the EA Account associated with the Online Pass. There will be another program whereby players and fans of the Mass Effect franchise can unlock this early access (with no purchase necessary) – this will also be announced in late November or early December.

The official Mass Effect website will have a tool available allowing players to check if their EA account has been granted the early access (the length of the early access period has not yet been determined). The single-player section of the demo will be available to all players on day one of the demo launch.

Mass Effect 3 and the Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition arrive on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC beginning March 6, 2012. BioWare also announced earlier today that Mass Effect 3 on the Xbox 360 will include support of Kinect, allowing players to immerse themselves into the Mass Effect universe even further through new voice recognition technology. The Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition will be available in a digital format on the PC exclusively via Origin, EA’s new digital store destination