Mass Effect 3...Space Marketing

[twitchyzero]

'Mass Effect 3' becomes true space oddity

The hype for one of the year's hottest video games, Mass Effect 3 (out March 6, on PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs, ages 17-up) is reaching new stratospheric heights.

In case you don't know, a playable demo has already hit Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

But next week, a select intrepid few will have the opportunity to play the full game before it hits stores. Publisher Electronic Arts will be launching copies of the game into space using weather balloons that will be released in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Berlin, London and Paris.

Each game has a GPS tracking device onboard and fans can track their return to the Earth on masseffect.com to find a copy and play it a week or more before the game hits stores. (Might not be a bad idea to follow @MassEffect, either.)

In other Mass Effect news, a new trailer for the game will be shown during AMC's TV series The Walking Dead Sunday at 9 p.m./ 8 p.m. CT.

[7seven]

Reminds me of this

Sticky Rice's Sushi in Space - YouTube

[twitchyzero]

so what happens when all these games end up in the ocean? or the game discs get destroyed by the intensity of the sun rays?

[shenmecar]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

so what happens when all these games end up in the ocean? or the game discs get destroyed by the intensity of the sun rays?

[asian_XL]

probably burn into ash before it hits the earth?

[RFlush]

Just curious, is it legal for private companies to send things up into space with a weather balloon. Do they have to let the local airports and authorities know that they are doing this?

I remember as a child, we used to have build those rocks and launch them up and were told we can't do it near the airport as it can interfere with their equipment and tracking system etc.

Also, wonder what would happen if a high speed video game comes crashing down and hitting someone on the head and seriously injuring that person.

[Rich Sandor]

Originally Posted by Canadian Aviation Regulations

Unmanned Air Vehicles
(amended 2003/12/01; previous version)

602.41 No person shall operate an unmanned air vehicle in flight except in accordance with a special flight operations certificate or an air operator certificate.
(amended 2003/12/01; previous version)

Large Unoccupied Free Balloons

602.42 No person shall release an unoccupied free balloon having a gas-carrying capacity of more than 115 cubic feet (3.256 m3) except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to section 602.44.

Rockets

602.43 No person shall launch a rocket, other than a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display, except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to section 602.44.

Authorization by the Minister

602.44 The Minister may issue an authorization referred to in section 602.42 or 602.43 where the release of the balloon or the launch of the rocket is in the public interest and is not likely to affect aviation safety.

Model Aircraft, Kites and Model Rockets

602.45 No person shall fly a model aircraft or a kite or launch a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display into cloud or in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety.

That's all the CARS have about unmanned balloons.

Then there would be civil or provincial or bylaws that may further limit such activity.

Then there is also the risk of getting sued if YOUR balloon damages someone's private property and they can prove it's your balloon and track you down.