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Every time I open Mass Effect 3, it connects to the EA network with the message "Validating DLC". For something like the pre-order guns, I don't see this as being a big deal, but for something bigger, like an entire DLC squadmate, I don't want to be "always online" just to use my Rastafarian squadmate.

Do I still have access to unlocked DLC while offline? Do I lose access to unlocked DLC if I load a save file with the DLC while offline?

This, in my mind, is a dealbreaker when it comes to buying the darn things in the first place...

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Not positive regarding ME3, but DLC is able to be played offline in ME2: social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/815554/4 –  tiddy Mar 7 '12 at 22:33
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7 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

I haven't verified the work around, but I can confirm that on a PC with origin, if you have any kind of DLC linked to your account you must be connected to the internet long enough to load your save. If you are disconnected at any time prior to that you will not be able to load your save or do anything really except start a new game.

Short answer: No offline play with DLC.

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Well that's unfortunate. –  Raven Dreamer Mar 9 '12 at 22:46
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It seems like it does authenticate every time, and if you're not able to authenticate, you won't be able to load that DLC on a subsequent run. It seems like it might even lock you out of a save created with DLC if you're unable to authenticate said DLC, but I'm looking for official confirmation of this.

One poster on the Bioware forums posted this workaround, although it requires that you have internet access at least enough to authenticate for a little while:

  1. Start Origin.
  2. From Origin, Start Mass Effect 3.
  3. Wait for all of your DLCs to authenticate then load a save game. If you are in Normandy Shuttle Bay area, check if your CE items and Preorder bonus are there, if they are then Save game and exit to Main Menu then close.
  4. Just close Origin, remember just close and not Log Out or Play Offline.
  5. Disconnect from the internet.
  6. Use the desktop shortcut of Mass Effect 3 to start game, NOT ORIGIN.
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Oy vey. At this rate, I might want a separate installation for Multiplayer, exclusively. –  Raven Dreamer Mar 7 '12 at 22:35
Any luck with official confirmation? –  Raven Dreamer Mar 8 '12 at 20:25
@RavenDreamer, no, I've gone digging again and can't turn anything official up. It might be time for some SCIENCE, although I can't science this on the Xbox and give you a PC answer... –  agent86 Mar 8 '12 at 21:44
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I launched Mass Effect 3 (from the desktop shortcut, if that makes any difference) after logging in to Origin in offline mode with no WiFi connection, and it worked fine. Loaded up my save just fine even though I have extra items from the CE (which Origin seems to treat like DLC) and completed From Ashes on that save.

I think it only authorizes the DLC the first time you play after downloading it. Maybe it checks again whenever you play while online just to be sure.

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you cannot play dlc offline. It wont even let you load your save game if you are offline.

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as i've been reading through this, a lot of people seem to have different experiences, however, it should work for everybody..

currently my net adapter is broke, and thus i can't use any internet on my gaming pc at all (currently writing from another location), however, i can use all the DLC just fine without internet, except for any weapons that is given through DLC (like the reckoner)

if you get the can't authorize, simply close the game, restart origin (without internet connected) login to origin (cause it still knows if your acc info is correct or not :S) once you have logged in, find the Mass Effect 3 in your library or whatever it's called, click the more information, so you can see all the DLC is installed, when you are there, click the play button in the top of the information page, and it should authorize correctly.

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It's true, I've made the exact same experience. The game tries to verify my DLC every time I start the game, a definite dealbreaker.

Upon searching in the Bioware forums, it seems some players do not experience the problem. One of the moderators commented how the original poster doesn't have all the necessary information, but rendered no explanation whatsoever. It was also posted that patch 1.02 would fix the problem. I can definitely confirm that this is not the case. With the patch applied, the game still won't load DLC-saves unless I start the game while being online.

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No, you can't start your game if you have DLC and are offline.

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