Mass Effect: Andromeda "Play First" trial begins on March 16

Mass Effect: Andromeda producer Mike Gamble confirmed earlier this month that the game will be available early to Origin Access subscribers, but he failed to say exactly when the trial would begin, or how long it would last. In an announcement that went up very quietly last week, however, EA revealed that Access members will be given a ten-hour head start on the action beginning on March 16.

@Bl4ckSh33pSoft 10 hours is barely enough time to make sure your character is looking exactly as you want them to look.January 23, 2017

The official Mass Effect: Andromeda Twitter account confirmed that progress you make during the trial period will carry over into the full game when it releases (although it sounds like you may not have a whole lot of progress to save). And while the European release date lags North America's by a couple of days—March 21 in North America, March 23 in Europe—the March 16 trial kickoff applies across the board.

Origin Access costs $5/£4/€4 per month, and gives subscribers access to "Play First" trials, free games, and other such goodies.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.