Like a digital Santa Clause, Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network has been doling out free downloadable goodies for months, and there's more to come. But soon gamers will have to pay for their DLC fix. Today BioWare announced Mass Effect 2's first paid DLC, Kasumi's Stolen Memory, which will launch on April 6.

Just how much it will cost gamers to continue Commander Shepard's mission is yet to be determined. But according to Joystiq, we do know what you'll be paying for: Kasumi is a female thief Shepard can recruit at the Citadel. Once in the fold, Shepard aids Kasumi on a loyalty mission that involves a corrupt art collector. The paid DLC will also add a Locust SMG, a flash-bang grenade loyalty power, and a new achievement.


Before gamers have to pay to go running around the galaxy with Kasumi, they'll get a chance to try out a free new vehicle. In late March, BioWare plans to launch its Firewalker pack, which includes the Hammerhead. For those of you dreading another Mako experience, BioWare promises that the Hammerhead is an "agile hover tank" which "[has] improved handling on rough terrain and maneuvers deftly in combat."


Sharkey says: This will be the first real test of EA's Project $10. It's planted the hook with the free DLC, now it wants to see if it can reel you in with paid content. Just how many people do pay to play could dictate how EA does digital business for the foreseeable future.