Mass Effect 3 Demo Playable Without Xbox Live Gold

In order to play the multiplayer demo for Mass Effect 3 on Xbox 360, you'll need to be an Xbox Live Gold member. However, that doesn't mean you need to sign up for a subscription. Microsoft will be including temporary Gold access with the demo.

"In celebration of ME3, Xbox is pleased to provide fans access to ME3 demo multiplayer for the time leading to launch," reads a statement from Microsoft (via the BioWare Social Network). "Xbox LIVE Gold gives you exclusive benefits including multiplayer gaming, member-only deals & previews, and access to entertainment with Netflix, ESPN, Hulu Plus and more."

The demo has a single-player and co-op portion. The former will be released on February 14th and allow players to try two portions of the campaign. The latter won't be available until February 17th. You can access the co-op on the 14th by owning Battlefield 3 and its Online Pass, though. BioWare also plans to announce a different method of early access on February 7th.

BioWare will be releasing the demo on the PS3 and PC as well. The multiplayer side of the demo will be turned off on all platforms on March 5th, the day before the game's North American debut. However, the single-player will be playable for months.