News that the BioWare sequel "Mass Effect 2" would include an in-game downloadable-content network called The Cerberus Network seemed a bit obscure to report yesterday. But our old gaming news site, 1UP, does a nice job explaining what it all means.

In short: Cerberus allows game publishers to strike back at the used-game market. New purchasers will receive the Network for free, while gamers that pick up a used copy of the game will have to pay for the Network. Both groups will probably have to also pay for the additional content as well.

For years, stores like GameStop have allowed users to sell used games back to the retailer, which can then discount them and resell them back to other gamers. Naturally, this has proven to be both a good deal for the retailer (free profit) as well as a nice bonus for gamers who want to save a buck or two. But the publisher doesn't get a cut.

"But even at a hypothetical $5, it seems like players will essentially be paying for the ability to buy more content," 1UP notes. "GameStop, the most famous (or infamous) retailer in the used game business, tends to mark down popular games by $5-8. By roping off used copies from that amount (or more) worth of DLC, EA is essentially stripping any savings from buying used -- and that may be exactly the point."

It's hard to say how this is a plus for gamers.

Originally posted to AppScout.