How do i install Bring Down the Sky for Mass Effect (Origin)?

[Leora85]

I had an ancient physical copy of ME1 (which I played before Origin was a thing), and a free version of BtdS which did require a key (I kept the installer and key for many, many years). Despite multiple attempts to install last year after downloading ME1 through Origin (I didn't re-purchase it, it just recognised that it was a game I owned and so was available to download), I couldn't get the BtdS to install, so I gave up. I then discovered while playing the game that it was already included, along with Pinnacle Station (which, as far as I remember, I never had previously). I didn't try to load any old saves, though, so perhaps that is the source of your issue, @smintili ? 

If you continue to have issues, you can contact EA about it here. If you choose the live chat option, you may have to wait a while, and the estimated wait time isn't always accurate.

[smintili]

Well, I contacted support, at first I was prompted to try the regular installer (although I'm almost certain the guy on the phone didn't understand that I already tried that and it was just the go-to solve attempt) and then he said he had forwarded my request to the technical support specialist. Whatever that means, he said I'd have to wait three days. And I certainly won't restart the playthrough I am currently at, mostly because it is part of a Let's Play series spanning all Mass Effects.

[Leora85]

I have a feeling the technical support people are probably more up to date on current games than older ones such as the original Mass Effect, which may explain the 'go-to solve attempt' response you got (and often the 'specialists' aren't very helpful, and take quite a while to get back to you, just a heads up).
Perhaps one of the EA accounts on these forums could be more help (they're all called EA_<name>, so easy to spot, but I don't know which ones are active on this particular board), they're often knowledgeable about such things.
It would be a pity to miss the BDtS on your playthrough if you're doing the entire trilogy, since there are some consequences (depending on your choices) throughout the rest of the trilogy if you do play it. 

[smintili]

Well if I could continue my save, then that would be okay, but it seems I would have to start all over again. It just says that my save contains BDtS content and that I cannot go on playing that save whilst BDtS is not installed...

[SociablePython9]

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@Leora85 wrote:

I never purchased Pinnacle station (had no means of buying things online back then... Or money ), but when I reinstalled ME through Origin earlier this year, Pinnacle station was included (as well as BDtS). New stuff to do, bonus!  

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Ooh free stuff, sounds good.

Can you tell me a little about what they are?

[mcsupersport]

Bring down the sky, is Asteroid X47(IIRC) and is going to crash into a planet unless Shepard can get on it and shut down some Engines that were moving it around for future mining.  It is a nice little side mission set, that can give you some decent gear if for tech people as well as option for good Armor at the end of it. 

Pinnacle station is a base you can visit to run battle simulations, arena Horde mode.  If you get top scores you can get a small home base out of it. 

Both are fun, but BDtS is my favorite of the two, and is one of my favorite side missions in ME1.

[smintili]

Still having this issue by the way. I've basically given up hope, and considering the original Mass Effect's terrible DRM, being allowed only five installations and then having to call the support to have those reset, and the fact that I've heard Pinnacle Station is quite pointless and aside from introducing Batarians Bring Down the Sky isn't all that interesting, I think I will just leave it at that, and let that version of Shepard, which I couldn't continue playing, just quietly die.

Still a shame though, would have been way better if EA could have just fixed this issue.

[holger1405]

@smintili 

You said you have the Origin version of ME1?

BdtS is already part of this version.

Did you changed the in game language?

The save games are language locked, so if you changed the in game language from German to English for example the saves will not load.  

[smintili]

I have the game installed in German, and after now trying it out once more it seems to be a corrupted save file, not the game installation itself. A different Shepard career loaded with BdtS and PS just fine.

I guess that closes this matter. =)

[holger1405]

@smintili 

That is good to hear.

Too bad about the saves though.