Next week Bioware's Mass Effect 3 will see a limited launch in five cities. EA is releasing a few weather balloons in Berlin, London, Paris, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York. Attached to those balloons will be copies of the game. If you live in or around those areas and absolutely need to see how Commander Shephard's story wraps up before it hits retail, it might be a good idea to buy a telescope and maybe a high-powered dart gun (but you didn't hear that from me.)

Each copy of the game will have a GPS tracking device on it, which you can reportedly follow by visiting the game's official site. I've poked around and haven't seen any evidence of that, but it might just be something to look out for as the event approaches.

The Mass Effect 3 demo is already available on Xbox Live, PSN and through masseffect.com. For a taste of what's to come -- you really are impatient, aren't you? -- check out Joel's preview here. The game will be available in North American retailers March 6 and in Europe March 9.