BioWare gives away copies of Mass Effect Trilogy to PC players of Black Ops 2

Some Call of Duty fans who picked up the Windows PC version of Black Ops 2 found an unwelcome surprise on the game's second disc: a copy of Mass Effect 2 from rival publisher Electronic Arts, an error that interfered with the game's installation. Mass Effect developer BioWare is trying to ease the pain of some of those affected by the mix-up, offering 50 players a free copy of the Mass Effect Trilogy for PC.

"If you were one of the affected, chances are you thought it was a mistake, but we prefer to think that it was an omen, and when the universe talks, you should listen," BioWare writes on its blog. "If the universe thinks that you should be playing Mass Effect right now, who are we to argue?"

While the problem with Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 may be widespread, potentially affecting thousands, BioWare offered free copies of Mass Effect Trilogy only to the first 50 customers. To qualify, players had to submit a picture of themselves holding their "special disc 2" from Black Ops 2.