Recent rumours surrounding Mass Effect 2 can finally be laid to rest, as BioWare has confirmed that an interactive comic created by the developer in conjunction with Dark Horse, will indeed be included in the box as speculated, enabling players to make all of the big decisions faced by Shepard in the first game and take those choices into Mass Effect 2.

BioWare producer Jesse Houston confirmed this on the BioWare Forums, writing the following: "BioWare Edmonton (the group that made Mass Effect 2) teamed up with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive backstory.  While I can't release all the details about this yet, what I can tell you is that we want to create a stunning visual experience that not only tells the core story elements of  Mass Effect 1, but also is fully interactive allowing you to be faced with some of the major choices which will have consequences your Mass Effect universe."

The interactive comic will be accessed via the Cerberus Network, a voucher for which will also come in the box, entitling players to download all of the same free content that was available on Xbox 360 and PC. Houston went on to explain and clarify any confusion surrounding the bundled DLC for Mass Effect 2: "Of course Mass Effect 2 will be included.  On top of that, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour. Also included is, as on Xbox 360 and PC, an access code to the Cerberus Network.  This will give you instant access to the same great lineup of Downloadable Content such as Zaeed and Firewalker."

And finally, the reported '6 hour PS3-exclusive mission'? Well, that was information that came out of a "communication error lost in translation" according to Houston. "When we talk about 6 hours of content we are talking about what's included exclusively "On Disc" (Kasumi, Shadow Broker, Overlord), The Interactive Back Story and the Cerberus Network Access," he writes.

Apparently though, there might be PS3-exclusive DLC in the future. "There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack," says the post. Houston then adds, "While I can't go into details all of this content is or was available to Xbox/PC Owners but otherwise wouldn't be available to PS3 owners. More details about this will be released later."

So, there you go then. And it's all laid out for you on the game's cover, which bears a strapline detailing the 6+ hours of additional content that will come in the box for Mass Effect 2. PlayStation 3 owners can get their hands on Mass Effect 2 in January 2011.