It's the way of the gaming landscape these days; arguably extending the life of a product outside of its own retail window, or just plain bleeding your dry for content that should have been included in the first place.

Whichever what you look at it, DLC is big business and it's here to stay.

BioWare have just revealed their first content pack for Dragon Age II, even before the game hits store-shelves. The Exiled Prince will be made available for download on the same day the game is released (March 10), and features three extra missions. You can, however, secure this content for free by pre-ordering the full game before January 12, provided it's the Signature Edition.

“The Exiled Prince” introduces the noble archer Sebastian Vael, with players joining him in the middle of his quest to avenge the brutal murder of his family. Sworn to the priesthood as a boy, Sebastian is forced to re-enter the viper's nest of princely politics when his family is brutally murdered, leaving him as the sole surviving heir. Banding together with Sebastian and his unshakable loyalty and excellent aim, players will choose to either avenge Sebastian's murdered family to reclaim his title or direct his holy vengeance on their enemies in Kirkwall. In addition to this action-packed storyline, players will also be able to enlist Sebastian as a follower throughout a majority of Dragon Age II.

The Signature Edition will also come with the game's digital soundtrack and a "digital armoury" which harbours a variety of in-game weapons along with the revealed DLC. A trailer for The Exiled Prince DLC can be found right here (with HD button).