BioWare's Casey Hudson offers reassurances to gamers by way of Computer and Video Games that the use of Origin does not mean Mass Effect 3 will be burdened by intrusive DRM. They say the game will use a one time online activation, and will allow an unlimited number of installs. Here's more from Hudson:

We use Origin, and it's interesting because really, it's just a way to get access to the online and digital features that, you know, generally, PC games have now. I think people are going to be fine with it.

"I think that the people who try Mass Effect 3 on Origin will realise that it's not an intrusive DRM scheme," he added. "It's just a way for you to sign up for the online services that you're going to get on an ongoing basis through Mass Effect 3.

"Just like you get with any other kind of online digital distribution, or multiplayer or whatever. It's not something that requires you to always be online - you can play Mass Effect 3 offline."