RPGFan News - It's Official: Mass Effect 3 Has Multiplayer

It's Official: Mass Effect 3 Has Multiplayer
But is anyone surprised?
10.11.11 - 2:27 AM

Today over on the game's official forums, BioWare confirmed what many (if not all) fans had suspected for months: Mass Effect 3 will have multiplayer. BioWare's Chris Priestly also went into detail on the mode, although much of it remains a mystery. Of course, the first question on everyone's minds seemed to be whether it affects the single-player story. In a way it does, but BioWare insists the mode is optional - and you can still play a 'complete' game of Mass Effect 3 and achieve the best endings without ever touching multiplayer.

This mode consists of four-player co-op; there will be no PvP. Priestly says it's one of many ways that Shepard can prepare for the full-scale galactic war. Apparently this will count as a level of 'Galactic Readiness,' and this mode as well as as other aspects to this are collectively titled Mass Effect 3: Galaxy At War. He said, however, that details on other 'platforms and interfaces' would be announced later. (I would guess at least a Facebook and an iOS game, how about you?) Galaxy At War is intended as an 'alternative' way to prepare for war, but again, BioWare still stresses that you can still reach the 'highest level of success' completely solo.

Though it affects the game's overall story, the co-op is a separate mode. BioWare says fans have asked for this type of addition, but another seemingly popular request - franchise characters like Garrus, Jack, and Liara - won't be making it in. Rather, players will create their own characters for this mode, a process that includes choosing their race from many of the existing ones in the Mass Effect universe.

So far, there aren't many details to go on, other than that your Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 saves won't have an impact on co-op. For the full post from Priestly, you can go here. Other details such as character levelling and weapon upgrades in this mode have yet to be covered, but stay tuned for more info!

There will, however, be post-release DLC, as you might have guessed by series producer Casey Hudson asking fans on Twitter what type of DLC they would like to see. Whether such DLC will include more maps, or game modes, is yet to be seen.

Mass Effect 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) releases next March.