ME 3 Co-op details.

[Cooperblack]

This just broke.

Today BioWare and the Mass Effect 3 team are very pleased to announce 4 player co-op multiplayer missions and the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system for Mass Effect 3 on the PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.


4 player co-op multiplayer

Join your friends in the all-out galactic war to take Earth back. The universe of Mass Effect expands with the addition of new co-op multiplayer missions, playable over Xbox Live, PSN and PC internet. Players can choose from a variety of classes and races, form an elite Special Forces squad, and combine their weapons, powers and abilities to devastating effect as they fight together to liberate key territories from enemy control. Success in multi-player will have a direct impact on the outcome of the single player campaign, giving players an alternative method of achieving ultimate victory against the greatest threat mankind ? and the entire galaxy ? has ever faced.

Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War

As a bonus to the campaign, BioWare is introducing the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, a new way for players to manage and experience the galactic war from multiple fronts, including a new 4-player co-op mode. The key to saving the galaxy is the ?Galactic Readiness? level, measured by Commander Shepard?s ability to apply
every possible asset ? people, weapons, resources, armies, fleets ? in the final battle against the Reapers. Players can impact their game?s Galactic Readiness level in multiple ways via the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, including multiplayer. Other platforms and interfaces will be announced in the coming months. It is important to note that the system is entirely optional and just another way players can have control over your game experience ? it is still possible to achieve the optimal, complete ending of the game in Mass Effect 3 through single-player alone.


F.A.Q.

Why include 4 player Co-op multiplayer in Mass Effect 3?

Being able to explore and fight alongside your friends in the Mass Effect universe has always been something we thought would be fun and compelling, and many players have asked for it for a long time as well. Mass Effect 3 is the best place for us to introduce multiplayer through co-op because of the premise of the game ? all out galactic war.


Why only 4 player co-op? What not a versus mode?

We have always maintained that we would only add multiplayer into the Mass Effect series if it made sense and did not compromise the power of the single player campaign. Fighting together against a common threat was the multiplayer experience that made the most sense for Mass Effect 3. The way we have designed co-op as a wayto take control of key conflict zones in the galaxy is a natural extension of the premise of Mass Effect 3.


Why did you decide not to include it as a part of the main campaign?

Our priority and focus with Mass Effect 3 has and always will be to deliver a complete and satisfying single player experience.


Does the addition of co-op multiplayer missions impact the scope or quality of the single-player experience?

No. A dedicated team from our recently formed BioWare Montreal studio has been focused on creating the multiplayer game features while the main game continued to be developed by the team in BioWare Edmonton. Both teams are integrated under the same leadership group that produced Mass Effect 1 and 2, led by Casey Hudson. BioWare remains dedicated to delivering one of the most amazing single-player campaigns gamers have ever experienced.


How did developing multiplayer impact the single player game?

BioWare is dedicated and focused on delivering an engaging, fun, and action-packed experience for Mass Effect 3, one that lives up the BioWare standard. To reach that level of quality, last year BioWare opened a studio in Montreal that is home to designers, programmers, engineers, and other developers. Both studios work together as partners, lead by the core Mass Effect team, unified in a single vision. Under the direction of Casey Hudson and other team veterans, both studios make contributions to both the single player and multiplayer modes in Mass Effect 3. Rest assured that no compromises were made to either of these modes in the development of Mass Effect 3.


Which characters can I play in co-op multiplayer? Can I play as Commander Shepard?

Commander Shepard?s part in the war will take place in the single-player campaign, as will that of other beloved characters in the franchise such as Garrus, Ashley, and Liara?these characters do not appear in the multiplayer missions. In multiplayer, players will create custom characters to fight on different and unique fronts in the war. This will include the ability to play as favorites like Turians, Krogans, Asari and more? each with their own unique set of abilities.


What if I don?t like multiplayer ? will my experience be negatively impacted?

Mass Effect 3 is a complete, standalone game that will deliver a satisfying story experience, even if you choose not to try multiplayer. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system and all of the individual components are meant to complement that amazing game and can be enjoyed on their own or as part of the Galaxy at War experience.


What if I am not good at / do not like multiplayer? Will my readiness rating go down?

ME3 is a story about a war against overwhelming force where the most you can hope for us survival. The more you do to fight that war, the more you can change that story into a more optimistic one. You can reach the highest levels of success in the single player experience alone, but Galaxy at War gives you alternative ways to get there. It?s about choice, and allowing players to find their own ways to stay immersed in the Mass Effect universe.


Will you be adding any additional maps or modes through DLC?

We can?t comment on specifics right now, but can confirm that we are planning on having DLC for Mass Effect 3.

Do save games from ME1 or ME2 impact the co-op multiplayer missions?

No.


Do characters level up in co-op multiplayer? What is the progression system?

Character progression, weapon upgrading and leveling up is present in co-op. We?ll release more information on this topic in the months leading up to launch.


Is there more info about the other platforms of Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War?

We are not going into details about the other components of the Galaxy at War at this time except to say we are designing each to make sense for that platform. Each component will be able to affect a player?s ?Galactic Readiness? level in a different way. Again, participation in any or all ME3:GaW elements is entirely optional.

Sounds fucking awesome.

 

[badreaper74]

If it turns out to be true i guess it has some potential guess its a a wait and see kind of thing.

 

[Cooperblack]

well it's official from BSN so it's true.

 

[FFHAuthor]

Wow. I completely f'ing called the character creation mechanic.

 

[=Frost=]

I think the key is going to be the singleplayer. As long as it stays strong, the Co-op sounds like an awesome idea.

 

[MisterDyslexo]

It actually looks like a smart idea. For one, playing in multiplayer can carry over and make the single-player game and gives you something for it. Its very rare that a game does something along those lines: Halo Reach and Rainbow Six Vegas 2. And it worked out well in both of them. People who normally would only have played multiplayer did single-player, and found they liked it, and vice versa. So I think that was a smart choice. You're also given the ability to choose a species (which I figure will affect your class). There will probably be the same character customization found in the single-player, and there are unlocks, so it doesn't sound like its really a detriment at all. I mean, I've always had faith in Bioware regarding this, but I think I can genuinely say that if this is executed well, the game will be better because of the multiplayer than if it wasn't there in the first place.

 

[Zhukov]

Dude, you realise that one thread is enough, right?

...

Anyway, that... sounds vaguely interesting actually.

I still think it's a huge waste of time for all involved, but it could certainly have turned out worse. They seem to have made a lot of effort to make it complementary to the main game, but still entirely optional. At least, they're certainly trying to hammer that point home. Here's hoping it turns out to be true.

Also, it was developed by a separate branch of the studio, which is good news to those folks concerned that it was going to drain resources from the single player campaign. Although I'm sure that particular squabble will continue unabated.

However, I really wish that they'd give the marketing language a break. It's possible to announce something without saying "No really, it's going to be awesome" every second sentence. Doing so just makes them sound shifty.

Ah well, cue the storm of rage and cautious optimism.

...

Krogan Vanguard, here I come.

 

[Danceofmasks]

I'm gonna try it, sure.
Would have preferred drop in co-op, and play as a squadmate in a buddy's game, but I guess single player maps have too many scripted events to make that practical.

 

[Cooperblack]

No idea what went wrong i only posted one thread..of well lets hope the others gets buried.

 

[Cooperblack]

Personally i can't wait to create a turian and play as one

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

This is an awesome idea, for several reasons:

1. Since a separate studio made it, it doesn't leech resources from the single player.

2. Mass Effect's gameplay is already pretty damn perfect for co-op, so it probably won't be a phoned in add-on like (for example) Bioshock 2's multiplayer.

3. You get to play as a Krogan.

Really, you should only need the third argument to be convinced. Think of the other two as bonuses.

Of course, even though they said it won't effect the quality of the single-player like, 8 times, you guys are still gonna ***** and moan about it, right?

...Right.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

You know, I woke up this morning and booted up my computer like always, but once I went onto The Escapist and saw that multiplayer for Mass Effect 3 was confirmed, I was filled with dread and a bad morning only got worse. Now that I've read this, I not only feel strangely reassured, but definitely excited about the addition.

Bioware, I am sorry I ever doubted you.

I suppose that's what separates the gamers from the developers: Sometimes, they really do know what they're doing. Personally, I can't wait to make a bad-ass Turian soldier, or a sexy Quarian assassin!

 

[Zhukov]

Of course, even though they said it won't effect the quality of the single-player like, 8 times, you guys are still gonna ***** and moan about it, right?

...Right.

To be fair, they would say that either way. It's not like they'd ever say, "Yeah... the multiplayer features have been giving us some trouble. We've had to divert staff and funding and cut several planned features from the single player in order to make the release date." No developer would.

They monitor their forums, they know full well that people are pitching a fit over multiplayer, "streamlining" and pretty much every word out of Bioware's collective mouths. So their PR folks are making reeeeaaal sure that they dish out reassurance at every turn.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitching here. In fact, I'm somewhat optimistic on that front. But official announcements regarding upcoming products should always be taken with several heaped spoonfuls of salt.

 

[WaywardHaymaker]

You know, I woke up this morning and booted up my computer like always, but once I went onto The Escapist and saw that multiplayer for Mass Effect 3 was confirmed, I was filled with dread and a bad morning only got worse. Now that I've read this, I not only feel strangely reassured, but definitely excited about the addition.

Bioware, I am sorry I ever doubted you.

I suppose that's what separates the gamers from the developers: Sometimes, they really do know what they're doing. Personally, I can't wait to make a bad-ass Turian soldier, or a sexy Quarian assassin!

I agree. I was expecting it to be EA saying, "Alright, guys. We need to sell Online Passes with this blockbuster you've got here." Admittedly, it probably was, but I'm really glad to see that BioWare is actually doing the best they can with it and making it work with the story.

Also, Krogan Sentinel, anyone?

 

[The Forces of Chaos]

So all my choice's so far have been reduced to a "readiness" bar? Ah well, hopefuly I will be able to get a better result than people who just play the muliplayer function.

 

[octafish]

I am shocked and startled that this isn't being sold as DLC.

 

[shado_temple]

Glad to see that someone put out a grand chunk of info about this the same day it was leaked; imagine what wild speculation would've arose had they waited until those magazines that had originally leaked all of this were released. I personally enjoy the notion of the "important, but not important" alternative mode to the game. With any luck, it'll help quiet the needless rage of the fair-weather fanboys of BioWare.

After all, I've always wanted to play as a turian...

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I am shocked and startled that this isn't being sold as DLC.

Nah, not in a franchise that's been single player up to now... You want to have that 'multiplayer' button sitting there glaring at the player between replays (after all, who plays ME just once?) not something they have to make an effort and pay for in the first place. You got to get the players curious about the multiplayer, suck them in, then BAM! Overpriced map packs!

 

[Waaghpowa]

As long as it doesn't affect the main game, I don't care.