Posted on bioware forums

Hi Everyone

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 likemultiplayer – 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.

I'm more interested in what the others parts of the GaW system are and how you can improve your "galactic readiness" rather than the co-op. I don't have much faith in a splinter team making a multiplayer game that will be anything more than a competent distraction from the main experience.

Can I play as an Elcor?

@FreakAche said:

Can I play as an Elcor?

This is a fucking good question.

So co-op is just playing some random Turian, Krogan, Asari etc in some contrived co-op maps? Looks like I won't even touch it than. I hope they don't bundle single player and map dlc.

Co-op seems interesting, but I'm not liking the sound of this "galactic readiness" level. The game's outcome should be dependent on on the individual choices we've made across the course of the franchise, and not something as simple as filling up a progress bar.

Let me play as a volus where I wheeze, sigh and complain my way through a fight as I stumble and roll on my back where I need to complete a mini game to stand up.

Oh thank god it's not a versus mode. I had my breath held there. This seems pretty cool, I guess. Kinda unnecessary but whatever.

Ugh. I can just imagine there being a bunch of Achievements tied to this. This'll break my S-Ranking streak of Mass Effect games.

Oh thank god it's not a versus mode. I had my breath held there. This seems pretty cool, I guess. Kinda unnecessary but whatever.

@Dany said:

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

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.

Make it happen bioware

Actually sounds pretty cool. I certainly wouldn't mind playing co-op missions with my friends and have them positively impact the outcome of the story in single player. It's basically like sidequests but better and with friends.

I'm all for it, and most importantly, it looks as if they're clearly aware of the issues people have with putting MP into the Mass Effect games and want to make sure it's done properly and with respect to what Mass Effect is all about.

I'm going to be optimistic about this one.

I reckon this could be pretty great.

My biggest question: Are there any fucking multiplayer achievements? Because I fucking hate those.

Man, why would they add this? Don't they realize that adding optional multiplayer experiences RUINED Dead Space 2 and Uncharted 2?

Alright, who's gonna squad up with me on PC?

As an added bonus I promise to use my deep, rich baritone voice to repeatedly say "Shepard" over vent while we play.

@GlenTennis said:

Man, why would they add this? Don't they realize that adding optional multiplayer experiences RUINED Dead Space 2 and Uncharted 2?

I know! It was all I could do to force myself to play through Uncharted 2 three times!

How can they promise a satisfying ending with the promise of DLC for ME3.

@GlenTennis said:

Man, why would they add this? Don't they realize that adding optional multiplayer experiences RUINED Dead Space 2 and Uncharted 2?

Well I never touched the multiplayer in Dead Space 2 and still had a fantastic time with that game, so it wasn't a big deal. And Uncharted 2? The multiplayer was awesome! How did it ruin the game??

EDIT: ahh sarcasm. Forgive me I'm a bit tired.

@StarvingGamer said:

Alright, who's gonna squad up with me on PC?

As an added bonus I promise to use my deep, rich baritone voice to repeatedly say "Shepard" over vent while we play.

I'm in!

So uh, success in Mass Effect 3 boils down to filling a success ("galactic readiness") meter? And the co-op mode effects the single-player mode? This is sounding bad.

@MooseyMcMan said:

Ugh. I can just imagine there being a bunch of Achievements tied to this. This'll break my S-Ranking streak of Mass Effect games.

That was exactly my fear when I heard about multiplayer/co-op. It sounds selfish not to want a feature in Mass Effect some may enjoy just so I can preserve my trilogy of S-Ranks but, fuck it, I'm a selfish guy.

Oh fuck YES!

@Ratcabbage: Yeah! Especially after I spent so much time getting those S-Ranks in those games. Now I'm not going to have any motivation to beat this one on Insanity if I can't S-Rank it and have it count as an S-Rank on GB. (Though, aside from the Praetorians in ME2, that was never really too difficult, but that's not the point).

Unless there's split screen co-op. But there won't be.

@MEATBALL said:

So uh, success in Mass Effect 3 boils down to filling a success ("galactic readiness") meter? And the co-op mode effects the single-player mode? This is sounding bad.

No, having good galactic readiness improves your results at the end of the game, much in the same way Loyalty did in Mass Effect 2.

Co-Op presents an alternative method to improve the readiness of your galaxy, but it is not the exclusive way to do it, and the exact same results can be achieved via single player alone.

Just out of curiosity, did you not read the post at all, or did you deliberately go out of your way to be wrong so you could be worried?

Rabble rabble rabble!

Play as a Turian you say?  I am now slightly interested in Mass Effect 3.

I am so excited, it is ridiculous.

Already super excited for ME3, and now that it sounds like GaW is going to make singleplayer actually better, I'm a billion times more excited.

glad its co-op that could be fun

I'm super excited over ME3. This just seems like another excuse to play through it multiple times.

I hope they give people who got S-ranks something for their work.

I kinda wanted a competitive multiplayer, I just have no friends that have played a Mass Effect game.

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.

Why can't they just drop the multiplayer and put this 'DLC' in the game. DLC is annoying.

@Dany: I would pay cash money for that.

@FluxWaveZ said:

@XII_Sniper said:

Oh thank god it's not a versus mode. I had my breath held there. This seems pretty cool, I guess. Kinda unnecessary but whatever.

Where does it say there won't be a versus mode? Or am I reading this wrong and every time it refers to "multiplayer" it's talking about the co-op mode. EDIT: Wait, never mind. I can't read. Honestly, I'd have preferred online multiplayer to co-op, but that's just because I'll never touch the co-op.

Really though, do you need that in Mass Effect? That would be completely boring. There's a million other competitive shooters out there, it wouldn't stick out at all. It's like when they crammed multiplayer in Dead Space 2, it was just kinda dumb.

At least with co-op, I'll probably give it a whirl, could be a unique experience.

I was skeptical, but leave it to Bioware to actually put multiplayer into their space-RPG and make it sounds really, REALLY worthwhile. Especially affecting (but not being mandatory) for single-player!

I've always wanted to play as a Turian. Looks like I'll get that chance, which is cool. The Galaxy at War thing seems weird though. Need more details.

@Pinworm45 said:

@MEATBALL said:

So uh, success in Mass Effect 3 boils down to filling a success ("galactic readiness") meter? And the co-op mode effects the single-player mode? This is sounding bad.

No, having good galactic readiness improves your results at the end of the game, much in the same way Loyalty did in Mass Effect 2.

Co-Op presents an alternative method to improve the readiness of your galaxy, but it is not the exclusive way to do it, and the exact same results can be achieved via single player alone.

Just out of curiosity, did you not read the post at all, or did you deliberately go out of your way to be wrong so you could be worried?

Is there really a need to be so aggressive? I just think this whole Galactic Readiness thing sounds like a really poor way to handle success in the game. The loyalty system was largely very contextualised, this sounds much more like you'll be completing things to increase a meter labelled "fill to win", it sounds like it could prove to be a terrible way to marginalize the story and player choices therein. There is also no way to tell if opting not to engage the co-op experience will result in a worse single-player experience in order to fulfill these requirements or not. I'm not going out of my way to be negative, I've loved what Bioware have been doing and love the series, I'm just cynical about the potential of this co-operative mode that has clearly been added to Mass Effect 3 for another mere bullet-point on the back of the box. And I question why they felt the need to have the mode impact the single-player game at all, when most would have been at least a bit more accepting of this feature if it could be more easily ignored as a separate element.

I'll still buy Mass Effect 3, and I expect I'll still enjoy it, but this news and the ensuing details have me concerned for how Bioware are handling certain elements of the game and I really don't want this game to disappoint.

OK. That sounds sufficiently inoffensive.

Hey fill up your bar to get the best ending! Don't like the tacked on co-op? Don't worry! I'm sure you can fill your bar using the Facebook tie-in game! Or the iOS tie-in game! Or playing any other number of fine EA products! Win the Superbowl in Madden, fill up your meter! Buy a Battlefield 3 Season pass, help fill up your meter!

Why do people always get pissy about optional MP content? It never fails that a great single player game adds some (almost) completely separate and optional component that you could ignore and I wouldn't change the game yet as soon as its announced someone has to bitch. Although they have announced it its still vague as to how it all fit together, the only hard fact i get from the statement is that you don't need to even look at the MP modes and that the SP Is completely ME3. 
For all I know it could be something as trivial or simple as earning cash for the war effort and it becomes available for you to spend on ship upgrades like you have in ME2, id they stick a stand alone MP component in the game that's more fun than shitty mining mini games and gets me the same materials / cash I'm all for it.

I hate it when my games get co-op. What utter cunts.

Are you insane not wanting this? Not wanting versus, I'm 100% with you. But creating your own character from the key races and playing some bro-op with friends in the ME universe? I'm so down for that. My dreams of playing a Salarian Infiltrator appear they might actually happen.

Split-screen on consoles?

I'm legitimately excited playing some co-op Mass Effect.

@MEATBALL said:

I just think this whole Galactic Readiness thing sounds like a really poor way to handle success in the game. The loyalty system was largely very contextualised, this sounds much more like you'll be completing things to increase a meter labelled "fill to win", it sounds like it could prove to be a terrible way to marginalize the story and player choices therein. There is also no way to tell if opting not to engage the co-op experience will result in a worse single-player experience in order to fulfill these requirements or not. I'm not going out of my way to be negative, I've loved what Bioware have been doing and love the series, I'm just cynical about the potential of this co-operative mode that has clearly been added to Mass Effect 3 for another mere bullet-point on the back of the box. And I question why they felt the need to have the mode impact the single-player game at all, when most would have been at least a bit more accepting of this feature if it could be more easily ignored as a separate element.

You could think of the loyalty missions in ME2 as if they were filling a hidden "fill to survive" meter as well. The more loyalty you had, the fewer people you lost in the end. Who you lost didn't necessarily correlate to which characters were loyal. A disloyal Tali could end up with a dead Miranda. In the end you basically had 12 on/off switches and the more you flipped by the end of the game, the better you did.

If anything the idea of Galactic Readiness gives them more flexibility in the way they make things matter. Rather than a binary yes/no for the loyalty of 12 characters, you could have hundreds of quests that effect your Readiness Level in a variety of ways. You could have a quest where the Renegade and Paragon choices only give you 5 readiness, but a third more neutral choice gives you 10 readiness. This would give ME3 an actual sense of choice unlike ME2 where it's spam Red or Blue all day every day.

Also I don't see how not participating in co-op could result in a worse single-player experience. They've been very clear that this is merely and alternate method available to you to increase your Readiness Level. The only reason you'd be unable to ignore co-op would be if you planned on skipping sections of the campaign. Even then they've stated that there will be other outside methods available to fill the meter so co-op will never become a necessity if you want to skip large chunks of the single-player but also want the best ending.

If you don't want to play co-op then play ME3 the way you played ME2 and you'll be able to experience everything that you'd care to experience.

Seems pretty cool...if they do it right. 

I was telling my friend, it would be fucking hilarious if they made a 5 or 10 dollar DLC that maximized the Galactic Readiness level as soon as you pressed the button.  And then instead of the normal endings, you got an ending where the Reapers attack, hundreds of golden Normandies materialize and blow them to shit.  And everyone dances.  I would pay five dollars to see that.

I REALLY appreciate the lengths Bioware is going to to ensure that the multiplayer doesn't detract from the campaign in any way. I'm actually starting to think it may be worth checking out... I was never really in the camp of people that was outraged, but I would rather them create a bonus singleplayer campaign or something, rather than the multiplayer.

“Galactic Readiness”

lolwut? Oh, EA, you pesky scamp.

@StarvingGamer: Well if someone ignore all the loyalty missions the game then was very short for them and while the idea of "choosing Paragon will result in this outcome" and vice versa wasn´t that well implemented at least that was a choice you could (sometimes you couldn´t) make instead of some XP bar filling up , what I take from this is that if you fill the Galactic Readiness bar 100% you´ll get the happiest ending everyone lives earth is saved (yes just earth Shepard dosn´t care about citadel space or other systems now) and if you complete 75% of the bar by the end of the game one of your beloved teamates dies or their home planet gets destroyed, this is to me a very cheap way to determine the outcome of the plot and doing away any of the promises of all your decisions up to this point do we get something meaningfull if we saved the Rachni queen in the first game or just another wink for those who kept their save?. The idea of making a game that can stand on it´s own goes in the opposite of what they say in the first one and that the decisions you´ve made so far was what decided the outcome of your story.