Mass Effect multiplayer?

Xbox360achievements.org has discovered something that will worry the abundance of Mass Effect fans out there. It looks as though BioWare are going to include multiplayer for the final part of the trilogy.

While everything remains speculative, there's no denying what this job listing means. The page has since been updated to remove a reference to Mass Effect, instead rephrasing it as a 'top franchise'.

It would be foolish to completely dismiss this rumour because Dead Space 2 followed the exact same pattern. Xbox360achievements.org previously noticed that Visceral Games were looking for multiplayer designers well before the official announcement arrived.

For a franchise that places so much focus on individual experiences and stories, it's difficult to see how they can implement multiplayer into the Mass Effect universe. After all, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense having two Commander Shepard's running around the Citadel, does it?

We'll have more information if and when it arrives. Maybe E3 will hold some answers.

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30 Comments

PixieGirl

1 year ago

Hm as long as it doesn't interfere with the Singleplayer in any way and I can still play it on my own with no downsides, then that's fine! But I am not at all interested in the idea of playing Mass Effect multiplayer.. I really hope they don't focus too much on it.

I just want to continue the story with my Shepard!

mikezilla2

1 year ago

its wonder it hasn't been done already , for some reason when i think of it i feel it would translate to something like this .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu0wGXUb_mA

JackSlack

1 year ago

I'm really confused about how negative the reaction to this has been. Mass Effect 2 was already one foot in the door as a shooter; heck, I've had more fun with its shooting mechanics than I ever have had with Gears of War's.

Maybe it's a standalone title. Maybe they're including a multiplayer section. Either way, so what? This could be a lot of fun.

... and the idea of a Co-Op RPG is phenomenally weird, and thus I now want it.

RichieT23

1 year ago

Uugh. I groaned when I first heard about this. Multiplayer has no business being shoehorned into the current Mass Effect trilogy. However, a multiplayer experience could work as a separate entity that is simply set within the Mass Effect universe. Perhaps like a Star Wars Battlefront kind of setup. Otherwise PLEASE Bioware/EA keep it well away.

Jarrod

1 year ago

JackSlack wrote

I think more people are worried about Mass Effect 3 forcing co-op. Shooter gameplay or not, the framework for the game as a whole in no way supports a co-op feature, mostly due to the extensive conversation trees and long segments of no combat.

Mass Effect is really focused on a single player design. For a hypothetical Mass Effect 3 co-op they'd either need to dramatically overhaul the current formula, probably by butchering a lot of the conversational framework, or it would be some tacked-on nonsense that's really not all that fun. Neither option is particuarly attractive

A different, multiplayer specific title set within the Mass Effect universe, a seperate co-op campaign like Splinter Cell, or a DLC pack based around multiplayer would be a better option in my opinion. I dont want to see Mass Effect 3 built in a way that forces co-op. It doesn't need it, and I'm not confident BioWare can do it without hurting the game mechanics.

admeister

1 year ago

They'll find a way to make it work, don't worry. Bioshock 2 kept the multiplayer completely separate from the single player experience, no co-op there. They also figured out how to make things work without everyone running around as a Big Daddy. If Bioshock can do it, then so can Mass Effect, I'm sure Bioware are up to the task. I know I'll certainly be happy if it turns out as well as Bioshock's did.

Island_Wolf

1 year ago

I've played countless hours of Neverwinter Nights co-op, a game that is even more dialog/reading heavy than any of the Mass Effect series games (and has a moral decision making) and it still work fine as co-op. (Only problem is lawfully good with neurtal bad was a bad combination). The player initialised the conversation will get the conversation part while those that didn't can't start one and will get the party involved in the conversation have floating text on the top to see where the conversation is at. In the event of a pause in NWN, the whole screen pauses, for a text communication or just to strategies or a toilet break, whatever.

However, I am still neutral in this news (I believe there isn't enough games with co-op imo), just waiting to see how Bioware will manage to pull this through... I am sceptic of changes after I get motion sickness from ME2 (while it didn't happen in ME) and the failure to make mining the material any better.

Cian

1 year ago

I think the major worry comes from not knowing what shape the multiplayer will take.

If it's competitive then you can pretty much write it off from the get go.

Co-op sounds a lot more promising.

Even better, a spin-off like AC: Brotherhood would be the best option.

Cyph

1 year ago

If this is true, then the dashed line path into the future of the series that I predicted after ME2 is coming true. Ditch the narative (or dumb it down) to sell it to the masses.

Back to Alpha Protocol for me, at least that doesn't pretend to be something it ain't.

jesuslol

1 year ago

I kinda feel like they will try and combine the ME dialogue system with the way it will work in SW:TOR

ANDYBALLINA

1 year ago

admeister wrote

It better not turn out like Bioshock 2. That was **** aweful and a huge let down to the original. The multiplayer was crap and I'm sure the overall game took a hit, cause they included it. I will not be happy if it turns out like Bioshock 2.

Actually a better game to compare this with would be Uncharted 2. They nailed things perfectly. They included MP (and while I have no interest in it), but it didn't affect the single player at all, which was amazing. So if Bioware can pull it off like Naughty Dog, I'd be happy.

However, I will admit I'm worried, cause I'm sick and tired of companies pulling this crap with franchises. Stop putting mutliplayer onto single player based series/games, its not needed. Except not everyone will buy the games and stop changing it, adding MP etc to it, just to try more people buying it. I know they want to make money, but god it **** me.

Companies need to learn that alot of people love story driven single player experiences. God just look at some of the top selling exclusives on PS3. Heavy Rain, Uncharted series, Ratchet & Clank, God of War 3. They are all single player focused games and still sell a **** load.

Anyway, back onto Mass Effect. I think some sort of co-op type thing could possibley work (since you have party members) and could be fun playing through with mates, but as for online death match etc, well its not needed and doesn't really have a place within the Mass Effect universe IMO.

Mass Effect is my favourite RPG series and if they stuff the 3rd title up by adding some lame MP, I will rage

So Bioware do not stuff this up!!!

Fetidchimp

1 year ago

Companies love money, what can ya do.....

renegadesx

1 year ago

Completly in the wrong direction me thinks. Mass Effect is an RPG with 3rd Person Shooter gameplay. Mass Effect 3 should just finish off the story and tie everything in together.

After ME3 I would have no issue with a Mass Effect MMO, but multiplayer can ruin a good single player franchise.

As already pointed out: look at Bioshock 2, and I fear the same fate for Assassins Creed: Brotherhood and Portal 2

ANDYBALLINA

1 year ago

Fetidchimp wrote

Companies love money, what can ya do.....

Yeah, but still. Look at the top selling games on PS3. As stated above, most of the exclusives are single player games and still sell alot. Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 sold heaps.

I don't know the figures, but surely Mass Effect 1 & 2 are one of the top selling 360 games. Think of the huge fanbase that love these games for the single player only gameplay.

There's COD, Battlefield, Halo etc to cover MP needs. Not all games need to Multiplayer. I'd take a engrossing story over MP anyday.

Cian

1 year ago

ANDYBALLINA wrote

Fetidchimp wrote

Companies love money, what can ya do.....

Yeah, but still. Look at the top selling games on PS3. As stated above, most of the exclusives are single player games and still sell alot. Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 sold heaps.

Uncharted 2 actually had a pretty good multiplayer. Platforming and shooting worked surprisingly well online.

Fetidchimp

1 year ago

@andy

I am sure they are, but companies such as EA think they can improve their profit by attracting a bunch of noobs....i don't like it....but as i said companies love money and they will quite happily drive any ip in any form of entertainment into the ground and then still come back one more time to see if the mystical money teat has any drops left....

The meeting probably would have gone something like

EA

"Well done on the sales of mass effect guys....you really outdid yourself this time....but we think that the next title needs a little more zazz."

Bioware

"She is about to say multiplayer"

EA "MULTIPLAYER! we think we can extend our market share by 2% if you put multiplayer in mass effect 3 and the spin off series young mass effect the adventures of little sheps. We also hope to have mass effect racer out by christmas"

ANDYBALLINA

1 year ago

Cian wrote

ANDYBALLINA wrote

Fetidchimp wrote

Companies love money, what can ya do.....

Yeah, but still. Look at the top selling games on PS3. As stated above, most of the exclusives are single player games and still sell alot. Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 sold heaps.

Uncharted 2 actually had a pretty good multiplayer. Platforming and shooting worked surprisingly well online.

Yeah, I know it had online. But I'm sure most people got it for the single player (I certainly did) and I was just using those games as an example. Top selling games don't need to have a focus on MP.

@Fetidchimp. Yeah, I know what you're saying. It just **** me the way companies are going with games at the moment, pushing MP onto every friggin franchise. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Sorry for ranting, it just annoys me.

Smurf80

1 year ago

@ Andy hope you don't take this the wrong way but did you finish ME2? I know you completed the first one but I'd hardly call ME2 an RPG game anymore. Its evolved into an adventure game with a sprinkling of RPG elements and a heavy does of a 3rd person shooter. I love the series too but I honestly can see no good coming from this...are the trying to tap into the MMO market too or is this a lame attempt to cash in on all the 1st and 3rd person shooters? Ill stand by my comment I made when UC2 came out and say not every game needs multiplayer.....

And please don't comment on bioshock 1and 2 unless you finished both games as 2 was not awful

ANDYBALLINA

1 year ago

Smurf80 wrote

No I havn't finished Mass Effect 2 yet (not that has anything to do with giving an opinion in this thread), but while its more action based, its still an RPG. You still upgrade weapons and armor, select quests, have several dialogue choices and upgrade level stats etc. Its called an Action RPG.

And for your information, I've finished Bioshock 1 (its one of my fav games) and got half way through Bioshock 2 and couldn't stand to finish it, because it was terrible. It was dull, generic and boring compared to the original and online was aweful and it was a let down to the original.

So yeah, I think I'm entitled to comment, thanks

Benc82

1 year ago

Slightly off topic, but a Mass Effect MMO would rule. Unlikely though whilst they are working on the Old Republic MMO.

Pretty sure Bioware guys said a while back (on a GTTV episode) there are plans for a big Mass Effect release in 2011 and hinted that it wasn't ME3. Could be a proper expansion, or a spin off game?

Sin Ogaris

1 year ago

Baldur's Gate had co-op... and it's pretty much as "RPG" as you get short of rolling the dice yourself.

Seeing as Mass Effect isn't even an RPG I can't see it being an issue. That said I was less than impressed with the first game, the second game I'm only going to grab if I see it sub 30 bucks and the way people are talking I doubt I'd even want the third game after playing number 2, so I guess my point is moot anyway.

Cyph

1 year ago

Not sure if you could call ME2 an RPG... And yes Andy, BioShock 2 was the pits.

RichieT23

1 year ago

Yes, ME2 is more a shooter, but it has definite RPG elements which do not translate to a multiplayer design. I think all that people are suggesting here is that any multiplayer component should be kept out of the Mass Effect 3 story and treated as a separate entity set in the Mass Effect universe. If handled properly it has the potential to be an outstanding experience.

Cyph

1 year ago

Personally I felt the shooting mechanics in ME2 to be worse than that in ME1. Not sure how they'll make a compelling multiplayer experience out of it.

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Mass Effect 2

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Australian Release Date:
  28/01/2010 (Confirmed)
Publisher:
  Electronic Arts
Genre:
  Action RPG
Year Made:
  2008
Players:
  1

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