PS3 News: Rumor: Mass Effect 3 To Feature Four Player Co-Op - PS3 News

Members Login: Register | Why sign up? | Forgot Password?

Rumor: Mass Effect 3 To Feature Four Player Co-Op

These days, you're simply not allowed to release a game without multiplayer. Well, you are, but such an offense is only rarely tolerated.

Personally, you can keep all multiplayer away from all RPGs, but I'm certainly in the minority on that. For a while now, there have been plenty of rumors circulating concerning the possibility of multiplayer in the next Mass Effect, and more evidence has arisen.

According to Eurogamer, the third entry in the award-winning series will probably offer a four-player co-op mode. However, the info says it's "standalone" and also features "competitive elements." Another source informed the site that BioWare Montreal was working on a multiplayer Mass Effect experience of some kind, which may be online or offline. Officially, BioWare boss Ray Muzyka will only say they're "interested in the idea of multiplayer," but we have nothing concrete.

Lastly, we know the game was recently delayed until next year (March 6 is the new launch date), so might that delay be due to the implementation of multiplayer modes...?

Related Game(s): Mass Effect 3

Tags: mass effect 3, me3, mass effect 3 multiplayer, bioware

6/16/2011 10:32:50 AM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google Share on MySpace Share on Delicious Share on Digg Share on Google Buzz Share via E-Mail Share via Tumblr Share via Posterous

Comments (39 posts)

Eld
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 10:54:10 AM
Reply

I suspect kinect has more to do with delay as well as them, simply, just not being able to complete all the work on time.

Co-op is, actually, fairly easy to implement and they've been talking about some sort of multiplayer since me2.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

556pineapple
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 10:54:31 AM
Reply

For a game like Mass Effect, this is wholly unnecessary. Knowing Bioware, though, they could do something pretty cool with it. I guess it doesn't really matter to me seeing as all of my friends will be getting it on PC anyway...

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 10:58:09 AM
Reply

Well that was unexpected, but I'll welcome it if it actually happens. I havnt yet played ME2, but I plan to over the summer. So maybe I should stay reserved until I play the games, as I've said many times some sp games especially "rpg's" need to stay sp.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

FM23
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 1:27:26 PM

Dude I hope you like ME2, because I loved it.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:47:38 PM

I hope so too. I like bioware games, and the demo was pretty good so... If that's any indication I'll most likely enjoy it.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:47:47 PM

I hope so too. I like bioware games, and the demo was pretty good so... If that's any indication I'll most likely enjoy it.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Excelsior1
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 10:58:21 AM
Reply

as long is it doesn't interfere with the sp experience i'm okay with it on this 1 particular game. i do worry that as developers continue their focus on mp it will cut into the sp experience in future rpgs. me2 was so light on rpg elements is it really even considered an rpg?

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Looking Glass
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:02:03 AM
Reply

It's probably worth noting that Final Fantasy IX did have a feature that allowed two people to control different characters during the games turn-based battles. That was kind of cool. But even so there are probably a number less than fortunate possible results that could come from the idea of multiplayer in RPGs (with the possible exception Massive Multiplayer Online RPGs.)
Last edited by Looking Glass on 6/16/2011 11:11:14 AM

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:11:41 AM
Reply

Oh wow...
/me rubs eyes
Am I dreaming? Finally we get coop in a quality rpg? From no other than the mighty BioWare?
I am 100% confident that this will not spoil the single player playthrough, only add to the experience for those who us who got others to play with.
It's already party based, what damage can it do if one of your party members are not controlled by an AI?

This *will* be good.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/16/2011 11:15:20 AM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

Eld
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:21:17 AM

Well, there is always danger of not spending enough time to develop AI because time was spent developing MP.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 1:41:57 PM

Generally speaking there is that danger, yes. But in this case I doubt that will happen.

This will be great! :)

Last edited by Beamboom on 6/16/2011 1:42:38 PM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

maxpontiac
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:14:21 AM
Reply

Co-op will put this game as must buy.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

BeezleDrop
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:30:53 AM
Reply

Agreed Max,

I have generally enjoyed Co-op. It is my favorite type of MP feature, although I have had hours of fun with DR2 Co-op and looking forward to Dead Island Co-op as well. If it isn't buggier than NV or something.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Geobaldi
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:37:30 AM
Reply

Nice to hear that co-op will be an option. Few games nowadays even consider co-op a viable option anymore it seems like.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:19:51 PM

Quite the contrary, there's several coop titles coming up!
Fear 3, Resistance 3, Dead Island, Twisted Metal, Ratchet&Clank and Saints Row are all with coop.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Claire C
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:53:36 AM
Reply

Seems to make sense. Mass Effect is a third-person shooter and most shooters have multiplayer of some sort. Plus, EA love multiplayer in their games (online passes, yay!). =>.>=

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 4:02:54 AM

"Mass Effect is a third-person shooter" -> Now that is a "Beamboom bait" if I ever saw one :D

I know that is a popular belief around here, but the BioWare fanboy in me screams each time I see it.
Mass Effect may not have some of the technical details that is common for rpg's, but at the core of the game there is a RPG heart beating, not some shooter biceps.

Why is it a RPG? Because the *soul* of the game is firmly placed in the RPG category.
The storyline, side quests and choices are all that of a RPG. The characters, relations and dramas between characters are entirely RPG.
The pausing mid battle, issuing of the commands and strategies of teammates, is all 100% true RPG. And this is all done exceptionally well by BioWare.

So, what's taken away from the experience is the micro management and "fiddling around" things. But is *that* really what RPG truly is all about? I'd say NO!
By all means, call it an "action rpg" and we agree, but it's not a "shooter".
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/17/2011 4:11:33 AM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Temjin001
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 12:57:57 PM
Reply

Hmmm, makes sense. And my imagination can come up with something pretty cool for ME's squad based play.

Ultimately, I'm not interested in engaging this feature.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

FM23
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 1:30:33 PM
Reply

I hope it's random Co-op missions like Uncharted 2 and not part of the single player...that would most likely be game breaking in my opinion. Instead of working on co-op, maybe they should work on fixing their animations and lip synching.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Clamedeus
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 1:48:20 PM

Indeed, they need to fix audio pop in's when people are almost done finishing talking, because when I was reading and listening I could clearly see and hear that the word was skipped and went completely over it and went on.

Some slow downs in certain areas, I believe in high traffic, sometimes It can be pretty bad.
If they can fix these It'll be solid.

I love the game, but it isn't perfect. But neither is any game for that matter.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 6/16/2011 1:48:36 PM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

FM23
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:58:50 PM

Agreed and yeah, no game is perfect...but my goodness, the loading is horrible on this game. Look at most PS3 exclusives recently (minus GT5) and Rockstar games...little to no loading. Bioware should attend to that.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Clamedeus
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 5:35:17 PM

I agree, sometimes the loading takes awhile, and sometimes it takes even longer at weird times.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Lawless SXE
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 1:48:03 PM
Reply

Third person shooter squad based gameplay, yeah? Sounds about right. Although I wonder how they'd pull it off with all the dialogue that's in the game. Wouldn't the three players not playing as Shepard get bored? Or would it change for them so that each player is playing as Shepard in their own game so that each player gets the dialogue choices?

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:15:59 PM

My bet is that the host is Shepard, the cut scenes are done with game engine (as always), including your party members to a higher degree than today.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/16/2011 4:17:33 PM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 2:10:25 PM
Reply

Sounds weird, it would require split screen since you need to traverse large battlefields. As long as it doesn't hurt the game it's okay but I think they should focus their multiplayer stuff on that ME MMO they are working on.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:15:31 PM

Not splitscreen... Network!

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 5:42:43 PM

Ick, what fun would that be?

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:30:03 AM

I guess just as fun without network friends as split screen coop is when you are home alone. :)

Kidding aside, network coop is a lot better cause then all players got their own screens instead of watching a square on a split screen. Plus, of course, if you got buddies with the same game you don't need to travel to each others house.

Split screen really is a thing of the past now with the internet. It's fun with social party games like Buzz & co, but that's entirely different games anyways.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Crabba
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 4:34:24 PM
Reply

Uhuh, whohoo very exciting, now bring back the RPG elements from ME1 and I'll jump with joy!

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Ahto
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 7:24:18 PM
Reply

That's it. Get ready for "Call of Mass Effect" aimed at the brain-dead button mashers. Not going to be interested in this.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 3 down Disagree with this comment

FM23
Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 7:55:47 PM

Not sure their going to dumb it down that much, just make it funner for the average joe while giving ME fans what they want the most...a good story. I hope

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:32:04 AM

That's just a silly comment. All network/cooperative play is not just limited to multiplayer deathmatch styles. It may have been more or less so until now on this particular platform, but network play as a concept is *so* much more than that.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/17/2011 2:33:26 AM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Kevin555
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:33:23 AM

"That's it. Get ready for Call of Mass Effect"

Adorable. :)

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Kevin555
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:15:36 AM
Reply

I love BioWare & I love the Mass Effect franchise but if they're going to add multiplayer, make sure it doesn't affect the single player campaign in any way, shape or form.

Leave multiplayer as a separate option like BioShock 2 did with their tacked on multiplayer mode.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 3:50:37 AM

I would be shocked, no less, if it will affect single player in any negative way. After all, it's the single player story telling skill that is their *huge* advantage.

However I do expect the coop play to be campaign coop, and I sincerely hope it's not just some tagged on small "multiplayer quests". Like I've said elsewhere, since you already got a party with you, what's wrong with a friend controlling one of the characters during the battles and exploration instead of the game AI?

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Kevin555
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 4:17:20 AM

@Beamboom,

I too am confident that they can implement it in a positive way. Replacing human players for CPU controlled AI would work well if i think about it that way. As long as if a player decided to drop out of the game, it would still let you to continue solo.

I just get a bit fed up with every developer feeling as though they have to add multiplayer to their games to draw the masses. I mean BioShock was fantastic as a single player experience, then in BioShock 2 we had this multiplayer mode which felt tacked on just for the sake of having multiplayer. Don't get me wrong, i like it that it's there for those who want it, but make it fun to play as well, make it work. Don't dump it in cheaply & call it a day. Work on it, make sure it's enjoyable for everyone, including ME fans & those new to the series.

Mass Effect 3 without multiplayer would still sell by the sack loads regardless. But i guess it's a win/win either way. If it works well & enhances the ME fanbase then i am all for it.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 7:20:22 AM

To me there is a huge difference between the expressions "multiplayer" and "coop", though one is a child of the other.
Multiplayer ala cod (or bioshock 2 for that matter) in a BioWare RPG would be a disgrace. Yes, blasphemy!

But if they make it drop in/out coop during the campaign like you mention, and possible to save two separate savegames, one to play as coop with buddy/ies if you like and the other your solo campaign play, then the framework is set for a really good coop game imo.

Last edited by Beamboom on 6/17/2011 7:21:45 AM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

___________
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 8:03:23 AM
Reply

i gotta build me a time machine and go back to the 90s i cant handle all this modernizing crap!
MP and graphics, thats all developers give a sh*t about these days!
who gives a flying f*ck if its fun to play, as long as it has MP and looks good that will bring in the sales, and thats all that matters!

Agree with this comment 0 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

telly
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 8:57:12 AM
Reply

Pretty much the whole Mass Effect is experienced, so in theory it could work. It's not like you'd HAVE to use it, so why have a problem with it?

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Leave a Comment

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews