Mass Effect 3 Has Co-op Multiplayer

4-Player online Cooperative multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 has been CONFIRMED. The mode is called “Galaxy At War” and is being developed by a separate team at BioWare Montreal.

This was officially confirmed by BioWare themselves via Executive Producer Casey Hudson through Twitter, finally revealing the major feature that has been hinted at recently.

This online multiplayer will be accessible via Co-Op Missions that will feature a unique character and unique progression. There is a new Galactic Readiness mechanic that showcases how far along the galaxy has come to being ready for the incoming invasion, and you can level-up this meter by completing missions in both single-player or co-op multiplayer.

As mentioned, the multiplayer Co-Op will feature a unique character. This character is one that you create. Additionally, the “Galaxy At War” system will tie into single-player. To quote: “It will have a direct impact on the outcome of the single player campaign, giving players an alternative method of achieving ultimate victory.” However this is completely optional, and other systems that impact your Galactic Readiness have yet to be revealed.

To quote: “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.”

“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,” he said. “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.”

Very, VERY cool news!

Here is an interview discussing the Co-Op Multiplayer in Mass Effect 3.

Via VG247, EGMNow, IGN. Thanks to PC Powerplay for the image.