Bioware explains Mass Effect 3's 'Galaxy at War' system, Multiplayer

Bioware has posted detailed information on their forums revealing a new 'Galaxy at War' mechanic for Mass Effect 3, revealing how it serves to link the single player and newly announced multiplayer gameplay together.

Things are moving fast in the world of Mass Effect. Yesterday Official Xbox Magazine revealed they had the exclusive scoop on the multiplayer modes for the upcoming Action RPG in their cover story reveal. The reaction from fans was mixed, with some excited and others downright incensed at the announcement - and so today Bioware have stepped in with a more detailed explanation to calm the ire of the angered fans.

The game will feature 4-player co-op multiplayer missions which will be playable over the internet. Rather than playing as Shepard and crew, players will be able to create their own characters from a variety of classes and races.

"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," Bioware Community man Chris Priestly told the official Bioware forums in a post on the mode.

The "Galaxy at War" system is represented in a "Galactic Readiness" level, which shows just how many assets you have at your fingertips in the war to save the galaxy from the Reapers. The Galactic Readiness level can be changed in multiple ways including multiplayer and "other platforms" that will be announced "in the coming months."

Bioware are keen to point out these methods aren't required, mind, telling fans on the forum that "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."

Bioware also reveal in the post that the multiplayer has been developed by a seperate team and has not sapped resources from the creation of the main Mass Effect 3 experience, which is still a single player story.

"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."

"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."

The full post with a bit more information can be found over on the Bioware Forums. Mass Effect 3 arrives in March 2012, and is available for pre-order now.

• 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.