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BioWare explains how Mass Effect: Andromeda's multiplayer connects to single-player narrative

The studio learned its lesson after mixed reception to Mass Effect 3's multiplayer connectivity.

David Craddock

January 10, 2017 4:26 PM

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In an interview with Kotaku, Mass Effect: Andromeda producer Mike Gamble explained how the game's multiplayer mode connects to its solo campaign.

"There's a system that we use called the Strike Team system, and fundamentally it allows you to go between single-player and multiplayer within the game," Gamble said.

Andromeda's multiplayer focuses on a meta story set within Helios, the pocket of the universe where the game takes place. Players can ignore multiplayer completely without missing any of the story beats, or hop back and forth between single-player and online play.

Playing through Mass Effect 3's multiplayer wasn't technically required to view the game's best endings, but skipping it meant taking the longer route to those endings. Andromeda's multiplayer aims to be more seamless—players won't have to quit out to the main menu to jump between modes.

"I can tell you that there's a loading screen—it's not entirely seamless—but it won't require you to stop your game and restart in a different mode. Because narratively it's all connected, it makes a lot of sense," Gamble continued.

Another lesson learned from the previous Mass Effect trilogy: no season pass to gate access to DLC expansions. However, BioWare has not disclosed a DLC roadmap detailing whether DLCs will be free or premium content and, if the latter, how much they'll cost.

Mass Effect Andromeda launches on March 21.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.