Mass Effect 3 Dev: "We knew [multiplayer] would be controversial"

BioWare isn’t usually the sort of studio associated with controversial, headline grabbing decisions. Apart from some lacklustre reviews surrounding the release of its fantasy epic sequel, Dragon Age 2, BioWare could quite easily be described as the games industry’s safest hands.

But, that was before it revealed the closing chapter of its sci-fi shooter RPG would include a multiplayer mode, though.

When we quizzed Mass Effect 3’s Executive Producer, Casey Hudson, he revealed the studio was more than aware the decision to step away from the established Mass Effect-norm would earn a few funny glances from many, and out right derision from others.

“We knew it would be controversial,” admits Casey Hudson, “and we also knew that when people actually tried it they would understand why it’s a great addition to the experience.

“But what really surprised us was how quickly concern turned into support once we started describing how it would work.”

A risky proposition, considering how many narrative-heavy games have been released to less than enthusiastic responses over the years. You only need to mention Bioshock 2 and Dead Space to get the point across.

“I think people have been burned in a few different ways by games in the past,” continues Hudson. “Sometimes a game will add a player-versus-player deathmatch thing that doesn’t make any sense in the game’s fiction. Other times a developer might take a good single-player experience and shoehorn a co-op feature into it which compromises the quality of the single-player story.

“We absolutely refused to do multiplayer in a way that compromised quality, the continuity of the IP, or the single-player experience. That’s why we hadn’t done multiplayer until now, and it’s what we think will be really unique about our design for multiplayer for Mass Effect 3.”

You can read our full interview with Casey Hudson and discover why Mass Effect 3 will be the most ambitious entry into the series to date.