35 réponses à ce sujet

[Revan Reborn]

One of the elements BIoWare games have always lacked is a true cooperative experience. I'm not talking about the horde/firefight multiplayer rip-off in Mass Effect 3. While it was fun for a while, it ultimately was tedious, redundant, and offered little fun or interest once completed a number of times.

 

When I suggest a true cooperative experience, I'm referring to being able to search and explore the galaxy along with a friend. We have been seeing early on with this new generation a pivot towards more persistent, online worlds and more cooperative experiences. Whether we look at Destiny, Far Cry 4, The Division, Assassin's Creed Unity, there is clearly this new push towards enjoying great story-driven experiences with friends.

 

Why should Mass Effect, and BioWare in general, be any different? I can only imagine the amount of fun I would have had playing with a friend in KotOR, Jade Empire, Dragon Age: Origins, the Mass Effect trilogy, etc. We somewhat were fortunate enough to get a taste of what a cooperative experience would be like with Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, I don't necessarily want an MMO. What I do want is the ability to join up with friends and explore the massive galaxy the next Mass Effect game will undoubtedly offer.

 

How does everybody else feel about a true cooperative experience? BioWare wouldn't even have to necessarily incorporate a multiplayer dialogue system like SWTOR. Main story missions could be designated for single player only, while side missions and pure open world exploration with the mako could be open to friends. This is essentially the approach many other games are taking in order to maintain a quality single player experience, but also offering the option of making it better with friends.

 

Feel free to post your thoughts and concerns below.

[laudable11]

Co op would take it to the next level. BioWare could do something that very few RPGs have done. 

[SporkFu]

Player #1: Say... that's a nice rifle. *melee attack* Let's duel for it.

Player #2: Forget the rifle. Let's fight for the saucy new turian first-mate's approval.

Player #1: Take your best shot. 

[chris2365]

That's one of the things I thought would be really cool for the next Mass Effect. Not necessarily having friends explore your universe, but having a separate module that has a co-op campaign with specially designed missions would be cool. Imagine doing something big, like the Suicide Mission, but with a buddy, and making choices and interacting with specially designed dialogue. It could make for a very cool and fun experience. You could make new characters, release new missions as free updates in exchange for a microtransactions system like in ME3 (with better odds this time!) or just released as DLC. It would allow us to explore more of the galaxy from different points of view, all while maintaning the RPG elements from the single-player.

[SporkFu]

That's one of the things I thought would be really cool for the next Mass Effect. Not necessarily having friends explore your universe, but having a separate module that has a co-op campaign with specially designed missions would be cool. Imagine doing something big, like the Suicide Mission, but with a buddy, and making choices and interacting with specially designed dialogue. It could make for a very cool and fun experience. You could make new characters, release new missions as free updates in exchange for a microtransactions system like in ME3 (with better odds this time!) or just released as DLC. It would allow us to explore more of the galaxy from different points of view, all while maintaning the RPG elements from the single-player.

They did that for Rage. A separate campaign of co-op missions that had nothing to do with the single-player campaign. It was pretty cool.

[SNascimento]

One of the elements BIoWare games have always lacked is a true cooperative experience. I'm not talking about the horde/firefight multiplayer rip-off in Mass Effect 3. While it was fun for a while, it ultimately was tedious, redundant, and offered little fun or interest once completed a number of times.

Well, not for people that are still playing it more than two years after the game came out. 

[Farangbaa]

Can't we all just hope they make a brilliant SP game + story?

 

Multiplayer, co-op, it's all an extra, a bonus and should not have BW's primary focus.

[Revan Reborn]

Co op would take it to the next level. BioWare could do something that very few RPGs have done. 

I agree. One of the reasons BioWare has always been one of my favorite developers is because they constantly try to outdo themselves with each new title. Dragon Age Inquisition is looking spectacular, but they really need to set the bar high for what the next generation of Mass Effect will look like.

[SolNebula]

Can't we all just hope they make a brilliant SP game + story?

 

Multiplayer, co-op, it's all an extra, a bonus and should not have BW's primary focus.

 

Quoted for truth never really cared of social aspect of the game. Having co-op missions for me actually break immersion. Please just no

[Revan Reborn]

That's one of the things I thought would be really cool for the next Mass Effect. Not necessarily having friends explore your universe, but having a separate module that has a co-op campaign with specially designed missions would be cool. Imagine doing something big, like the Suicide Mission, but with a buddy, and making choices and interacting with specially designed dialogue. It could make for a very cool and fun experience. You could make new characters, release new missions as free updates in exchange for a microtransactions system like in ME3 (with better odds this time!) or just released as DLC. It would allow us to explore more of the galaxy from different points of view, all while maintaning the RPG elements from the single-player.

This is a possibility. The reason I did not suggest this specifically is because it would require more work, and could potentially detract from the single player experience. My solution is a compromise where the single player experience is still the focus, but an optional cooperative mechanic is included in non-story elements. Of course if BioWare was up to the task to do something more ambitious, I'm all ears.

 

They did that for Rage. A separate campaign of co-op missions that had nothing to do with the single-player campaign. It was pretty cool.

RAGE was a very fun game. I've always enjoyed the cooperative experiences in id software games. There are so many great titles that have implemented coop, BioWare could use many for inspiration.

 

Well, not for people that are still playing it more than two years after the game came out. 

I'm not saying everyone isn't pleased with the current ME3 multiplayer. I just find it incredibly unoriginal and it doesn't really fit with the rest of the game, in my personal opinion. I would prefer a true cooperative experience rather than just fighting waves of enemies until the round is over. I believe BioWare can make a multiplayer experience unlike any other developer, largely because of their choice-driven story experiences.

 

Can't we all just hope they make a brilliant SP game + story?

 

Multiplayer, co-op, it's all an extra, a bonus and should not have BW's primary focus.

I'm not concerned in the slightest about BioWare making a brilliant single player game and story. My suggestion is merely due to an obvious change and a pivot towards online, cooperative multiplayer in this generation of games. ME3 was BioWare's first attempt at a cooperative multiplayer experience, and I believe they could take it much farther. Again, the OP actually is a compromise to maintain the quality of the single player experience while allowing an optional cooperative experience outside of the story. There are many ways BioWare could approach this.

[Revan Reborn]

Quoted for truth never really cared of social aspect of the game. Having co-op missions for me actually break immersion. Please just no

How so? If the cooperative experience was implemented in a way that didn't detract from the single player experience, I don't see how it would be an immersion breaker. You'll have to explain that.

[tehturian]

Why does everything need to be co-op these days? Mass Effect is a single player game, they shouldn't be wasting time shoehorning a co-op element into play. 

[Farangbaa]

I'm not concerned in the slightest about BioWare making a brilliant single player game and story. My suggestion is merely due to an obvious change and a pivot towards online, cooperative multiplayer in this generation of games. ME3 was BioWare's first attempt at a cooperative multiplayer experience, and I believe they could take it much farther. Again, the OP actually is a compromise to maintain the quality of the single player experience while allowing an optional cooperative experience outside of the story. There are many ways BioWare could approach this.

 

I'm fine with all these multiplayer extras, as long as BioWare doesn't devote time and resources to it. Everything should be focused on the SP story and gameplay.

 

I'm sure some other studio of EA who has more experience with multiplayer can come up with some good multiplayer additions to ME.

[Revan Reborn]

Why does everything need to be co-op these days? Mass Effect is a single player game, they shouldn't be wasting time shoehorning a co-op element into play. 

Possibly because it's something I've always personally wanted from a BioWare game. I cannot tell you how many times I've had friends over and yet only one of us could play the game while the other spectated. There's just something special about being able to play that same experience simultaneously. BioWare seems to agree to some degree with the ME3 multiplayer as well as their MMO attempt with SWTOR.

 

I'm fine with all these multiplayer extras, as long as BioWare doesn't devote time and resources to it. Everything should be focused on the SP story and gameplay.

 

I'm sure some other studio of EA who has more experience with multiplayer can come up with some good multiplayer additions to ME.

I'm not asking for BioWare to compromise the single player experience. All I want from BioWare is to continue to innovate and be a pioneer in the industry, and this is one potential way of doing that. BGS for years has always stated since Morrowind and Oblivion that the reason they don't do multiplayer or a cooperative experience is because they believe it would compromise their single player game. I believe that's a valid concern. With the way game development is these days, and considering BioWare is a part of Electronic Arts, they certainly could allow other studios, either internally in BioWare or others in EA, to handle some of the workload. The sky's the limit. BioWare is in a unique position where they have access to more funding, resources, and staff than they ever had in the past. I just want them to seize that opportunity and truly keep pushing what is possible in the video game medium.

[Robbiesan]

I'm all for it as I do enjoy co-op play. 

 

Granted I also want BW to focus on the SP first and foremost.  MP should be secondary, and have no impact upon SP. 

 

That said, while I do see people's point of just wanting a solid SP game, some of us really do enjoy the MP aspect and want to see that expand, but once again—not at the expense of SP.

[emaughan]

Can't we all just hope they make a brilliant SP game + story?

 

Multiplayer, co-op, it's all an extra, a bonus and should not have BW's primary focus.

 

 

I think a that SP would be dull somewhat. They`ve said it would be at the time of shepard( this is disputed), Soooooo.... would you be a map charter?

[Farangbaa]

I think a that SP would be dull somewhat. They`ve said it would be at the time of shepard( this is disputed), Soooooo.... would you be a map charter?

 

You think a that SP would be dull somewhat

 

Excuse me, but... what?

 

And nobody said it would be in the time of Shepard. Some journalist thought it might be in the time of Shepard. That's it.

[chris2365]

This is a possibility. The reason I did not suggest this specifically is because it would require more work, and could potentially detract from the single player experience. My solution is a compromise where the single player experience is still the focus, but an optional cooperative mechanic is included in non-story elements. Of course if BioWare was up to the task to do something more ambitious, I'm all ears.

 

It's true that it would require more work and resources, but as far as detracting from the single-player, I don't think that's a concern. I'll repost something I wrote in the suggestions thread so you can see what I mean

 

''What most people believe is that, for example, Bioware is given a budget of 100 million $ to make Mass Effect 3. Then the team splits the resources to 60 million $ for single player and 40 million $ for multi player.

 

This is simply not true. As multiple game devs around the web have explained (even Bioware devs), it goes more like this. Bioware is given a budget of 100 million $ to make Mass Effect 3. Then, they decide they can throw in a multiplayer component which could generate potential revenue and increase the longevity of the game. Bioware asks for an extra 40 million $ to make this new mode. Bioware would never have gotten that money if they weren't making multiplayer, because it adds more appeal to the game because it adds more variety and income. Putting that money into the single-player is not justified because it wouldn't make the game a more complete and varied. Most gamers would rather have more options to explore than having one extremely polished and detailed game. That is the sad reality because most gamers never even finish the games. The money isn't justified going into more single-player content when what we get is already enough for multiple playthroughs.

 

Long story short, the quality of the single player does not depend on new content like multiplayer added to the game, they are independant of each other. Resources from the budget are not diverted to multi-player, they are added. As such, everyone can enjoy the game they want, whether it's for the single-player experience or the multi-player LAN parties, without thinking about lost potential.''

 

[Farangbaa]

There's still one resource they have to pour into MP if they make it: time.

 

Which is about as important as money.

 

I don't want them to do things halfassed

[dreamgazer]

Ugh, just let me play by my lonesome, dammit.

[Revan Reborn]

It's true that it would require more work and resources, but as far as detracting from the single-player, I don't think that's a concern. I'll repost something I wrote in the suggestions thread so you can see what I mean

 

''What most people believe is that, for example, Bioware is given a budget of 100 million $ to make Mass Effect 3. Then the team splits the resources to 60 million $ for single player and 40 million $ for multi player.

 

This is simply not true. As multiple game devs around the web have explained (even Bioware devs), it goes more like this. Bioware is given a budget of 100 million $ to make Mass Effect 3. Then, they decide they can throw in a multiplayer component which could generate potential revenue and increase the longevity of the game. Bioware asks for an extra 40 million $ to make this new mode. Bioware would never have gotten that money if they weren't making multiplayer, because it adds more appeal to the game because it adds more variety and income. Putting that money into the single-player is not justified because it wouldn't make the game a more complete and varied. Most gamers would rather have more options to explore than having one extremely polished and detailed game. That is the sad reality because most gamers never even finish the games. The money isn't justified going into more single-player content when what we get is already enough for multiple playthroughs.

 

Long story short, the quality of the single player does not depend on new content like multiplayer added to the game, they are independant of each other. Resources from the budget are not diverted to multi-player, they are added. As such, everyone can enjoy the game they want, whether it's for the single-player experience or the multi-player LAN parties, without thinking about lost potential.''

 

 

There's still one resource they have to pour into MP if they make it: time.

 

Which is about as important as money.

 

I don't want them to do things halfassed

 

It certainly isn't a matter of money or resources. As Psychevore suggested, it would be a matter of time. These games are set on very stringent schedules with projected deadlines. If things start falling behind, a delay is inevitable. While delays can sometimes be good, and generally are necessary, they also severely impact quarterly earnings for publicly traded companies such as EA. Ubisoft took a huge hit financially when they had to delay Watch_Dogs. The true question is would BioWare be able to incorporate a truly compelling cooperative experience in a way that wouldn't completely derail the development cycle? This is a situation in which you would generally have multiple studios working on the same game. As stated before, it's quite the hurdle to overcome, but I have faith BioWare could pull it off.

 

 

Ugh, just let me play by my lonesome, dammit.

 

The cooperative experience would be optional, not mandatory. You'd be more than welcome to play by yourself, if that is your preference. The point of this, and really many other ideas, is to continually add more options and choices for the player.

[chris2365]

It certainly isn't a matter of money or resources. As Psychevore suggested, it would be a matter of time. These games are set on very stringent schedules with projected deadlines. If things start falling behind, a delay is inevitable. While delays can sometimes be good, and generally are necessary, they also severely impact quarterly earnings for publicly traded companies such as EA. Ubisoft took a huge hit financially when they had to delay Watch_Dogs. The true question is would BioWare be able to incorporate a truly compelling cooperative experience in a way that wouldn't completely derail the development cycle? This is a situation in which you would generally have multiple studios working on the same game. As stated before, it's quite the hurdle to overcome, but I have faith BioWare could pull it off.

 

They probably could. It's true that making such a mode would require more time, but this is something the devs should account for in the planning phase. Time becomes an issue when you decide half-way into development to add a new co-op mode. If it's planned from the start, it definitely isn't a major issue. Besides, a company like EA would love to delay a game if it meant adding a component that could generate extra revenue via microtransactions or DLC sales. It also doesn't need to be 100% fleshed out by release. Look what they did with ME3 MP. They launched with only 6 maps, some kits and weapons. Since then, thanks to free DLC, the maps, weapons and kits have exploded in number, and it is much more complete than it was to start off. 

 

Like you said, it could start off as something small and optional, but if the design and systems are in place, it could grow quite successfully, just like ME3 MP did.

[10K]

Can't we all just hope they make a brilliant SP game + story?

 

Multiplayer, co-op, it's all an extra, a bonus and should not have BW's primary focus.

Someone who actually speaks sense!!

[MstrJedi Kyle]

Why does everything need to be co-op these days? Mass Effect is a single player game, they shouldn't be wasting time shoehorning a co-op element into play. 

 

Because some of us have significant others that we enjoy gaming with.

[katamuro]

Well unless its taking control of one of the teammates or some special character like they did in Borderlands 2 I just dont really see how they are going to include true coop into a singleplayer game with a heavy story focus. Sure it says exploration is going to be big, but lets not forget that BioWare is always making heavily story focused games. Its their shtick.