Hands On: Mass Effect 3

[Paddy]

I thought it was just online co-op Ray? At least, that's what Casey Hudson stated? What have you heard different?

I've been meaning to update the ME3 thread for the past two days, but have been overworked and feeling pretty grok. Will get on that now anyway...

[Ray]

From what I can gather, it's a form of co-op, but it's not the main story. It's a horde mode called the 'Galaxy at War System'

From San Francisco Times

Players have various ways to raise their "Galactic Readiness" level, which indicates how well the galaxy can fend off the threat posed by the Reapers. So a successful mission will increase the chances of the galaxy's survival. There are other ways to raise the galactic readiness in the single player as well. So if players don't want to participate in the multiplayer, they won't have to.

"Mass Effect 3 is a complete, standalone game that will deliver a satisfying story experience, even if you choose not to try multiplayer," Priestly said. "The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system and all of the individual components are meant to complement that amazing game and can be enjoyed on their own or as part of the Galaxy at War experience."

Also, Shepard will not be a part of the muliplayer game. Instead players will make new characters, or play as some secondary characters already introduced in past games. It seems like the characters players make will be able to progress in some fashion such as collecting loot and leveling up. But Bioware is keeping mum on that for now.