Though gamers have yet to experience the final leg of the Commander Shepard portion of the Mass Effect universe, there is no doubt that they are already chomping at the bit for more. While BioWare has said that they would love to continue working in that space (pun intended), what type of game they would like to make is still a mystery.

Among the more popular suggestions for a Mass Effect "reboot" is an MMO set within that universe. Much like any series with a strong mythology and a wide variety of races, Mass Effect seems like a perfect fit.

It would be incorrect to say that Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, co-founders of BioWare, haven't tossed around the idea of making a Mass Effect MMO, but a lot goes into that development process, and they just finished launching a pretty successful MMO in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Still, whilst speaking with Penny Arcade, the doctors of BioWare mused about the possibility of a Mass Effect MMO — the series' strengths and how fans expectations might not coincide with the reality of making an MMO.

It goes without that saying that after launching a very successful MMO like The Old Republic, that BioWare has a better grasp on how to create a compelling experience in that space. But what fans might be looking for in a Mass Effect MMO, or at least how they think the single player experience might translate into a multiplayer one, most definitely is not what would be delivered.

“It’s daunting, but the neat thing is it would lend itself to a different type of game play. It’s fun to think about. I imagine people think it would be just like Mass Effect as it is… but there’s lots of people there. It’s really interesting, I don’t know. It’s a tough one.”

Shepard's story has always been about saving the universe, and each player has gone through that story in relatively the same way — with a few changes thrown in here or there — but in an MMO there are countless opportunities for storytelling, some of which might not be as exciting as saving the universe from a galactic invasion. And then there's the combat of Mass Effect, which is very action oriented and in no way representative of what we might get with an MMO.

Bringing Mass Effect to a larger pool of simultaneous players — Mass Effect 3's multiplayer not withstanding — is going to bring a lot changes some of which might be huge departures for the series. Still, the fans will continue to clamor for a Mass Effect MMO, and BioWare will continue to explore that idea, but fans shouldn't hold their breath for one any time soon.

Do you think BioWare should make a Mass Effect MMO? What would you like to see BioWare do with gameplay for the MMO?

Source: Penny Arcade