While we at Game Rant tend not to like when games aim to be more "accessible," it's the goal of console game developers everywhere and BioWare is a shining example of this. From Mass Effect 2 dropping countless RPG features to Dragon Age 2 seemingly missing part of the game, these changes dumbed down the games and didn't always benefit the experience.

With Mass Effect 3, BioWare is attempting to strike a balance while at the same time, doing more to make the game more accessible and marketable. This is why ME3 will support Kinect and this is why for the last year or so, the game has been rumored to introduce multiplayer gameplay into the franchise.

Last week, yet another Mass Effect 3 multiplayer rumor/semi-confirmation hit the net thanks to South African video game retailer, BT Games, who posted a flyer for the game which included the words "online multiplayer pass." This of course, is less than two months after an image from a cover of Xbox World 360 also seemingly confirmed multiplayer in the game.

This all date backs further than the last few months, however. Last May, over a year and a half ago, BioWare was hiring for multiplayer programmers in Mass Effect's environments. Rumors and speculation went on all of last year until a BioWare forum moderator took it upon himself to tell everyone that Mass Effect 3 is a single-player game, further reiterated by BioWare themselves this April.

Official denials aside, why are there still rumors and "confirmations"? If you're still in denial that the delayed Mass Effect 3 is getting multiplayer, here's yet another report that it's happening. This apparent confirmation comes from Australia's PC PowerPlay magazine who revealed on their site this morning that they interviewed Casey Hudson at BioWare's Edmonton office about the game's new mode and that it'll be featured in their October issue next week. Whoops.

"We travel to BioWare’s office in Edmonton for hands-on time with the series’ first foray into online gameplay, and chat with Mass Effect Series Producer and Mass Effect 3 Project Director Casey Hudson about the decision to go multiplayer in the epic battle for the galaxy."

There you have it. Don't be surprised - despite taking a lot of flak for talking about this, we've been saying this would likely be the case for a very long time. Official word from BioWare should come out soon.

[Update 1: BioWare confirmed that multiplayer is coming - more details in the next week]

[Update 2: BioWare details the 4-player co-op in Mass Effect 3]

For now, check out the PCPP cover and take note of Shepard's uglified face:

Mass Effect 3 releases for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on March 6, 2012.

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Source: PCPP