We know a lot of Mass Effect fans are either skeptical that the upcoming conclusion to the Commander Shepard trilogy will include a multiplayer component or are flat-out hoping that BioWare stuck to their story-focused, single player-only, formula.
However, despite BioWare routinely claiming that Mass Effect 3 will not include a multiplayer component, there has been a suspicious amount of evidence to the contrary - in the form of magazine leaks and job openings. Now, a South African retailer pre-order page for the Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition can be added to the list of either a) pre-announcement teases or b) misinformed retailers.
It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a developer has concealed the truth about an unannounced multiplayer component - either to set-up for a big reveal or to be sure that the added game mode is ready to disprove passionate fans who might be especially vocal about, and put-off by, multiplayer. In prior articles Game Rant readers have even called us out for reporting on rumors of Mass Effect 3 multiplayer - since apparently, when a developer makes a statement about an upcoming game, we're all expected to take it as irrefutable fact.
Check out the advertisement scan from South African retailer, BT Games:
Admittedly, we've seen similar ads (for other games) that turned out to be typos or contain rumored, not verified info, but the other items bulleted in the list are very specific - so it's not entirely fair to simply dismiss the ad altogether.
That said, it's easy to understand why many fans are worried and don't want to believe that Mass Effect 3 multiplayer is a possibility - no doubt BioWare games have been a welcome respite from the frantic and often times frustrating experience of online multiplayer.
But would optional online co-op in Mass Effect 3 truly ruin the experience? What about a horde-style co-op mode - similar to Gears of War 3? Given the supernatural abilities and various class-based weaponry in the Mass Effect universe, it's certainly possible that even skeptical players might find some added enjoyment out of potential multiplayer modes.
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Mass Effect 3 releases for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on March 6, 2012.
Source: [BioWare Forums via VG247]