150°

Mass Effect 3 on PC requires one-time Internet connection; no local co-op

Will ME3 require an internet connection for each launching of the SP game, or will it retain ME2′s single verification method?

Mass Effect 3 PC will require the internet connection when you initially launch and authorize it but then you will no longer require the connection.

Will local co-op be supported? (ie local split screen, PC-LAN)

At the time of release, no. However it is definitely on the table as something we might add

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blog.bioware.com
Godmars2904968d ago

Would say its kind of odd that Bioware isn't offering local co-op or split screen on PC or consoles, but with all the BS they're spewing in general just to cover the addition of multiplayer I can see why they'd be too busy... :/

Charmers4968d ago

They still haven't answered the REAL question that PC gamers want answering though. That question is "will Origin be required for Mass Effect 3 ?". The fact Bioware keeps stalling and making excuses about not answering this question leads me to believe it will require Origin.

As for Co-op I couldn't care less about any aspect of the shoe horned in "herp derp we want the COD crowd to buy this game" multiplayer.

limewax4968d ago

It is needed. It even utilises Origin on consoles confirmed via the leaked 360 build

Charmers4968d ago

No it is NOT needed, I did not need to install Origin for Mass Effect 1, nor did I need to install Origin for Mass Effect 2 so I see no reason why all of a sudden "it is needed" for me to play Mass Effect 3.

BTW Origin is NOT utilised on the consoles. What you saw in the leaked beta was the need to sign in with your EA account which has been renamed as an "origin" account.

Raf1k14968d ago

@Charmers, the same could have been said about Battlefield 3 and the fact that BF:BC2 did not require Origin. The fact is EA is pushing Origin and Mass Effect 3 is a good way of getting more people using it and in turn making it more appealing for other publishers to have their games on it too.

ninjahunter4968d ago

Lol, origin is such a terrible service, if the make people use it their going to stop buying EA games.
Well its not that terrible
(even though the overlay can make games crash *battlefield*)

x8004968d ago

if it comes with origin the game could kiss my arse goodbye.
and why do we need internet connect just to play the sp? game will get cracked 1st day and it will require nothing but a pc to run it.

ninjahunter4968d ago

You dont need it to play, you just need it the first time you play to 'activate' it. And if its like ME2 and persistent you can just turn off the EA login.

80°

Inside the ‘Dragon Age’ Debacle That Gutted EA’s BioWare Studio

The latest game in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series went through ten years of development turmoil

In early November, on the eve of the crucial holiday shopping season, staffers at the video-game studio BioWare were feeling optimistic. After an excruciating development cycle, they had finally released their latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the early reception was largely positive. The role-playing game was topping sales charts on Steam, and solid, if not spectacular, reviews were rolling in.

HyperMoused4d ago

Its easy they called the die hard fans people in their nerd caves who will buy anything and then went woke to reach modern audiences....insulting the nerds in their caves along the way showing utter contempt for their fan base. very hapy it failed and any company who insults their fan base and treat their customers with contempt and insults, in future, i also hope fail.

neutralgamer19924d ago

It’s disappointing but not surprising to see what's happening with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the broader situation at BioWare. The layoffs are tragic — no one wants to see talented developers lose their jobs. But when studios repeatedly create games that alienate their own fanbase, outcomes like this become unfortunately predictable.

There’s a pattern we’re seeing far too often: beloved franchises are revived, only to be reshaped into something almost unrecognizable. Changes are made that no one asked for, often at the expense of what originally made these games special. Then, when long-time fans express concern or lose interest, they’re told, “This game might not be for you.” But when those same fans heed that advice and don’t buy the game, suddenly they're labeled as toxic, sexist, bigoted, or worse.

Let’s be clear: the overwhelming majority of gamers have no issue with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, or strong female leads. In fact, some of the most iconic characters in gaming — like Aloy, Ellie, or FemShep — are proof that inclusivity and excellent storytelling can and do go hand in hand. The issue arises when diversity feels performative, forced, or disconnected from the narrative — when characters or themes are inserted not to serve the story, but to satisfy a corporate DEI checklist. Audiences can tell the difference.

When studios chase approval from a vocal minority that often doesn’t even buy games — while simultaneously dismissing loyal fans who actually do — they risk not just the success of individual titles, but the health of their entire studio. Telling your core customers “don’t buy it if you don’t like it” is not a viable business strategy. Because guess what? Many of us won’t. And when the game fails commercially, blaming those very fans for not supporting it is both unfair and self-defeating.

Gamers aren’t asking for less diversity or less progress. We’re asking for better writing, thoughtful character development, and a respect for the franchises we’ve supported for decades. When you give people great games that speak to them — whether they’re old fans or new players — they will show up. But if you keep making games for people who don’t play them, don’t be surprised when those who do stop showing up

Armaggedon3d ago

I thought the writing and character development were fine. Sometimes things just dont resonate with people.

70°

BioWare Co-Founder’s Dream: Transforming EA from Within Through SWTOR Success

BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk reveals his unrealized dream of transforming EA from within, with hopes pinned on SWTOR’s success.

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swtorstrategies.com
LordoftheCritics112d ago (Edited 112d ago )

for us gamers

Dragon Age 4: A Dream Unrealized

SWTOR was a great game on a bad engine.

JunonZanon111d ago

Agreed, SWTOR still has some of the best dialogue from any Star Wars work. I think we all miss this old Bioware the most.

210°

Mark Darrah: stop harassing devs because you don't know what caused "the thing that you're mad at"

Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah says "be a human being, have some empathy."
Fans don't know who is actually to blame.
Darrah throws up a hypothetical that someone might not like how an actor delivered a line. Sure, it could well be down to the actor, but it also might be down to who was directing them, how the writer asked their work to be delivered, or maybe that was the only take they got.

Read Full Story >>
gamesradar.com
-Foxtrot117d ago

This line from the video though

"Maybe the CEO of the entire company really wanted his nephew to be hired as a script consultant and this guy with literally zero experience was coming in and pushing for mandatory changes"

Like others have said that seems far too specific to just be an example...

Eonjay116d ago

Exactly. And the crazy part about this is that the people there just doing their job and trying to make a living are the one's getting hurt and losing their jobs. I am also not a fan of targeting specific individuals. Its poor form. These are video games.

RiseNShine116d ago

If only there was a single problem with this game, it was a train wreck waiting to crash and burn.

thorstein116d ago (Edited 116d ago )

As usual, common sense falls on deaf ears. I mean, he thinks this article is about Dragon Age Veilguard. He rejects logic and evidence.

What possible logic or evidence can you provide to convince him otherwise.

Notellin115d ago

The community has spoken and would like for you to stop instead.

Armaggedon115d ago (Edited 115d ago )

@Thorstein

Cant expect people to see reason now a days.

@Notellin
Sure. Go ahead and bury yourselves beneath your own ignorance.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 115d ago
thorstein116d ago

This article isn't about that game.

Gamingsince1981115d ago

Veilguard was complete trash though anyway.

Notellin115d ago

Then don't use it for the thumbnail. It's misleading on purpose to draw this reaction.

thorstein115d ago

Or...I don't know... read the article.

staticall116d ago

Personally, i think we should always blame and criticize the management (especially top management; like with EA - every screw up should be blamed on Andrew Wilson and his goons). They're the ones with the power, the ones who have the last say in the matter - whatever is the plot details, gameplay, microtransactions, budget and «It's ok that it's buggy and crashes constantly, release the game ASAP, we'll fix it later».

Harrasement is not ok in my book, although, nowadays, many people paint every type of criticism (whatever warranted or not) as harrasement. Which is a very narrowminded and waters down actual harrasement problems. But, i guess, it makes it easier to ignore everything bad you see aimed towards yourself.

I would also like to add, that this topic is a double-edged sword, some developers are being mean to their customers, calling them names or any sort of -isms, that happens. In that case, don't be surprised, that, when you're «firing shots», customers are «shooting back» at you.

SimpleDad116d ago

We do want better games, and we get them by criticizing bad ones.

Eonjay116d ago

No you don't. Everything is criticized by somebody these days. By that logic everything is bad. Thats just more fuel for the echo chamber. The way you get games you want is by supporting the types of games you want by buying them. You want more games like Astrobot? Buy Astrobot. Recommend it to others. Its not about bashing what you don't like. its about supporting what you do like. Money talks.

SimpleDad116d ago

Absolutely, I buy my games cause subscriptions are also part of the problem. I don't criticize myself personally, but by observing criticism by others, I avoid purchasing games with problems.

TheColbertinator116d ago

No we don't. FIFA and Madden get criticized every year and the games get worse and more overpriced.

Christopher116d ago

Lack of profit is the only way to do it, but people are fine buying shit games every day, just not the shit games we talk about regularly here. We distract ourselves with this stupid 'social mirage' issue and the corporations get to keep doing less and less but selling it for more and more.

Armaggedon116d ago

“Better game” with big air quotes. What you like more, makes more sense.

Gamingsince1981115d ago

Says the only guy in the world that likes vanguard, I bet you like avowed aswell huh

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 115d ago
leahcim116d ago

Empathy has no value when it comes to killing a franchise loved by thousands.

Eonjay116d ago

Empathy always has value when dealing with other human beings. This includes empathy towards the fans who feel scorned and the devs who worked their asses off.

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