EA details Mass Effect 3 Online Pass

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 12 October, 2011

Multiplayer, BioWare Social Network.

The recently announced Mass Effect 3 multiplayer mode is accessed via the Online Pass code included in every new copy of the game, EA has announced.

The new Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, unveiled this week, is activated once the code found in the Online Pass is entered. Buy the game second hand, and you'll have to buy the Online Pass to access the Galaxy at War.

Players use Galaxy at War in both the single-player campaign and "through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications". They will be on iOS devices and Facebook, as revealed earlier today.

Galaxy at War also connects players to their BioWare Social Network accounts to access downloadable content and add-ons.

"The theme of galactic war in Mass Effect 3 presents us with the perfect opportunity to introduce multiplayer into the Mass Effect series," said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series.

"Multiplayer not only features amazing combat and deep customisation options, but it will give players another way to help the war effort against the Reapers in the main event - the single player campaign."

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer, created predominantly by BioWare Montreal, is a four-player co-op mode. You play an elite Special Forces soldier sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers.

Six classes are available, and six races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (60) Latest comment 4 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • ruisranne #1 4 months ago

    Shocker :)

  • Phoenisis #2 4 months ago

    through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications

    I'm not sure they could make gaming sound more soulless if they tried.

  • roquey Verified Lead Quality Assurance Tester and Compliance Specialist, Universally Speaking #3 4 months ago

    so basically if you dont want multiplayer, buy it preowned.

  • Hunam #4 4 months ago

    I was started to get excited about all this MP stuff till I remembered the massive waste of time that Dead Space 2 MP was.

  • patch #5 4 months ago

    So how much of the Galaxy At War system is available to Live Silver account holders? Do I need to upgrade to Gold to use it?

  • Dizzy #6 4 months ago

    Fuck off EA.

    Why do I need this in single player?????

    >so basically if you dont want multiplayer, buy it preowned.

    Errr... no. It seems it will be required in single player as well.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/11 @ 17:41

  • Platinum_2011 #7 4 months ago

    So all this mumbo jumbo to tell us we're gonna need to be always online to play a single-player game? You fail so bad at hidding drm bioware.

  • digoutyoursoul #8 4 months ago

    no quarian to play as?

  • TheRealBadabing #9 4 months ago

    Good question patch, don't want to buy a Gold sub to fully enjoy a single player game. Too many questions at this stage, seems like EA/Bioware are determined to create their own FUD.

    I'm a big fan and have bought almost every piece of DLC in the series but having MP affect my single player experience is seriously making me reconsider finishing the story.

  • Nova1977 #10 4 months ago

    Yeah, I guess if you want to make a point to a videogame publisher these days, buy pre-owned.

  • RevanNL #11 4 months ago

    So are we getting Mass Effect 3, a sequel to a great RPG/shooter hybrid or is this going to be a Gears of War clone?

  • DozyKipper #12 4 months ago

    Friggin hell. Another bleedin' social network to join to get the DLC on PC. Sod that.

  • MaxFN #13 4 months ago

    Give Mass Effect back to Microsoft! At least they do not force Bioware to do stupid shit like iOS devices and Facebook applications, or cut game to pieces and sell those pieces as DLC's or multipayer, MULTIPLAYER IN MASS EFFECT FOR CHRIST SAKE! THAT WAS MY WORST NIGHTMARE!

  • v.profane #14 4 months ago

    What a tonne of bullshit. I'll end up buying the super duper edition for Ł3.50 out of completionism, but after ME2 and all of this extraneous bollocks I think I'd be better off just considering ME1 a self contained game.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/11 @ 18:26

  • loboMuerto #15 4 months ago

    Multiplayer, social networks, iOS... The Marketing suits have been busy at Bethesda.

    Doesn't work for me, though; I don't like distractions in one of the best single player games this generation.

  • Gaol #16 4 months ago

    I'm buying a pubed copy from Game in protest. I have NO interest in a 'Bioware Social Network'.

  • gribb #17 4 months ago

    WTF is BioWare Pulse and how do I kill it?

  • vmanb #18 4 months ago

    I've never had a pre owned game with pubes as extra, just saying

  • Sodding_Gamer #19 4 months ago

    So the masses of people that didn't want this feature at all, can just wait a few months and pick this up for a tenner. Smooth move Bioware/EA!

  • MaxFN #20 4 months ago

    buy preowned Mass Effect 3 and send letter to Bioware with 60$ inside and the words: Fuck EA!

  • coomber #21 4 months ago

    Give Mass Effect back to Microsoft!

    No! Then they would fill it full of Kinect shite instead, which would be even worse.

    Multiplayer, social networks, iOS... The Marketing suits have been busy at Bethesda.

    What have Bethesda got to do with this? Do you mean Bioware?

  • MaxFN #22 4 months ago

    coomber, actually there is a Kinect integration in Mass Effect 3, you can command your squad by voice and say what you choose to answer in dialogs, this is very cool! Only if Kinect price tag was lower...

  • GiarcYekrub #23 4 months ago

    Android?

  • Sharzam #24 4 months ago

    Makes sense, the more i see retailers screwing over developers/publishers (see HMVs annocement today) the more i have started to side with online passes.

    After all how does it benefit EA if you buy it pre owned, if anything it costs them money due to server usage.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/11 @ 19:45

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #25 4 months ago

    Wow they actually tried to sell a negative point to there new game as a positive press release.

  • anomagnus #26 4 months ago

    Does anyone even understand the word optional anymore.

    I wonder what happened to gamers, when being presented with more became a bad thing.

    Here's your game sir, with something else, if you want it, and, if you don't, you can can just leave it. Response. Well, have a look at some of the responses here.

  • jablonski #27 4 months ago

    Gamers love Mass Effect. Gamers spend a lot of money supporting it and ensuring a sequel gets made.
    Sequel is released and it's exactly what we want. Our loyalty makes EA money.

    So what exactly is driving EA to giving us a completely different game to finish the trilogy, than the one we want and deserve?
    If they do indeed want to turn it into a mass market clone which will rake in the money, couldn't they at least finish off the trilogy first that we have fucking earned with our loyalty?

  • funkateer #28 4 months ago

    Online pass: Way to promote your multi-player mode that nobody asked for.

  • VibratingDonkey #29 4 months ago

    So you need to purchase a pass in order to be allowed to purchase DLC? Not having a pass will also restrict singleplayer somehow?

  • Ironic_War_Criminal #30 4 months ago

    If the social network has a feature where it shows a big flashing banner with "THIS PLAYER IS TRYING TO ROMANCE TALI" if they try it, it's a worthwhile addition.

    Seriously, ewww

  • lavalant #31 4 months ago

    Bioware "EA let us do our own thing and don't interferer" Bullshit.

  • strangerism #32 4 months ago


    since we live in a 'connected' age, there will never be such a thing as the 'single player game' or offline game experience. It's like making black and white movies these days, commercially they are not gonna be the winners. In the business world all that matters is to be the winner against peers. These days Bioware is a business company and Mass Effect it is a successful 'franchise'. A potential weapon of mass destruction so to speak.

    As I played both games so far, all I can say is that the only remarkable thing was the story, the universe, and the characters they created in this saga. the gameplay for me was just the tool to keep the whole narration and experience going. I will surely buy the 3rd game and try the multiplayer even if i never cared to shoot things in this game. I just hope they don't make the story too cheesy just because they want to win their damn business war.

  • evarofzentral #33 4 months ago

    But I want to play as a volus!

  • ShiroBen #34 4 months ago

    This is all so very depressing.

  • Machiavellian #35 4 months ago

    So you need to purchase a pass in order to be allowed to purchase DLC? Not having a pass will also restrict singleplayer somehow?

    Ok, am I missing something. There is a multiplayer component to Mass Effect which from my understand can be access in singleplayer.

    The first question which probably is a no is that if I am not hooked up to XBL and purchase the game I cannot play the game in singleplayer. If the answer is no then I really do not see where the bitching is coming from.

    Lets be honest, the developers nor publishers get nothing for the 2nd hand market so why would they support it. If you do not want to play for the Online pass, buy the game new or discounted or wait for the game of the year addition etc. The multiplayer component for a Action RPG sounds like a nice addition but definitely not on order of a Battlefield 3, COD, Gears of War. I guess I do not see a problem because I always planned on purchasing the game new, weather discounted or game of the year edition ect. I do not care about the multiplayer and as long as the singleplayer gives a fulfilled experience than everything else is just butter.

  • SheffAl #36 4 months ago

    I think theres the answer - just don't buy EA games. To be honest I won't miss playing them, I will be too busy having fun with Skyrim.

  • Number1Laing #37 4 months ago

    I loved ME2. But this can fuck right off.

  • 32768Colours #38 4 months ago

    If its anything like the Cerberus Network, I presume the only single player element to come from the online pass thing will be a load of pointless news reports and a bunch of "dlc" that's been arbitrarily locked from anyone who hasn't activated a pass. So if you buy second hand, you'll lose out in that respect. Gotta love gaming in 2011 :\

    I wouldn't worry though. Unless you're so obsessed that you must buy this on day one, just wait 3-6 months. You'll be able to buy it brand spanking new for under Ł20. You can get the ME2 new for a tenner now, and its no less a game for it.
    Edited by 1 at 13/10/11 @ 00:07

  • FortysixterUK #39 4 months ago

    I just wanted to play single player, without going online, and conclude the story. Is this going to happen now?

  • VicViper #40 4 months ago

    Calm down people, first off its been repeated numerous times that the affect that the MP has on the single player is an optional one you can still achieve this via the single player quests whatever and still get the best ending without ever going into the MP.

    Pretty much every EA game in recent months has had the online pass so is this such a huge surprise? people weren't expecting this really?

    Personally if I get to run with a four Korgan crew co-op style with my friends I'm thinking I might have a lot of fun, just saying, maybe the the MP will be awesome. Mass Effect has been one of the best game series in a long time getting better with each one, I'm giving Bioware the benefit of the doubt with this one. I need to see how my Shepherd's story ends.

  • Inmediasress #41 4 months ago

    @VicViper

    Well you see they always say a lot of thigns and half of it isn't true so yes I'd assume that they are trying to force you some way or the other to play MP in your Sp game.
    We will know for sure once it goes live but frankly I won't be buying it.
    Not just because of the Mp but to me so far it seems like a rather boring shooter with very limited and diluted rpg elements.

  • mushroomyakuza #42 4 months ago

    You know what, it could be okay. Seriously.

    But they should totally include Quarian, Geth and Volus as playable.

  • Gearskin #43 4 months ago

    Yawn. These comments sections are boring. Why don't you just sh*t yourselves for real?

  • Jay-ITFC #44 4 months ago

    The idea of connecting a Mass Effect game to 'Facebook' brings a little bit of sick up in to my mouth.

  • Madder-Max #45 4 months ago

    "coomber, actually there is a Kinect integration in Mass Effect 3, you can command your squad by voice and say what you choose to answer in dialogs, this is very cool! Only if Kinect price tag was lower... "

    You give voice commands through the heaset in other games. kinect is pointless

  • roquey Verified Lead Quality Assurance Tester and Compliance Specialist, Universally Speaking #46 4 months ago

    @Dizzy i think youl find if you want to mmake it easier you have it in MP but you dont need MP to to be able to do it in singleplayer. that would be fucked up. kthnx

  • hiscore #47 4 months ago

    Next step: the OFFLINE Pass. Surely, you can see in the statement that it wants to go that way.. a formal online registration of your game. At this time it's called an ONLINE pass, but I predict it will just be a PASS in the near future. They want you always to be online when playing (drm) + they want you to buy NEW games. As simple as that.

  • SheffAl #48 4 months ago

    @hiscore
    I can see this too, they will certainly try it. I wonder what the people who 'don't mind' the Online Pass will think of that..

  • SheffAl #49 4 months ago

    @hiscore
    I can see this too, they will certainly try it. I wonder what the people who 'don't mind' the Online Pass will think of that..

  • MisterCraig #50 4 months ago

    Sigh...

  • Nova1977 #51 4 months ago

    @mushroomyakuza
    the Volus, Quarian and Geth class will be made available as DLC along with new armour, weapons and maps. Though I suspect EAware will turn that into a weapons pack, armour pack, race pack and a map pack also maybe a ship pack, planet pack so they can make some extra bucks from that. How about make up and hairstyle pack for femshep and beard pack for male shep.

  • Vedfolner #52 4 months ago

    The usual crap it is then - and yet another game I won't be buying.

  • VicViper #53 4 months ago

    @Immediadress
    Well if they're flat out lying/mid leading to us that's going to be pretty bad I would hope that's not the case. Mass effect has been a shooter though looking back the Rpg elements weren't that elaborate and they are bringing back the weapons mods in this one.

  • Madder-Max #54 4 months ago

    Battlecod Effect of war!!

  • kingcam07 #55 4 months ago

    I'll be playing as a Drell primarily.

    Also, you people are pathetic whiners.
    Edited by 1 at 13/10/11 @ 10:54

  • geeza2020 #56 4 months ago

    And you are a sheep. See, I can call people names too.

  • telboy007 #57 4 months ago

    Hurrah people have more stuff to moan and rage about, go internet!

    "Six classes are available, and six races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian."

    Don't worry everyone, more will be available via DLC!

  • ShovelyJoe #58 4 months ago

    @ Strangerism

    I can't be bothered to list all the recent amazing films that have been released in black and white - Clerks, Sommers Town and La Haine will do as prime examples though. If you haven't seen them then I suggest you clear your schedule for this evening and prepare to be dazzled.

    The reason fewer films are released in B & W is because it is actually more expensive than doing it in colour. And because some people are afraid of experimenting - kind of like the idiots who refuse to watch films with subtitles.

  • omniscient #59 4 months ago

    Nothing is perfect which means that, Mass Effect 3 could have spent the resources for multiplayer getting closer to perfection for single player.

  • Wupti #60 4 months ago

    One thing I've learned lately.. Gamers seem to have the possibility to see in the future and can actually predict if a game is gonna suck or be brilliant.. Really guys?? Couldn't you use those special powers to bet on the next footy game and win a tonnes of money??? I know I would instead of bitching..