Mass Effect: Andromeda Multiplayer DLC Will Be Free
Premium story-based content has been a series staple since the first Mass Effect's "Bring Down the Sky" DLC launched in 2008, but if all you're interested in is multiplayer, don't worry. According to BioWare general manager Aaryn Flynn, Mass Effect: Andromeda's extra multiplayer content will be "just like [Mass Effect 3's]," i.e. totally and completely free.
Flynn didn't elaborate on what sort of multiplayer DLC BioWare has planned for the upcoming Mass Effect game. Mass Effect 3 received three separate updates with free multiplayer content, which added a total of seven new multiplayer maps to the game, in addition to six "hazard maps" that modified some of the game's original levels. Mass Effect 3's free DLC packs also added fresh gear, enemies, and weapons to the game.
In addition, Mass Effect: Andromeda producer Fernando Melo unveiled a new multiplayer feature called "Missions." With Missions, players can perform time-limited tasks that will reward them with both single-player and multiplayer content.
If you want the loot but don't want to engage in multiplayer competition, Melo says that you'll be able to dispatch "Strike Teams"—squads of non-player characters—to finish the missions for you. However you decide to tackle missions, the rewards will be exactly the same (aside from multiplayer or strike team-based experience points, as appropriate), making sure that players who aren't interested in sharing their Mass Effect experience won't feel left out.
According to Melo, Strike Team members can't be killed, but they'll receive negative traits if they fail missions. Traits—both positive and negative—can help determine the outcome of Strike Team missions, depending on the challenge's specific parameters.
BioWare hasn't said anything about what kind of single-player DLC it has planned for Andromeda, but if previous Mass Effect games are any indication, you'll probably have to shell out some cash to continue the game's story.
Mass Effect: Andromeda comes out on March 22, 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PCs. Hopefully, Mass Effect's story will make a little bit more sense this time around.