‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ Multiplayer Similar to ‘Mass Effect 3’ But With Microtransactions
Dragon Age: Inquisition for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC is already shaping up to be a massive game that will take some time to complete. BioWare revealed another way it plans to keep players coming back Tuesday with a co-op multiplayer mode that sounds similar to Mass Effect 3 at first glance but also includes elements of free-to-play business models instead of charging for DLC.
According to a multiplayer FAQ posted by BioWare, the studio took note of Mass Effect 3‘s four-player co-op multiplayer and spent over two years building a new experience for Dragon Age: Inquisition. While there are similarities between the two such as fast-paced matches that last 20-30 minutes, there are significant differences. For starters, the multiplayer will not affect any endings and is completely separate from the single-player campaign. Additionally, it tilts more towards dungeon exploring than facing down waves of enemies.
IGN’s first look at the Dragon Age: Inquistion multiplayer states that there will be three multiplayer campaigns at launch. Each will feature a large randomly made up of five pre-designed areas randomly generated from an assortment of ten. Each multiplayer adventure will feature a different collection of areas, enemies and loot consisting of gold coins and items.
There will be twelve multiplayer heroes at launch from the warrior, rogue, and mage classes that players will be able to choose from and develop. Each of those classes is further subdivided to sub-classes like the Legionnair and Reaver for the warrior class. All characters will have their own unique abilities, stats, and personalities, according to BioWare.
The characters can be further upgraded by purchasing treasure chests with gold that contain a random assortment of rewards like item recipes, equipment, potions, grenades and salves. Unneeded equipment can also be broken down to upgrade existing weapons or armor or craft all new equipment.
If you’ve played Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, the treasure chests are a similar concept to the shooter’s card packs. It’s also the crux of the free-to-play like business model for Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Players will have the choice to either grind for gold to purchase treasure chests and additional heroes or purchase Platinum with real-world money via micro-transactions to progress faster.
Interestingly,BioWare’s Scylla Costa told IGN, “Nothing is behind a paywall. We will never sell you an item.”
That statement is technically correct, but players will have to decide whether they want to spend time or money to progress their characters in multiplayer.
Dragon Age: Inquisition was recently pushed back to a November release for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
What do you think of BioWare’s multiplayer for Dragon Age: Inquisition? Is it something you want to try out or were you solely interested in the single-player? Sound off in the comments below.
[Image via Dragon Age]
