It seems the multiplayer from Mass Effect 3 will have an impact on the gameplay of Andromeda.
In an interview with Gameinformer, Mass Effect Andromeda producer Fabrice Condominas spoke on how the multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 influenced the gameplay in Andromeda. The development team wanted to capture the unpredictability of multiplayer in single-player. “We did that with a number of mechanics, the most obvious one right away is the jump,” states Condominas. “It’s not a permanent rocket that you would have and can fly around. There is a beginning and an end to it.” The length of the jump will depend on when the player inputs the command, whether it is after a sprint or walk. Players will be able to hover, and will be able to increase the length of their jump and hover through progression.
This verticality also changes how cover works. “Obviously, you can jump above cover, for cover, you can have different stages of cover on a single layout,” Condominas states. The studio also took the idea of enemies spawning from different places. Now that there is a depth in the players movement from the added verticality, enemies will be able to spawn behind the player, or on their side. The idea is to keep up momentum, and to keep the player moving.
Condominas also stated that the team would find influence from other games, but would remain focused on their franchise to keep its identity. “For example, the squad play is key to Mass Effect,” says Condominas. “You have two squadmates with you, that hasn’t changed. And the way you handle that. But obviously it’s been five years. The industry has changed.” Condominas states that the stop and go aspect of a third-person shooter will not last for long. The studio is looking for responsiveness, and fast paced gameplay. The key is to balance the fun of the action with the depth of an RPG system.
Mass Effect Andromeda is set to release in Spring 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.