Mass Effect 3's Co-op Is Part Of "Project $10"

Bioware's newest installation of Mass Effect will feature the strange, albeit welcome edition of Multiplayer. While many of the finer details of the games multiplayer have yet to be release, EA has stated that the game will be affected by it's "EA Online Pass" scheme wherein you must purchase the multiplayer add-on if you bought the game used. For those who buy it new, the game will come with a redemption code on the inside of the case.

The full press release is below, where Bioware also clarified that it is not Commander Shepard and his crew that will be featured in multiplayer. The multiplayers story arc is different, but is still within the Mass Effect canon.

BioWare Unveils Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War System Featuring Series Debut of Multiplayer 

Fight the Galactic War from New Fronts and Platforms Including Four-Player Co-Operative Multiplayer 

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Earth has been captured, the galaxy is on the verge of total extinction, and it's up to you as Commander Shepard to assemble the counter offensive and take Earth back. Award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced today that multiplayer will be coming to the critically-acclaimed Mass Effect™ series for the very first time as part of the new Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system. With the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, players will fight for the survival of the galaxy against an ancient alien race known only as, Reapers, in both the single player campaign and through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications. Progress made in each of the components of the system, including the new multiplayer mode, will directly link back to the player's main campaign, helping Commander Shepard rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3. The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. 

"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 customization options, but it will give players another way to help the war effort against the Reapers in the main event -- the single player campaign."
Featuring four-player cooperative gameplay, multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 puts players in the role of a team of elite Special Forces soldiers sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers. Players will have the option of playing as one of six classes and from six different races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian. 

Multiplayer and other components of the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system provide alternative ways for players to wage the final war against the Reapers. The new system will also connect players to their BioWare Social Network accounts to stay up to date on the latest Mass Effect 3 news and access downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons.
The Mass Effect franchise is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, having earned over 200 awards worldwide. Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012. For more information on Mass Effect 3, please visit http://masseffect.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect or "like" the game on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect.

Dungeon Siege 3 "Treasures of the Sun" Out In October

MjolnirX - Dungeon Siege 3 will be getting some fancy new expansions that sound just downright great. The new expansion is titled "Treasures of the Sun". It'll be available on both the Xbox 360 for 800MP and the PS3 for $9.99.

New features include raising the level cap from level 30 to level 35, re-allocation of your talent and proficiency points that can be moved around to better suit your new level cap, and a new enhancing system also lets you boost your armor for the new dungeons.

Press Release:

DUNGEON SIEGE III Downloadable Content Details Revealed

DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN Adds Hours of Hack 'n' Slash Gameplay, New Story Arc and Action-Packed Quests

LOS ANGELES (September 1, 2011) - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, announced today a robust downloadable content (DLC) pack for DUNGEON SIEGE® III will be available in October. Introducing several additional hours of gameplay, players will enjoy more of the World of Ehb with DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN™ as it offers a brand new plot arc, additional quests, new enemies and tons more loot.

In DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN, players will extend their journey and travel beyond the borders of Ehb to an all-new environment: the Aranoi Desert. On their search for a lost Legion hero, players will fight through hordes of new villains only to find a forgotten abbey hiding a long-lost secret: the greatest treasure of the Azunite faith.

Further supporting the hours of new content in the expansion, developer Obsidian Entertainment has introduced several refinements to the systems and mechanics of DUNGEON SIEGE III:

New abilities: Players will be able to attain mastery of the arcane through powerful new attack, defense and healing abilities.

Level up to 35: DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN will further power up players by raising DUNGEON SIEGE III's existing level cap from 30 to 35.

More monsters and items: Players will encounter new monsters in the Aranoi Desert-including mummies and giant skeletons-and will find more powerful items, adding to the thousands already available in DUNGEON SIEGE III.

Reallocate Talent & Proficiency Points: Players can reallocate points spent in Proficiencies and Talents, enabling changes to character customization throughout the campaign.

New Enchanting System: Transmuting items now gives players chances at gaining powerful new Vials that allow them to enhance their weapons and armor through the DLC's new enchanting system.

DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN is anticipated for release in October for $9.99. Players can download the DLC via Steam® (Windows PC), Xbox LIVE online entertainment network (Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft) and the PlayStation®Network.


About DUNGEON SIEGE III

DUNGEON SIEGE III is now available at retailers in North America for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system and Windows PC via Steam. DUNGEON SIEGE III is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. For more information about DUNGEON SIEGE III, please visit the official website at www.dungeonsiege.com or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DungeonSiege3.

About Obsidian Entertainment

Obsidian Entertainment is an entertainment software development company passionately dedicated to making high quality role playing games for Windows PC and console systems. Obsidian was founded in 2003 by five game development veterans who've produced, programmed and/or designed award-winning role playing games for a variety of platforms over the last 15 years: Feargus Urquhart, Chris Parker, Darren Monahan, Chris Avellone and Chris Jones. Obsidian Entertainment's Web site can be found at http://www.obsidian.net.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 58 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na/.

DUNGEON SIEGE III © 2011 SQUARE ENIX, INC. All Rights Reserved. DUNGEON SIEGE,DUNGEON SIEGE III: TREASURES OF THE SUN, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, FINAL FANTASY, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TOMB RAIDER and TAITO are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix Group. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT is a registered trademark of Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. STEAM is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation.