Mass Effect: Andromeda Multiplayer Maps Will Be Free, Get Huge Bonuses Without Playing

The release date for the upcoming Mass Effect: Andromeda game is almost here, but it would seem that BioWare is not done sharing the good news yet. Continuing what it started with Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer feature, maps will be made available to players for free. In addition, players will also get a chance to gain huge bonus content without ever having to participate in multiplayer.

Multiplayer is a video game market that has almost eclipsed single player titles in the industry, which explains why studios like BioWare are investing heavily on the feature. The multiplayer aspect of the third game of the first Mass Effect trilogy was a huge hit, not least because it provided players with a huge advantage when finishing the game. The free maps definitely contributed to its popularity, as well, Destructoid notes.

With Andromeda, the studio is picking up where it left off in terms of the trend it started, with General Manager Aaryn Flynn announcing on Twitter that maps for the feature would be free. In addition, much like how the multiplayer component of Mass Effect 3 affected the game’s outcome in the early days, the multiplayer in Andromeda will also tie in with the solo campaign mode via unlockable content.

As GameSpot points out, the multiplayer is not at all necessary to complete the main game. The only things that players will really get out of it are some extra experience points and a few non-essential items. As such, anyone who doesn’t like online multiplayer components doesn't have to play it if they find the option tedious.

It would seem that BioWare is well aware of these types of players, which is why it is giving them a way to still get the bonuses without having to actually play in multiplayer. According to what Fernando Melo, the game’s producer said on his Tweet, players can instead send Strike Teams to accomplish their goals.

If the teams are successful, the players get bonuses. If not, the players don’t lose much.