The multiplayer mode for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" will be closely weaved into its single-player story, and players will be able to switch between the two modes simultaneously, BioWare has confirmed. Producer Mike Gamble revealed that the online mode will be entirely optional.

In his interview with Kotaku, Gamble said that the "Strike Team" system will allow gamers "to go between single-player and multiplayer within the game... And it's packaged around a meta-story of what's going on in Helios." That would be the Helios cluster, the part of the Andromeda galaxy where all players' mission begins.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" lead designer Ian Frazier and BioWare producer Fernando Melo took to Twitter to shed light on the subject and clarified fan questions on the upcoming RPG's multiplayer mode. "You should be able to jump straight into mp if you wanted and not get sp spoiled," Melo replied, when asked if the multiplayer won't spoil the single-player story.

Unlike "Mass Effect 3," the "Mass Effect: Andromeda" meta-story can be completed without having to go MP. The previous game involved the process of playing multiplayer to improve a player's galactic readiness, which results to the best ending, at least before devs added the DLC.

According to Gamble, switching between the two modes is going to be seamless, and one does not need to quit to the main menu. Melo also said that multiplayer maps won't be gated by your progress, which means all maps will be available from the start.

Meanwhile, it won't be too long before "Mass Effect: Andromeda's" multiplayer test is live for all platforms. Frazier confirmed to a fan on Twitter that the beta could arrive before the end of the month.

Currently running at 1080p/30fps on PS4, "Mass Effect Andromeda" is due to arrive on March 2017. The game won't feature a Season Pass.