VIDEO: Mass Effect Andromeda multiplayer gameplay (Alpha Test Footage)

"Early Alpha"

I guess alpha's these days have shadows, final textures, UI and fully functional gameplay elements.

Real alpha footage would never see the light of day it would be so ugly. Can they just call it what it is and not lie to us? Like, the only reason you put that tag on is so that people who scour the video and see any boo-boos can get shouted down by people who don't know what alpha footage is saying "ITS FRIGGIN' EARLY ALPHA. SHUT UP. IT'LL BE FINE"

It hit an absurd extreme with DAI where they claimed that basically every bit of pre-release footage was their "pre-alpha" build for the game.

As for the video:
I'm less cranky about the prestige system after that explanation.

I'm more curious about level design and how much influence it took from DAIMP

That's literally the opposite of what they said.

2:55 "Even if you're using the same EA account to log in, it's still going to be tracked per platform."

This has been independently stated on Twitter as well. Progress is not synced across all platforms.

What level design cues could they take from Dragon Age? Dragon Age was more Gauntlet, Mass Effect is more Halo Firefight.

I'm sure there'd be some maps with room to room segments, but they have to make use of the hover mechanic, so I'm sure most things will either be in large interiors or outside environments.

As long as it isn't "content" complete (which includes features as well as all kinds of content) it's usually an alpha. And even if it is "content" complete it can remain an alpha as long as certain mechanics/aspects are still under evaluation and might be subject to change. 

Just because you didn't see any parts that are still under construction (that includes the SP since it's all one big package) doesn't mean there aren't any. 

This is the first Multiplayer video out there thus far. I waited eagerly to se something like this and I am glad we finally have a brief video with some relevant pieces of information. Now this still is edited material; it is nowhere like having the devs sitting on a room, playing it in real time and getting kicked in the butt, but it is something; all the got thus far.

Firstly we see something which was supposed to be the case anyway and we could all anticipate: Characters will have only 3 powers to choose from. This is not the same as having 3 powers with you to bring to battle (as some SP whiners have whined about), but actually having nothing but 3 powers to create your 'builds'. I think this is a very limited design that reduces build diversity to virtually 1 per character. Take the Human Infiltrator as an example: Tactical Cloak, Sticky Grenades and Incinerate. There isn't room for experimenting here. Now one can argue that powers evolution are different, but all they have to offer are incremental changes; the core of the build is the same, and whatever you come up with will look and feel just like everyone else's builds. If we have say 5 or 6 powers to choose from but only 3 to bring to battle, things would have been different - they would be closer to DAMP's model which is much richer in diversity.

The video also shows we are having N7 Ultra Rare cards for characters. I wonder how this (likely RNG) system will work, but I just hope it is nothing like the grindfest of ME3. I would much prefer a non-RNG system, especially for characters. But I guess we will only be able to clarify on that when people start playing Early Access and see how the Loot Packs are.

As for the rest, I like and the welcome the idea of unique voices, names and bantering for the characters. It makes them feel far less generic and the overall experience of Multiplayer more engaging. Moreover, I am starting to kinda like the idea of Prestige, but I strongly believe it must be capped at a relatively low level.

Indeed. That is why there is no build diversity in ME3MP either - except for very few characters (Talon Merc, N7 Shadow, Geth Trooper), most do not have two builds that work fundamentally differently from one another.  Leaving out 1 out of 3 powers does not make a new build, it just imposes limitations to an existing one.

DAMP had a smarter design, in which one character could be built in several different ways since you had several powers to choose but could take a limited number (4) - a model closer to how it works in single player for both ME and DA games.  I wish MEAMP would be closer to that.

Actually that isn't correct. Alpha means features haven't been fully completed, it doesn't refer to how good the game looks. Alpha builds can look stunning but tend to lack in the mechanic department. 

Beta means the game is feature complete, but isn't polished. Usually it means its unoptimised and rough around the edges.

Anyway, as for the video Im pretty effing excited. It looks very similar to ME3 MP but with more polish and a much better movement system. Cant wait to try it out.

It was a closed alpha. They were going to have the beta but cancelled it. This is the alpha for multiplayer, not the alpha for the game.

I like the color slider. Much better than ME3's version. I can't stand the HUD in this game. I know its close to ME3, but its a bit over the top IMO. I love how they bring up romancing MP characters. It's almost as if they have no clue when they are being trolled.

Fitness is by no means necessary to survive even on the highest difficulties. Anyone that's decent at the game will tell you that going over 3 in fitness is not worth it, unless you are a Drell or a Juggernaut (where it is essential to get Fitness to 6), or if your character has an armor power (Barrier, Tech Armor, Blade Armor, Fortification), where you can split between fitness and the armor power based on personal preference. I have a lot of friends that just simply skip Fitness on non-Drells, even I used to do that at one point.

Maxing fitness is only good if you are still a beginner and have trouble avoiding damage. After you learn a bit about the game you can unleash the full potential of your characters by maxing all powers, which makes the game much more enjoyable.

Not at all looking forward to prestige levels à la DA:I. I hope they're capped somewhere fairly low, otherwise it just creates a massive power imbalance between players as well as encouraging literally endless grinding.

The colour wheel is definitely an improvement!

Haven't watched the video yet, but if the characters are unique (named and voiced), does that mean it'll be the same as DA:I? I would like never before if that's the case, since while the idea is fun, even DA:I's lead MP dev said he regretted that approach since it made it much more difficult to release new characters, and interest in the game dwindled