Source: http://saveandquitgaming.com/xbox-360/mass-effect-3-to-have-three-different-singleplayer-modes/

Oops. It looks like someone over at Bioware goofed. Those who got into the Xbox 360 dashboard preview program found an option to download the “Mass Effect 3 Private Beta”. Well, that sure is a fun surpri- What? It’s not just the multiplayer Beta? It’s a huge chunk of the unfinished singleplayer campaign? Holy crap!

One user over at the GeoGAF forums started posting pictures of what he found. One picture stood out to us.

It looks like Mass Effect 3 will contain three different types of singleplayer campaigns. The three different options read as followed:

“Action Mode: For those who want to emphasize action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty.

Story Mode: For those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty.

RPG Mode: For those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty.”

It looks like there’s a Mass Effect for everyone!

There has been no word from EA or Bioware regarding this “Beta” but it is assumed that us common folk weren’t meant to see it.

UPDATE: Bioware has commented on the different modes:

“One feature that was present in this early build is a set of game play modes that are in development. In the beta code they are referred to as “action mode”, “story mode” and “RPG mode”. We want to stress that these features are still in the early stages of development and will receive considerable iteration and refinement. These modes are designed to give players an even finer degree of control over their game experience than ever before. Whether it be someone who finds the combat difficult but wants to experience the amazing story, someone who wants to focus on the action and combat game play, or fans who want the rich, story-driven RPG Mass Effect experience they’ve come to love – Mass Effect 3 will support all of these options. We’ll have more info in the days ahead!”

i LOVED Mass effect 1 for being an RPG, a lot of focus on exploration and tactics,

i hated Mass Effect 2 for being a shooter with a lot of focus on killing hordes of enemies until the time runs out, and another example is the boring (to me) Shooter cliche of throwing as much enemies as they can at you to make it more intense until you finish an objective ala hitting a switch.

even though i liked both games, i must say that i wish ME2 was less of a shooter and more of an RPG, i wanted them to actually improve on what they did on ME1 rather than change it compeletly and turn it into a shooter/action-y style RPG.

Well, that's a surprise! A welcome one I must say.

I liked both Mass Effect, but I was disappointed with the small RPG choices that were present in the second part. This will please those who prefer the style of ME 1 and those who prefer ME 2.

Personally, I'll play the RPG mode.

I don't know if I like this yet.

I'll take the Insane mode and full story options k thanks. That's what makes the game great. Challenging with tough enemies, and a great story with awesome conversations and choices. It should just be RPG. That's what it IS

Sounds like RPG is really the only way to go. For me, the story is brilliant but the action and gun-battles give it an extra edge. Seriously, who wants a galactic invasion fleet that takes little effort to damage and destroy? If you play it in story mode you might swell jus read a book. For those who would chose action mode, why did you bother buying the game???

While options are decent path for the companyto take. ( I have nothing against this per say).

However, I feel the bottom line is to make more games by bioware accessible, and if we look at Dragon Age II, the fans will not like bioware games being more "accessible".

Accessibility is a double edged sword. Loyal fans, might give up on the company, if they ever feel the product is declining. 

Fans don't like Dragon Age II because Bioware made the "Action Mode" the only way to play it.

The fact that most of us are saying that we will play the RPG mode proves that we want the option to play "as it should", and give the simple action game to those that are only looking for that.

While I agree, as I have nothing against this story or this case. I just fear the bottom line that seems to be focused on by Bioware for the future, infact I still fear Mass Effect 3 will be more action focused (I will still love the franchise, but I want more out of the RPG elements, that bioware can bring to the table). 

On another note I know I will always pick the RPG mode if given the option. 

Wow ... they are not even trying to hide the fact that they are placating the call of duty/mindless shooter crowd. If there is a Mass Effect 4, they will probably just do away with conversation choices and character/weapon customization of any kind. Mass Effect 5 will be a crossover with Gears of War.