Thing is I dont really see how the combat system can allow a very engaging multiplayer experience.
Dont get me wrong I really enjoyed the battles in Xenoblade, but while playing it I never felt like it needed a multiplayer component.

Unless they tweak the combat more or allow for class branching then the online capabilities will just be simple things.

When does it come out in MURCA is my question

My worry is that the single played experience suffers because of this. If they can offer the same single player experience, i dont mind if theres co-operative quests or something of the sort.

I expect a monster hunter like multiplayer hub where you can take on group quests. Just... dont let the main game suffer because of this... please.

If it has online co op, I think it will be like Phantasy Star Online Eps 1 & 2 local multiplayer where the is no story, just that it will be online and is awesome.

2018 =P

In all seriousness, given this game has been planned for worldwide release from the get go (where as Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii it was more of an afterthought), I would bet on end of summer/beginning of autumn next year. It's releasing in spring in Japan so all that has to be done is localization.

If Monolith Soft created an online mode similar to what was on White Knight Chronicles, that'd be awesome.  Fans of WKC online would definitely jump at the purchase of a Wii U.