I think the 'meter' that is filled playing ME3 multiplayer might not be a visible meter, but rather one viewed by your progress through the seperate campain with your friends. I am excited to see this, there is indeed a seperate team (see the video) developing the multiplayer so it should not interrupt single player production. I think the addition will just give a new campaign for us to play, which I love. I have personally played ME1 twice and ME2 three or four times, so another extra campaign is welcome. Not to mention the ability to explore more worlds and play as other races. I think that this additon could turn out great and I look forward to it. as for playing as Joker- as it stands that would not be possible. How does an ill man replace Shepard? There would have to be some other substitute.
If they can rebuild Shepard from the bits and pieces left from him pretending to be a meteorite, surely they could cure Joker's ailment. Although, he doesn't have any of the other qualities that make Shepard a great leader/warrior, so I doubt they would use him as the replacement. Maybe they simply recreate Shepard again... third time's a charm.
I'd think this too, but then again Bioware don't seem to be the type to pull off the same thing over again. And I really can't see you playing as Joker, and having the same effect. If this is true, thank **** I have my both (IMO) perfect saves from Me1 and 2. I agree perfectly with every decision I made in ME1, and everyone survived for me in ME2, so I'm looking forward to this.
_EDIT- ( oh lol I didn't read that someone else brought up Jokers bone thing) Joker is partly handicapped dudes? remember he has some bone thing were his bones break easy? And I Mass Effect 2 I enjoyed. Chills run through every time they enter the omega 4 relay. A found Mass effect 1 to be boring compared to 2 but i played through it anyways. The books are good too!
They said in the past that if your shep died you played as a completely new character, so that it was a nice starting point for players new to the series.