It’s been awhile now since BioWare teased its fans with a screenshot and the internet clamored to the belief that it was indeed for Mass Effect 3. Fortunately, with SCEE Russia continuing to support that rumor, fewer gamers felt the urge to continue to question the screenshot and just accepted the inevitable — that it most likely is for Mass Effect 3.

Now, JoyStiq is claiming that an inside source has confirmed to them that this screen is for the big reveal of Mass Effect 3 that will take place at the Spike TV’s Video Game Awards 2010 show this Saturday, December 11th. Furthermore, it is to be believed that ME3 will include a multiplayer element as well — something that will be a first for the franchise, but long overdue (despite my love for SP action).

If ME3 offers up multiplayer opportunities, I’m hoping that BioWare can come up with some interesting scenarios to implement it and not just throw in the standard Team DM and DM and be done with it. I think there are a lot of possibilities with the Mass Effect universe that BioWare could take advantage of.

Would you guys be fans of Mass Effect including multiplayer into its third installment?