UPDATE 27/08/2014 6.04pm: The first video of Dragon Age: Inquisition's co-op mode has emerged. What do you make of this optional, separate mode?

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ORIGINAL STORY 27/08/2014 1.37am: Dragon Age: Inquisition is going to have a four-player co-op mode, BioWare has announced.

Nobody expects the Dragon Age: Inquisition [multiplayer]!

Revealed on the developer's official Dragon Age: Inquisition FAQ, this will be a standalone mode separate from the story campaign.

This co-op mode will launch with 12 characters - three of each class (warrior, rogue and mage) - and more will be added over time. BioWare described this multiplayer mode as "an action-packed dungeon-crawling four-player co-op experience."

"Following the success of Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode, Dragon Age multiplayer includes fast-paced matches requiring strategic team gameplay while adding Inquisition's tactical class combat and extensive loot and crafting systems," BioWare explained.

Unlike Mass Effect - where multiplayer was used as a way to grind for the solo campaign - Dragon Age multiplayer won't be tied to the single-player game in any way. "Our goal with Dragon Age multiplayer is not to affect your single-player campaign," the developer stated. "We simply want to give our fans the chance to play with their friends for the first time in the Dragon Age universe."

As such, the multiplayer mode won't carry over items, experience, or influence your story mode's ending in any way.

"We wanted to make sure that the two economies are separate, which will allow a stronger progression in both SP and MP," BioWare clarified. "If you play Dragon Age multiplayer, you will learn how each class plays a different role in combat, how different skills work, and how your party composition can give you a tactical advantage on the battlefield. This knowledge is transferable to SP, but items are not."

Furthermore, there won't be any multiplayer-only Achievements, so if you just want to stick to the campaign you're free to do so without being punished for it.

In a sure to be controversial move, Dragon Age multiplayer will have in-game purchases, but BioWare is adamant that anything in the game can be purchased with in-game currency. "There will be no pay walls in Dragon Age multiplayer. Everything is accessible with gold coins. You can use premium currency, but you don't have to," the developer stated.

BioWare noted that there will be an Inquisition HQ app for people who want to change their loadouts on the go via a mobile device or PC, but few details have been revealed about what, if any, other features this app will include.

Dragon Age: Inquisition is due on 21st November for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.