Hello Mass Effect Enthusiasts, I am CmdrSlander. My gaming background before becoming a huge fan of the ME series consisted primarily of Halo, Half Life, Battlefield, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls and Gears of War. The one thing about gaming that I have come to love above all else is the vast variety and possibility that a well crafted open world game or RPG offers. That being said, my primary interest in the gaming industry is narrative and canon/universe development.
I realize creating a story for ME4 as an outsider is absurd, but it is an interesting exercise and also a form of catharsis for those (such as myself) who were irked by the "conclusion" of Mass Effect 3, which is in itself a conclusion to one of the most intricate works of science fiction seen in modern popular media - the Mass Effect Universe.
With that out of the way, here is my concept for ME4:
Opening Scroll:
The year is 2217.
Three decades have passed since Commander Shepard ended the Reaper threat.
The races of the galaxy are scattered, with millions of ships having fled their home systems as the relay network imploded. The technologies that made the Galactic Community possible - The Mass Relays, Prothean and Reaper advancements - have been lost to time or buried in the rubble of an untold number of devastated worlds.
Limited to underdevoloped FTL and Sublight drives, the alien members of the Sword Fleet, who were stranded in the Sol System after the destruction of the relay network have embarked on perilous pilgramages back to their homeworlds, which will take centuries.
For some all hope seems lost, for others it is a new beginning.
The survivors of The Normandy found themselves a new and fertile home - the garden world Morgana - as did the crews of 200 other ships that also found themselves stranded in the same system as a result of the Catalyst's final directive to the relays - route organic vessels to systems which can support life, ensuring that organics may live on, and perhaps, in their hubris, restart of the cycle of extinction.
Optimists theorize that the data and technology stored aboard the SSV Normandy may hold the key to reuiniting the galaxy, but the ship is conspicously absent from her crash site. Her pilot, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, is, under galactic law and custom, the owner of Morgana, having been the first person to set foot there. With his expertise and newfound prestige, Moreau built a rag tag but succesfull intra-system shipping empire around Morgana. In the dark space around Morgana's system, strange Mass Effect field distortions have been detected. Moreau is no where to be found.
You are his adopted [son/daughter]. Your destiny is written in the stars.
MASS EFFECT 4
Story Summary:
Joker (Mr. Moreau, since he is now older and distinguished) has spent the last 30 years rebuilding the SSV Normandy piece-by-piece. Testing of the vessel is responsible for the odd readings at the edge of Morgana's system. He has determined (with the help of EDI if she survived or a large science team if she did not) that the Normandy's Tantalus drive core, which was never fully understood in the first place, has, after being exposed the Catalyst's signal and enormous amount of dark energy (remember the "space magic" wave washing over the Normandy) became a slipspace catalyst (with a lower case "c" look - up the definition of catalyst) capable of transporting whole fleets of ships to anywhere in known space, with only destination coordinates, in a matter of hours. The theoretical accuracy and speed of this system rivals the Mass Relays and is no doubt the legacy of the technology of the cycle that created the Relays/Reapers. Moreau, who wished to take the Normandy on her greatest mission (Galactic unification) himself is too old, and dying of exposure to Dark Energy. He never wanted to burden you (his adopted child) with this mission, but you are now his only hope, the galaxy's only hope.
Meanwhile, an unknown, shadowy group with similar technology has a far sinister mission: achieve what they percieve as the goal of the Reapers, who they have deified. They plan to harness dark energy to enlarge the black hole at center of the galaxy, resulting in the destruction of the entire Milky Way. They must be stopped.
The player is charged with:
-Gathering the scattered alien and human fleets and taking them home, finally. (very emotional, imagine the rebuilt Normandy returning to the Sol system, flying in amongst the debris of the Sword Fleet battle and the Crucible/Citadel. Liara and Samara landing on Thessia after believing they would never see it again. Tali and Rannoch. Etc.)
-"Relighting" the Normandy (finding an Eezo source large enough to power the Normandy for the rest of her days. Hint: Thessia)
-Defeating the Reaper Cult.
-Taking back the homeworld of every major species (except humanity, we already did that) from the lawless brigands and madmen who took power in the vacuum left by the end of The Citadel Council and the destruction of the Reapers.
-Construct a new Citadel to serve as a hub of a galaxy that you rebuild in your own unique way.
-Reviving the Galactic economy. Establishing new trades and generally making loads of credits (repeatable/side missions)
-Colonize worlds and provide for their defense. Rule with an even hand or an iron fist!
-Generally helping the galaxy put itself back together.
-100+ Side Quests, some of which are repeatable
Why You'll love my version of ME4:
-Brigther Story in a Darker Galaxy: You're on a mission of hope in a seemingly hopeless setting, not hurtling towards oblivion like in ME3.
-Closure: If Shepard survived (current 4000+ EMS Destroy Ending) you can see him/her on Earth. Reunite them with Love Interest etc. Most squadmates who live and that have a sufficient life span will return (though not, most likely as Squadmates).
-Command not only the Normandy but an ever growing fleet in real time. Participate in epic space battles in real time (no adopted son/daughter or Joker grows up without becoming a crack pilot).
-Varied and Dynamic Settlements: As opposed to ME2 which had two major trade centers (Citadel, Omega) and ME3 which had one trade center (Citadel) the post-relay galaxy has scores of space stations and colonies with their own unique inhabitants and environments.
-New Squadmates and Fireteam mechanic. Bring a seperate squad of three commanded by and AI squadmate or Co-Op partner along with you on missions.
-Return of the loyalty gameplay mechanic. More side missions and explorations of the new squadmates backstories.
-New, Deadlier Normandy. The Normandy is equipped with heavier armor and bristles with armaments, from lasers to rail guns, all of which can be upgraded. You can even customize the paintjob and lettering.
I will be writing "Codex" articles for ME4 and posting them here to add more info about the story and universe.
What do you think of my concept for ME4? Please be gentle as you slaughter my ideas.
Modifié par CmdrSlander, 24 mars 2012 - 05:21 .
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