low ems control everyone survives. It just takes longer to rebuild than with high ems control
low ems destroy - the doors to the Normandy do not open at all. Earth is scorched
Didn't used to be that way. I haven't hit the control button in the EC. That was the Low EMS in the Original - no one survived.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I'm also largely nihilistic. Some might even say sociopathic, though that's not necessarily the case. I want to build and grow because it does something for me. I'm also one for order, not entropy. I like seeing things done efficiently.
At least you're honest. Most sociopaths would lie even about being sociopaths. 
I'm not a true sociopath. I have a lot of the same elements as them, while being able to form connections. At least, I think they're connections.
Regardless, put a sociopath in the right place and they're some of the absolute best people to have. Like, against the Reapers. A sociopath is guided by nothing but cold, hard, unmitigated logic. And totally willing to do absolutely anything (even set aside moral and ethical boundaries) if it furthers the cause and is rational and practical.
To a sociopath, there is no concept of 'we're better than this' when it comes to morality or ethics.
Didn't used to be that way. I haven't hit the control button in the EC. That was the Low EMS in the Original - no one survived.
I have never picked control so I wouldn't know about everyone dying before the extended cut was released. I know the original low ems destroy everyone dies just like in the extended cut
Didn't used to be that way. I haven't hit the control button in the EC. That was the Low EMS in the Original - no one survived.
You're wrong, there are two control endings (EC just added the P/R varation on each). Low EMS and high EMS control, the only difference between each is how much damage the initial wave did. Low EMS control shows Big Ben getting destroyed and some of the buildings on fire after the wave hits and with the EC, the Normandy doesn't lift off at the end, but everyone did in the end survive.
... Okay, so nobody has really voiced interest but I am nonetheless gonna post it up here anyway.
Link to my ME fanfic piece: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10179607/1/Nex-Effect-I
Again, it follows my canon and takes place after the events of ME3 -- ergo Green ending.
It's long, but reading from start to finish is not necessary. Just read: Chapter 1 (prologue, lots of exposition/setting), maybe bottom-1/4 of Chapter 13 (even that is not necessary), and Chapter 14 (plot is basically summarized early and all but resolved here, though length-wise, it's a doozy). Lastly, the epilogue is a quick read with some interesting developments related to some of the characters and galactic society.
And again, the setting of the post-Synthesis galaxy is portrayed how I imagine it <-- I want to stress that point, because, it is best if people do not read this piece with the idea in their minds about what this ending is and judge it based on how close it came to their own interpretation. This is my take, and it is one with a positive, forward-thinking spin. If you are not open to viewing it that way then this is simply not for you.
And, no, I am not very good this. Writing fiction is very new to me and I have a lot to learn still.
Interesting. I recognize quite a few elements I imagined for my own post-Synthesis scenario. I also like the main characters and where they end up 
I have to say that you are pretty dead on with everything you have said Ieldra. I'm very impressed and in awe with your interpretation. I admire your dedication and the time you put into this, the amount of research that you have done.
The Synthesis ending is indeed the only ending that tackles all the themes of the game. Two of the main themes are "Synthetics and Organics" In this case it also covers the whole conflict and desire to understand each other. Much as you have stated. It goes from "Synthetics vs Organics" to "Synthetics and Organics". Another major theme of the game is unity. You spend a good majority of the game resolving conflicts. Racism is a huge sub-theme that resides under this subject. In the first Mass Effect you need to prove humanity's place in the galaxy. In the second game you're bringing people together to form a team. Unifying more personal relationships. In the third game your main goal is to unite the galaxy under a single banner to defeat the Reapers. In order to do this, differences must be resolved. Set differences aside. Much of the game you are doing just this. You repair the relationships of with the Geth should you do so. You solve a major conflict with the Quarian's, should you choose to do so. The Turian's and Humans set their differences aside and try to forget about the "first contact" war. You fight along side the Asari and gain their trust as you defend their home world. You bring the Krogan race together, solving their problems and see them cheer with the end results, resulting in peace for their species. If you play your cards right. You can see how obvious what the ending is. In order to unlock the synthesis ending, you need to amass a high level of EMS. In order to this, you must unite people together, build your numbers and your trust amongst your allies to stop the galactic threat. I could go into many more details, but it seems that you have already done so 
I also want to add a few things regarding the Synthesis ending. I want to point out something that isn't story related at all. It is related to basic game design and level design. Traditionally when you design a level for a game. You position the player to have a line of sight to the place you want them to go. One example of this is to place them in front of the destination. This is something the whole Mass Effect series does very well, even with their dialogue wheel (Paragon is often on top, and Renegade often on the bottom. There are some trick ones to mix it up.). In this particular case. BioWare positioned the player in a direct line of sight of the Synthesis ending. Then you have Destroy to the left and Control to the right. The player must "go out of the way" to get to those locations. This is often used to present optional areas in game design. While this isn't the case with all games. It is often almost always the case at the beginning of every level. The exception of the rule is no different on the Crucible. I will also point out that both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 have very liner level designs. The player is given some choices on progression, but it is limited and remains linear. This is simple game design 101 logic.
I want to stay away from insults, however I must point out that there is the other endings contain zero rational reasoning. The logic is so flawed beyond any moral interpretation. In the destroy ending you continue the cycle naturally without the aid of the Reapers. The peace will not last and differences will inevitably resurface. This time the Mass Relays are destroyed and various races with different ideals and beliefs are stuck on planets together. So many different races are on Earth and the war will be unlike any other that has ever occurred on Earth before it. Many races residing on Earth will be wiped out, if not the whole planet should the Human's or Krogan's make another atomic/nuclear weapon. Let's not even go into the details of what the Turian's can cook up. The risk of peace and life itself will remain at an all time high. The control ending is very self-explanatory. I can go into a lot of details, but I will not. Understand that "absolute power, corrupts absolutely". The end results would be very nasty should your Shepard be a renegade. Only by becoming connected, individual, embracing love for each other, understanding each other unconditionally, can peace be achieved. There is no evidence that individualism is lost. There is evidence for understanding each other internally, each others points of view. As you said, it is the final stage of evolution. It is both transcendence and ascendance. "All is one". Yes, the Synthesis ending is very much a cosmic and "new age" philosophy.
On that note. I will also point out a major fact regarding the ending. BioWare will never publically announce a cannon ending. This is because the entire Mass Effect saga is your personal story. Therefore the ending is your story. You choose your ending and let you imagination run wild. For example, the indoctrination theory is false. It is true that there remains some content in the game from that cut ending. However, should one believe that ending, despite the mild evidence that remains in the foreshadowing stage. That is for them to believe and that is their ending. Even if it is not the correct ending that BioWare intended and is canologically wrong. It's your story. Is there an ending that BioWare considers to be canon internally? Perhaps there is
Good to know this thread is still active
It's really interesting how many devs actually read this thread carefully, and how many of them think they greatly underestimated all advantages of synthesis as the starting point of new ME game.
Good to know this thread is still active
It's really interesting how many devs actually read this thread carefully, and how many of them think they greatly underestimated all advantages of synthesis as the starting point of new ME game.
How do you know this?
I have to say that you are pretty dead on with everything you have said Ieldra. I'm very impressed and in awe with your interpretation. I admire your dedication and the time you put into this, the amount of research that you have done.
The Synthesis ending is indeed the only ending that tackles all the themes of the game. Two of the main themes are "Synthetics and Organics" In this case it also covers the whole conflict and desire to understand each other. Much as you have stated. It goes from "Synthetics vs Organics" to "Synthetics and Organics". Another major theme of the game is unity. You spend a good majority of the game resolving conflicts. Racism is a huge sub-theme that resides under this subject. In the first Mass Effect you need to prove humanity's place in the galaxy. In the second game you're bringing people together to form a team. Unifying more personal relationships. In the third game your main goal is to unite the galaxy under a single banner to defeat the Reapers. In order to do this, differences must be resolved. Set differences aside. Much of the game you are doing just this. You repair the relationships of with the Geth should you do so. You solve a major conflict with the Quarian's, should you choose to do so. The Turian's and Humans set their differences aside and try to forget about the "first contact" war. You fight along side the Asari and gain their trust as you defend their home world. You bring the Krogan race together, solving their problems and see them cheer with the end results, resulting in peace for their species. If you play your cards right. You can see how obvious what the ending is. In order to unlock the synthesis ending, you need to amass a high level of EMS. In order to this, you must unite people together, build your numbers and your trust amongst your allies to stop the galactic threat. I could go into many more details, but it seems that you have already done so
I just want to point out a few things;
While yes racism is a theme in Mass Effect; Organic vs synthetic as well as organic vs organic and even synthetic vs synthetic, and the "stand strong alone or strength through unity" was a theme in at least the first game, I don't think Synthesis addresses them well, if at all.
Sure resolving differences and getting people to work together is great, but doing so by forcing people to undergo physical changes? Forcing people to become something other than who or what they were? I find such implications unpleasant. Not to mention rather pessimistic of the state of humanity and the other races of the Mass Effect setting. Are they so flawed that they are unworthy of existence in their current state?
I also want to add a few things regarding the Synthesis ending. I want to point out something that isn't story related at all. It is related to basic game design and level design. Traditionally when you design a level for a game. You position the player to have a line of sight to the place you want them to go. One example of this is to place them in front of the destination. This is something the whole Mass Effect series does very well, even with their dialogue wheel (Paragon is often on top, and Renegade often on the bottom. There are some trick ones to mix it up.). In this particular case. BioWare positioned the player in a direct line of sight of the Synthesis ending. Then you have Destroy to the left and Control to the right. The player must "go out of the way" to get to those locations. This is often used to present optional areas in game design. While this isn't the case with all games. It is often almost always the case at the beginning of every level. The exception of the rule is no different on the Crucible. I will also point out that both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 have very liner level designs. The player is given some choices on progression, but it is limited and remains linear. This is simple game design 101 logic.
I want to stay away from insults, however I must point out that there is the other endings contain zero rational reasoning. The logic is so flawed beyond any moral interpretation. In the destroy ending you continue the cycle naturally without the aid of the Reapers. The peace will not last and differences will inevitably resurface. This time the Mass Relays are destroyed and various races with different ideals and beliefs are stuck on planets together. So many different races are on Earth and the war will be unlike any other that has ever occurred on Earth before it. Many races residing on Earth will be wiped out, if not the whole planet should the Human's or Krogan's make another atomic/nuclear weapon. Let's not even go into the details of what the Turian's can cook up. The risk of peace and life itself will remain at an all time high. The control ending is very self-explanatory. I can go into a lot of details, but I will not. Understand that "absolute power, corrupts absolutely". The end results would be very nasty should your Shepard be a renegade. Only by becoming connected, individual, embracing love for each other, understanding each other unconditionally, can peace be achieved. There is no evidence that individualism is lost. There is evidence for understanding each other internally, each others points of view. As you said, it is the final stage of evolution. It is both transcendence and ascendance. "All is one". Yes, the Synthesis ending is very much a cosmic and "new age" philosophy.
I should also point out that throughout ME3, at least, the "line of sight" was always to destroy the Reapers. Even Shepard's Paragon response to the Rannoch Reaper states "I have a better idea: We destroy you, and live our lives in peace" Then there was the Cerberus plan to control the Reapers, though that was not gone into in depth so much. So from a storytelling viewpoint, Synthesis was never really in our line of sight as much as destroying the Reapers
Don't take this as me advocating the Destroy ending. I'm on record as being against all of Bioware's endings. I thought they were all terribly done. So don't take my picking apart Synthesis personally either
On that note. I will also point out a major fact regarding the ending. BioWare will never publically announce a cannon ending. This is because the entire Mass Effect saga is your personal story. Therefore the ending is your story. You choose your ending and let you imagination run wild. For example, the indoctrination theory is false. It is true that there remains some content in the game from that cut ending. However, should one believe that ending, despite the mild evidence that remains in the foreshadowing stage. That is for them to believe and that is their ending. Even if it is not the correct ending that BioWare intended and is canologically wrong. It's your story. Is there an ending that BioWare considers to be canon internally? Perhaps there is
I'd say if Bioware really cared about how we ended our Shepard's story, we'd have had very different endings. the crop they gave us is radioactive, even four years later. That, more than anything else is why they aren't going for a canon.
No, no. This "Synthesis" approach is all wrong. That's what the enemy is promoting. What we need to be doing is protecting ourselves from their influence. Our protagonist failed because he also shared their nature.
What I would do is ban cyborgs from entering our society. And the ones that are already here, I'd deport them, and the rest would self-deport. When we go fully organic, we'll make the Milky Way galaxy great again.
I should also point out that throughout ME3, at least, the "line of sight" was always to destroy the Reapers. Even Shepard's Paragon response to the Rannoch Reaper states "I have a better idea: We destroy you, and live our lives in peace" Then there was the Cerberus plan to control the Reapers, though that was not gone into in depth so much. So from a storytelling viewpoint, Synthesis was never really in our line of sight as much as destroying the Reapers
I'd say if Bioware really cared about how we ended our Shepard's story, we'd have had very different endings. the crop they gave us is radioactive, even four years later. That, more than anything else is why they aren't going for a canon.
Because up to that point there is no other option but to destroy them. Self preservation kicks in with an enemy intent on wiping out all you know. As well as showing no willingness to open a dialogue with you. If China just randomly starts attacking Russia and refuses to respond to them in any way shape or form. Meeting everything with violence. Russia would have no option but to aim for complete destruction of China.
There are only so many endings that can be made. So many choices that can have an impact. They aren't going for a canon ending because each ending completes the story told in ME3. And because the only one that would able to actually be cannon is synthesis/Control
Correct me if I'm wrong but the basic plot like of ME:A is they are exploring an entirely different galaxy. The distance between galaxies is massive. Even more so then the distance from one end of the Milky Way to the other. Without Relays that travel time would be unrealistic unless they managed to harvest and gain control of the Reaper's propulsion methods which were shown to be significantly faster then anything shown in ME trilogy. And even then that would need to be seriously improved on to allow that distance of travel possible in a single life time. This would require the Reapers still be active and participating with the galaxy at large to allow those kind of jumps in technology were Relays are no longer needed.
Granted I haven't kept up to date on everything ME:A. But my guess is they will be very loose with the origins specifically so everyone can have their ending as valid. Bethesda did something similar creating the in game logic of a Dragon Break so everyone's ending no matter how or how they played was considered valid during their next game. It is mentioned off hand and never mentioned again so as to not disrupt the story flow.
I expect Boiware will pull a similar thing. Because ME1-3 and their ending were created to tell a story. Not intended to be the first part of an over all story. It is a self contained story that has and ending that doesn't really set up for a squeal because they never envisioned a squeal to start with.
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