Maybe these Arkers will run into a black hole that will throttle them through time to a point where all end-states have inevitably reached the same destination.
And then they find out that the planet of the apes - I mean of the new species - is Earth.
Maybe these Arkers will run into a black hole that will throttle them through time to a point where all end-states have inevitably reached the same destination.
Javik approves. And I would laugh and laugh and laugh and cry and laugh...
The problem is all your solutions are contrivances. You don't want a story constructed on contrivances. The most logical way is to build a ship. Even if they find a super prothean ship, they will now have access to that technology. Saying they don't have quantum entanglement, given the massive cost of the project anyway, doesn't sound at all logical to me. The point about Andromeda was that a large part of this speculation was based on the galaxy map image that resembled Andromeda, we have seen it.
One could argue that there's no way forward that isn't a contrivance, any attempt to homogenize the endings to common state certainly is. The only other way forward that doesn't involve contrivance is forcing a single canon on everyone, which sends exactly the wrong message. That said, I don't think my suggestions (Which are pure idle speculation on my part, nothing more) are any more contrived than the plot devices we've seen all throughout the trilogy. (Though I'll also say that they might have quantum entanglement, but the Reapers destroy the other end before the end of the war, that might be a bit less contrived.)
I'm aware of that bit of speculation, I'm just saying that it personally doesn't matter much to me where they end up, only that the theory provides a way forward that gives a clean slate and avoids playing damage control for ME3.
If you ever return to the milky way it has to be resolved then. If the franchise endures I am assuming it will return eventually. Going to a different galaxy is fine for a novelty, but knowing humans and all the existing races continue to live in the milky way, people would really want to see what has happened to them.
There's no reason the franchise would have to go that way. The fate of the Milky Way was elaborated in the Extended Cut. They don't need to go back.
Regardless of what they do story-wise or chronologically, I'd put my money on it being in the Milky Way. There's no "mass effect" without mass relays.
The beam actually spreads beyond systems with relays. Recall the galaxy map during the game. There were systems (and colonies) without relays where Reaper activity took place.
That's true. However, I'm sure you also noticed that the beam dissipated with distance, and that the only way to transmit the beam was with active relays. If there is a few unactivated relays around a particular portion of space, then that area would not be affected by the the beam.
First off, I know this is not an official Bioware map, and the positions are not 100 % accurate or complete, but you'll see my point. Just imagine this example
Take a look under the Omega Nebula. From there until the galactic core, there is unknown. If Bioware wanted, they could say that particular region of space was locked off and uncharted due to unactivated relays, because we never it was never established in the lore. Even with the relays surrounding that region of space sending out the beam, it's possible that some regions would not be affected. Judging by the ending sequence, it seems that each blast travelled a distance equivalent to 2 rings of the milky way. So, as an example, the Athena nebula explosion would, at most, reach the Nimbus cluster and the Serpent Nebula.
And don't forget that this list isn't official. Bioware can tinker with the positions of the relays to get it just right so that the theory sounds plausible. They could say that in the final days of the Reaper War, a few Reapers in an isolated corner of the galaxy was able to deactivate some relays without the Citadel in the hope it would help their invasion (yes, you could say that this doesn't make sense, but that's more an ME3 problem anyway 
)
My main point is that Bioware can make an ark theory work while in the Milky Way and after the ME3 endings.
A canonized ending... would it unravel what the original trilogy stood to represent? Or is it the best possible foot going forward?
Ark Theory... would it take away from the spirit of what fans have come to love? Or is it the ideal fresh start the series needs?
Canonized ending :
Infringes artistic integrity (the artistic intent was to salt the earth). Also robs the choice of any real meaning.
Ark Theory :
Same as above, goes even further of robbing the choice of meaning by proving beyond a doubt that the Starchild was full of it.
The only way to preserve artistic integrity is a pre/mid/interquel ... which I'm afraid we are going to get (given the new lead writers comments about his story shedding light on the trilogy, bleh).
There really are only two reasons to avoid the questions about the timeline as they are doing in my opinion, Either they aren't sure about what to do (which I think they weren't for the longest time, but the McCasey side seems to have definitely won the battle now) or they don't want us complaining about it not being a sequel for 2 years.
I don't like either option. I think ME3 should just be ignored. Dump the Shepard baggage and start MENext with a clean slate.
Like it or not ME3 is part of the canon and won't be ignored, its not changing any time soon.
There's no reason the franchise would have to go that way. The fate of the Milky Way was elaborated in the Extended Cut. They don't need to go back.
It doesn't the EC only gives a brief glimpse into the future. There is no reason to leave since most of the galaxy is unexploded and a lot of stories can still be told.
Unless they don't have quantum entanglement, it's not like those things are common and they might be worried about Reapers figuring out a way to track it if they got their hands on the other end.
They put three quantum entanglement devices on a single frigate. You'd think they'd add a few to what would presumably be a fleet of ships.
If the writers want them to, sure
"If the writers want" can lead to some really, really bad writing. Stuff like the Crucible, the Lazarus Project, Starchild. Taking a hammer to a plot to make a concept fit no matter the cost is a recipe for disaster.
A single frigate that was intended to be Anderson's mobile command center when those were put in.They put three quantum entanglement devices on a single frigate. You'd think they'd add a few to what would presumably be a fleet of ships.
EC gave you an overview of what the galactic community became in the wake of the ending choice. There's no need to go into exhaustive detail. The sheer variance makes continued stories impossible (And to treat the variance as anything less than extreme is just incorrect) without a canon, which means many if not most of the fan base wouldn't experience the Galaxy they helped define, defeating the whole purpose of your argument. I keep telling you that the reason for ark theory has nothing to do with looking for new space to explore but somehow it hasn't sunk in...It doesn't the EC only gives a brief glimpse into the future. There is no reason to leave since most of the galaxy is unexploded and a lot of stories can still be told.
Hm? How so?Ark Theory :
Same as above, goes even further of robbing the choice of meaning by proving beyond a doubt that the Starchild was full of it
I find it somewhat perplexing how many seem so convinced that MENext would take place outside of the Milky Way. For one, we are playing as a human, who seems to be an N7 Operative. That means we are still part of the Alliance in some capacity, and have some connection to Earth.
Secondly, I'd just like to point out that what made Mass Effect so interesting for many was that humanity was at the bottom of the totem poll. I believe it would be an absolute mistake and a betrayal to the source material to not continue following through on the human condition, as it has been one of the major themes of Mass Effect. I fear if BioWare forgets to realize what makes Mass Effect different, then it will merely become just another science fiction franchise with different looking aliens. I don't want that.
Lastly, the way ME3 ended provides for some interesting opportunities for BioWare to elaborate on. For instance, it would be nice if we are given some context on what that random planet the Normandy landed on was at the end of ME3, and perhaps that may even work its way into MENext. On the contrary, I believe because of how ME3 ended is what will make Mass Effect going forward so interesting and to see how the galaxy rebuilds. Why would anybody want to miss out on that storytelling opportunity and just be some random person in a different galaxy? That would be completely out of character for Mass Effect.
That's true. However, I'm sure you also noticed that the beam dissipated with distance, and that the only way to transmit the beam was with active relays. If there is a few unactivated relays around a particular portion of space, then that area would not be affected by the the beam.
First off, I know this is not an official Bioware map, and the positions are not 100 % accurate or complete, but you'll see my point. Just imagine this example
Take a look under the Omega Nebula. From there until the galactic core, there is unknown. If Bioware wanted, they could say that particular region of space was locked off and uncharted due to unactivated relays, because we never it was never established in the lore. Even with the relays surrounding that region of space sending out the beam, it's possible that some regions would not be affected. Judging by the ending sequence, it seems that each blast travelled a distance equivalent to 2 rings of the milky way. So, as an example, the Athena nebula explosion would, at most, reach the Nimbus cluster and the Serpent Nebula.
And don't forget that this list isn't official. Bioware can tinker with the positions of the relays to get it just right so that the theory sounds plausible. They could say that in the final days of the Reaper War, a few Reapers in an isolated corner of the galaxy was able to deactivate some relays without the Citadel in the hope it would help their invasion (yes, you could say that this doesn't make sense, but that's more an ME3 problem anyway
My main point is that Bioware can make an ark theory work while in the Milky Way and after the ME3 endings.
I made a map some time ago, based on the cutscene, that shows what parts of the Milky Way are left unaffected. That map also doesn't consider that the galaxy is not 2D, so there is a lot of space left. Here it is
The wave fades at a certain distance, as visible from the cutscene. Here, a graphical representation of Crucible's coverageSpoilerAs you can see, there is still quite a lot of place to use, especially if they make clusters close to each other, like Ninmah and Nimbus clusters.
I beginning to quite like the 'ark theory'. It could contain at least one of every original race (Geth? Quarians, Humans, Turians, Asari, Krogans, Salarians, Rachni? Elcor Volus, Vorcha?) -don't know if I've forgotten anyone. Also, you could meet new races in the new parts of the milky way, so you'd get the best of both worlds (if you'll pardon the pun). Also, the ark ship could be turned into a brilliant hub.
It could have environments made for every race to live in, and as you visited more worlds the races could settle and you could upgrade the 'ark' and settlements while watching the races prosper (or not depending on choices). The game could involve fighting/negotiating with the 'new' races (not wanting outsiders to colonise their new territory etc.), and the single player could react to what's happening in the original trilogy.
This could add a dynamic world building aspect to the game which IMO would make a nice 'low-key' change from the original trilogy. It wouldn't be 'leaving the council races to die' because the one thing that the 3 ME3 endings agree on, is that they don't die. (I don't consider 'refusal' and ending).
Lastly, Bioware could make this a standalone game set during ME2/ME3, so if people don't like the setting so much, they can release a direct ME3 sequel, but if the do like it, they could turn it into a trilogy.
I really have no preference for what they choose, as long as the new game is internally consistent with that choice.
What conversation was this?
I made a map some time ago, based on the cutscene, that shows what parts of the Milky Way are left unaffected. That map also doesn't consider that the galaxy is not 2D, so there is a lot of space left. Here it is
Here is how i see it, the only truly define parts of the endings are
*destroy- destroy all AIs and relays
*control- shuts down relays, reaper follow AI version of Shepard
*synthesis-destroy relays, AIs get emotions, organic get cybernetic implants, and reapers are free from the cycle.
So any story that avoid the Relays and AIs would work, and that not to hard.
Reapers can simply be Hand Wave away by saying they are still repairing all the damage they caused or helping with military patrols or even have they follow a "prime directive" and are avoiding contact.
The Geth are on Rannoch so simply not going to Rannoch avoid it.
And the other AIs are small in numbers and just can be avoid.
Exploration is a key part of ME4, we can assume that the Relays are not playing a role in it.
The cybernetic implants are a wild card but judging from the EC endings they don't make everyone have a hive mind or be reaper slaves or any of the other crazy theory out there.
And really after how they dealt with ME1 and 2 endings, why do people still think they can't avoid giving the endings any wight.
Another problem with Ark Theory (aside from technical limitations) is that it's tacit admission that they screwed up ME3 so bad they can't use the Milky Way galaxy anymore.
Yepper, the Ark Theory is out because Bioware is not going to run away from their own ending, and that would be running away. They won't 'canonize" one of the three endings because, again, that would be running away. Everybody seems to think they going to opt for an easy fix. Not me. They made their bed and I think they're going to sleep in it. They changed the galaxy forever and now they've got to un-change it because no wants to play a game with synthetic characters with glowing, green eyes, nor do they want to deal with happy Reapers controlled by some omnipotent Sheperd. They have said a new hero will arise. Perhaps that's his job, to un-change it.
I've heard a couple of times that you should "hold onto your files," which indicates something like the Keep. If this is true, it also indicates it's going to take place after ME3.
My speculation is still that the Relays were damaged so badly they misfired and regions were Synthesized, others got the Control, and the rest of the galaxy got the Destroy option.
EC gave you an overview of what the galactic community became in the wake of the ending choice. There's no need to go into exhaustive detail. The sheer variance makes continued stories impossible (And to treat the variance as anything less than extreme is just incorrect) without a canon, which means many if not most of the fan base wouldn't experience the Galaxy they helped define, defeating the whole purpose of your argument. I keep telling you that the reason for ark theory has nothing to do with looking for new space to explore but somehow it hasn't sunk in...
It doesn't its just shows what happens shortly after the war, a lot of things can happen during and after that period. The end of the reaper war doesn't mean the end of all conflicts there will always be more conflicts be it between galactic superpowers or more personal ones, there is still a lot can be told after the war.
No matter what Bioware does people will complain so they may as well make on of the endings canon. They've already made Udina the canon councilor so they may as deal with endings now. There also the fact that most choices in the trilogy only affect a few individuals, only the Rachni, genophage and geth arcs have implications on the galaxy, and those can still be left to player interpretation since they don't have to be relevant for the next games.
Yepper, the Ark Theory is out because Bioware is not going to run away from their own ending, and that would be running away. They won't 'canonize" one of the three endings because, again, that would be running away. Everybody seems to think they going to opt for an easy fix. Not me. They made their bed and I think they're going to sleep in it. They changed the galaxy forever and now they've got to un-change it because no wants to play a game with synthetic characters with glowing, green eyes, nor do they want to deal with happy Reapers controlled by some omnipotent Sheperd. They have said a new hero will arise. Perhaps that's his job, to un-change it.
I've heard a couple of times that you should "hold onto your files," which indicates something like the Keep. If this is true, it also indicates it's going to take place after ME3.
My speculation is still that the Relays were damaged so badly they misfired and regions were Synthesized, others got the Control, and the rest of the galaxy got the Destroy option.
So you think they're going to go Invisible War, and blend all the outcomes into a single mishmash?
Hmmm.
I just thought of something.
What if the concept art that we were shown of the beautiful landscape with the blue skies and the one with the ships flying were actually the same ship?
Bahhh, can't find the concept art. Damn you google - fu!
Retour en haut
