Because said trilogy tells us that the Reapers destroy any technology that can give the cycles an edge against them. Intergalactic travel is such an edge.
...and again, you are assuming perfect knowledge. If we already know everything that can or can't exist in the entire universe, then future games are all going to be pretty boring.
Just because it's possible doesn't mean it's easy or convenient. In fact, Ark Theory relies on it being almost impossible and thus not repeatable in the foreseeable future, cutting off the colonists from the Milky Way.Because said trilogy tells us that the Reapers destroy any technology that can give the cycles an edge against them. Intergalactic travel is such an edge.
Well, they sure would have to come up with some weird reason to get you there. The Andromeda galaxy is approximately 2.5 million light years away from ours.
IIRC, Even the reapers could only fly at a speed of about 30 ly/day so traveling there would take just under 230 years (and that's with FTL running all the time and keep in mind, that's reapers, organics can only do about half that speed). Now, even if you put everyone into stasis, the problem is that in dark space, there is nothing, so you can't discharge your drive core (which is already a problem when flying between clusters).
So conventionally, there is really no way to get there.
I bet, they'd pull a Stargate Atlantis or we just conveniently find a remnant portal or some other lame explanation like that.
It would fit with what I came to expect from the ME writing team but I am always happy to be positively surprised of course.
Heck Stargate at least established intergalactic travel was possible via stargate in its second season. And finding Atlantis was a big part of the seventh season storyline to set up the spinoff.
This is more like Stargate Universe. Oh, yah, we can use a ninth chevron to go way out here someplace we've never heard of with this super-special stargate that's never been mentioned before, to this place we've never heard of.
Just because it's possible doesn't mean it's easy or convenient. In fact, Ark Theory relies on it being almost impossible and thus not repeatable in the foreseeable future, cutting off the colonists from the Milky Way.
What about QECs? They are not distance dependent at all. If you are on the same planet or in another galaxy does not matter. I am sure they would have taken some of those with them on such an ark ship.
@Iakus: True. Although, the whole premise with "establish a presence in the new galaxy" does sound an awful lot like Atlantis to me.
IF it turns out to be true then...good.
Better a new galaxy devoid of that little glowing blue casper than to stick with any of the "choices" It gave us.
At least I'll be happy knowing that "thing" is really really far away and will most likely never come back, if that happens i'll just have to blow up andromeda as well and move on to the next galaxy 
They're not exactly common pieces of technology. Or maybe they feared the Reapers would have some way of tracking them if they got ahold of the Milky Way end. Even if they did bring them, maybe something happened that destroys them.What about QECs? They are not distance dependent at all. If you are on the same planet or in another galaxy does not matter. I am sure they would have taken some of those with them on such an ark ship.
@Iakus: True. Although, the whole premise with "establish a presence in the new galaxy" does sound an awful lot like Atlantis to me.
They're not exactly common pieces of technology. Or maybe they feared the Reapers would have some way of tracking them if they got ahold of the Milky Way end. Even if they did bring them, maybe something happened that destroys them.
Not common technology? Its interesting that all ME2 squadmates seem to have one in their back pocket when talking with them at the forward operating base. The QEC yellow pages guy was able to connect with them pretty easily
Are you sure those weren't normal comms? Because in the same game they claimed there were only a handful on all of Earth.Not common technology? Its interesting that all ME2 squadmates seem to have one in their back pocket when talking with them at the forward operating base. The QEC yellow pages guy was able to connect with them pretty easily
Are you sure those weren't normal comms? Because in the same game they claimed there were only a handful on all of Earth.
Are you sure they were?
They are common enough that there are a couple left on earth even after the reaper invasion. They are common enough that the Normandy has not one but at least 3 of them installed. If you send a group to another galaxy and you have no way to establish communication otherwise, I am positive that they would spare one for them.
If they were afraid the reapers could track them, then they sure as hell should not have installed them on their stealth ship or at the crucible project (where Hackett is).
So yea, I guess it would have to conveniently break. There are more and more "conveniences" necessary to make this work, aren't there?
What about QECs? They are not distance dependent at all. If you are on the same planet or in another galaxy does not matter. I am sure they would have taken some of those with them on such an ark ship.
@Iakus: True. Although, the whole premise with "establish a presence in the new galaxy" does sound an awful lot like Atlantis to me.
If they're trying to get away from the endings, then allowing communication back to the Milky Way kinda defeats the purpose.
And while the premise may sound like Atlantis, like I said, there were several years to set up that premise as plausible. This has no setup whatsoever.
The Normandy had them installed because Andeson had planned to use it as a mobile command center for the war effort. The fact that there were only a few on the whole of Earth doesn't actually argue for their non-rarity.They are common enough that there are a couple left on earth even after the reaper invasion. They are common enough that the Normandy has not one but at least 3 of them installed. If you send a group to another galaxy and you have no way to establish communication otherwise, I am positive that they would spare one for them.
If they were afraid the reapers could track them, then they sure as hell should not have installed them on their stealth ship or at the crucible project (where Hackett is).
So yea, I guess it would have to conveniently break. There are more and more "conveniences" necessary to make this work, aren't there?
Heck Stargate at least established intergalactic travel was possible via stargate in its second season. And finding Atlantis was a big part of the seventh season storyline to set up the spinoff.
This is more like Stargate Universe. Oh, yah, we can use a ninth chevron to go way out here someplace we've never heard of with this super-special stargate that's never been mentioned before, to this place we've never heard of.
To go off topic for a moment. The stargate they used to get onto Destiny wasn't special, the ones on the other side were but only because they couldn't connect very far.
If they're trying to get away from the endings, then allowing communication back to the Milky Way kinda defeats the purpose.
The suggestion was that a new galaxy would avoid the necessity of showing all the results of each ending choice, like how the galaxy's political situation would've changed or the fact that they'd have to put circuits on literally every character for Synthesis imports. It's pretty impossible to continue the series chronologically in the Milky Way if someone picked Refuse, too.
But I don't think it would be too big an issue to have a few conversations via QEC with a representative of the Milky Way if we're in Andromeda, much like DA2 and DAO had cameos from old characters to tell us what was going on back in Ferelden/whatever.
It seems way easier to reflect the ending differences through dialogue, rather than having to build it all and somehow make up a story that can plausibly take place in all three (or four) endings. A storyline in Andromeda could happen in any ending, even Refuse, as long as the colonists left before Shepard made the decision, and they could show the consequences of that decision through some emails or conversations.
Eff the Milky Way galaxy. After the failure to capitalize on what could have been with Shepard trilogy, a clean slate isn't a bad idea. Yes, I do agree that it's running away from a shitpile conclusion and I'd love to see direct references to the characters we've known in 1-3 like Grunt/Liara as an aged krogan/asari in high positions of power, or a statue of Tali and Legion on Rannoch or something. Still, a new location brings new wonders and I'm excited about the new possibilities. It'll be great getting those feelings again. I do hope that the writing team remains consistent for this upcoming story so we get no more **** ups like ME3's desperately forced rewrite.
Well, the question then should be, what makes Mass Effect, Mass Effect?
If it was the Milky Way, then I would agree with the sentiment, but I have a feeling it's more than just the setting.
If you want my opinion. It's this : Mass Effect has been about "making friends, decision making, consequences, morality, exploration, heroism, sacrifice, space, science fiction, save imports, continuity of story, and Choices."
I think the OP is exaggerating. I haven't seen a lot of people that agreed with that. The debate has been centered around the idea that, if it isn't in the Milky Way, it doesn't feel like a true ME game. I'm just absorbing the various view points about that at the moment. I'm in the middle of a ME marathon at the moment, and playing through ME1 again. After I complete the series again (for only the 4th time,) I'll be able to put some thought in my opinions about that idea.
exaggerating in what sense? the whole point of this thread is identifying if Bioware is indeed taking the route of a sequel, wherein if they do then it would have a lot of inconsistencies which is the complete opposite of a sequel because 3 ended vaguely... so are they basically / magically continuing a vague story? in order just to move the franchise? didn't they just said ME ends with 3? the whole point is that the MILKYWAY or ANDROMEDA posts will determine the outcome of the franchise if whether this is a restart, reboot or alternate universe. 1,2, and 3 was centered around the Milkyway so if we go to Andromeda for the sake of just going there then how can one call it a sequel? one will argue of trying to connect the reapers in order to justify the ark, ok so what happened to the Milkyway? one will then defend that the Extended cut showed the outcome, Ok then what happened to the Milkyway? why is it so relevant? BECAUSE IT IS OUR HOME it is where MASS EFFECT STARTED if Milkyway is left vague or a big massive black hole of endless possibilites, we can never re-visit that galaxy again because it would contradict the artistic thingy which Bioware defends to death. Is it a BIG deal that Milkyway is no longer accessible? yes it is disturbing playing a Mass Effect game not knowing what happened after the Reaper war if and only if it is a Sequel
If you want my opinion. It's this : Mass Effect has been about "making friends, decision making, consequences, morality, exploration, heroism, sacrifice, space, science fiction, save imports, continuity of story, and Choices."
Are you trying to summon him?
Are you trying to summon him?
who? if you are referring to the commander then no. Shepard is not the only hero of that war.
The Normandy had them installed because Andeson had planned to use it as a mobile command center for the war effort. The fact that there were only a few on the whole of Earth doesn't actually argue for their non-rarity.
It's just an idea. They would need to capture one to track the other end, presumably. But why would you think the people that installed such things on the Normandy are the same ones that woluld be in charge of the Ark? Then again, the Reapers might have just destroyed the Milky Way side of the connection.
@Iakus: True. Although, the whole premise with "establish a presence in the new galaxy" does sound an awful lot like Atlantis to me.
SG:A's first season was rubbish. BUT the rest of the series turned out to be my favourite SG show ever! 
If the N:ME plays out similar I'm not will stop complaining.
My point is also not about the QECs specifically, that's just a symptom of the larger problem, I see with the galaxy change. And that is - as Iakus said already - that the scenario comes out of the blue, without any kind of setup. Yes, a clean slate is nice but the point of a clean slate is to finally enable consistency in the universe again and reduce the countless contrivances that have plagued this franchise ever since ME2. It does not bode well if this is already dampened by the very premise of that clean slate. An ark project like this does sound very familiar and immediately reminds me of things like the Lazarus Project, the Cerberus superpowers, the crucible and the catalyst, i.e. an obvious and cheap plot device that comes out of nowhere.
Not necessarily, somebody pointed to this interesting line from the asari councilor after Thessia:
"Plans must be put in motion... the continuity of civilisation has to be considered."
She also talks about every Council species having its secrets when first telling Shepard about the Prothean VI.
I think it's a nice "re-evaluation" of ME3 if it turns out that not everybody was convinced of Shepard's potential, and some sensibly made plans for an evacuation of the Milky Way itself if the Reaper war continued to go poorly.
If they're trying to get away from the endings, then allowing communication back to the Milky Way kinda defeats the purpose.
And while the premise may sound like Atlantis, like I said, there were several years to set up that premise as plausible. This has no setup whatsoever.
Not necessarily, somebody pointed to this interesting line from the asari councilor after Thessia:
"Plans must be put in motion... the continuity of civilisation has to be considered."
She also talks about every Council species having its secrets when first telling Shepard about the Prothean VI.
I think it's a nice "re-evaluation" of ME3 if it turns out that not everybody was convinced of Shepard's potential, and some sensibly made plans for an evacuation of the Milky Way itself if the Reaper war continued to go poorly.
That's like saying the Lazarus Project was foreshadowed by someone in ME1 saying that medical science has improved since the 20th century.
IMO, the point of an IP is that things evolve naturally. Ideally, that's why you keep adding new stories to one and the same universe (and not just for the extra cash, the name gets you). Otherwise, you might just make a new one entirely each time. Whenever things do not evolve naturally from each other, it creates a jarring experience for the audience (some take that harder than others, unfortunately, I take it fairly hard).
I am not disputing that the writers can come up with some plot that brings us to Andromeda. I am also not saying that a new game in Andromeda has to be bad. For all I know it may be fantastic. My problem is simply with the one point that there is no established basis from which a story could evolve that gets us there at all. If the writers want us to get there, they will do it but they will have to fight their own lore in a way. They will have to come up with a whole lot of new tech and at the same time invalidate or counter some established facts that run contrary to the premise.
That is what happened with Lazaruus, that is what happened with Cerberus, that is what happened with the crucible and that is what happened with the catalyst.
All of those were foreshadowed in a way but that did not change the fact that they were not based in the established lore but -in fact - ran counter to it in many ways. Of course, the writers have the last word, so they can come up with reasons but you will notice that all the above cases were labeled by the audience with terms like "space magic" or "retcon" and this was not without reason because they too did not evolve, they just happened.
As BW has not evolved inter-galactic travel either, I am afraid we will start off right where we left in ME3 in terms of lore consistency and it was not a great place IMO. Of course, this assumes the rumors are true and also, as I said, I always hope to be positively surprised. All I am saying is that this premise does not bode well for a story anchor that I will find believable and as they say, the first impression counts a lot.
Not necessarily, somebody pointed to this interesting line from the asari councilor after Thessia:
"Plans must be put in motion... the continuity of civilisation has to be considered."
She also talks about every Council species having its secrets when first telling Shepard about the Prothean VI.
I think it's a nice "re-evaluation" of ME3 if it turns out that not everybody was convinced of Shepard's potential, and some sensibly made plans for an evacuation of the Milky Way itself if the Reaper war continued to go poorly.
Did they already have a ship built before the Thessia mission? If they didn't, it would've taken time to build it and by that time Shepard has already chose whatever ending
Yeah each species may have their secrets, but not telling about that artifact earlier was costly.
Retour en haut
