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[Mistic]

Apparently the colonists had a choice to go to Andromeda, since they all have different motivations (adventure, curiosity, running from something or they just want a fresh start)

 

Yes, I always assumed we left because of the Reaper threat and the government would've picked the smartest and most useful people to come along. This changes that.

 

They aren't mutually exclusive scenarios.

 

Even disaster movies acknowledge that maybe not everyone, no matter how bright or useful they are, wants to go to a safe place when facing the end of the world galaxy as we see it. Especially when the "safe" place is anything but safe. Centuries of space travel to go to a distant galaxy where we might find who knows what?

 

Actually, trying to survive the Reapers may not be such a bad idea, especially since at that time only a few individuals in the whole galaxy know what the Reapers are capable of. Not to mention other moral implications: soldier or not, maybe I feel I would be more useful in the fight against the Reapers, or I don't want to abandon my friends and family.

 

No, even when facing extinction, the Arks seem to be the kind of project that has a "volunteers only" sign on the front door. And those governments will need the smartest and most useful for the upcoming Reaper war (otherwise, why isn't Shepard on that ship?).

[Dalinne]

It would make sense if the A.R.K.C.O.N. Initiative was just a natural expansion of the Council's inter-galactic reach (having nothing to do with the Reaper threat). The connotations of a word like Ark just make it seem misleading.

The problem is once more the Reaper invasion. The mission seems more adventurous than a last hope for survival. But at the same time, this has to happen BEFORE the endings of ME3. So, the only possible explanation I can come up with is...

 

1) The ARKON Initiative was born many years (even twenty or so years) BEFORE Reaper Invasion.

 

2) ARKON Initiave was initially a human project for expansion and human colonization outside Milky Way. Also, the Initiative was privately funded.

 

3) Other alien enterprises (linked to volus folk, Asari, Turians, etc.) like the idea and they also participate and contribuited in the Initiative. However, ARKON Project keeps being essentially a human project. (Hell, maybe other alien enterprises start to copy the idea and make their own arks).

 

4) After Sovereign Attack, few people from ARKON Initiative start to see the project as a way of go out from the Galaxy in case of a Reaper Invasion. However, most of the people from ARKON Initiative don't believe in Reaper invasion and they start to look for volunteers for exploration. People start to sign for different reasons.

 

5) Reapers start the attack. The Alliance and other military branches from the Council take over the Project. The ARKON Initiative is renamed as The Ark Project. They start to select civilians from all races in order to have a Plan B for the survival of milky way species.

 

6) At some point before the ending, the Arks are attack and they have to left before being obliterated.

 

So, this way we have two types of people in the Arks: 1) A bunch of people interested in leave Andromeda BEFORE Reaper Invasion for any reason (to explore, to escape from their past, etc.)  2) A great majority of civilians from different alien races

[Fogg]

The problem is once more the Reaper invasion. The mission seems more adventurous than a last hope for survival. But at the same time, this has to happen BEFORE the endings of ME3. So, the only possible explanation I can come up with is...

1) The ARKON Initiative was born many years (even twenty or so years) BEFORE Reaper Invasion.

2) ARKON Initiave was initially a human project for expansion and human colonization outside Milky Way. Also, the Initiative was privately funded.

3) Other alien enterprises (linked to volus folk, Asari, Turians, etc.) like the idea and they also participate and contribuited in the Initiative. However, ARKON Project keeps being essentially a human project. (Hell, maybe other alien enterprises start to copy the idea and make their own arks).

4) After Sovereign Attack, few people from ARKON Initiative start to see the project as a way of go out from the Galaxy in case of a Reaper Invasion. However, most of the people from ARKON Initiative don't believe in Reaper invasion and they start to look for volunteers for exploration. People start to sign for different reasons.

5) Reapers start the attack. The Alliance and other military branches from the Council take over the Project. The ARKON Initiative is renamed as The Ark Project. They start to select civilians from all races in order to have a Plan B for the survival of milky way species.

6) At some point before the ending, the Arks are attack and they have to left before being obliterated.

 

So, this way we have two types of people in the Arks: 1) A bunch of people interested in leave Andromeda BEFORE Reaper Invasion for any reason (to explore, to escape from their past, etc.)  2) A great majority of civilians from different alien races

 

 

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored? Perhaps the ships were designed to travel within the Milky Way to solar systems beyond the reach of mass relays, but because of the Reapers they used them for intergalactic travel instead. Which would be quite the gamble, and pretty cool.

[Maia]

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored? Perhaps the ships were designed to travel within the Milky Way to solar systems beyond the reach of mass relays, but because of the Reapers they used them for intergalactic travel instead. Which would be quite the gamble, and pretty cool.

people got pretty desperate during the reaper wars, didnt some colonists do mass suicide by nuking their planets?

[Outsider]

The problem is once more the Reaper invasion. The mission seems more adventurous than a last hope for survival. But at the same time, this has to happen BEFORE the endings of ME3. So, the only possible explanation I can come up with is...

 

4) After Sovereign Attack, few people from ARKON Initiative start to see the project as a way of go out from the Galaxy in case of a Reaper Invasion. However, most of the people from ARKON Initiative don't believe in Reaper invasion and they start to look for volunteers for exploration. People start to sign for different reasons.

 

5) Reapers start the attack. The Alliance and other military branches from the Council take over the Project. The ARKON Initiative is renamed as The Ark Project. They start to select civilians from all races in order to have a Plan B for the survival of milky way species.

 

So, this way we have two types of people in the Arks: 1) A bunch of people interested in leave Andromeda BEFORE Reaper Invasion for any reason (to explore, to escape from their past, etc.)  2) A great majority of civilians from different alien races

 

I know this is all just speculation, and I know next to nothing concerning sociopolitical implications, culture and economics but- If at any point the Ark Project is recognised/accepted as a means for survival, wouldn't they have to include a) individuals with the most experience in dealing with Reapers and b ) individuals of the highest current/potential military,scientific and/or political importance?

[Mistic]

So, this way we have two types of people in the Arks: 1) A bunch of people interested in leave Andromeda BEFORE Reaper Invasion for any reason (to explore, to escape from their past, etc.)  2) A great majority of civilians from different alien races

 

I like the idea, or variations of it. It would answer many questions (like how come the Council went from not believeing in the Reaper threat to suddenly having a perfect plan B just in case) and would fit the timeline we know.

 

My guess it's that the prologue will start with the initial Reaper attack and how the Ark escaped. You know the drill: protagonist has some dialogues, some action, and then fade to black with the game's title in big letters. Say goodbye to the MW, welcome to Andromeda.

 

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored? Perhaps the ships were designed to travel within the Milky Way to solar systems beyond the reach of mass relays, but because of the Reapers they used them for intergalactic travel instead. Which would be quite the gamble, and pretty cool.

 

That could be a good explanation, although there's also the question we have in real life: why go to another planet if there's still so much more of our own (under the ocean's surface) unexplored?

 

There's also the problem of spaceship technology that is mentioned from time to time in sci-fi talks. With relays in mind, this problem is even greater for the MW: why would you spend time and money in colonizing the galaxy with a much slower ark if two centuries later someone may find with telescopes or probes a perfectly good relay nearby? By the time the ark arrives, they will be greeted by a bunch of volus colonists. On the other hand, no MW race has reasons to suspect that Andromeda is connected through the relay system. Those who reach it first will be almost guaranteed to be pioneers.

 

Of course, all of this is without taking into account the Reaper motivation: if you fear a Reaper attack, you don't want to be near the MW. That this cycle's races haven't explored the whole galaxy doesn't mean the Reapers don't know every inch of it.

[Ahriman]

1) The ARKON Initiative was born many years (even twenty or so years) BEFORE Reaper Invasion.

 

2) ARKON Initiave was initially a human project for expansion and human colonization outside Milky Way.

Such travel using FTL was considered physically impossible with that level of technology. And without FTL it would take eons, why would any corporation be funding something like this?

[Dalinne]

Such travel using FTL was considered physically impossible with that level of technology. And without FTL it would take eons, why would any corporation be funding something like this?

 

You are right. Fogg in that regard made a very good point: 

 

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored? Perhaps the ships were designed to travel within the Milky Way to solar systems beyond the reach of mass relays, but because of the Reapers they used them for intergalactic travel instead. Which would be quite the gamble, and pretty cool.

^^^^That would explain why Ryder feels so relieved. The possibility of survival was pretty low.

 

 

 

My guess it's that the prologue will start with the initial Reaper attack and how the Ark escaped. You know the drill: protagonist has some dialogues, some action, and then fade to black with the game's title in big letters. Say goodbye to the MW, welcome to Andromeda.

 

That would be a great introduction and very mass effectsque: all  games start with an attack and the main character taken by surprise. 

[ZipZap2000]

I keep coming back to the ME1 armour and ME1 style shelters. Is it possible we leave before Shepard even touches the beacon?

[Spectre-61]

I keep coming back to the ME1 armour and ME1 style shelters. Is it possible we leave before Shepard even touches the beacon?

 

I don't think so.

a) the Tempest is clearly inspired by the Normandy SR2 which didn't exist yet and

b ) the UT-47 Kodiak shuttle was firstly used in 2186 (between ME2 and ME3).

 

But maybe BW will mess a bit the the continuity of Mass Effect. I hope not, though.

[Cheviot]

So, if this "Ark" isn't built in response to the Reaper threat, I see two possibilities:

 

1) It's set at some time before the end of ME2, possibly even before ME1. 

2) It's set a long time after the end of ME3, enough time that they can rebuild (and possibly adapt the Citadel/Reaper technology floating around the Earth).  This would explain why the Arks seem to be in orbit around a peaceful earth.

[P. Domi]

I would like to add to the speculation. If you do some Internet search, there is a project with a giant telescope known as the Colossus (interestingly, it is the name of one of those unofficial tracks released by Sam Hulick). This real life scientific project intends to find signs pointing to possible life or inhabitable planets in Andromeda. (my bad, I read this a long time ago, I meant far beyond our solar system and it would include the Andromeda in a fictional future where technology actually permitted this feat).

 

How does this tie to what we know about Mass Effect? The chances of finding Earth-like planets is quite limited, since there are many variables involved in the formation and evolution of planets: relative distance to stars, presence or lack of water, etc. So my gut feeling is that Ark initiative leaves the Milky Way with a degree of knowledge of how the Helius cluster includes "planets of interest" where, upon confirmation and exploration, life could be possible. The film "Interstellar" also presented a similar scenario, with a limited number of planets detected that may, possibly, harbor life and sustain human colonies. The trip to Andromeda is such a long voyage, that it is hard to beluieve they would not to some "research homework" before picking the helius cluster as destination.

 

I would also like to mention the presence of multiple krogan in the several videos we have watched (official trailers and leaks). As you know, the krogan's physiology allowed them to survive in very hostile environments with minimal life support. I am not limiting my statement to Tuchanka. If you read the codex and Avina's description of the Rachni wars, you will remember how the krogan were able to fight in some of the very hostile planets inhabited by the Rachni. It's not specified, but I would hypothesize that these hard conditions could include low oxygen levels, gravitiy force far superior to Earth, the existence of fauna and flora that could be very poisonous for Council races but not so much for the krogan's redundant systems etc. 

 

The presence of krogan, regardless of the Ark's departure timeline, could be a necessity: you need scientists and very bright people in order to develop a civilization in a new galaxy, but you also need workers and combatants who can survive the possibly arduous conditions of many of the inhabitable planets you will find, and the very likely possibility of hostile presence in some of these planets. 

 

For these reasons, the expedition will need to include a military or military-trained complement of settlers to protect their assets. including Alliance and other Council races' military personnel. Some of these soldiers, given the selection process, would be highly skilled soldiers (N7, Salarian STG, Asari commandos) The selection process of people travelling to Andromeda was probably subject to heavy scrutiny.In order to develop a sustainable civilization in a different galaxy, you would need some of the brightest biologists, geophysicists, engineers, etc.  

[azarhal]

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored?

Why are NASA and Elon Musk working on projects to send permanent settlers to Mars when we don't even have a manned base on the Moon yet? 

 

The only question that stopped space exploration so far has always been "do we have the means" and not "is this a logical thing to do".

[Ahriman]

I would like to add to the speculation. If you do some Internet search, there is a project with a giant telescope known as the Colossus (interestingly, it is the name of one of those unofficial tracks released by Sam Hulick). This real life scientific project intends to find signs pointing to possible life or inhabitable planets in Andromeda.

I'm not sure which telescope are you talking about, but the one I've found doesn't mention Andromeda in it's search goals even once.

[Vortex13]

Why are NASA and Elon Musk working on projects to send permanent settlers to Mars when we don't even have a manned base on the Moon yet? 

 

The only question that stopped space exploration so far has always been "do we have the means" and not "is this a logical thing to do".

 

 

Indeed, especially since a colony on Venus would be way easier, cheaper, and safer long-term than one to Mars.

 

[In Exile]

But then, again, why go to another galaxy if there's still so much more of the own galaxy unexplored? Perhaps the ships were designed to travel within the Milky Way to solar systems beyond the reach of mass relays, but because of the Reapers they used them for intergalactic travel instead. Which would be quite the gamble, and pretty cool.

Why cling so desperately to the idea this happens during ME3? This could very easily happen around ME1, and before the Geth invasion. That avoids any need to even mention the reapers.

[Fogg]

Why cling so desperately to the idea this happens during ME3? This could very easily happen around ME1, and before the Geth invasion. That avoids any need to even mention the reapers.

 

 

My point is that making a long, dangerous trip to another galaxy 'to find a new home' is extremely expensive and only worth all the trouble if you think you might need a new home. Since the Reapers threaten the entire Milky Way, their invasion might be a good reason to undertake a trip to another galaxy. If you're just looking for a new home, you could might as well explore the Milky Way (of which we've only discovered the tip of the iceberg).

 

Now, if the reason for the journey is 'Let's see what's out there, perhaps we discover great new things and you can bring those back after another 400 year trip back to the Milky Way and hope that technology is still advanced over 800 years after your departure', then it's a different story. But the reason is finding a new home.

 

Edit: the dark energy theory might be a good alternative reason to have to go and look for a new home outside our own galaxy

[Gwydden]

Indeed, especially since a colony on Venus would be way easier, cheaper, and safer long-term than one to Mars.

 

Hang on, I'm trying to look for the perfect "women are from Venus; men are from Mars" joke.

[Iakus]

Why cling so desperately to the idea this happens during ME3? This could very easily happen around ME1, and before the Geth invasion. That avoids any need to even mention the reapers.

Still doesn't answer why we're not exploring the hundred million or so stars within standard ftl/relay range.

[FKA_Servo]

Still doesn't answer why we're not exploring the hundred million or so stars within standard ftl/relay range.

 

Sure it does, assuming the catalyst (heh) for this excursion is the imminent reaping. If whoever sets arkcon in motion is treating the reapers as a credible threat (and is working with the knowledge or assumption that the reapers threaten the *entire* galaxy), then they can't assume that they'll be sufficiently safe anywhere in the MW. Time to get out of Dodge.

 

Honestly though, I'm getting the sense that no matter what they do (including co-opting reaper tech, which is sensible, plausible, and more in-line with the existing lore than lots of the dumb stuff they have pulled or could pull), you and some other folks desperately want to be disappointed.

 

ME3 was dumb, but the ways in which it was dumb have no bearing on MEA. And they've still never screwed up a first installment.

[shepskisaac]

Another interview with Mac Walters

 

 

• Apparently the colonists had a choice to go to Andromeda, since they all have different motivations (adventure, curiosity, running from something or they just want a fresh start)

 

Another great find. This only further solidifies to me the scenario that the Ark (at east publicaly) was a research/colonization/scientific project foremost without any connection to the kowledge of the impending Reaper threat. There's also the "Explorers Wanted!" posters Bioware released few months ago. All seems to add up, I would speculate launch in between ME2 and ME3 after humanity joined the Council

[Addictress]

Okay so....that sounds worse. I was hoping for ark theory. Now they have a much weaker origin story.

Great.

[shepskisaac]

Okay so....that sounds worse. I was hoping for ark theory. Now they have a much weaker origin story.

Great.

? Arks are still there. The motivation is different most likely, but it doesn't change anything else. We're still shipping a sample of Milky Way civilization to Andromeda

[FKA_Servo]

I'm unable to watch the video right now, but that would work for me too.

 

And while I'm not hung up on the theory that "there's no way Shepard wouldn't know about this project" like some are, the expedition to Andromeda being an unrelated, non-military project that has nothing much to do with the reapers would solve that problem, since there's no reason for Shepard to know about such a thing, and anyway there are more pressing matters at hand.

[Gwydden]

? Arks are still there. The motivation is different most likely, but it doesn't change anything else. We're still shipping a sample of Milky Way civilization to Andromeda

If the Ark is just an exploratory mission...

 

... why are they calling it an ark?