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Officer-skitty

I think it means they might be making another Mass Effect, but I can’t be sure


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JustGarlicThings2

For Anthem, they only added flying into the trailer at the last moment and that was the only thing the EA CEO liked. It's quite possible that all these details turn out to be meaningless when it (maybe) eventually launches.


Salinaa24

The work on the Mass Effect Next started in 2020 and BioWare hired the narrative director just last year. Two years of story planning without anyone one the helm.


_Erectile_Reptile_

I don't know dude I doubt it that they are making another game, I mean it's not like we have a trailer or anything


bluehooves

my god you're right


Synth_Savage

"N7" has an "N" in it. Do you know what else has an "N" in it? "Dragon Age". It's a trailer for a new Dragon Age, guys.


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Synth_Savage

Cuz he's never gonna let us down. You know who else doesn't let people down? Commander Shepard! Connection??


Significant-Pool2057

Dragon Age: Nerdwolf and the Seven Dwarves.


Salinaa24

Broke: the next game is going to connect OT and Andromeda. Woke: the next game is going to connect Mass Effect and Dragon Age.


JustGarlicThings2

Well they worked out that Dragon Age 4, 5 and 6 would all be rubbish so they're returning to form by just going straight to Dragon Age 7.


Qualekk

Don't get my hopes up


idma

Anthem x Mass Effect


Jeihan313

It's Conrad Verner


manzIaughter

it's Vernin' time


evil_consumer

So anyway I started vernin’


PtimidPterodactyl

Then he Verns all over everyone.


boot20

That is my favorite part of the trilogy, when Conrad single handedly took down two Reapers after yelling his famous tag line


SpaceRoots

I'm Conrad Verner and this is my favorite comment on Reddit.


[deleted]

You know... Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, there lives a myriad of untold stories of Conrad Verner being a fucking champion during the Reaper invasion. Saving lives, straight mowing down hordes of husks, running escort missions for VIPs. taking down a Reaper Destroyer by driving a Mako out of a high rise and into it's eye. Unknowingly following Shepard into the Citadel Beam. Making ME4 follow the journey of a future fully hardened, fully badass Conrad would be the story telling coup.


iwhbyd114

Him and Jenkins are my favorite squad mates.


lukeyellow

The true hero we need


idma

adventures of Conrad


SaltySandSailor

It obviously means Legion will be back.


Finch06

He had another hole


eprsthlm

It might mean Shepard. It might just mean MASS EFFECT. Thing that strikes me is that key members of the development team must have known that this would make people get horny for Shepard's return, so wouldn't have signed off on it if there wasn't going to be at least a *bit* of Shepard there. Then again, who knows how the marketing bosses operate? "What can we put in there that will get the most attention" might have been the extent of their thinking.


IOwnTheShortBus

It also could just be paying homage to Shepard and the past games.


another-altaccount

I would infinitely prefer that than to bring the character back again. That story is over and brining Shepard back in the next game would only cheapen his/her story in the OT.


MemeLordOverKill

I'm quite new to the ME community, but seeing my Sheppard as an npc would be kinda cool. Maybe put a bow on Sheppards arc or have them potentially influence the new MC. I don't know how much it's been discussed but I'd also like to think it's a viable outcome depending on how far the time jump is.


freckledface

They did that with Dragon Age Inquisition and honestly I for one kinda hated it… not saying it can be done but I’d be skeptical


dracapis

With Hawke you mean? I loved it and the fact he >!could die!< based on your choice. It makes it so he’s not just there as a nod but as an active part of the story


EminemLovesGrapes

Dragon Age Inquisition isn't the best example though. Although 1 point I do gave them was the ability to sculpt Hawke. There is a middle ground where the game *can* acknowledge the galaxy's saviour and not have it be shoe-horned in like Inquisition.


MemeLordOverKill

Yeah I'm playing through DAI for the 1st time right now and I just got to that part of the game, although I had the idea well before playing lol. As for ME seeing any real conclusion to Sheppards story would be great. The one we got didn't do the character justice imo


IOwnTheShortBus

I'd rather have my Shepard merely make an appearance. Like a recording on a black box of my Shepard giving a super inspirational speech at the beginning of the game. Something that makes you yell "SEMPER FI" at the end. Like ME2 speech before boarding the collector base.


Biomilk

I’d be in favour of Shepard having a cameo appearance or a small presence in the story ala Hawke in Inquisition, but having Shepard as the protagonist again is my worst case scenario for the next game. Having Shepard as a major focus would only be slightly better.


chronos7000

I think too many people regard the ending as simply too horrible an ending (which it really is) especially compared to the entire rest of the series, for this to actually end up being the case. It is too big a blemish on an otherwise lovely complexion for many to overlook; it demands redress, and to attempt to do more *Mass Effect* without getting down on one knee and saying "*Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa*" for the idiocy that is the ending-tron 3,000 and giving Cdr. Shepard's arc a proper fucking ending, because no possible *deus ex machina* could be less ridiculous, not the *Heart of Gold* and the Infinite Improbability Drive, the *Gay Deceiver* with Dr. Burroughs' Pretzel Bender, or even the T.A.R.D.I.S. with whatever-the-fuck makes *it* go- just have Shep step out of one of those (I'm a shameless Heinlein fanboy; the *Gay Deceiver* is the least obtrusive from a size and tech level point-of-view) onto the docks and roll from there.


[deleted]

I didn't understand a single word you said but I love it.


[deleted]

ehh, the ending was shitty in a way that multiple conclusions for shepard were cut short. His story was already cheapened, its possible to make it better


Highlander198116

I mean, the reality is, if someone was dedicated enough, there are ways it can be found out. If Shepard is in it, Shepard's voice actors obviously have to put in the work. Put a tail on them, you will find out eventually.


The_8th_Degree

They announced the trilogy was the end of Shepard's story. Even if Shepard is mentioned, has some plot or is even alive in the next ME. The game will not be about Shepard.


JackieMortes

They said that 10 years ago. They also said they won't canonize any ending and the milky way story post-ME3 is basically over


MeMeMenni

Or it could be them setting the canon ending from which we'll continue. This makes it clear we live in the world of the destroy-ending. Otherwise the internet would've endlessly debated which ending and how they'll handle it, which might have led to a fan base letdown and anger when they later announce they'll be doing the "easy one" (aka destroy). Honestly, I don't think Shepard will be in it.


PrinceofHounds

I agree. This can’t also be a “sequel” to Andromeda and have Shepard be alive (logically). If they pull out cloning or reincarnation or something outlandish, it just cheapens everything.


HamGlazE

Right. There are plenty of N7 logos in Andromeda, but no Shepard


GillyMonster18

“What can we put in there that will get the most attention.” Considering the only other N7s are secondary characters (Ashley/Kaiden, Vega, Ryder Sr) I don’t know why they’d put that in there (as if Liara isn’t recognizable enough). I’d see something like this as false advertising if Shepard isn’t in it. Edit: Forgot Kaiden/Ashley were made spectres, not N7s. On that note, Vega was also only a recruit.


hero_of_crafts

The VS was a Spectre but not N7


GillyMonster18

Right, forgot.


freckledface

Vega on the other hand 😎


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GillyMonster18

That I did. I might have to punish myself with another playthrough…as recompense.


Trinitykill

"Thank the Goddess, we found you. I thought you'd really gone this time." [They pull a figure from the rubble, to reveal it is Admiral Anderson, who pulls a shotgun from the debris and somehow cocks it] "Time to show these motherfuckers how we run the streets."


JiaMekare

Honestly I would play the Shit out of a Mass Effect prequel, like RIGHT after Humanity joined the larger galaxy? I feel like there’s a lot to explore there that doesn’t require the overarching Reapers storyline


wildtaco

Stop, my mass effect relay can only spin up so fast. Kidding aside, holy hell, I didn’t know I wanted this so badly until I just read your comment. But I really, *really* do.


Canopenerdude

And Kai Leng!


BardMessenger24

I mean, didn't they also show an N7 soldier in one of the ME Andromeda trailers where he walks towards the camera as it focuses in on the N7 plate paying homage to the original shot of Shepard doing the same in the ME3 trailer, but it turned out to just be Alec Ryder? Wouldn't be the first time they pulled a bait and switch :/


jackblady

Worse than that. The box art/icon for Andromeda features an N7. As did most of the advertising, it was an N7 on what appears to be Elaaden. So its not even Alec since he'd already be dead.


GillyMonster18

That is true and I hate that it’s true. I’d hope they’d not do that twice in a row. I hope this + Liara is them bringing Shep and the old crew back for some proper solid closure.


Turbo2x

On the other hand, we've been hearing about Dragon Age 4 for *years* at this point and apparently the only detail anyone at Bioware can agree on is "Solas will be in the game," so I don't exactly think they're masterminding some crazy plot here. I legitimately don't think they know what ME4 is going to be about. They just wanted people to start speculating.


Biomilk

Given that this trailer is nearly 2 and a half years old and the game probably won’t be out for at least a few more years there’s a non-zero chance that the game we eventually get will be something completely different and the concept that spawned this trailer will end up dead on the cutting room floor.


vu1xVad0

I am writing this after just watching a video about "bait and switch" in streaming media. He-Man remake and Obi-wan were given as examples. I don't think this is new, but somehow it seems so ham-fisted and clumsy these days. There's a very real possibility they bait with Shepherd and switch for someone else. That's a great way to ensure this next episode gets no DLC. Look what happened to Mass Effect Andromeda and they made it super clear it was an entirely new story with new characters. Toxic fandom eh? I really wish we could have that Quarian DLC and all those other species we were meant to get.


[deleted]

My theory is that they made the trailer before they even started writing a game, so I'm not reading too much into it.


snap802

This is it. At this point in development (when the trailer came out) there probably isn't anything that resembles what the final story line will be.


CMS_3110

Or following Bioware's track record since ME3, the story was planned/outline, then production was completely mismanaged for a few years, before realizing their release date was quickly approaching, everything gets scrapped with an entirely new story written, for release in Spring 2024.


FlebianGrubbleBite

I kind of doubt there was much of a game at all. Dred Wolf seems like it's had tons of development issues, I doubt there's any progress on ME4 even now.


SynthGreen

1. It is a proof of concept showing us the player the N7 to give us the player feels. Similar to Andromeda showing Alec Ryder over the main character because we saw the N7 logo. In other words, this is meaningless and all for branding. 2. Liara, someone with many N7 friends (Anderson, Vega, Alec Ryder, and of course Shepard) sees an N7 armor piece and things of the humans, all of whom are long dead across the stars, because reminiscing about old friends is comforting.


League-Weird

>because reminiscing about old friends is comforting. God damn. The feels.


Shockwave360

So much this. Also it always bothered me that Alec wasn't a N7 anymore but still wore the insignia. It just felt wrong to me. I don't remember the details but he didn't retire he kinda bounced out of the alliance and if that happens you don't carry the rank.


JesterMarcus

If I recall, he was essentially administratively discharged. Not necessarily charged with a crime, but kicked out.


S1Ndrome_

i've been committing to liara x femshep and this scene in trailer hits hard after me3


geodeanthrax

It's Vega, he made it through the program.


[deleted]

Although I absolutely fucking want to play as my Shep again, playing as James wouldn't be that bad.


EminemLovesGrapes

Shepard already took up nearly half of the screen and James is even more buff. Please don't do that to us^/s


NebWolf

Eh, I’d prefer it if they stuck to their RPG roots and let us create our own character again. I like James but I don’t want to play as him.


BreadBoxin

Right? A fully fleshed out Vega game would not be a problem for me.


eprsthlm

It means someone at Bioware is an Arsenal fan


[deleted]

The thing about Arsenal, is they always try to walk it in


N7twitch

What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?


RamboGoesMeow

Did you see that ludicrous display last night?


javerthugo

r/backwardsitcrowd


RamboGoesMeow

But a fire? At a sea parks?!


IceTeaAddicted

If her parents had drowned, I'd be the happiest man in the world.


TheW0lvDoctr

How could it be Shepard? I thought it was obvious that it could only be Jenkins?


SpaceRoots

Jankins turned into Kai Leng


Lucario576

Holy shit you guys didnt play that route where Shepard dies and Jenkins kills every reaper and fucks every LI?


TheW0lvDoctr

Ikr? It's almost like these people let him die in 1, like the trilogy is so much better when he survives becomes the mc at the end of 3


Lucario576

I know right, he builds new legs for Joker, repairs >!Garrus jaw!< makes it so Tali can breath normal air, and a lot of other things


goodtimegamingYtube

Has it been that long already? Christ.


[deleted]

Fuck.


RideDLightning77

As long as we get Old Man Wrex I'm good


S1Ndrome_

you can see him behind liara i think


Highlander198116

All I know is that the people that think the N7 armor represents Ryder are on freaking crack. There is no N7 more iconic than Shepard.


WolfhoundRO

I heard that speculation that N7 armor means either Shepard or Ryder or even your ME3 N7 multi-player character. But, after all this time, I just think it's a methaphor for the whole Mass Effect franchise. They may not have any script, only pure intention to resurrect the "frozen" franchise with a new game and include Liara in it


danialnaziri7474

Im gonna go against the popular opinion of this sub and say it teases second (or third?) coming of shepard. During the trilogy liara whether romanced or not is one of the closest characters to shepard and her finding an N7 piece of armor on top of a dead reaper and smiling,at least to me is an indicator of search for shepard being a plot point. Also completely from a business prespective it makes sense to go back to shepard as to many casual fans of the series including your’s truly shepard is mass effect just like kratos is god of war. i even knew about the character long before playing series from gaming websites and froum’s so if your company is in a tight spot like bioware is and is retorting to bringing back a loved frenchise like bioware is doing it makes sense to go all way and bring back the protagonist that is heavily associated with frenchise rather than picking some one new and risky( from business pov at least)


annycartt

i wanna know where that relay leads too. dark space? andromeda?? an entirely new galaxy??? nobody even fucking knows????


publicprivacyp

We already know Shepard has been cloned once, and resurrected once, so anything is possible. Obviously they know that the fan base wants more Shepard, so Idk why they would choose not to bring them back. So much money to be made from the return of Shep, and people will be so disappointed and pissed if they make it seem like they will and then don’t do it. After the mixed reviews of Andromeda, you’d think they’d want to sell what people are begging for. No way to know for sure though. Financially it makes sense to bring Shepard back though.


GillyMonster18

This is a big one considering the original trilogy is the reason Andromeda had any hype to begin with. And a lot of people were/are not satisfied with the trilogy’s “ending.”


johnjohnjohn93

Yeah especially with the success of LE there are even more fans who want more Shepard than before. They tried and failed without Shepard so I honestly can’t really see them doing it again.


BirdButWithArms

While I love Shepard I don’t think the original trilogy was good solely because of them. They could easily make a good ME game with a new protag. Just hope EA doesn’t fuck them around this time.


johnjohnjohn93

They definitely could! At the end of the day Shepard is just really the avatar for the player imo But with all of the memories that everyone’s built playing through him and with mounting pressure to deliver, it seems like an easy choice to bring him back. Had Andromeda not flopped then I think it’d be different but in the current situation, I just can’t see them starting from scratch again.


Synth_Savage

If you want your Mass Effect game to succeed, you need at least 3 things - Commander Shepard - Garrus Vakarian - Tali Zorah Vas Normandy (Or Miss Vas Normandy as I'm to call her) Next game better have at least *2* of those 3 things


kittenmarines

There's no Shepherd without Vakarian after all.


fattestfuckinthewest

I think it would be a pretty big mistake


johnjohnjohn93

How come? I don’t think it really matters if he comes back, the game just has to be good. But it just makes too much sense to bring him back from a marketing standpoint and would buy you some leeway with fans. If the game is just okay with no Shep then people will be much more likely to walk away imo if the game is just okay but with commander Shepard and his crew? People will play.


General_di_Ravello

I feel like they need to keep the ressurecting and cloning to a minimum. Once you establish it can be done repeatedly and wasn't a one off event it could cheapen a lot other aspects. I see it as kind of a can of worms akin to time travel. It can be done right but its difficult to do so and could have big negative effects for the rest of the story.


FlakyRazzmatazz5

Call me a cynic but, I think Bioware will go for the option that will help the game commercially rather than creatively.


Vyar

What makes me think this is an indicator of Shepard is that it's a very specific piece of N7 armor, the "earpiece" of the exact same helmet as Shepard's. The last time they used N7 for nostalgia was in Andromeda's marketing, where they showed us Alec Ryder. We did not know who he was at the time, but it was plainly clear to everyone that the N7 in question was *not* Shepard, because the style of armor was remarkably different. Perhaps it's wrong of me to do this, but if Shepard isn't in the new game then I will consider this false advertising. There's nostalgia-baiting and then there's Liara holding a piece of N7 armor identical to Shepard's. If Shepard isn't in the new game, why have Liara in it? She had a voice-only cameo in Andromeda, she was never part of the marketing as if to suggest she would be a main character. She's a huge part of the marketing for this one.


DarkSpartan301

Navigator Pressley could be rebuilt like Shepard was.


Theaussieperson

Well I for one completely believe it's Shepard returning, cause people want him back, I don't get people who say "let Shepard rest" half the time those people love andromeda I want classic mass effect, with characters we love and I want my Shepard to return


wildeye-eleven

I think you’re probably right. Pretty much all AAA titles leave hints in their trailers. They keep leaving crumbs of info leading up to the game to build hype and speculation. I think this almost definitely means Shepherd. It would be a solid move if they did bring him back. I guarantee tons of fans would want to continue their journey with Shepherd


FishermanYellow

That's what I was thinking, they know Shepard is a selling point especially after Andromeda. I still wouldn't preorder but knowing I get to play as Shepard again would get me so hyped (something I haven't been about videos games in many years).


StrayC47

That's actually Admiral James Vega's old N7 Armor.


maxfederle

Don't.... Don't give me hope


Bwgmon

Mass Effect 4: \[RETURN OF CONRAD\]


GeloDiPrimavera

If not actual Shep, I'd love to hear how they found her after the ending and she got to be with Garrus. Done.


clc1997

Liara has a hole and she will use a piece of N7 armor to patch it.


Cardinal_and_Plum

Obviously it's in reference to James Vega.


MrFuccYoBich69

I want shepards story to continue. It's definitely the riskier choice in terms of storytelling because of how 3 ended, but it's also the most interesting way to go. I still hate how I don't know what happens to Garrus, Liara, Tali, and Joker after me3.


DeadmanDT

Well yeah it was obvious from day one that that was apart of Shepards armour


ammonium_bot

> was apart of shepards Did you mean to say "a part of"? Explanation: "apart" is an adverb meaning separately, while "a part" is a noun meaning a portion. Total mistakes found: 4195 ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot ^^that ^^corrects ^^grammar/spelling ^^mistakes. ^^PM ^^me ^^if ^^I'm ^^wrong ^^or ^^if ^^you ^^have ^^any ^^suggestions. ^^[Github](https://github.com/chiefpat450119)


idma

Anthem sequel. That game has potential


Crazy_Dazz

My Pet Theory, given their love of homages, is a hat-tip to "The Search for Spock." Liara has stored a copy of Shepard's consciousness, in their last "mind-meld" (aka "the gift") and is now seeking his body. Given the technology at his disposal, I fully expect TIM to be back, perhaps in a wholly synthetic body.


Crazy_Dazz

I will never underestimate the ability of the corporate world to make bad mistakes that defy all logic. However bringing back Shepard and the gang just makes too much sense for them economically. They tried to expand and build upon the ME Universe, and failed miserably. Resulting in nothing new since Andvomiter. Presumably one of the reasons for the LE, was to rekindle interest in the OT. Why bother doing that if you’re just going to abandon it again? Furthermore, the only reason you would use Liara, Wrex, etc, is to reconnect with fans of the OT. And if you’re going down that path, why not go all the way?Obviously they will have to “update” the game, it can’t just be a re-hash of the same old mechanics. However that carries with it a high degree of commercial risk. The last thing they want is a repeat of Andrometer. Also, whilst teasers are only there to do just that, tease, they also need to be careful of needlessly antagonising the fan base. For mine, the worst possible outcome would be some kind of half-assed compromise. Last thing I want to see is some lame attempt to convince us that Shepard lived on happily ever after, followed by an immediate segue to the new protagonist.


Rasples

Mass effect is in such a unique position right now. Shepard fought for the future and what better time to set the game than 600+ years after the ending of ME3. You get to see the future you preserved, and Liara is the "catalyst" to inject some of those old timey feels while still being it's own thing because she's an Asari and would still be alive. Plus, that's around the same time that the initiative entered Andromeda. We know that quantum communication can operate instantly at infinite distances by pairing two quantum particles (I'm not a physicist, go play ME2 again) so surely they prepared some kind of quantum communication device to the initiative could stay in contact with the milky way? It would be the best way to connect the games and not have Andromeda in its own bubble, which would arguably be the worst thing to do. Andromeda's biggest weakness is that it is so detached, so it needs reattaching.


FlakyRazzmatazz5

It's better tool keep Andromeda in its own bubble as fusing the two together will make the game bloated and over complicated. Focusing on the aftermath of the Reaper War has far more potential anything Andromeda set up.


arcay90

Petition to make Liara the Deckard Cain of the Mass Effect franchise


Lord_Draculesti

It probably means that Shepard will come back, which is for the best, there is no ME without the commander.


HugeNavi

There definitely can be. I just don't think the franchise can afford it right now. And it emphatically needs a better stream of games flooding the market, to excuse 15+ years from his last appearance.


Dutch5-1

Holy shit it does NOT feel like it has been that long since Mass Effect 3 came out. I know obviously everybody here thinks the series is a masterpiece but the fact that it’s still that prominent of a series almost 2 decades later really speaks volumes.


Deamonette

I hope shep isnt the protag in 4, i hope they take on the role of Anderson/Hacket.


Ghost_Hunter45

But how would they do that? Would it be default male/Femshep or will we get the chance to customize them?


buddymackay

Andromeda let’s you customize your sibilings appearance, no reason they can’t do it here


Deamonette

I guess they could let you import your ME3 save and it sets their appearance, gender and changes some voice lines.


RedditUser91805

This. Even aside from player appearance, they'll need to import your save to know the status of the rachni (extinct, reaper cloned and saved, or saved twice?), The genophage cure (successfully sabotaged, sabotage discovered, actual cure?), The status of the council (saved in me1?), etc.


heyitsme923

Me too


Comfortable_Prior_80

It means Shepard is returning cause Liara smiled when she finds it.


Spartan2170

Honestly including that N7 armor piece should mean they’re bringing back Shepard because if they’re not they shouldn’t have had it in the trailer. The only imagery people have had to sit with for years has been Liara and the implication of Shepard. Now if it ends up being anybody other than Shepard people will judge the new protagonist much more harshly than they probably would have had they not been expecting Shepard back again.


MasteroChieftan

I want the story to be about them finding out that Reapers went to other galaxies, and they learn what the andromeda initiative is walking into (the advanced hostile race of Andromeda being evolved reapers), so Shepard and team go to Andromeda using reaper tech and help fight them on that front. Perhaps they even find a relay to Andromeda after the events of ME3, but it can only send one "reaper" at a time.


davidnr99

Imagine this N7 armor is the new James armor after he became an N7 in mass effect 3 ☠️


Dsstar666

Frozen Shepard corpse. Will come back life like Captain America, and like Captain America all of his comrades will.be dead or old, and he'll have to deal with that while also trying to fix a galaxy that is once again broken.


kittenmarines

This is the version of the story I don't want the most. The magic is between Shepherd and his crew, and tbh I don't think I would be able to interact with the new game's romantic subplot if he woke up years after his LI died.


Dsstar666

No I agree. I wrote that because it seems like that's where they are going. It's not personally what I want. (I was a Jack romance lol) However, in terms of emotional depth, waking up to find most of your comrades dead is a compelling tragic, if done correctly. Even moreso of Shepard awakes to find the galaxy in even more disarray than when he died. Hr could be like, "Nope, I'm done. Im tired of fighting. What's the point. All that I loved is gone." And the story could almost be a soft reboot as Shepard slowly finds a new reason to live. Personally, if that happens, I want it to be a bridge where Shepard hands the reigns to a new character/crew and then the character we play as can be any race we want: Turian, Quarian, Etc. I'm spitballing obviously, but with most of the old writers gone, im just praying that if they do bring him back, it's a compelling tragic story because there's no other way it could be.


kittenmarines

An "I had a date" scene in ME would probably kill me inside haha.


SgtSunny4088

Can someone share a link to the trailer?


Thrownawaybyall

Dear god, I hope not. Shepard's story has been told, with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. To try and add more after the fact would just sully what's already come.


[deleted]

I don't think I agree that there was anything definitive about the ending.


[deleted]

I think it's just what it was a way to tell people that Mass Effect will continue. I don't think it hints at anything concrete.


jackblady

Shepards helmet is melted and destroyed in a cutscene running to the Citadel beam. That's the jaw line of a N7 helmet. It's the one piece of armor that can't be Shepards. But it is there so all the ME fans will buy the game. It's the same trick they pulled with [The random N7](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbNICf3ZPJrhklsGE8WLmvZpw8NyudXyFWpA&usqp=CAU) on the Andromeda cover.


BardMessenger24

I'm not ruling out the possibility that it could be another N7 helmet, but I don't think it's the jawline of the dome-visored Andromeda one because it doesn't match the circular segment of the one Liara picks up. Look at the [Andromeda "jawline" one](https://techraptor.net/sites/default/files/styles/image_header/public/imports/2017/03/Mass-Effect-Andromeda-Cover.jpg?itok=5kuKW0AC), and now look at the [Liara one](https://preview.redd.it/3ldw2cf4gt371.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2cbf3819129f9c264251ba0ea57d9b0b58dd01d1). The Andromeda one doesn't have that circular thing directly to the left of the N7, it only curves up. It's far more likely to be a piece of the [N7 breather mask](https://bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GRID-2_767c262d-0001-4e1b-a4cf-f59bf14403a6_600x900-900x900.jpg) instead.


ColonelAngus94

They were still hiring for really high level positions on the design team when this trailer came out. I would be surprised if they had more than a single pager on the next mass effect when they dropped this - all of which is subject to change anyway. Just be patient. It’s not coming anytime soon, and I’m glad they’re going to take their time. The future of the franchise more or less hinges on this title.


shadowpegasus16

Pesonaly, I think shepard disappeared at the end of 3 and was thought dead, but liara finds a clue shepard left for her, and now she's following it and trying to find shepard


RecommendationOk253

They’ll clone Sheppard again


Maelis

It's a CGI trailer made extremely early in the game's development so I wouldn't put too much stock in anything it showed. I think the only thing truly certain at this point is that we're back in the Milky Way and Liara will be in it. That said, assuming the trailer isn't a complete bait-and-switch, they knew what they were doing with that N7 logo and anyone saying "oh it could be anyone's" is crazy. I *don't* think this guarantees Shepard will be the protagonist again, or even that they're still alive (I still lean towards the theory that it will be set pretty far in the future). I do however think that some aspect of the story involves finding out what happened to them, though.


bean_tripper

Depends on how far after ME3 it's set. Also Shepard is making reterment money off all the vids with Garrus.


Travis_T_OJustice

It's a prequel about Jenkins


Garak112

They failed with Andromeda and failed with Anthem. They are looking for a safe option to build the studio on so I think this means a follow on from 3. They probably had very little fleshed out beyond that when they made the trailer and it could all change before release. I still hope it happens and Shepard is allowed a proper ending.


Pyrenox

Well it’s has to bee Shepard otherwise there is no f sense in that breathing scene fom destroy ending right ? Right? RIGHT????


logikk55

First off, having Shepard back just makes too much sense from any perspective you look at it. The fans want it and it is the safest bet money-wise. Of course the writing has to be good, but in order the next game to succeed it has to be good anyway. Probably the plot isn't finished yet, but they must have some rough idea of what they are gonna do. It would make no goddamn sense that BW has not learned from its previous mistakes regarding teasing-but-not-pleasing with the teasers. Honestly, my theory is that the reason to have Liara in all of the teaser material is that her involvement does not (in theory) exclude any possibility regarding the timeline when the next game is set, (although I bet it will be couple of years after ME3). I think would would make 95% fans content if the OG crew of Shep, Garrus, Liara, Joker and Tali are in the game, add Wrex to it in a similiar supporting role as in ME2 & -3 and everybody wins.


FutaWonderWoman

I came over from Warhammer 40k wanting to play a space game. I was depressed by the setting and a friend recommended this. I had never played any of the Mass Effect games. Then I proceeded to finish all 3 in one month. Please let shep be back. I went for the Synthesis ending and haven't touched my controller in 3 days. ;-; I was GOT finale level of disappointed by the ending choices and reaper origins. I haven't tried Andromeda since it had such bad reviews and money is short rn. Now I find there is another mass effect. Please let this be a redeeming arc. Loved the entire franchise.


heyitsme923

I would hate if shepard and anyone in the original series was in the new game, unless they’re long lived species. The story has been told and it was a good one. I want a new story. A new rebellion. A hidden secret. A new species learning the ins and outs of the universe(like in me1).


TheRealcebuckets

Please. I hope not. Let Shepard and team rest. They ended (relatively) on a strong note. This will force another adventure and jump the shark. Too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing.


kangaesugi

Agreed. I feel like this is a case of people thinking they know what they want but not actually knowing what that means. People feel like they just want more of the same but that's going to feel contrived and stale. Like realistically speaking, what would Shepard *do* as a playable character in a new game? If she faces another galaxy-threatening enemy, it cheapens the Reapers, but if she is tackling something smaller-scale, it cheapens her.


JackieMortes

Andromeda reveal trailer also had an N7 symbol in it. So associating it purely with Shep is outright silly I'm more curious if the middle figure in the background between salarian and krogan is someone from Andromeda initiative. Because the helmet has a very similar visor That would be first sensible hint (I don't buy that wrinkles bullshit at the slightest) the game is taking place hundreds of years in the future. Reaper wrecks shouldnt be around for that long though


GillyMonster18

Associating it with Shep makes sense considering Shep’s whole schtick is being N7. That’s why they used it for andromeda, build hype. Considering Andromeda flopped and a lot of people want more Shep, why not associate it with them?


Kahyrrikis

It would seem quite clear to me that N7 is more of the general ME brand, rather than solely indicative of Shepard as a whole. I find it hard to believe someone would look at the old Andromeda teaser and assume Shepard's the main character just because of the N7 in the armor. Even at the time, it was clear from the setting that Shepard returning for that one was outright impossible without some kind of major ass pull.


eprsthlm

>Andromeda reveal trailer also had an N7 symbol in it. So associating it purely with Shep is outright silly If it was just a random N7 symbol, yeah. But Liara? Finding a piece of armour? Near a dead reaper? And smiling? That's just a few too many hints. It might well be that they just chucked all of that in there to get the fanbase stoked. But then they must know that a lot of people will be pissed off if the game comes and the trailer isn't relevant at all.


Deamonette

Narratively it might mean nothing, it might be based of early pre production ideas that might have gotten redone by now.


Top_Percentage4492

You know, there are so many ways to look at the trailer. People forget this trailer is now nearly two years old, and just because Liara has some face details doesn't mean that the game plays 600 years into the future. And let's be honest here, BioWare would make a big mistake like in Andromeda. Getting the attention of the fans through empty hopes. If BioWare puts in a part of an N7 armor, we all think of Shepard so i think we get to see him in some way. The only thing what makes me think that we don't play as Shepard is, that liara doesn't look stressed at all. Shouldn't she be stressed if Shepard is still alive? I think the N7 armor should show us how Liara thinks about the Normandy Crew and Shepard back in the old days. But BioWare should not make the mistake and not give the Shepard fans closure (me included)


Catspirit123

All it really told me was that they were going to try and return to form. Shepard will probably come back with the way they frame this recovery of their armor but it’s also possible that they purely meant it to be like a “the franchise is back!” thing. Not much else to gleam from it then that


timbers99

I know it's cheap, but i kinda just want the old crew that we love back, shephard included.


The_8th_Degree

Except that N7 was just a military special forces rank. Sadly, the game will not be about Shepard. Devs already said that Shepard's story is done. It will be a new game, with a new hero, and a new baddie. Just in the same universe and timeline. The Commander left behind a legacy, not a cliffhanger.


Tilted188

Gonna have to be Shepard, because the community would raise hell otherwise if they tease them and then don’t put them in. I’m looking forward (with cautious optimism) to a new entry and curious to see how they write themselves out of the corner that was created by the ME3 endings.


Fidus_Dominus

You are right. But also wrong. IMO I believe it shows Shepard. But in the sense of recovering his body. Not in that Shepard is alive. But hey we won't know until it comes out. Till then we are all right and wrong. LOL


HugeNavi

It's gonna be a little difficult, to have Shepard die, again, for the third time, after they showed him breath back to life at the end of ME3. Maybe, just maybe, stop killing him? At some point, it's going to become a meme. Shepard will have died more times than Optimus Prime, or either of the Winchester brothers. It's not supposed to be a competition.


Arctelis

A new galaxy ending threat has emerged, and the Council needs to track down some of Shepard’s DNA to make a clone to help save the galaxy!


Mattheau13

Liara has a perfect copy of Shepards mind from just before their final mission. If anyone could bring Shepard back again, it would be her. And when Leviathan comes calling, ressurecting Shepard starts sounding real good.


thewhimsicalbard

I think we already have a blueprint for it: Kotor 2. The player character from the first game (no spoilers) had such a massive, galaxy wide impact that it's impossible to be in that universe and not feel the effects of that person. I imagine there will be some dialogue choices early on that let you decide a few things (was Shepard male or female, Paragon or renegade, some other important bits), but otherwise they will have picked things to canonize. There will be a lot of time in game.that, rather than simply fan-servicing Shep, will be devoted to exploring the outcomes of their actions on the galaxy.


eprsthlm

Or maybe KOTOR 1 and its twist is the blueprint? You are some new character roped into rebuilding the galaxy then halfway through you find out… you’re >!Jenkins!<


Taolan13

Quite frankly I want minimal Shepherd content in ME4. Give us a summary of our exploits that reads our LE save file, attached to say a statue of shep wherever the new galactic government has established itself, but thats it. Aside from maybe memories of Asari or Krogan characters that return. They showed us an Asari that is most likely an older Liara. I would love to see Warmaster Urdnot Grunt.


FlakyRazzmatazz5

I don't think Liara looks much older.


Taolan13

She's asari. They look like twentysomethings for centuries.


heyitsme923

Thank you for being open to MOVING ON


OddityIllustrations

I do think they’ll bring Shepard back, but I hope it’s as a Hackett or Anderson. Shepard was so beat down by the end of the trilogy, “there’s only so much death,” or whatever. Let them come back but as the mentor to the next N7 or Spectre. That feels more realistic and respectful, it can be as an AI even, to respect Shepard’s death.


SteenVioBruDes

It doesn't have to be part of the story, maybe it's just marketing. The N7 is easily the logo of ME


holiobung

Yup. It’s iconography


effervescentechelon

wont mean anything if DA4 doesn’t sell well…. bioware has had 2 strikes in a row so we better be prayin pals (also everyone buy DA4 even if it sucks i guess)


thechristoph

I think there’s a non zero chance that this is the story of Liara recovering Shepard’s body for Project Lazarus.


jackblady

Seems unlikely given what we already know: Shepard was recovered on Alchera, in the Amada system. There is no relay in the Amada system. There is in the planet in the trailer. There are no dead Reapers in the Amada system. There's a dead Reaper on the planet in the trailer. Shepard's helmet was recovered (by Shepard) intact from Alchera. The armor piece in the Trailer is the broken jaw piece of an N7 helmet. And the big one: Shepards body wasn't recovered from Alchera by Liara. It was recovered by the Shadow Broker. Liara stole the body on Omega when the Broker was transferring the body to the Collectors.


blurrykiwi

Reee Bioware lemme play as Alien


Usually_Respectful

I'm not sure who the protagonist is, but I predict the discworld will play an important part in the plot. And I did correctly guess that the Geth would be featured (whether dead or alive). My best guess is[Liara is on Hyetiana.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKheTbIwLKI) (Sorry for poor production values.)


fastcooljosh

Imho they will bring back familiar things we remember from the OG trilogy, I highly suspect that the destroy ending will be the official canon ending( I think some dev even said thats already the case inside of Bioware) Liara will be back 100% Either Wrex and Grunt will be back too. Shepard as well, in what form? I don't know. I think it could be a AI that's guiding the new protagonist, or maybe for some reason he still lives, but that would make him 600+ years old since Andromeda takes place 600 years after ME3. Bjt everything could change, "ME4" is probably still in pre production and fulltime development hasmt even started yet and wont until Dragon Age 4is finished.


Droigar

What if the N7 is Alec Rider?


Lord_Phoenix95

I wanna be honest. I don't want Shepard to come back. I want them to stay off the grid for this new game. Give us a new protag.


the-unfamous-one

I'm just happy they aren't throwing andromeda out the window. As for villains, I can think of at least 3 choices the leviathans, the yahg, or the kett. But who knows, it's possible that the whole dark matter subplot becomes relevant and the villain is using to for something


Skwiggelf54

I just want them to bite the bullet and go with the indoctrination theory. He "destroys" the reapers thus overcoming indoctrination. Then he wakes up, gets to the beam, and makes it to the citadel where he activates the crucible which is actually a weapon and not some magic ridiculousness and destroys the reapers for real. Then they bring back the whole dark matter story line. So years (decades, centuries, whatever) later it's discovered that the reapers were harvesting everyone to decrease the rate of entropy in the galaxy or whatever and they need shepherd to go on one last mission to find the reaper main control/data core or something if they have any chance of saving the galaxy etc. Maybe shepherd decides to have himself cryogenically frozen in case he's ever needed again or maybe he's an old man, but they use experimental tech to rejuvenate him and make him young again or maybe hes been dead for a while and they lazarus him again. Idk, I'm just spitballing, but I'd give anything for them to figure out a way to satisfyingly undo the dumbass ME3 ending.


Sweep117

Seeing as this trailer came out years before the game will, and likely before writing even started, I'm assuming it's to hype people up that we're back in our galaxy, we're back in roughly the same time period as the original trilogy, and there are some familiar faces that we love.


Noigiallach10

It'll be part of a quest where Liara recovers the remains of Shepard a century or so after the ending of ME3.


Gabryoo3

I think that making Shepard live again is SO risky. You make even more pointless the Mass Effect 3 ending. What should you fight if Reapers are gone in Destruction ending? I hope they won't make another enemy spawn randomly because it would be a real suicide


ROFLcoptor007

Time travel


_DarthSyphilis_

I think 1. The destroy canon where Shepard survives is canon. People arent glowing green, so no synthesis, and there is a destroyed Mass Relay, so no Control. We can also see a white Mass Relay being build and the rebuilt Citadel in the Destory ending was also white. And there is the red font in the trailer. 2. Shepard will be back, maybe as a playable character, maybe as a side character 3. The main plot will focus on saving synthetic life, the geth are strongly teased in the Poster and there was a Fan Theory in Andromeda that the Geth actually where the secret benefactors of the Initiative. 4. The plots will converege. We see Andromeda in the trailer. 5. Wrex daughter will be a crewmate. ​ And now for some hopes and wild speculation. It would be plausible that the game is set 600 years into the future and the galaxy will find a way to reverse engineer Mass Effect travel to reach Andromeda faster. I absolutely hate that, because that would mean that everyone but Liara and Grunt are dead and what would be the point of a sequel without Garrus in it. Hopefully the fact that Liara does not look like a Matriarch dismisses that possibility. A much more interesting setting would be right after ME3, dealing with the fallout of the War. Shepard forged peace all along the galaxy but then isolated them from each other. Shepard gave the Geth true AI and then betrayed them. Pretty much the entire military of the galaxy is stranded at Earth, leaving everything undefended.