Mass Effect 3 SPOILERS (Mainly Ending)

[Jay]

"There’s been a lot of discussion and debate about the conclusion of Mass
Effect 3, so I thought I’d share my perspective with you here. I’ll
avoid outright spoilers, but I’d still recommend finishing the game and
experiencing it for yourself before reading this.

For the last
eight years, Mass Effect has been a labor of love for our team; love
for the characters we’ve created, for the medium of video games, and for
the fans that have supported us. For us and for you, Mass Effect 3 had
to live up to a lot of expectations, not only for a great gaming
experience, but for a resolution to the countless storylines and
decisions you’ve made as a player since the journey began in 2007. So we
designed Mass Effect 3 to be a series of endings to key plots and
storylines, each culminating in scenes that show you the consequences of
your actions. You then carry the knowledge of these consequences with
you as you complete the final moments of your journey.

We always
intended that the scale of the conflict and the underlying theme of
sacrifice would lead to a bittersweet ending—to do otherwise would
betray the agonizing decisions Shepard had to make along the way.
Still, we wanted to give players the chance to experience an inspiring
and uplifting ending; in a story where you face a hopeless struggle for
basic survival, we see the final moments and imagery as offering victory
and hope in the context of sacrifice and reflection.

We've had some incredibly positive reactions to Mass Effect 3, from the New York Times declaring it “a gripping, coherent triumph”, to Penny Arcade
calling it “an amazing accomplishment”, to emails and tweets from
players who have given us the most profound words of appreciation we've
ever received.

But we also recognize that some of our most
passionate fans needed more closure, more answers, and more time to say
goodbye to their stories—and these comments are equally valid. Player
feedback such as this has always been an essential ingredient in the
development of the series.

I am extremely proud of what this team
has accomplished, from the first art concepts for the Mass Effect
universe to the final moments of Mass Effect 3. But we didn't do it on
our own. Over the course of the series, Mass Effect has been a shared
experience between the development team and our fans—not just a shared
experience in playing the games, but in designing and developing them.
An outpouring of love for Garrus and Tali led to their inclusion as love
interests in Mass Effect 2. A request for deeper RPG systems led to
key design changes in Mass Effect 3. Your feedback has always
mattered. Mass Effect is a collaboration between developers and
players, and we continue to listen.

So where do we go from here?
Throughout the next year, we will support Mass Effect 3 by working on
new content. And we’ll keep listening, because your insights and
constructive feedback will help determine what that content should be.
This is not the last you’ll hear of Commander Shepard.

We look
forward to your continued support and involvement as we work together to
shape the remaining experiences in the story of the Mass Effect
trilogy.

Thanks for taking this journey with us.

Casey Hudson"

Also, from Jessica Merizan's Twitter:

@Xaeldaren @batchix what did you want it to say? #curious (PS this discussion re: the endings is not OVER - it's just beginning) - They're still discussing the ending and post-game content! Have hope!

Looks like Shep's still got some fight in him.

But the question is....

RETCON OR INDOCTRINATION THEORY!?


Retcon seems more likely, as BioWare is asking members on BioWare Social what they'd like to see in a new ending. MGS4 FAN SERVICE ENDING INCOMING.

 

[Jay]

[video=youtube;BkCkOsRUxT0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkCkOsRUxT0&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Logan]

The indoctrination theory kind of makes sense, but its OBVIOUS they didn't intend it. Too much effort into post TIM conversation for it to be "LOL INDOCTRINATION GOTCHA!" So if they do that, they just let the fans fix their game and make them pay for their own work. It's a catch 22.

 

[Jay]

It's very dualistic - there are nuances in the way the scene plays out that kind of nods to everything being amiss, yet if the Indoctrination Theory was intended, why not just continue the final mission after Shepard wakes up? Why wait and release it as DLC, knowing you would cause outrage amongst your fanbase?

The Indoctrination Theory is the most complete explanation for the final scene. And it (most likely) wasn't even intended by the developers.

BioWare, you dun goofed.

If they do indeed release an Ending fix like they have been teasing, it'll more than likely just involve defying the Starchild. I couldn't see them implementing a true fix for the ending for the sole purpose of fan appeasement. They'd need some kind of monetary incentive, and asking fans to PAY for a real ending would just push things further into the wrong direction. They've put themselves in hot water.

 

[Logan]

That's the problem! It's the plothooooooooles and the Normandy. If the ending was the SAME save for the WAY you talked to this catalyst/its explanation (out in the middle of fucking space, the kid voice, the citadel CANT BE ALIVE OTHERWISE THE GAMES HAVE NO PURPOSE). I mean yes, Synthesis makes no fucking sense, but the Crucible doesn't either, it's just the games MacGuffin.

That's why the indoctrination theory is off and it's just bad WRITING. It's fine that Shepard dies, the Mass Relays exploding actually makes sense, and so does the Stargazer scene.

At this point, I just want Mac the Hack to come forth and just say, "Yeah I wanted a vague ending, but this was too vague. How do I even still have a job?"

 

[Jay]

 

[Chris]

[video=youtube;mGvdVXxFkY4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGvdVXxFkY4[/video]

 

[Tarvis]

This game depresses me.

 

[Tarvis]

What I want to know is that in the super secret ending (that I didn't get) where Shepard breathes a gasp of air, it appears to be that he is on the ground in London - suggesting he never made it to the citadel at all. Seems like that would suggest they were going for an indoctrination bit, but then why the hell didn't they end the game after that if that is the case?!

 

[Jay]

Bioware considering changing Mass Effect 3 ending - GameSpot.com

 

[Logan]

[video=youtube;vG4EyfXOTJ4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG4EyfXOTJ4[/video]

legitimately funny and also really all the game needed to go from "HORRIBLE" to "that doesn't make a lot of sense but whatever!"

 

[Jay]

IIIIIIIT'S OFFICIAL!
BioWare Is Working on a Modified Mass Effect 3 Ending

 

[scrappy]

i beat it 2 days ago and loved the ending. only dissapointment i had was the fact that there was no final boss and the second half of the illusive man confrontation fell short. but other than that....i chose the synthesize ending and i wouldnt have had it any other way.

 

[Logan]

 

[Dave]

............................lmfao WTF did I just watch?

 

[Logan]