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[Hot Coldman]

They'd be wise to bring the scale waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back, if they want to try and improve on their moral path stuff, which I would imagine is high on their list for a next-gen Mass Effect game. They'd be able to make up for their inability to avoid "the diamond" with regards to the Shepard Trilogy's story path if they showed they could construct a game that allowed for the player to drive the story in wildly different directions and end it in a completely different manner to the other player. I think the only way they pull that off is with a smaller environment, allowing for way more emphasis on plot and characters.

Something like... a group of unfamiliars trapped on a capital ship, that's slowly being infiltrated by some weird new threat. Something simple like that. It's been done in movies and TV loads- Alien and The Thing are classics, based on a similar premise. I don't think it's been done in games a lot, though- here's an opportunity to do something ME is ideal for. It doesn't have to be a horror game, but a more intimate story would be the cure for all the bad blood ME3 stirred up.

 

[legacyzero]

First post describes the perfect Mass Effect IMO.

 

[i-Lo]

Hand it over to CD Projekt!

Seriously though, as much as I loved ME franchise the compromise the game had to make it relate-able to humans really narrowed the scope of the meaning of "alien".

What games have shown maximum creativeness when it came alien design and interaction? Personally, I'd go for HL. Let me know if there are others out there.

So besides this fundamental limitation in creativity, Shepard's departure isn't all that unexpected. We've had intra-galactic in the first 3 games. Perhaps this time it'll be inter-galactic. That is if they decide not to do a prequel.

 

[Derrick01]

The downward slope toward utter irrelevance only goes one way.

Yeah I'm just throwing out some wishful thinking. Bioware's done as an important game studio.

 

[Zeliard]

Bioware hasn't done anything worth a damn in the RPG space since KOTOR, and even that was overshadowed by Obsidian's effort. Mass Effect would have always been vastly improved in the hands of Obsidian, but unfortunately we're not that lucky.

 

[sTeLioSco]

How about a non-human as the star?

ea owns bioware so no-chance.

also the whole "defend earth" theme of me3 was probably dictated by ea.

 

[KKRT00]

There's no way they'll make a human-less game, and that gives them a pretty damn small window to tell a new mainline story,

Why do You think they wont cut out humans? I actually feel thats the best way to do next ME and it opens up so many possibilities like Rachni War, Quarians War, Krogan War, Justicar stories, origins of citadel council, origins of spectres and so on.

 

[Derrick01]

ea owns bioware so no-chance.

also the whole "defend earth" theme of me3 was probably dictated by ea.

I think it was the fans fault. They begged like crazy for Earth for 2 games and they finally got it. Be careful what you wish for. The next thing on the list that has been in high demand since the beginning is space battles. Does anyone here think Bioware could pull off good space battles? People should stop asking for ambitious things from them.

Why do You think they wont cut out humans? I actually feel thats the best way to do next ME and it opens up so many possibilities like Rachni War, Quarians War, Krogan War, Justicar stories, origins of citadel council, origins of spectres and so on.

You can't market alien races to the dudebros. Not as the main focus.

 

[Dany]

It it too damn early for anyone at bioware to br speaking about a mass effect. 4.

 

[Jarmel]

Turian Spectre who was once a police officer on the Citadel.

Do it.

 

[i-Lo]

It it too damn early for anyone at bioware to br speaking about a mass effect. 4.

It's going to come out for next-gen consoles. me thinks. So sometime in 2014.

 

[AdventureRacing]

I just want to explore the galaxy and go to cool places like 1 and 2. Fuck Earth and Mars and all that. Do a voyager/SGU/BGS and stick me in unknown areas and a single ship.

Pretty much this. I just love the atmosphere and universe of the ME games. I just want to be able to explore these awesome places.

 

[Darte]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if you were cast as <insertsomealienhere> who came into being if you chose to

Spoiler

shoot the damn kid and get everyone killed? This time with HD Color endings!

 

[Almighty]

Why do You think they wont cut out humans? I actually feel thats the best way to do next ME and it opens up so many possibilities like Rachni War, Quarians War, Krogan War, Justicar stories, origins of citadel council, origins of spectres and so on.

Honestly it would be interesting if they took a risk like that and made a ME game prehumans. The truth is though I doubt it will ever happen. As they have clearly state they want Call of Duty sales figures for their games and I am sure their focus groups will tell them that most people don't like the idea of playing as a nonhuman or before humans came on the stage. So with the possibility of it "hurting" sales is all they will need to kill that idea.

 

[Snuggles]

They'd be wise to bring the scale waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back

...

This is what I've been saying. Bioware have their work cut out for them, but the first and most important thing they need to do is focus on a smaller scale story. And that doesn't mean I want some lame spin-off or anything based on an already established event in the universe, I want a new and exciting story, but building it around a trilogy is only going to lead to disappointment again. It's a monumental task and I think some of the more capable developers would struggle to deliver as well. Don't be epic. Don't task us with saving the universe from COMPLETE ANNIHILATION. Just write a goddamn story that begins and ends in a within the span on one game.

 

[Dysun]

Dont see why they are so eager to kill off the best thing about the games, which is Shepard

 

[KKRT00]

Dont see why they are so eager to kill off the best thing about the games, which is Shepard

What?

 

[Zeliard]

Hand it over to CD Projekt!

Seriously though, as much as I loved ME franchise the compromise the game had to make it relate-able to humans really narrowed the scope of the meaning of "alien".

What games have shown maximum creativeness when it came alien design and interaction?

That's part of what makes Mass Effect as a whole such a staggering disappointment - how many space WRPGs do we get? Bioware had a great opportunity to do something novel in an area that has been so little-explored and they just bungled it.

One exceedingly mediocre attempt at an action RPG followed by two competent shooters with light RPG elements. Nothing approaching a real space RPG, which could have been something truly special.

 

[Derrick01]

Dont see why they are so eager to kill off the best thing about the games, which is Shepard

That's the most damning statement about the ME franchise yet. The best thing about it is the guy who can only say short 1 sentence lines at a time.

 

[Nirolak]

Couple of things worth noting I think.

For them to have not decided on a time frame or character would indicate the game is a very long ways away. Like, into next generation away. BioWare is no doubt very busy finishing up Dragon Age 3, their new IP, and Mass Effect 3 DLC. Unless they farm the entire project out (which I don't think they want to do) there wont be a mainline Mass Effect title for awhile.

The other interesting note is them not having decided on a time frame. I believe both Hudson and Gamble (and the general themes of ME3's ending) made it pretty clear they felt the universe was 'over' at the end of the third game, stating that new Mass Effect titles would take place during or prior to Shepard's story. There's no way they'll make a human-less game, and that gives them a pretty damn small window to tell a new mainline story, unless you wish to cut aliens from the entire game. Coupled with the backlash over the series' end and general cynicism from fans about a dead universe, I wouldn't be surprised if BioWare back peddled and decided to set the game post-ME3.

Honestly I'd be surprised if the new IP makes it out before Mass Effect 4.

Usually those go through a lot of turmoil, prototyping, and delays, while even if you make a lot of changes to Mass Effect, the general concept is still pretty much there.

 

[EatChildren]

How much info is there on their new IP?

Nothing, except that I think Casey Hudson is the producer.

I've heard from a friend (yes, which is tenuous, but loose industry lips sink ships) that they are already working on it with a small team, which makes me question the statement about time-frame/character etc. I suspect they've got an idea. But I agree with you about setting it post-ME3. I basically think we're heading back to first contact and killing Turians (which would be a bit rubbish, as we know how that ends up, meaning the RPG stuff is less impactful (and which would have made sense for the rumoured FPS spin off setting)) OR we're heading forward again, hugely forward. Wouldn't be shocked to see first contact in the new cycle: where Buzz Aldrin's people have made space travel possible in a new way.

Interesting if true, though I wonder if that small team is simply getting accustomed to Frostbite 2, and working out what kind of game mechanics they want to go forward with. Lots of prototyping, unless they do plan to get a side story game or something out quicker than expected.

Why do You think they wont cut out humans? I actually feel thats the best way to do next ME and it opens up so many possibilities like Rachni War, Quarians War, Krogan War, Justicar stories, origins of citadel council, origins of spectres and so on.

I don't think the absence of humans would make for a bad story, but they won't do it. Nuke humans from your entire universe and you've made your product less appealing to the general public, as far as I'm concerned publishers are concerned. Almost all the alien species are more interesting that humans, but humans are the rock people can relate to. Trying to market an all-alien no-human title would probably be a nightmare for the sales standards EA would expect. Ergo, humans.

Honestly I'd be surprised if the new IP makes it out before Mass Effect 4.

Usually those go through a lot of turmoil, prototyping, and delays, while even if you make a lot of changes to Mass Effect, the general concept is still pretty much there.

Well I suppose it depends how far into development it is. Obviously it will target next generation, so I figure it's their big, new, next-generation franchise. Could be very early for all I know.

 

[Woody Invincible]

Focus on an asari Matriarch. First game deals with the first part deals with her first 100 years of life. Becoming an adult so to speak. Second game deals with her working up to be a matriarch. Political intrigue and sabotage nd shit. Last game I about her death and passing on the torch to a new generation. You can keep all the morality stuff because it won't matter how u played the last game because they'll be about 200 years apart storyline wise. And the important decisions will actually mean something. Its so awesome I want a fucking job.

Bioware, hire this man.

 

[Terbinator]

At least Frostbite 2's lens flare suits the ME universe.

 

[AuthenticM]

What if the game had gameplay resembling XCOM or Jagged Alliance ? I mean you can still have the part where you directly control the main character, run around cities and talk to people; but when it comes to combat, the camera backs up isometric-style and you've got your strategy gameplay right there. I feel that the Mass Effect games lend themselves quite well to this idea. The player is already running around the universe recruiting soldiers in his unit and using ressources to buy and develop stuff. They could elaborate that some more.

 

[Deified Data]

I...don't believe them, frankly. We will get a "Shepard 2". As they said, we'll likely just be another soldier in the galaxy. Who wants to bet that soldier will a human with the face of an underwear model and a buzz cut? With an obnoxiously simple binary morality system of Good versus Douchiness? Nothing will change.

Focus on an asari Matriarch. First game deals with the first part deals with her first 100 years of life. Becoming an adult so to speak. Second game deals with her working up to be a matriarch. Political intrigue and sabotage nd shit. Last game I about her death and passing on the torch to a new generation. You can keep all the morality stuff because it won't matter how u played the last game because they'll be about 200 years apart storyline wise. And the important decisions will actually mean something. Its so awesome I want a fucking job.

Rest assured, if we're only going to have the choice of a single gender, it's going to be a human male.

 

[eot]

ME4 will be a make or break game for BioWare. If it turns out well they could win back a lot of their fans, but if it continues their recent trend of diminishing quality I wouldn't be surprised to see EA put the bullet in them a little later down the line.

 

[KKRT00]

What if the game had gameplay resembling XCOM or Jagged Alliance ? I mean you can still have the part where you directly control the main character, run around cities and talk to people; but when it comes to combat, the camera backs up isometric-style and you've got your strategy gameplay right there. I feel that the Mass Effect games lend themselves quite well to this idea. The player is already running around the universe recruiting soldiers in his unit and using ressources to buy and develop stuff. They could elaborate that some more.

I would play that.

 

[StuBurns]

What if the game had gameplay resembling XCOM or Jagged Alliance ? I mean you can still have the part where you directly control the main character, run around cities and talk to people; but when it comes to combat, the camera backs up isometric-style and you've got your strategy gameplay right there. I feel that the Mass Effect games lend themselves quite well to this idea. The player is already running around the universe recruiting soldiers in his unit and using ressources to buy and develop stuff. They could elaborate that some more.

And what if EA started burning pits of money? That'd be fun too.

 

[Rebel Leader]

ME4 will be a make or break game for BioWare. If it turns out well they could win back a lot of their fans, but if it continues their recent trend of diminishing quality I wouldn't be surprised to see EA put the bullet in them a little later down the line.

They give us 3 colors as endings.


How could people go back after that?

 

[iNvid02]

They give us 3 colors as endings.


How could people go back after that?

what about the game up until that point, it was still pretty good.

similar situation to ubisoft and revelations, flawed game that doesnt live up to previous entries, but still not bad

 

[Bisnic]

I would honestly prefer if they go with either a post-ME3 ending with the Destroy choice, just so that Reapers are completely gone from the Galaxy, or maybe a complete reboot where they keep the races, systems and planets.

Oh yeah, no more "doomed galaxy, explosions and death everywhere" too. It worked in ME3 because of how they set up the whole trilogy since the beginning, but i hope they go a different way next time.

 

[Snuggles]

Rest assured, if we're only going to have the choice of a single gender, it's going to be a human male.

I don't have the stats off hand, but the large majority of ME players go with a male Soldier Shepard. If I had to bet on it, the next Shepard is about 10 times more likely to be a doppelganger for SOAP from Call of Duty then an Asari Matriarch (or alien of any kind, for that matter). It's what the people want.

 

[Rebel Leader]

what about the game up until that point, it was still pretty good.

similar situation to ubisoft and revelations, flawed game that doesnt live up to previous entries, but still not bad

But the ending meant the choices in the previous games didn't amount to much.

 

[Derrick01]

And what if EA started burning pits of money? That'd be fun too.

Their big expensive core games have been doing that for years so why stop now? At least this way they may actually put something innovative and fun out.

 

[Hot Coldman]

I don't have the stats off hand, but the large majority of ME players go with a male Soldier Shepard. If I had to bet on it, the next Shepard is about 10 times more likely to be a doppelganger for SOAP from Call of Duty then an Asari Matriarch (or alien of any kind, for that matter). It's what the people want.

Race selection doesn't seem like it'd be that hard to include... I guess it'd complicate the voice acting, but Saints Row The Third managed with different voices available and that game never shuts up, and probably has a significantly lower budget than the ME games to boot.

 

[StuBurns]

Their big expensive core games have been doing that for years so why stop now? At least this way they may actually put something innovative and fun out.

ME3 made over $200M.

 

[SniperHunter]

Couple of things worth noting I think.

For them to have not decided on a time frame or character would indicate the game is a very long ways away. Like, into next generation away. BioWare is no doubt very busy finishing up Dragon Age 3, their new IP, and Mass Effect 3 DLC. Unless they farm the entire project out (which I don't think they want to do) there wont be a mainline Mass Effect title for awhile.

The other interesting note is them not having decided on a time frame. I believe both Hudson and Gamble (and the general themes of ME3's ending) made it pretty clear they felt the universe was 'over' at the end of the third game, stating that new Mass Effect titles would take place during or prior to Shepard's story. There's no way they'll make a human-less game, and that gives them a pretty damn small window to tell a new mainline story, unless you wish to cut aliens from the entire game. Coupled with the backlash over the series' end and general cynicism from fans about a dead universe, I wouldn't be surprised if BioWare back peddled and decided to set the game post-ME3.

This makes me sad. Is Dragon Age 3 a next gen game? To be honest, I thought DA was rather generic...I could care less about the series. But the next ME being so far away just makes me sad. I really love the ME universe a lot!

 

[Derrick01]

ME3 made over $200M.

When did this happen? And how much of that was the F2P-like multiplayer? Because I don't remember ever seeing the sales for ME3 be all that high.

 

[Bilix]

I want a Krogan dating sim which would just be a great action game.

 

[ElectricBlue187]

Mass Effect with little to no shooting and wayyyy more exploration would be amazing. Pretty much a dream come true.

 

[AuthenticM]

And what if EA started burning pits of money? That'd be fun too.

Well EA could pull a 2K and announce two new ME games: ME4, which is your standard fare, and ME: [insert subtitle] which is your spin-off with different gameplay; what I'm asking for. And if we are lucky, ME4 will go the way of FPS XCOM and end up in development limbo, while spin-off ME becomes the game everyone wants to play.

 

[EatChildren]

Sometimes I think (and can understand why) people let their anger at BioWare/Mass Effect cloud the reality that the studio is growing, thus not even in the ballpark of EA's death march, and that the Mass Effect series still has an absurdly dedicated and loyal following. I mean, come on guys. *points to self* Hello.

This makes me sad. Is Dragon Age 3 a next gen game? To be honest, I thought DA was rather generic...I could care less about the series. But the next ME being so far away just makes me sad. I really love the ME universe a lot!

I'm guessing it will be cross generation. Dragon Age 3 is their next big game, and marks BioWare's shift to the Frostbite 2 engine. They've also got a new IP and Mass Effect: Whatever in the works. The stage of each of those latter titles is unknown, as is their projected release date.

The new IP will be targeting next generation specifically, I'd think. But you never know how it will play out. If the new IP is still in early prototyping stages and BioWare doesn't feel pressured, you may see a new Mass Effect game first.

 

[Tony Redgrave]

I really think they should leap a few hundred years in the future from ME3, if they can somehow work Syntheis around (Destroy and Control are both perfect for a sequel, Destroy leaves the Galaxy pretty much as it was at the beginning of ME1 and Control can make the Reapers go back into Dark Space or somewhere else and still have them and, in a way, Shepard around to be a part of the story. Refuse is obviously non fit for a sequel) they would have really neat scenario to work with.

We would have enough familiar elements and races around, some characters alive like Liara, Wrex or Grunt, and a plethora of new stuff after a few hundred years of Galactic evolution.

 

[Data West]

LET ME PLAY A FUCKING ALIEN

IS IT THAT HARD TO LET ME PLAY SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HUMAN

 

[SniperHunter]

I'm guessing it will be cross generation. Dragon Age 3 is their next big game, and marks BioWare's shift to the Frostbite 2 engine. They've also got a new IP and Mass Effect: Whatever in the works. The stage of each of those latter titles is unknown, as is their projected release date.

The new IP will be targeting next generation specifically, I'd think. But you never know how it will play out. If the new IP is still in early prototyping stages and BioWare doesn't feel pressured, you may see a new Mass Effect game first.

Do you know anything about the new IP? I hope it isn't another MMO.

 

[EatChildren]

LET ME PLAY A FUCKING ALIEN

IS IT THAT HARD TO LET ME PLAY SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HUMAN

Yes, because making variety of playable species requires species appropriate script reworking and voice recording, which in a very dialogue and cinematic heavy game is a financial and workload nightmare.

That doesn't make it ideal, but it is what it is for those reasons.

Do you know anything about the new IP? I hope it isn't another MMO.

Casey Hudson is the producer I think. That's it.

 

[Tony Redgrave]

LET ME PLAY A FUCKING ALIEN

IS IT THAT HARD TO LET ME PLAY SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HUMAN

Resources are limited, general public likes human because they can relate to them. It is difficult.

 

[Nirolak]

When did this happen? And how much of that was the F2P-like multiplayer? Because I don't remember ever seeing the sales for ME3 be all that high.

From their fiscal report back in May. It only includes retail revenue, so none of the DLC or microtransactions.

Mass Effect 3 Sales Exceed $200 Million at Retail

Source: http://news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/t...d=news_view&newsId=20120507006548&newsLang=en

 

[Stumpokapow]

I would suggest that there's about a 0% chance that the next Mass Effect will allow for gender selection. BioWare made a big hub bub about streamlining your character options in DA1->DA2, and they've repeatedly released stats that demonstrate that almost no one plays female Shep in Mass Effect. Now they're telegraphing the idea that they don't want "Shepard 2"--what is Shepard, except that it's a user customizable character?

I think the writing is on the wall.

 

[Data West]

Yes, because making variety of playable species requires species appropriate script reworking and voice recording, which in a very dialogue and cinematic heavy game is a financial and workload nightmare.

That doesn't make it ideal, but it is what it is for those reasons.



Casey Hudson is the producer I think. That's it.

They did it with Dragon Age by not actually giving a proper voice to the player's words but using a reaction to them. They could easily do the same here. I think people would give up Shepard's VA for some variety in character choice and origin.

And I never said 'give me a choice to play as an alien', I said to let me play as one. How about not making humans an option at all? What if the default character is a Turian or Salarian or something similar.