BioWare didn’t just reveal a brand-new cinematic Dragon Age 4 trailer at The Game Awards 2020, they also unveiled an incredible, cinematic trailer on the next Mass Effect project that’s in early pre-production. This small trailer instantly stoked the diehard Mass Effect flames inside of me. With that said, you bet we’re breaking down this beautiful cinematic teaser.
Mass Effect Trilogy Veteran and Project Director, Michael Gamble is one of the director’s at BioWare envisioning the next chapter of the Mass Effect universe. Since the release of the trailer, he’s been answering many fan- questions related to the contents of this tease.
@ThSpartanburger shared a timeline of each remarkable quote said throughout the trailer, to which, Michael Gamble replied: “First I've seen someone get this one. Damn you're all quick.”
With many fan-questions and Michael’s input, we have somewhat of an accurate record with developer confirmation on key events in this trailer. So, let's get into it.
The trailer began with an extraordinary shot of two galaxies opposing each other, most likely the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way, as an excerpt from 1938’s “The War of the Worlds” played.
Audio of George Orson Welles said: “We know now that, in the early years of the 20th century, this world was being watched.” This line of dialogue represents both the development of humanity's space conquest and the increasing search of extra-terrestrial intelligence since the early 1900’s.
The shot descended into the Milky Way, as new clusters of planets and stars appeared. An audio extract of Charlie Duke from the Apollo 11’s communications team played. Charlie Duke served and spoke with Buzz Aldrin & Neil Armstrong as they landed on the moon in 1969.
Charlie said: "Rodger. Copy. Eagle, Houston. You’re GO for landing. Over.” - Charlie Duke (1969).
As the shot zoomed in on the Milky Way’s sun, another audio recording played. This time an extract from the humans first-contact with the Turians, which began in 2157.
The recording said: "Arcturus Station, unknown vessel approaching. Initiating first contact protocols.
Light years ahead of the previous audio recordings, the progression of humanity’s space endeavour made first contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence, which first began with a war.
The shot then descended on 3 planets, as an audio extract of a man said: “Humanity now stands as partners in the galaxy.” This line represents the end of the first contact war, and the partnership humanity created with the other races of the Milky Way.
Flying into debris, an audio extract of a man said: “Ark 6 is away. Godspeed.” No doubt referring to the Andromeda Initiate launched multiple arks destined for the Andromeda Galaxy for a new beginning as threats of the Reaper invasion were officially acknowledged.
The first wave of arks that left the Milky Way in 2185 were: the flagship ark – the Nexus, the human ark – the Hyperion, the Asari ark – the Leusinia, the Turian ark, the Natanus, and the Salarian ark – the Paarchero.
A second wave of arks departed the Milky Way in 2186, however, only one ark among this group was known at the time, that ark being the quarian ark – the Keelah Si'yah. It seems a mysterious sixth ark launched around the same time.
Adding more to this audio extract, @JustACyberLad tweeted: “I heard "Godspeed" and all can I think of is that moment of taking off in the Tempest for the first time.”
To which, Michael Gamble replied: “Intentional.”
Discovered in the debris was a broken Mass Relay, as many broadcasts and reports emerged, each connected to the Reaper war. A man shouted: "Gotta take down the dreadnought...going critical. Abandon ship.” As, suddenly, the devasting sound of a Reaper played.
A softer voice was heard, asking: “Is anyone receiving this? We’ve lost contact.”
This message was most likely sent out to any ship during the Reaper invasion, or to the arks destined for the Andromeda Galaxy. Perhaps even post-Mass Effect 3’s ending, after the demise of the Reapers?
Followed by that, a brand-new cluster of stars were shown, along with many different voices who spoke at the same time. The only one I can manage to hear is "Humanity is all that we have left." The shot panned over an ice-y planet, as a recognisable ship descended.
This ship was first revealed on N7 Day in BioWare’s new blog post as concept art for the next game. And it also appeared in BioWare’s Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development.
The beautifully designed, small ship arrived at this planet, as a figure walked among frozen, dead Reapers. As confirmed by Michael Gamble.
@Gadget Sock asked: “Reaper?”
Michael Gamble said: “I'll give one for free. Yes.”
As the figure hiked through the frozen Reaper graveyard, they knelt down and found a very recognisable N7 badge, torn off an N7 helmet. Clearly, this belonged to Commander Shepard before the ending of Mass Effect 3. As the camera panned up, Liara was revealed, smiling, wearing Matriarchy robes, looking much older, as she carried the N7 badge with her.
Given that she now has wrinkles, and she was around 106 years old in Mass Effect 3. Plenty of time has passed since the events of the previous games, like around 800 years after Mass Effect 3, and 200 years after the Andromeda arks arrived in the Andromeda Galaxy.
As she looked down, the new-ship alongside three squad-mates appeared walking the surface of this frozen planet. A Salarian is on the far left, a Turian, human or Drell in the middle, and a Krogan on the far right. Also, the ship has XT-8 alongside it.
The trailer ended, stating that Mass Effect will continue. If we compare this final shot to the concept art revealed on N7 Day. The characters in the artwork look like a Salarian, Drell, Angara, and someone else. However, these characters are different in the actual trailer.
It does need to be said that concept art is a very early stage, and there’s a reason why the characters in the trailer are blurred, because this project is still in its very early stages, however, I’m so glad that we got this trailer as a sneak peek for the future title.
Even so, if there was an Angara in the Milky Way shown in early concept art, does that mean that the gap between the Milky Way and Andromeda may coincide? I sure hope so.
Michael Gamble responded to a few other tweets that tell us a bit about the next game.
@LazareGvimradze tweeted: “Opening shot also has very pointed imagery of two galaxies... my mind is racing... are we going to get.. a single sequel to both games?!”
Michael Gamble said again: “Intentional.”
Followed with another tweet: “who knows. maybe not? but we show both for a reason.”
Merging that gap between Andromeda and the Milky Way is the smartest thing to do in my opinion, that way you’re not alienating any fans of the Trilogy and Andromeda, both games’ lore and contents can be added into this bridged crossover.
In other news, just like Michael Gamble, many of the Mass Effect Trilogy Veterans are working on this next project. Like Parrish Ley, the cinematic designer of the Trilogy, and Dusty Everman who brought the Normandy to life.
Also, if you’re interested in the beautiful score of this trailer, that credit goes to Benjamin Wallfisch.
“Shout out to @benwallfisch for composing the score to our teaser. Blade Runner 2049 really inspired me, so it was a pleasure to work with him.”
As a final summary on my thoughts on this trailer, in case it wasn’t clear, I absolutely loved it. Not only was it a spectacle to watch, but with the added audio extracts building up humanity’s endeavours, then leading into Mass Effect’s lore, it was beautifully constructed.
I believe the overall message of it was to showcase that the human race is still a pivotal plot in Mass Effect going forward. Not to mention, the potential bridging of the gap between Andromeda and the Trilogy, as stated before, this would be an incredible feat to pull off, but if so, I think it would be absolutely amazing, and would cater to all types of Mass Effect fans.
In any regard, the future is most certainly bright for the Mass Effect franchise. You’re already in the right place for inevitable future trailers, teases and news on both Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
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