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Bioware talks possible Mass Effect spinoffs

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Shepherd’s Mass Effect story is over, but that doesn’t mean that the universe isn’t ripe for picking, and there’s a multitude of stories within the Universe that could make for their own spinoff games.

Speaking to OXM, Bioware’s Casey Hudson and a number of other team members have been chatty regarding possible spinoffs.

“There’s so much that could be told in the Mass Effect universe,” Hudson said, carrying a soft spot for Garrus.  “It’d be cool to do something completely unrelated to the larger storyline, like a story about a private investigator on the Citadel. Or maybe something detailing Garrus’ time in C-Sec.

Level designer Dusty Everman agrees.

“While being one of Shepard’s most loyal friends, Garrus has also had some of the most driven personal goals. He’s a hero in his own right, as Archangel and beyond. Who wouldn’t want to see the further adventures of the bold, charming Garrus Valkarian (there’s a lot of guns out there to calibrate).”

Lead Writer Mac Walters added, “”Aria. The Illusive Man. Kai Leng. Any henchman. The list goes on. I think most of them could have successful spin-offs of their own in some fashion.”

Mass Effect producer Mike Gamble thinks the last Prothean has a story to tell.

“Following the story of Javik a little bit more would be pretty cool. As the last remaining member of a lost race, I think that we could tell a lot of stories about his adventures in the Milky Way, and coming to terms with his place in the new Galaxy.”

While I would certainly love more Mass Effect, I’m not sure that I’m on board for spinoffs and prequels, especially if they, like God of War: Ascension and Gears of War: Judgment, tell stories that don’t really need to be told.

What do you think? If there to be Mass effect spinoffs, whose stories would you like to see expanded upon? If we had to delve in to the past, I’d really like to see Saren’s slow decent into madness and indoctrination. Or perhaps a Space flight Sim/RPG starring Joker. Or maybe even a stealthy, stabby RPG featuring the Drell assassin Thane. 

Ok, maybe I’m more keen on a Mass Effect spinoff than I thought.

Last Updated: May 13, 2013

56 Comments

  1. Skoobaz

    May 13, 2013 at 15:35

    I can see an RTS inbound. Isometric top down massive galactic battles taking place on various worlds from the ME universe. Kinda C&C / SWEAW type thing. Only newer, fresher, better GFX engine and AI pathing. Imagine playing the set pieces of the krogan wars from a strategic pov.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

      May 13, 2013 at 15:52

      Or a turn based top down shooter ala Frontline Tactics!!!

      Reply

      • Andre116

        May 13, 2013 at 16:26

        Never thought of turn based. Something like Xcom, but with all the powers from ME.

        JUST MAKE ALL OF THEM BIOWARE!!! DO YOU HEAR ME?!?!

        Reply

    • Skoobaz

      May 13, 2013 at 15:53

      And like Admiral Chief, says, the Human Turian wars. Have a look through this

      * SPOILERS *

      http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Storyline

      for ideas.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

        May 13, 2013 at 15:55

        Yeah man, SO much potential!

        Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        May 14, 2013 at 09:20

        First contact wars have potential, but i cant help think that throughout the entire game I would be thinking “but some of my best friends were turians”
        if i have to play as the illusive man, a mediocre soldier / non-biotic / non-tech specialist / non-krogan, i think I’d vomit from boredom.
        ME: Evolution was an ok story, i squeeled like a little girl when i saw Saren.

        far more interested in sequels, life after shepard, life after the mass effect relays were destroyed.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:52

          You are on to something there. How the Galaxy builds or acts after the relays were kaput. They could resent the humans etc. But just not reapers, I’ve had my fill :-

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:52

          You are on to something there. How the Galaxy builds or acts after the relays were kaput. They could resent the humans etc. But just not reapers, I’ve had my fill :-

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:52

          You are on to something there. How the Galaxy builds or acts after the relays were kaput. They could resent the humans etc. But just not reapers, I’ve had my fill :-

          Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

    May 13, 2013 at 15:37

    All they have to do is make some prequels. Maybe how Shep became N7, or the Human Turian wars?

    Reply

    • Kromas

      May 14, 2013 at 07:15

      This is a very very bad idea. Depending on what you chose in mass effect 1 Shepard became N7 by proving himself/herself in a variety (three to be exact) of ways. Unless of course you make a game that loads your mass effect 1 save and figures out what gave you the N7 commendation. Then again the N1-N6 designations are all specialized training courses so I suppose it can be done. Ah dammit …. now I want this game to be made!

      Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        May 14, 2013 at 09:34

        he became a spectre out of one of the 3 options you chose, he was already N7, he was already the best humanity had to offer, the missions he was on in those options were all N7 missions.
        i like the idea of a prequel using your existing save to dictate how the story goes though.

        But what I really want is a Dragon Age 1 type setup, choose your race, choose your class, and it changes where you start, who your allies are and how people react to you and all that stuff.
        would love to play the game as a Paragon Krogan vanguard, or a Renegade Asari justicar.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:51

          Para Krogan????

          I’d like to see that! Sounds cool

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:51

          Para Krogan????

          I’d like to see that! Sounds cool

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:51

          Para Krogan????

          I’d like to see that! Sounds cool

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 14, 2013 at 09:51

          Para Krogan????

          I’d like to see that! Sounds cool

          Reply

        • Kromas

          May 14, 2013 at 10:42

          “Considering the 3 backgrounds Shepard may have, it is most likely that
          Shephard could’ve been nominated for the N7 designation after the “major
          event” of the 3 backgrounds, ie after Torfin, Akuze, or Elysium.” From the Mass Effect Wiki. But it is indeed also the reason why you were selected to become a spectre but you actually only become a spectre AFTER you expose Saren and they need someone to chase after him.

          Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      May 14, 2013 at 09:41

      The only prequel I think I could stomach, would be the Krogan rebelions or the Rachnii wars.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

        May 14, 2013 at 09:50

        Not H/T wars?

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          May 14, 2013 at 10:00

          Got enough of the First Contact Wars from Mass Effect Evolution and general information from characters throughout the series.
          First contact wars limit us to being human again, where we didnt have batshit crazy biotics like Jack or Miranda. After ME3 multiplayer, they touched on playing as other characters, I would not go back to a purely human game. I want progression.

          We have the basics of what went down on that story, but we know next to nothing about the krogan rebelions or the rachnii wars.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

            May 14, 2013 at 10:08

            I see what you are saying, and I agree.

            Start with rachnii wars and follow through krogan rebellions

      • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

        May 14, 2013 at 09:50

        Not H/T wars?

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

        May 14, 2013 at 09:50

        Not H/T wars?

        Reply

  3. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 13, 2013 at 15:42

    Space Hamsters big day out… In Shepard’s underwear draw. SOLD!!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

      May 13, 2013 at 15:55

      ITS SO FLUFFY!!!!

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        May 13, 2013 at 16:03

        Vat hom fluffy!

        Reply

  4. CODDAMIT

    May 13, 2013 at 15:42

    Prequels or Sequels it doesn’t matter. Make more games but don’t write cheques that your asses can’t cash. ME was one of the best series ever but if you want to do the Auqafresh coloured bullshit near the end again do it properly,

    Reply

  5. Skoobaz

    May 13, 2013 at 15:48

    Mass Effect Mako Test Drive? Lolz

    Reply

  6. Ultimo_Cleric_N7

    May 13, 2013 at 15:49

    While Spinoff DLC would be great, I think that a storyline should always progress. Look at the 2 games mentioned above (Ascention, Judgement). Both let downs in terms of story. I want to see what the characters do now that the Reapers are gone. WHATS NEXT???

    Not sure I like the way Mr. Hudson is talking…….uh oh. NOT MY FAVOURITE FRANCHISE PLLEEEAASSE!!!!!!!!

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 13, 2013 at 15:53

      Give this man a non-alcoholic Bells as it’s during working hours.

      Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      May 14, 2013 at 09:45

      thuglife, life after shepard and life after the mass effect relays.

      I want to walk through the citadel as a new character, worshiping a statue of shepard, seeing Garrus’ name in lights and thinking “Fyeah, I did that.”

      I want what I did in ME1-3 to mean something in the next storyline.

      -something like a rebelion against a Tyranical Council
      -or a more intimate single planet based story
      -or a story based around exploration without FTL travel. the kind of story where you go out, and when you come back, your planet has been destroyed.

      Reply

      • Aussious

        May 14, 2013 at 13:21

        That would be awesome especially if the history is based on your previous gamesaves.

        Reply

  7. Trevor Davies

    May 13, 2013 at 15:51

    I don’t want prequels. Move forward with your universe, not backwards, there’s so much room to expand.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

      May 13, 2013 at 15:52

      Well in ME’s case, forward is a bit different than for instance in Star Wars :

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        May 13, 2013 at 15:56

        As long as I get to see my beloved Liara again, who I have been faithful towards the entire series 😀

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 13, 2013 at 15:57

          Did you not do the 3some?

          Reply

          • Trevor Davies

            May 13, 2013 at 15:58

            Nope.

    • Ultimo_Cleric_N7

      May 13, 2013 at 15:53

      Preach it brother!

      Reply

    • Aussious

      May 14, 2013 at 13:24

      With those endings I’m not how they can draw one common canon.

      Reply

  8. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    May 13, 2013 at 15:58

    Mass Effect 2 was essentially a side story driven game.

    Reply

  9. Rince da Ref Lvl2

    May 13, 2013 at 16:03

    I’d like a game solidly made of images from getty image banks of stock exchange. Imagine being able to say, this really is uncle ernie, or, wow, my boet has some serious anger issues… Oh, right….

    Reply

  10. silverscorpio

    May 13, 2013 at 19:49

    Although a spinoff from the cast does sound cool, I do not think it will work because you will always feel that Shepard should be there. The series needs a new cast and be set in the future from Shepard. That story will work for me. Maybe a decedent of Shepard.

    Reply

  11. Andre116

    May 13, 2013 at 20:18

    I hope they make a ME Kinect dance game.

    Reply

  12. Voter

    May 13, 2013 at 23:27

    I don’t want to play any of the characters, because they are not me. They have their own personalities. So the sense of immersion will be lost. But it would be cool to join up with some of them and see more of the rich universe.

    Reply

  13. Kromas

    May 14, 2013 at 07:18

    Grunt Urdnots’ day off. A click and play adventure spoofing the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. (Cause his little cameo in the citadel dlc had me in stitches.)

    Reply

  14. Aussious

    May 14, 2013 at 13:09

    Being perhaps biggest Mass Effect fan in the known Universe (prepared to omniblade anyone who claims otherwise right through the heart). I was thinking Captain Anderson with a touch of Star Trek’s Luke Pichard and an increased focus on the actual Star travel and spaceship battles Ala Star Trek and less Gears more strategy and space exploration.

    Reply

  15. Johan Fourie

    May 14, 2013 at 13:17

    No, no, no and no. No spin-offs and no prequels. I find the latest fad in Hollywood and the gaming industry regarding prequels to be that of the creatively inept.

    The ME universe is rich enough to give us more stand-alone titles. A new game can take place thousands of years into the future. Bringing with it new and bigger threats, more of the unknown to explore etc. I don’t want to revisit old friends, old places (‘cept if those old places are in a museum of the future or memoriams of the Reaper war). I said my goodbyes to all my loved ones and friends in ME3 and then I fucking died. It’s done and dusted.

    Reply

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