#future of mass effect

[felassan]

Eurogamer: 'Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director [Corinne Busche] leaving BioWare'

UPDATE: Busche confirms departure, following 18-year career at EA.

Excerpts:

"UPDATE 4pm UK: Dragon Age game director Corinne Busche has now confirmed her departure from BioWare and EA in a statement to Eurogamer. In it, Busche said she had left the studio for a new post elsewhere, after being offered an oppurtunity to build a fresh RPG she "couldn't turn down". "At the heart of it, this was about my own fulfillment," Busche told Eurogamer. "I did what I set out to do at BioWare. That is to come in and help right the ship. I love Dragon Age, and BioWare, so the chance to return the game to a proper quality single player RPG was the privilege of a lifetime. It was hard fought, as games with such tumultuous dev cycles rarely end up shipping, and even more rarely turn out great. We, as a team, did it. And it was hard. It took a toll on me. BioWare still has a lot of work to do culturally, but I do believe they are on the right footing now. As for me, my departure was voluntary, as I have been presented with an opportunity I couldn't turn down. I don’t want to say much more right now, but you can count on it being in the CRPG space and upholding the traditions of great characters."

"ORIGINAL STORY 1.45pm UK: Corinne Busche, who served as game director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard since February 2022, is departing BioWare. Whispers of her exit began circulating online last night, and were first confirmed by journalist Jeff Grubb. Eurogamer can also confirm Busche is leaving BioWare. Eurogamer understands BioWare itself is otherwise unaffected by any other changes, contrary to rumour. [...] Critically, The Veilguard has been received well, and commercially sales have been decent - but there's also been a suggestion that sales have not exceeded expectations. Still, Eurogamer understands The Veilguard's commercial performance was not a direct factor in Busche's departure. [...] Post Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the bulk of BioWare is now turning its attention fully to the next Mass Effect game, which is being led by a separate small team of veterans."

[source]

Jeff Grubb's tweet:

Jeff Grubb: "Corinne Busche, director of Dragon Age, really is leaving BioWare. But I don't think EA is closing BioWare Edmonton. Was told there is nothing solid about that part of the rumor." [source]

[ladyofsilverr]

MASS EFFECT™ LEGENDARY EDITION — 25/∞ ➜ "Friends" doesn't cut it for me anymore, Liara.

+ extra:

[quantumghostart]

the thing about garrus and thane is that they're both hypercompetent and pathetic, my two favourite traits in a man

[poatop]

a small study i did last night of the mass effect races! (open for quality :} )

[felassan]

Sylvia Feketekuty on Bluesky: "Hey everyone: sorry I've been quiet on here. Was busy with a big decision, namely deciding to leave BioWare. I'll really, really miss working with everyone there. But after 15 years, it just feels like a good time for a break. (If/when I've got something noteworthy lined up, I'll mention it here!)" [source]

[kaidanalenkosprmanager]

Sophie Oliveira-Shepard Alenko-Oliveira and Kaidan Alenko-Oliveira - ME3 (2/?) "I want to be your strength. Your soft place to land." Mass Effect 3: Legendary Edition (2021) + Bonus

[sashthesloth]

I'm going to rotate them in my mind.. the angst potential for my poor poor Rook . .... .

[miyku]

.

[kaidanalenkosprmanager]

"Did I ever tell you about my Omega casino run in with the Blue Suns, Eclipse, and the Blood Pack Vorcha mafia? Five thousand credits and a bottle of whiskey?"

Ft. Staff Cmdr. Kaidan Alenko, Operations Chief Ashley Williams, Zaeed Massani, & Seven. Dominik Shepard. Phoebus. MIRA'S MORE CANON ME1.5 "Are you Phoebus?" AKA: Pt. 1 of some of what happens between ME1 and ME2 with the Vorcha mafia storyline. :) Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (2021)

[swaps55]

It required two ladders and a makeshift scaffold to pull off, but we finally hung the incredible Mass Effect travel posters created by @legionofpotatoes.

I am SO EXCITED to have them up. They look incredible!!!

Photos of the scaffold under the cut, for the curious. It was hard and we are proud. XD

[sol-consort]

I don't know if this is too odd, but what would you think a relationship with a Vorcha, Elcor, Hanar or batarian would look like because they are less conventional for cross-species relationships in the ME fandom. Or maybe I'm just deep in the alien fucker trenches who knows :)

"Is this too odd?" Anon asked the tumblr writer.

"I sure hope so," said the writer, whose was actually the weirdo writings guy.

Elcor In a relationship with a human

[romance, fluff, xenobiology, cultural differences]

Views on humanity?

So far, our species have yet to step on their toes... emphasis on yet. Through the trilogy, elcor have always been one of the most helpful and polite species to come across.

Our first encounter with an alien is with an elcor and volus mid-conversation. And despite all the volus's bad faith comments towards humanity, the elcor is quick to dispute his rude claims and apologetically tell us to ignore him; his frustration stems from the unfair practices of the council, not out of true malice towards humans.

The placement of humanity's first embassy next to the elcor one has got to have established some early bridges of trust between the two species. As far as the elcor masses are concerned, humans are chill.

Which is... a lot better of an impression than what the other alien species hold towards humans, shocking I know, who could ever hate us? Well, not the elcor, that's for sure.

Most salarians do hold prejudice against them... kind of a lot, so if you happen to be friends with one, it might wear thin on the stability of your relationship with your elcor partner. Otherwise, a human and an elcor are akin to two happy peas in a pod—politically speaking.

Communication?

We've already established how emotionally intelligent they are with the above example. Very composed and patient, albeit phlegmatic in the eyes of other species.

Elcor communication is intricate, multilayered, and subtle. Requiring their full cortex senses to decipher and convey a coherent reply back. The use of vocal speech has been adapted out of necessity to communicate with the other species.

Even if you studied your whole life, there is no feasible way for a human to reach a level of understanding capable of mimicking a fraction of elcor communication. It's one of those situations where you have to throw the towel in and find an alternative.

Luckily, most elcor are very understanding and considerate enough to lower their standards of communication. In more blunt terms, they settle for less with us.

Yeah.

But hey! Love is worth it, just like how you don't expect them to suddenly turn bipedal. They, too, are content with your limited range of communication and as subtle as a brick to the face.

In a one on one intimate situation, the two of you can easily work around it. But when it's time to meet your parents, or for you to meet theirs, it might create a lot of conflict. Both your families need to accommodate your choice of partner, otherwise the neglect will gnaw at your hearts.

Arguments aren't very fun, their way of speech tend to be irritating when you're already on your last straw and it feels like you're being talked down to.

As for them, you seem completely dramatic and emotional—borderline manic. It's hard to remember that humans are naturally this expressive when their patience is being tested.

It takes a great deal of effort to adapt and learn to the ways of a completely different species. A lot of times you'll wonder why do you even bother, why struggle so much to achieve a semi-normal relationship when you can get these things for granted in any relationship with another human?

And, well, you'll have to find the answer to the question yourself. Because the novelty of dating a shiny new alien will wear off in not a month's time.

In the end, you'll be left with another person, a whole being with a soul just like you, who longs, loves, and needs. Who is also wondering the same thing, why do they stay and make this difficult for themselves? Why don't they just leave to find another elcor?

Because there are many great difficult things in life that are worth the effort.

It's not always all doom and gloom; remember that line about how a human smile is as subtle as a fireworks show to an elcor?

Imagine how it must feel for the elcor, to see your partner being so loud and proud—in your prespective—with their happiness to be around you.

That every small nonchalant "love you, bye bye" you said at the end of a phone call, is akin to a declaration of love shouted from the rooftops. To be so clearly and shamelessly loved. There is no playing hard to get with an elcor, something as small as the glint in your eye as you steal a glance their way speaks mountains to them.

You are a fireworks display. They love you for it and wouldn't have it any other way.

Romance?

It's not elaborated on much, what their species consider romantic, where do they draw the line between platonic affection and other? How many types of love do they have?

Humans are tribal, herd mammals. We enjoy taking all of our treasured belongings and putting them in a cave, hopefully with another treasured person inside.

As children, we daydream about being neighbours with our friends when we grow up, we wish to visit our loved ones a ton, and sleepovers are beloved for a reason.

Elcor are the opposite. They are solitary creatures spread out across their planet. The dense gravity their species developed under might imply they find cuddling or any form of extra weight against them uncomfortable.

Or, actually, it might do the opposite.

Think of it this way, their bodies got so used to the crushing gravity of Dekuuna—their homeplanet—so much so that once they left it, they started feeling a lack. While they may hate the feeling of extra weight when on their homeworld, they begin to miss it and crave the added weight once they leave to the Citadel, Earth, or anywhere else.

So when you cuddle them, lean against them, or cover them in a weighted blanket, they feel at home.

The flora of Dekuuna not only offers an overabundance of lush forests but is also protected by the law. Meaning they place great cultural value on nature itself.

Which means their romantic gifts may also stem from nature, like ours, except an elcor would think it's more romantic to gift you a living plant than a bouquet of flowers; the act of cutting them itself is seen as insulting.

But if you give them a potted flower? The romantic innuendo will come across!

Elcor migrate a lot, as in walking the distance to move their capital, because they enjoy doing it. They like being outside, maybe dates to the park or somewhere vast and open will appeal to them?

Some of them are seen to consume nicotine and alcohol; you can safely ask them out for drinks, flirting by paying their tab and walking them home.

They enjoyed Hamlet enough to adapt it! They have a taste for theatrics and tragedy. Implying their preference overlap with humanity when it comes to art and expression. Not only that, but it proves they deeply enjoy art.

You've hit the jackpot, you take an elcor on a picnic at a nearby park, share a bottle of wine, use some classy flirting lines and watch them add "says flustered" in their speech tone indicator, then bring em home, cuddle on a pile of blankets and watch a doomed romance together!

Eventually, they, too, will get the hand of what makes your heart flutter and smile widens. That humans place sentimental values on material things and enjoy receiving fun little trinkets, shiny stuff, your prefered colour to receive them in, your favourite food to eat, the snacks you like.

They get the hang of it with practice and observation. They can pick up on a lot of your subtle body language that you're oblivious to. They recognise what you're feeling without you having to say a word. They act accordingly each time. Being considerate and thoughtful are in their nature.

Sex?

Wouldn't you like to know weatherboy

[pushelz]

Day 7: Future

Deus found Crepitus after work. He usually has his regular route he takes, but for some reason his feet carried him inside an alley this day. It was dimly lit, red lights flickering and giving an eerie glow. The noise from the red light district was muted, so Deus was able to hear a small crying voice. Curiosity got the better of him and he followed the weak sound deeper into the alley. He was not prepared what he found. There, on a dumpster, was a small cowering child. A Turian one, no older than two. Biotic energy discharges uncontrolled from it, making the air heavy with static. Around the child were the splattered remains of a Varren pack. They probably thought it an easy meal, not knowing what lies hidden inside that small frame. Deus, a biotic himself, recognised immediately that this child has no control over its power. He used his own biotic energy to stabilize the childs one, calm waves radiating from him and reaching out to the trembling body before him. Once calmed, Deus approached the child. By the overall condition it was in, he deduced this child (a boy, it seems) was left here days ago. Child abandonment is nothing new on Omega, but Deus was never confronted with that situation before. For now, Deus decided to keep this fledgling at his side. Many children in Omega will never have the chance for a future, but he can make sure that this little firecracker has a good headstart at least. Even if it means for Deus to become a temporary father.

.

.

When Crepitus was brought back to him, Deus felt relief and grief in equal measure. His dear child, his son, traumatized beyond recovery. Something Deus swore to never let it happen again, not after Crepitus abandonment by his real parents. Has his child not suffered enough? Has he, Deus, done something that angered the spirits to such an extent that they thought this an fitting punishment? To many thoughts were swirling in his head, threatening to suffocate him. So he shoved them all into the back of his mind. For now, Deus will embrace his beloved son and hold him tight. He will deal with the „why’s?“ later. His top priority right now is to make sure Crepitus needs are met. His child is back and alive, and Deus will make sure that there’s still a place for him in this fucked up universe. His son will have a future. Even if it means for Deus to place his trust in others to take care of his child.

.

.

Once he found his son again after the Reaper war, Crepitus was in a comatose state. The doctors said that his body still operates on its basic level, but his brain shows no activity. The suggestion to „let him rest“ was met with the fury of a father who was not ready to say goodbye give up. His son has his whole life ahead of him, especially now without the Reapers. No, Deus knows there‘s still a chance for his child to wake up. It‘ll just take time. Deus is a patient man (unlike that male who stole his sons heart) and once Crepitus comes back to him, he will make sure his son has a bright future to look forward to. Even if it means to accept the fact that there is someone else besides him in his sons life now.

.

.

„I‘m glad that you finally accepted me as your sons mate. I was worried I‘d never get your blessing. Not that it would’ve changed anything if you refused. But it‘s nicer that way. Makes the ‘family visits‘ less akward.“

„You‘re still on thin fucking ice. I support my son in whatever way possible, but if you want the same treatment you‘d better make sure I don’t see any sort discontent in Crepitus eyes.“

„Is that a challenge I hear? You sure you want that, knowing who you‘re talking to? I mean, I have no problem with that. But I feel a bit bad knowing it‘s a losing battle on your side.“

„Hah! Maybe I will allow myself to concede defeat once you‘ve TRULY committed to my son, ceremony and all!“

„Hmm. You might want to consider another objective, given the one you speak of is already in progress. Actually nearly done, now that I think about it. Only the date hasn‘t been set yet.“

„…WHAT?!“

Note:

When Crepitus woke up, the first thing he noticed was a ring on his finger. Then he noticed the one responsible for that. And THEN he realised that this is actually real and not some dream, because otherwise it wouldn’t have happend in a bleak, sterile hospital room. He nearly went unconscious again, but was stopped by the crushing weight of responsibility draping itself over his body in the form of a very happy (and crying) Turian. His father joined at a later time, but the ring Crepitus wore was put away for safety measures (so it won’t get dirty!). And Garrus had his gloves on, so… 

Deus actually likes Garrus, but given how cocky the latter can be, he decides to put a lid on his ego now and then. Can‘t have him becoming reckless again, given how good Garrus is in finding trouble. Or getting roped into some. Luckily Garrus has had enough action and thrill for the time being, so a simple lifestyle is more than welcomed. And since Crepitus is still getting easley overwhelmed, they will live in a more rural setting. Somewhere cosy, without the hustling and bustling. 

Also, Shepard will definitely hold an embarrassing speech at the ceremony. But they will also probably start to cry a little. Their best friend finally having found someone to share his life with.

[inuhodo]

happy pride everyone

[fllagellant]

One of them hyperspecific polls but

[aymayzing]

So... are we gonna talk about how fucked up it was for Alec to freeze his dying wife without telling her or their children?

[seithr]