One of Mass Effect 3’s most popular fan theories has been labeled ‘incorrect’ by BioWare, but that doesn’t mean the developers don’t like it.
The indoctrination theory, in case you’re wondering, is all about the ending of Mass Effect 3. It is speculated that Commander Shepard has been completely brainwashed by the Reapers by the time they reach the end of the game and manipulated it course of the trilogy.
According to indoctrination theory, the entire ending of Mass Effect 3 takes place in Shepard’s mind, and while there may be a lot of information by the community that seemingly supports this, one of the authors of Mass Effect 3 has confirmed that the theory is in fact incorrect.
Chris Hepler, who worked on Mass Effect, spoke to The Gamer about the indoctrination theory and said that ‘we weren’t that smart’ and that while it’s a theory he personally likes, it’s all fan speculation and not an intentional aspect of the game.
So it turns out that all the points that players have linked together over the years that seemingly pointed to this were completely coincidental and not placed there by BioWare on purpose.
“The indoctrination theory is a really interesting theory, but it was made entirely by the fans,” Hepler told VGC. “While we’ve made some of the ending a little trippy, because Shepard is a breath away from dying, and it’s entirely possible that there’s an unconscious force in the child’s words, we’ve never had the kind of meetings that you need to sow it properly through the game.
‘We weren’t that smart. In any case, make mods and write fanatically about it, and enjoy what floats your boat, because it’s a cool way to interpret the game. But it was not our intention. We have not written that ”.
It must be especially nice to see that the theory is BioWare certified, it just wasn’t intentional.
Why not play this last part of the trilogy yourself as the Mass Effect Legendary Edition will be launched later this year.