Here's How Mass Effect: Andromeda Avoids Dealing With ME3's Ending

Fans have been wondering for quite some time how a fourth Mass Effect game's story would work. Namely, the question has been: how can it be set in the same universe as the original trilogy without dealing with the implications of Mass Effect 3's ending? Now, we know the answer.

After it was announced that Mass Effect: Andromeda takes place 600 years in the future, creative director Mac Walters was asked about that timeline. He teased on Twitter, "We said 600 years...but from when? That, we did not say :)"

Following the release of a new trailer today, Mass Effect's Andromeda Initiative website has been updated with new details that explain what he hinted at. A timeline of humanity's space exploration efforts covers the period leading up to the original Mass Effect before referencing the launch of the Andromeda Initiative in 2185.

As we also learned today, this is the program that sent various species on a 600-year trip to the Andromeda galaxy. But that 2185 is a key date: According to the Mass Effect Wikia, it's after Mass Effect 2 but before Mass Effect 3. This means the happenings of ME3, including your choice at the end--whatever its effect--would be unknown and unfelt by the characters in Andromeda, who were placed in cryostasis for their journey.

In addition to a new trailer and a separate video that revealed some key story details, we've also learned about Andromeda's deluxe edition and the fact that loyalty missions are coming back.