Halo Show Has Mass Effect Easter Egg In Episode 1, Did You Catch It?

The Halo TV show is out now, and fans might have noticed the debut episode contains a reference to another popular sci-fi gaming series, Mass Effect.

Faint radio dialogue can be heard in Episode 1, with an operator saying, "Commander Shepherd, you are requested at the Skillian Response Center." This moment happens at around 33:50. Apparently the subtitles spell Shepherd that way, but this is pretty clearly a reference to Commander Shephard, the hero and main character of BioWare's popular RPG series. Skyllian Verge is also reference to Mass Effect.

Kiki Wolfkill of 343 Industries told GamesRadar, "Everybody loves Mass Effect," adding that 343 wanted to celebrate Mass Effect because the video game business is a "very collegiate environment."

For more, check out GameSpot's breakdown of 12 Easter Eggs and references in Halo Episode 1.

A Mass Effect TV series is in the works at Amazon, and Henry Cavill has said he wants to be cast in it. The Mass Effect series isn't confirmed yet, but Amazon is producing a Fallout TV series, as well as projects based on Life is Strange and Disco Elysium.

As for the Mass Effect game series, a new game is on the way and new teaser art was recently released, hinting at the return of the Geth. The new Mass Effect game will be the first in the main series since 2017's Mass Effect: Andromeda.

For more on the Halo TV series, which stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief, check out GameSpot's Halo Season 1 review and how to watch the show.