Eagle-eyed fans have been scanning the recent Mass Effect 4 teaser for any possible clues about the next game, and some have noticed an interesting throwback to the franchise’s early days. Three years after the divisive Mass Effect Andromeda, BioWare officially announced a new installment in its renowned sci-fi RPG franchise during The Game Awards 2020. Not much was revealed during this cryptic first look, save that Mass Effect 4 would see the return of fan-favorite squadmate Liara T'Soni following the end of the original trilogy.

mass effect cast of characters
Mass Effect 4 Could Be Using New Technology to Create Characters in the Game

BioWare executive producer Michael Gamble hints that it's using an Unreal Engine 5 tech to make characters for Mass Effect 4.

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The “Mass Effect Epsilon” teaser has naturally re-sparked the speculation and debate surrounding Mass Effect 4, with dedicated fans going over the brief clip repeatedly in search of any new information. According to GamesRadar, some have uncovered an interesting Easter egg in the teaser’s title. The Mass Effect News Twitter account was among the first to point this out, posting an image from BioWare’s Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development book showing unused Mass Effect working titles and logos. One of these is “The Epsilon Effect,” and the fact that the latest Mass Effect 4 teaser also has the word “Epsilon” in it has not gone unnoticed.

It isn’t clear exactly what this apparent reference means in the grand scheme of things, but it isn’t the only detail in the Mass Effect teaser that viewers have picked up on. Fans quickly noticed a group of familiar Mass Effect aliens in the background of the trailer, suggesting that the synthetic Geth and fishlike Angara might appear in Mass Effect 4. This in itself has huge ramifications for Mass Effect 4’s story, as the Angara only recently made their debut in Mass Effect Andromeda, and the Geth might have been wiped from the Milky Way depending on the player’s choices at the end of Mass Effect 3.

There are still many unanswered questions surrounding Mass Effect 4, namely about where it takes place in the series’ timeline and if Commander Shepard is returning as many are already theorizing. The use of the word “Epsilon” in the latest teaser’s title is one such question, especially since it calls back to one of the series’ original working titles. Perhaps Mass Effect Epsilon is the official title for Mass Effect 4, but players will likely have to wait until next year’s N7 Day for more clues about the next chapter in BioWare’s epic sci-fi franchise.

Mass Effect Trilogy Tag Page Cover Art

Mass Effect Trilogy
Action RPG
Third-Person Shooter
Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Released
November 6, 2012
ESRB
t
Developer(s)
BioWare
Publisher(s)
Microsoft
Engine
Unreal Engine 3
Franchise
Mass Effect

WHERE TO PLAY

PHYSICAL

One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.

RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA: Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds.

EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD: Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.

REFLECT ON YOUR CHOICES: Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle – and even the fate of the galaxy itself.

Genre(s)
Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter