Regarding Mass Effect 4

In light of EA's super vague announcement of a new Mass Effect game, a lot of people have been raising the question of whether it should be a prequel of sequel-- with "prequel" seeming like the easier choice; and "sequel" seeming like a far dicier proposition, due to Mass Effect 3's multiple endings and controversial standing.

But in my mind, the choice isn't really a choice at all.

It has been broadly proven over the past decade of mass media that Sci-Fi prequels are the worst idea that exists. If Bioware doesn't realize that, some could argue they deserve whatever they get.

So there's that to start with.

But it's also a matter of principle. After all, the entire Mass Effect universe is about risk and progress in the context of history, right? So just move things forward! Have some guts!! Take a chance!!

It wouldn't even be all that hard. No, really! Think about it.

All they have to do is declare the "Destroy" ending from ME3's Extended Cut as canon-- and then there could easily be a totally awesome sequel set a couple decades later about a fractured galaxy, where some places are still in the loop, other places are now a lawless frontier that the Council's authority struggles to reconnect with and/or control, and some places are literally cut off from society completely, and no one even knows what has happened to them! -You can have it all!

(In fact, maybe the other two endings still exist as well, but as weird unconfirmed rumors and conspiracy theories that you would uncover the truth about over the course of the game? Whatever! Fuck it!)

But one thing seems certain at this point: No more "epic," galaxy-destroying omni-cidal threats. Just interesting, character- and plot-focused stories about space mystery and exploration, political intrigue, interplanetary conflict, and technological advancements run amok. That's what people care about the most, anyway!

(Mass Effect 2 was the least Reaper-focused, after all... and it was Giant Bomb's Game of the Generation!)

But whatever the specifics, I really just hope that Mass Effect 4 makes good choices that allow it to thrive. Because that universe is still the best and most well-realized setting in all of modern games, and if they use it right, it can be spectacular.