One of the best storytelling techniques is to not show something. It sounds a bit contradictory, but by putting emphasis on other elements, it allows those not shown to become more prevalent or surprising. It’s an aspect of the golden rule to “show, not tell,” and a twist on showing by showing the lack thereof. For projects early in production and development, it is obviously hard to know what isn’t being shown yet because it isn’t ready yet or what those behind the scenes don’t want to show fans. Such is the case for the upcomingMass Effect 4.
Now, it’s worth mentioning thatMass Effect 4really hasn’t even gotten a full marketing rollout yet. It’s had a couple of teasers, and that’s it. There are a few images fans have torn apart, and there are still secrets in theseMass Effect 4teasers. But, notably, there is something that feels intentionally absent, as if not because it’s early in development but because the developer is trying to keep attention away from it. Because it is so early, though, it’s worth highlighting that this is just speculation and theory, but it seems Mass Effect 4, indeed the whole franchise, doesn’t want fans looking too closely at Quarians.
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Mass Effect Universe: The Intentional Lack of Quarians – Evidence
Let’s look at what came beforeMass Effect 4first. InMass Effect: Andromeda, the Quarian Arkwas lost so fans weren’t able to see this fan-favorite race in the new game. Some believed the Quarian Ark would be DLC, that perhaps a Reaper chased it down, and more. By not showing Quarians, it made them all the more enticing for the storyline….and eventually, it was revealed in a book calledMass Effect: Annihilationthat its delay dealt with a virus, or so it seems for the most part.
Legendary Edition also puts new emphasis on the Quariuns, this time directly. BioWare fixed an age-oldMass Effect 3controversy by finally revealing Tali’s face—after a stock image was first used way back when. This set the stage for their face in the next game, if anything. And so, Quarians have played an important show and tell-style storytelling for a while. And that’s why it’s odd to seeMass Effect 4, as shown so far, without a trace of them. It’s made even odder by what is shown.
First off, Liara is shown off and it makes sense given how long Asari live. It can only be assumed that she is either looking for Shepard or studying the remnants of Reaper Tech. Other races, like Krograns, are shown too, but none of the races appear to be Quarians. Thus far, it’s been made very clear thatMass Effect 4canonizes the Destroy Ending, also destroying the Geth in the process. The Geth-Quarian conflict was a major aspect of theMass Effect Trilogy, and this means BioWare is loosely showing one without the other.
So, the Geth are gone and that’s being shown, but the Quarians who would either celebrate or perhaps feel conflicted over this are nowhere to be seen. Quarians are known for their technological advancements, on equal footing with their inability to remove their masks, and yet they are not shown in what appears to be a giant Reaper crater.
Again, it could be just because the project is so early in development, yet their emphasis inMass Effect: AndromedaandLegendary Editionbut lack thereof thus far inMass Effect 4seems strange, to say the least.
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Mass Effect 4: Where Are The Quarians
Obviously, until more is shown, it’s impossible to explain their absence. It could be unintentional, but if it is indeed intentional, there are possible a few reasons. First, perhaps thanks to Reaper Tech, fans have seen Quarians but not realized it. The poster has at least a figure or two that clearly don’t have Quarian helmets, but perhaps Reaper Tech (or time passing—who knows how long it has been) has given ways for Quarians to exist without their helmets. Who knows, perhaps this is even the teasedsecret regardingMass Effect 4’s released trailerso far. This would arguably take away some of the race’s unique aspects, but it would be interesting growth nonetheless.
Secondly, perhaps because of the Geths' destruction, the Quarians are more isolated on their homeworld and are building it up. This means, unlessMass Effect 4players travel to Rannoch, they may not have much presence in the game. Conversely, it could be that their technology familiarity in a time without Relays, scattered tech, and lack of Geth have led them down a more unpredictable path.
Ultimately, no one outside BioWare truly knows what’s going on with the game and what, if anything, is happening with the Quarians. But it’s odd to see a dead Geth, to know Reaper tech may have some role, that theQuarians’ tech skillscould be super important…and yet, they are not among the few races shown so far.
WithMass Effect 4not forgetting the Andromeda galaxy,with the Quarians emphasis there and elsewhere, it’s hard to see this absence as anything but as foreboding dark secrets and storylines where technology is concerned. Only time will tell, though.
Mass Effect 4is in development.
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