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Do you believe in the Indoctrination Theory

Discussion in 'EA - BioWare' started by Evil Chris Priestly, May 22, 2012.

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Do you believe that Shepard was "indoctinated" during Mass Effect 3 (the IT theory)?

Yes 846 vote(s) 79.4%
No 219 vote(s) 20.6%
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  1. Evil Chris Priestly BioWare

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    Ok, a more simple question: Do you believe in the Indoctrination Theory?

    There are different beliefs around the Indoctrination theory, but they mostly (and I am generalizing for sake of ease) believe that the "end" on Mass Effect 3 wasn't really the end, but was actually a "false" ending planted in Shepard by the Reapers.

    I'm not asking for why you do or do not believe, when it did or didn't happen, what proof there is or isn't, etc I'm just seeing how many people here believe the IT is real.

    Poll voting for simplicity with only yes or no. None of this "well maybe if..." or similar. Do you believe, yes or no.
    Evil Chris Priestly, May 22, 2012
    #1
    • Optimistic x 41
    • Like x 24
    • Dislike x 6
    • Informative x 4
    • Useful x 3
    • Friendly x 2
    • Agree x 1

  2. calvinocious Supreme Member

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    Yes, in the sense that I really hope it's true.

    EDIT: Since a ton of people responded (as expected), I want to clarify my response to the poll. I don't think IT was intended, but I do believe it is an appropriate and believable interpretation of the end sequence. The reason I cast a 'yes' vote is not based on what I think was the initial intention of the writing, but rather on the compelling case that has been presented by the collaboration of countless fans. After all, Mass Effect is really all of our stories, so I think it is possible to believe in IT without believing it was the original intent of the writers.
    calvinocious, May 22, 2012
    #2
    • Agree Agree x 17
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 7
    • Like Like x 2

  3. Volion Administrator

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    reserved..

    Please stay civil and on topic.

    [B][/B]
    Volion, May 22, 2012
    #3
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Friendly Friendly x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • Creative Creative x 1

  4. JudgeGreg Moderator

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    I believe it's plausible, so I said Yes.
    JudgeGreg, May 22, 2012
    #4
    • Agree Agree x 13

  5. Justin Simpson Elite Member

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    No.

    But God I want to.
    Justin Simpson, May 22, 2012
    #5
    • Agree Agree x 11
    • Like Like x 5

  6. Doctor Uburian Elite Member

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    It is more acceptable than Bioware's fatalistic ending.
    Doctor Uburian, May 22, 2012
    #6
    • Agree Agree x 13
    • Winner Winner x 9
    • Like Like x 2

  7. Amalthea327 Managing Editor
    1. HTL @ Gaymercon
    2. HTL Open

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    At this point it seems to the only plausible answer for the "ending" we currently have. Still holding the line, cautiously optimistic though.
    Amalthea327, May 22, 2012
    #7
    • Agree Agree x 13
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 5
    • Like Like x 2

  8. Noelemahc Deputy Editor
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    No. It is an even worse cop-out than the one the game already contains.

    EDIT: Yay for being the most disliked post in this thread!!!

    EDIT2: For those who never read past the first page, here's my lengthy explanation of the issues I have with IT.

    EDIT3: Yay for being my main source of disagrees! Come, my peons, work in the disagreement mine!

    EDIT4: Still yay for disagrees! Changed formatting to make original line stand out more.
    Noelemahc, May 22, 2012
    #8
    • Disagree Disagree x 26
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  9. RenownedRyan Elite Member

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    I wish the Indoctrination Theory was true. I want to believe it. That's how heinously bad your employer's ending was.
    RenownedRyan, May 22, 2012
    #9
    • Agree Agree x 19
    • Winner Winner x 4
    • Like Like x 2

  10. Napoleonforte Supreme Member

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    Nope. Shepard had two "opportunities" to get indoctrinated in ME and ME2, and he/she was pretty resistant.
    Napoleonforte, May 22, 2012
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  11. LukeE Elite Member

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    I sincerely wish, against my better judgement, that you've been as clever as we all hope you have...reluctantly yes.
    LukeE, May 22, 2012
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  12. Vadakin Active Member

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    I tend to agree. The Indoctrination Theory is a nice idea and if it had been part of the game it would have been an interesting twist. But it isn't part of the game. That's the cold hard fact of the matter. It's not in the game. If indoctrination was put in as DLC, frankly I'd be angrier than I was about the ending. It would mean that I bought an unfinished game.
    Vadakin, May 22, 2012
    #12
    • Agree Agree x 13
    • Disagree Disagree x 10
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  13. darkone778 Media Team Leader
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    Its hard to say in one way yes or no. There are definitely elements that I can see for it and against it. Most of what is presented in game ala the dream sequences would suggest yes and the "shepard lives" easter egg would also suggest yes given the scene set up for. Only being able to go on that evidence. As to what Bioware thinks of it is another story.
    darkone778, May 22, 2012
    #13
    • Agree Agree x 4
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  14. Jerry Elite Member

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    Fingers crossed that it is
    Jerry, May 22, 2012
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  15. millertime8647 New Member

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    No, I don't think it's what Bioware intended, too many holes (as much as I think it would have been great, if thought-out and planned from the beginning)
    millertime8647, May 22, 2012
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  16. tiduspr Effected Member

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    When I saw the ending the first time, it made no sense. At all. Once I. Was introduced to the indoctrination theory, it made some sense. I don't know that I believe it was BWs original intention, but it surely would be a plausible explanation to many, many things. I'm voting yes, since its the only possible explanation I see. Sorry for typos, posting from my phone.
    tiduspr, May 22, 2012
    #16
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  17. SeventyOne Supreme Member

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    No.
    And i dont like they way things happened with all the speculation and the theories. I dont like how you treated your fans and allowed for this to happen.
    SeventyOne, May 22, 2012
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  18. Heather Shepard Active Member

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    I believe the Indoctrination Theory does hold some merit and could be a plausible explanation for much of ME3 (not just the ending), so I give a 'yes' to your question but a 'reserved yes' as I don't fully believe that this was the intended meaning.
    Heather Shepard, May 22, 2012
    #18
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  19. Theonlymobboss Well-Known Member

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    I don't believe that IT theory was what was intended in the ending. However enough fans have made compelling cases for it that I'm willing to toss it in the plausible category.
    My advice though would be run with IT irregardless; it's the best way really at this point for the team at Bioware to salvage the relationship with the fans. IT theory could give Bioware cover for trying a truly innovative ending and also give Bioware a chance to say "and our brilliant devoted fans caught onto what we were attempting faster than we had a chance to reveal it". This way both sides have the chance to come together and at the same time save face.
    Theonlymobboss, May 22, 2012
    #19
    • Agree Agree x 9
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  20. Tom K Active Member

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    Frankly, from my point of view, this question adds up to "Do you believe Mass Effect 3 even has an ending?". After all, if the Indoctrination Theory is true, BioWare will officially have to admit that they did not give us an ending at all. Therefore, my answer is no - I still have a little faith in BioWare, but it hinges on the Extended Cut.
    Tom K, May 22, 2012
    #20
    • Agree Agree x 12
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    • Informative Informative x 1
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