Mass Effect Lore Timeline

Ed Bradley

2 min read

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14-12-2024

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The Mass Effect universe is rich with history, spanning millennia and countless civilizations. Understanding its intricate timeline is key to appreciating the depth and impact of the trilogy and its related media. This timeline aims to provide a chronological overview of key events, focusing on those most relevant to the main narrative. Note that certain dates are approximate, and some events might overlap or have varying interpretations depending on the source material.

Before the Citadel: Ancient History & Precursors

• Thousands of Years Before the Citadel: The Protheans, a technologically advanced civilization, dominate the galaxy. They encounter and clash with the Reapers, ancient sentient machines that periodically wipe out advanced galactic civilizations. This cycle of destruction and rebirth has repeated itself for eons.
• ~50,000 BCE: The Prothean civilization is nearly annihilated by the Reapers. Only a few survivors remain, scattered throughout the galaxy, leaving behind cryptic artifacts and technology.

The Rise and Fall of Civilizations: The Years Leading up to the Mass Effect Trilogy

• ~2000 BCE - 2100 CE (Approximate): Various civilizations rise and fall across the galaxy. Important cultures such as the Asari, Turians, Salarians, and Volus develop and establish themselves, shaping the political landscape that Shepard will eventually navigate. The exact development timelines for each species are not fully detailed in the games, but archaeological findings and oral histories provide fragmented glimpses.
• 2148 CE: Humanity discovers the Charon Relay and makes first contact with the wider galactic community, initiating a period of rapid technological advancement and cultural exchange.
• 2157 CE: The Systems Alliance is formed by several human colonies in an attempt to unify under one governing body.
• 2165 - 2183 CE: Humanity experiences a period of significant growth and expansion across the galaxy, encountering various alien species and navigating complex political relations.

The Mass Effect Trilogy & Beyond: Shepard's Journey

• 2183 CE: Commander Shepard's story begins, marking the start of the events detailed in Mass Effect. The player's choices and actions heavily influence the course of the trilogy.
• 2185 CE: The events of Mass Effect 2 unfold, with Shepard facing new threats and making critical decisions about alliances and survival.
• 2186 CE: The final confrontation with the Reapers occurs in Mass Effect 3, culminating in a galaxy-wide war that will determine the fate of countless species. The ending of Mass Effect 3, dependent on player choices, shapes the future of the galaxy in profound ways.

Post-Reaper War & Beyond (Post Mass Effect 3)

• 2186 CE and Beyond: The aftermath of the Reaper War shapes the future of the galaxy. The survival and rebuilding of the different species vary depending on the choices made throughout the trilogy. While not explicitly detailed in a single source, various books and comics expand upon the long-term ramifications of these choices.

This timeline provides a framework for understanding the chronology of the Mass Effect universe. It’s important to remember that the universe's richness lies not just in the events themselves, but in the intricate interconnections and consequences of those events, a testament to the deep and immersive storytelling of the Mass Effect series. Further research into the extended universe materials, such as books and comics, offers a more detailed picture.