'Mass Effect 3' Ending: Why BioWare May Be Geniuses, 5 Things To Look Out For In Ending Sequence [VIDEO]

The controversy surrounding Mass Effect 3 has made it one of the most talked about releases in the history of video game culture. But beyond the outrage and initial disappointment, there is a deeper element of significance to the conclusion of BioWare's epic space adventure RPG.

It's possible that the true meaning of the ending could have gone over players' heads upon completing the game. Theories about an indoctrination ending have been rapidly spanning the Internet like wildfire, leaving some fans to believe that all the hype and dissent against BioWare could have been unwarranted. (Beware, spoilers below!)

There are some interesting circumstances under which the ending of Mass Effect 3 could be one of the greatest pieces of game design ever created, writes Phil Hornshaw of GameFront. In other circumstances, it could be even worse or more confusing than what players have already experienced. But if it's true (an incredibly big 'if'), then BioWare has pulled off the greatest feat ever: they indoctrinated us all.

But what does this indoctrination ending mean? In the simplest form, the general idea is that the entire ending sequence is occurring in your character's mind. The Reapers, the antagonizing alien counterpart to heroic Commander Shepard, are attempting to indoctrinate the protagonist. This is a process they use to coerce influential character to joint their cause.

This makes the final decision even more monumental. The choice players make in the end determine whether or not Commander Shephard resisted the Reapers influence or joined their cause.

Dedicated gamers have spent a lot of time, energy and brain power analyzing these theories about the game's conclusion. Here's a breakdown of five things to look out for in the final sequence that have led to the mind-blowing speculations, according to blog Uninhibited and Unrepentant.

1. When standing at the point where the Citadel and the Crucible meet, the Earth is located above your head looming like a brilliant, cosmic reminder of what's at stake. However, the Earth should actually be beneath you since the Citadel is pointed away from Earth.

2. The 'creator' of the Reapers allows you to choose the fate of their 'solution.'

3. Hackett knows that you're on the Citadel, even though everyone thinks you have been killed by Harbinger.

4. Even though there is only one visible entrance, Anderson gets to the room before you. He also admits to arriving at the Citadel after you, which doesn't make sense. How did he even know you were in the Citadel?

5. The 'creator' knows to appear as the child, even though you never told anyone what he looked like, how old he was, or what he was wearing.

After the confusion, anger and disappointment began to subdue, fans slowly came to the realization that their hours of carefully crafted decision making could have resulted in a conclusion that was too epic to even grasp.

I will pull a 180 on how I feel about the Mass Effect 3 ending if the Indoctrination Theory is true, one player posted on Twitter.

So after beating Mass Effect 3 and reading the indoctrination theory, Bioware has some of the most amazing writers or f-ked up big time, wrote another.

The true meaning of the game's end is still undecided, but perhaps the open interpretation is part of the charm BioWare was aiming for.