‘Mass Effect 4’ Confirmed, But ‘There Will Be No More Commander Shepard’ Says BioWare Producer

Last month BioWare revealed that another full length game will be coming to the “Mass Effect” series. Although players know nothing about what will be in it, the company has named a character that won’t make an appearance: Commander Shepard.

When speaking with VG247, BioWare Montreal revealed that the next installment will feature a protagonist that will not be a re-hash of the iconic hero.

“There is one thing we are absolutely sure of—there will be no more Shepard, and the trilogy is over,” producer Fabrice Condominas said to the video game news site.

The BioWare Montreal producer’s words hint that the forthcoming game will expand on another aspect of the “Mass Effect” world, but did not specify what the company’s plans are.

“This is really our starting point,” Conominas said. “Now the Mass Effect universe is vast, and very, very rich. So at this point in time, we don’t even know what kind of time frame we’re going to be in. All we’re doing is gathering ideas from the teams, gathering feedback to see several things.”

The next installment in BioWare’s space action-shooter series will take place in a very different context than the rest of the franchise.

“So first, we don’t want to make ‘Shepard 2,’” he said. “Or Mass Effect 4 with like, ‘Oh there’s no more Shepard but you’re a soldier in the universe.’ So this will be a very, very different context for sure, and nothing has been decided on the rest.”

The news that a fourth “Mass Effect” may be in development came when BioWare posted a blog unveiling the upcoming single-player Omega expansion, which comes out on Nov. 27.

“Executive producer Casey Hudson and his team are coming off an amazing eight-year run with the Mass Effect trilogy,” wrote Aaryn Flynn, the general manager at BioWare Edmonton and Montreal wrote on the company's blog. “But they’re not done yet. But the ‘Mass Effect’ universe is vast, and Casey and our teams have plans for another full game. Where to go next with such a project has been a question a lot of us have been asking, and we’d love to hear your ideas.”

The creation of another full length game gives BioWare space to explore important events throughout the “Mass Effect” timeline that have been limited to codex entries or bullet points thus far. “Mass Effect 4” could elaborate on these events, such as the Protheans’ first point of contact with the Reapers. Major battles such as the Rachni Wars, the Krogan Rebellions, the First Contact Wars, the Geth Wars, or the Eden Prime Wars could also serve as an intriguing backdrop.

As for choosing a protagonist, the franchise is filled with engaging characters that could take a lead role in the series. For example, Garrus’ days in the C-Sec are referenced numerous times throughout the trilogy, and the forthcoming game could provide a chance to dive into his history.

What would you want to see in a “Mass Effect 4?” Or, better yet, do you even want BioWare to make a fourth game? Sound off in the comments below.