Mass Effect 4
BioWare reveals there will be no commander Shepard for Mass Effect 4, signals end of trilogy. Photo: BioWare BioWare

BioWare had earlier confirmed about a new full ME game in the works and revealed its plans for the upcoming projects scheduled for the next six months. This revelation followed the unexpected announcement of retirement of BioWare's founders Dr Ray Muzyka and Dr Greg Zeschuk from the game development.

Pulling off some surprises, the game maker has revealed that the upcoming iteration in Mass Effect (ME) will not feature the beloved hero of its discerning fans - Commander Shepard. The sci-fi adventure game franchise that helped build a global community of fans and friends seems to be taking a new course with a new protagonist, who will dive into a new game world (in a different timeline) that could mark the beginning of a prequel or sequel to the popular trilogy.

Further, speculations are rife that one of Commander Shepard's crew members such as Garrus or Liara T'Soni could possibly take up the lead role in the forthcoming ME game.

Unlike the unpredictable timeline for ME4 game world, the storyline is almost set to elaborate on the events of Protheans' first contact war with the Reapers, Rachni Wars, the Krogan Rebellions, the Geth Wars or the Eden Prime Wars for an intriguing backdrop.

In a recent interview with VG24/7, BioWare Montreal producer Fabrice Condominas stated that they would be glad to continue the Mass Effect franchise, albeit with a new hero. Discussing the game plot in the next ME iteration, Condominas asserts:"There is one thing we are absolutely sure of - there will be no more Shepard, and the trilogy is over."

"This is really our starting point. 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 more ideas from the teams, gathering feedback to see several things," he adds.

Contrary to millions of fan expectations, BioWare has taken the recourse to terminate Shepard's career. This is despite the Mass Effect 3's destroy ending suggesting the return of Commander Shepard, and the star gazer cut-scene further strengthening the claim that Shepard may not be dead after all.

"So first, we don't want to make 'Shepard 2′, 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," reiterates Condominas, setting at rest all speculations about Shepard's return.

This comes as a big disappointment to all those Shepard fans who were eager to step into Shepard's shoes and continue their epic space adventure. But those yearning for a refreshing new face and character role-play should definitely look forward to the new full ME game that could presumably bear the title Mass Effect 4 (ME4).