14 DAY TRIAL // While Mass Effect 3 is the latest chapter in the planned trilogy that focuses on Commander Shepard, BioWare has now hinted that fans of the series should probably keep their save game files for an eventual fourth installment.
The Mass Effect series has delighted millions of gamers across the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms over the years with sharp third-person shooter mechanics as well as a full-fledged story that saw them enter the combat boots of Commander Shepard as he (or she, depending on the player's choice) tries to save the universe.
The adventures of Shepard are coming to an end with Mass Effect 3, but BioWare has already hinted on several occasions that this might not be the end of the franchise as a whole.
Now, BioWare Edmonton producer Michael Gamble has once again teased that additional stories in the universe can be told in the future.
"We've spent a lot of time building the IP and building this amazing world," Gamble told CVG. "We don't have anything to announce, and ME3 is the end of Shepard's story of course, but who knows? We may tell additional stories in the future."
The BioWare developer also made an interesting statement to GamerZines, saying that, while Mass Effect 3 may be the last chapter in the trilogy, players should probably keep their save game files for a potential new installment.
"Obviously I can't say anything, but it wouldn't be a bad idea," he said, while declining to actually mention any concrete details.
Both Mass Effect 2 and the upcoming 3 allow players to import their save game files from previous titles. This allows them to take into account decisions and events that took place in their predecessors, thus centering the story around the player's actions and making them feel like they're shaping the Mass Effect world.