The unofficial name creates expectations about continuing Shepard's story

Feb 8, 2013 10:52 GMT  ·  By

The next Mass Effect game won't necessarily be called Mass Effect 4, as BioWare emphasizes that such a thing would create expectations from fans about continuing the story of Commander Shepard, which ended alongside the main trilogy.

BioWare's Mass Effect franchise has entertained millions of players from all around the world with its great blend of story and gameplay, allowing them to play as Commander Shepard, the only man (or woman) who can stop the menace of the alien Reapers.

After concluding the adventures of Shepard in Mass Effect 3, BioWare quickly confirmed that it's begun working on a brand new Mass Effect experience that won't star Commander Shepard.

In order to keep the expectations of fans in check, BioWare community manager Chris Priestly has posted a statement on the BSN, saying that the Mass Effect 4 name shouldn't be used, as it creates the expectation of continuing the main trilogy.

"To call the next game Mass Effect 4 or ME4 is doing it a disservice and seems to cause a lot of confusion here. We have already said that the Commander Shepard trilogy is over and that the next game will not feature him/her. That is the only detail you have on the game," he said.

Calling the new game Mass Effect 4 also "makes people think of it more as 'what happens after Mass Effect 3' rather than 'what game happens next set in the Mass Effect Universe', which is far more accurate at this point," according to him.

What's more, Priestly emphasized that work has just begun on the game and that BioWare isn't going to share any details until the time is right.

"I see people saying 'well, they'll have to pick a canon ending'. No, because the game does not have to come after. Or before. Or off to the side. Or with characters you know. Or yaddayaddayadda. Wherever, whenever, whoever, etc. will all be revealed years down the road when we actually start talking about it."

As of yet, however, BioWare will keep its cards close to its chest and won't share any other details about the new Mass Effect until it's ready.