Bioware Plans to Continue Mass Effect Universe Without Shepard

Judging by how often Commander Shepard can be seen glaring menacingly at incoming Reaper ships, we all knew there would be an end one way or the other. What you may not have guessed was that the Mass Effect Universe will live on after the upcoming third game ends the storyline of the courageous, grizzled commander that disingenuously favored every shop on the Citadel.

Producer Michael Gamble told PC Gamer:

We have ambitious plans to continue this franchise going forward. Mass Effect 3 is simultaneously a couple of different things; a thrilling and epic conclusion to the trilogy as we promised our fans we’d provide for Commander Shepard, but it’s also a brand new beginning – it’s an entry point for new fans and it’s also a brand new beginning.

Gamble clarifies that there is no chance Shepard will reappear in future titles.

But this doesn’t mean the series will be forever relegated to the bargain bin at game stores, as the highest praise often given to each iteration is how complete and satisfying the universe is. The question is, will we be seeing no more Shepard, but more of his crew? Or, will the torch be taken by a whole new squad or perhaps by a whole new genre of play-style. I’m sad to see the commander go, but I am excited to see how the series can reinvent itself.