Mass Effect 4 is unlikely to relate to Shepards story at all

Seems they won't even touch on Shepards story at all. Characters from earlier games unlikely to be included aswell

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/15/mass-effect-4-unlikely-to-relate-to-shepard-at-all

I wasn't going to get ME4 anyway.

I actually think this is a good thing. The Mass Effect universe has so much scope there is definitely room to tell a great deal more stories.

Would be nice to have an easter egg at least haha.

Good. The universe has much more potential then just needlessly continuing the Shepard saga.

Good. Im tired of Shepard and his crew. I want the game on Frostbite 3+, be a true rpg but instead of having one open world, you have boatload of planets to explore (look at Destiny) and they better be no empty like in ME1.

They fucked up Shepard's story in ME3 anyways....

Thats okay. Mass Effect has other things going for it !

Honestly they should just drop the RPG!Main Character aspect because as the series moved along, Shepard became less and less of a blank slate.

@ Lionheart08,

They'l take that under advisement.

I'm hoping to see better stealth though, and multistate enemies.

and completely weaponless class options, full Adept/Tech and no guns ! And hacking that rivals Bioshock.

I'm pretty sure they said they're done with Shepard's story but not with the universe long ago and I agree with them. Shepard's story had a beginning and an end. No point in milking it more. The universe they created though with ME is good enough to hold up another story with a new protagonist.

Good. Leave the good stuff alone.

That's the right call.

why call it ME "4" then?

Take away the 4, add a new subtitle.

Thats good. Its such an interesting universe it would be a shame if the new games focused on shepard. They should have it take place like a hundred years after ME3 after the galaxy is able to rebuild.

That's cool, Shepard's story is over, and I'd love to see more of ME universe, if done right.

The series was supposed to be a trilogy. Why are they milking?

Well, it was Shepard's trilogy, they delivered on it, that storyline is over.

Now, they're left with an awesome and well established universe, and an opportunity to create a new storyline and characters. Wouldn't really classify it as milking, in fact, it'd be very foolish to ignore it.

Good. That line has ended. The universe is interesting enough to continue, but not drag out year after year with the same story getting more and more ridiculous.

A new direction is needed with fresh characters and story. Same galaxy and concept.

still wonder how they will pull this off. Mainly since there are different outcomes in the game so what outcome you build the next game on. You cant pretend none of ME 1-3 happend.

I don't mind at all. I loved Mass Effect trilogy, but this is meant to start a new story, I'm sure they can think of something important to fight for with the various races and huge universe they have created.

Krogan main character... make it happen!

Cool. The series universe had enough meat on it that they could start new storyline with different characters.. I'll miss the crew and the Normandy though.

Bring back dat multiplayer. (I can't believe I said that)

Thank God.

Shepherd was the most Flash Gordon-esque "humans are the best because of our indomitable will!!!1!!" crappy excuse for writing a believable character. Add in the obvious fan service all female Asari race and you've got all the ingredients for a big pile of crap.

ME4 will have to be something really special for me to buy it. Knowing EA that won't happen.

Thats great, I really liked how Mass Effect 3 tied everything up (with the extended cut ofc). Hopefully the new cast doesn't suck, and Mike 'awesome button' Laidlaw stays the hell away from this.

I wonder why everybody is obsessing over the story/universe/lore. Did people not see the Gameplay flaws ? Or did I walk into A Mass Effect Movie thread without knowing it.

Sheppard's and his crew's stories are over and done with. ME4 should be something new.

And more Campaign local co-op please ! :)

Okay. Shepard's efforts are forgotten or haven't happened yet. If it is in a different galaxy, the potential for stories will be expanded exponentially.

I don't see what's appealing about Mass Effect. I bought the first one through Steam and found it to be extremely boring. The action and dialogue were unbearably dull. Eww!

@BluRayHiDef: That doesn't surprise me. I mean, this is you we are talking about.

Well that pretty much destroys the Indoctrination Theory. Too bad too, they had a really good way of making everyone look terribly bad for making fun of them. I was really hoping Shepard had survived and it was all a dream.

@ BluRayHiDef

Finaly ! Somebody with the guts to speak the truth.

Don't worry, Bioware has employed enough fan fiction writers to give us a new, equally cringe-inducing cast of characters that will hopefully inspire more creepy shit like "what do you think Tali's sweat tastes like?".

Mass effect 4 needs a new start in my opinion. Maybe a prequel trilogy before Shepard was even involved. There is so much to be explored in the universe. Can't wait to see what bioware brings to the table for the new mass effect. My favorite franchise this generation.

Good, have they announced if this is a prequel or sequel yet? I'm hoping prequel honestly, they could do stuff when humans first made contact with aliens or not even have humans. Hell they should just make the main character a elcor. That would be really exciting.

Yeah the series is incredibly cringe worthy. Especially the dialogue.

I look forward to a new game. I dont want the same crew but the universe is amazing and i would love another game to explore it. But then again im one of the 'crazy' few who was ok with the ME3 ending (directors cut) to not be completely sour towards a new game.

well, I wouldn't expect Shepard, but some of the aliens races live quite long, if it were to be kind of a prequel we could see some characters from the Turian wars, maybe some of the Krogan characters, maybe some Asari characters, but trying to do that maybe being possible would be kind of a convenient stretch, probably better not to

I don't think the ending was bad at all. And from my understanding the extended cut basically added those pictures and narration at the end right? I don't see the big deal about that.

ME4 is just a placeholder title anyway, until they can work out the story details for the next game from which they can finalize the new title.