Mass Effect 4, currently without an official name, will have no ties to Commander Sheppard. Apparently.

The loneliness of the long distance runner...

It would seem it has been confirmed that Commander Sheppard will not be in Mass Effect 4.

Mac Walters has been quoted as saying:

“I can't get into details, but the idea is that we have agreed to tell a story that doesn't relate necessarily to any of the Shepard events at all, whatsoever. Beyond that, that's what we've been deciding for awhile. But throughout it all, one of the key things is that it has to be Mass Effect. It can't just feel like a spin-off. It has to feel like a Mass Effect game at its heart, at its core. Just without the Shepard character or the Shepard specific companions."

From this a couple of things can be deduced:

• It will not be a prequel featuring Sheppard. It may however still be a prequel, that cannot be ruled out by the statement. This would not please this writer. 
• It would also seem possible then that the game will not feature any of Sheppard’s prior companions. 

This line is certainly interesting however, “doesn't relate necessarily to any of the Shepard events at all”. One could take that to mean that the history you've built up over the 3 games and the decisions made previously will count for nothing. That said, in Feb 2012 producer Mike Gamble said it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep your ME3 saves so we'll see.

Gamble recently reported that the development for ME4 had made his “jaw drop”. Let’s hope he ensures ME4 has a great ending…that is well written. That’s the key, good writing.

My hope is that ME4 will be set well after the Third game so that the legacy of Sheppard and his band of merry intergalactic races can be referenced.

Chief versus Sheppard cosplay - who does it the best?

Some pretty sweet cosplay action going on at the Otakon! Who does the best cosplay? Chief or Sheppard?

Saves the world a few times, never promoted...

This chap saved millions of people from the Reapers and never got to Kirk status:

And this one has saved humanity a couple of times yet:

ME3 DLC details for Citadel and Reckoning

Mass Effect 3: Citadel – Single Player DLC

When a sinister conspiracy targets Commander Shepard, you and your team must uncover the truth, through battles and intrigue that range from the glamour of the Citadel’s Wards to the top-secret Council Archives. Uncover the truth and fight alongside your squad – as well as the cast from the original Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, including Urdnot Wrex!

When the adventure is over, reconnect with your favorite characters from the Mass Effect Trilogy, try your luck at the Citadel’s Silver Coast Casino, blow off steam in the Armax Combat Arena, or explore and furnish Shepard’s own living quarters on the Citadel. With unique content and cinematics featuring your friends and romance interests in the Mass Effect trilogy, Mass Effect 3: Citadel offers one final chance to see the characters you have known for years and rekindle romances.

Mass Effect 3: Citadel will release worldwide on March 5th on Xbox 360, PC and PS3 (on March 6th on PS3 in Europe). Price: $14.99, 1200MS points and 1200 BW points.



Mass Effect 3: Reckoning – Multiplayer DLC

Prepare for the Reckoning! Newfound allies join the multiplayer war for survival in Mass Effect 3: Reckoning. The Geth Juggernaut, Cabal Vanguard, Talon Mercenary, Alliance Infiltration Unit, and more take up arms to stop the Reaper threat. Smash your enemies with the Biotic Hammer as you lay waste to the battlefield as the Krogan Warlord.

Wield 7 new weapons for multiplayer, including the Geth Spitfire Assault Rifle, Venom Shotgun, Lancer Assault Rifle, and amplify your arsenal with new equipment and weapon mods featuring the Geth Scanner and Assault Rifle Omni-blade.

Movie references found in Mass Effect

Movie references found in the Mass Effect games

The entire Mass Effect game series is brimming with easter eggs and references to other games, movies and other popular culture. Here's a few movie nod though I think I've missed a whole heap of in jokes, direct lines and what not.

The Matrix

Joker refers to humans being organic batterys “Great this is where it starts, when we're all organic batteries guess who they'll blame?". This is in reference to the artificial intelligence EDI being freed of her programming locks.

A Spacey Odyssey 2001

Joker again. “What?! You're crazy! You start singing Daisy Bell and I'm done!" – The computer HAL 9000 sang Daisy Bell when it was being deactivated after going insane (or rampant perhaps). This itself was a reference to the IBM 7094 which was the first computer to sing and it sang the same song.

The Princess Bride

Commander Sheppard tells a C-Sec official that he was "just mostly dead." This was after Cerberus brought him back to life.

Star Trek

In the original ME, Commander Shepard tells a Krogan that the mine shift is collapsing and will surely kill them all. The Krogan replies, "Exhilirating, isn't it?", a direct reference to Kingon Kruge's response to Captain Kirk in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

If you take Sheppard to the Citadel and go to the bar on level 28 you can ask for a drink. The bar tender will pour you a tasty beverage .Shepard will exclaim 'This is green!'. This is a direct reference to Scotty's line from the original Star Trek movie.

ME2 - If you find yourself on Zakera Ward talking to Avina, can ask her why this area is more run down. She says "Asari futurists theorize that poverty will never truly be overcome by society until the invention of Cornucopia technology. A machine that can create anything the user desires. Such objects sadly do not exist out side science fiction literature" This is mostly potentially a reference to the replicator devices from Star Trek.

Star Wars 

In ME3, when Sheppard helps the Cerberus scientists escape, the line "The first transport is away.." is uttered and is a reference to the Rebels escaping the ice planet Hoth. 

Here's a more full list of Stars Wars references that can be found in Mass Effect.

The Hunt for Red October

During a ME3 mission with Tali, Joker activates the stealth drive saying "the only way they'll notice us is if everyone starts singing the Russian national anthem."

Battlestar Galactica 

OK it's a TV reference but while leaving the Geth Dreadnought Joker says "Just waggle your wings or something so I know which one is you" This is reference to the original Battlestar Galactica episode titled 'The Hand of God.'

What else is there? Leave your references in the comments !

What is the N7 that's on Commander Sheppard's logo all about?

What is the N7 that's on Commander Sheppard's logo all about?

N7 represents how far Sheppard has progessed through Interplanetary Combatives Training programme. What it means is that they are the best of the best at being a soldier.

Interplanetary Combatives Training (ICT) is the Systems Alliance's premier school for leadership and combat expertise. The Interplanetary Combatives Academy, is often known as "N-School" or "the villa," recruits officers from every branch of Earth's militaries to partake in grueling courses at Vila Militar in Rio de Janeiro.

The highest grade of training, N6, provides actual combat experience in combat zones throughout the galaxy. If the trainee survives these scenarios in "admirable and effective fashion," he or she finally receives the coveted N7 designation. N7 is the only ICT designation that may be worn on field or dress uniforms so it was sure amusing for Sheppard to find the Geth we know Legion wearing it in Mass Effect 2 - it was kind of an homage to the man.

If you've played through Mass Effect you'll recall that James Vega was asked to go through the ICT programme.