ME 3 EC: the breath scene.

[Innegativeion]

So, yeah... This, plus the stargazer scene after the credits ("one more story"), and Bioware telling people to hang on to their ME 3 saves... Idk. Thoughts?

I think the new stories will be covered in the DLC. Remember that after the game ends, it leaves you before you go to the Cerberus HQ, so my guess is that this quest is considered a point of no return (makes sense since the Citadel disappears after that) and all single player DLC will happened before this point.

Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be a Mass Effect 4, but since most endings imply Shepard to be dead beyond repair its a safe bet to think it will be a new protagonist.

Despite the inevitable nerd rage that would surround a ME4, I'd be just fine with a new story set in the Mass Effect universe. It is such a rich, diverse, and interesting setting. After all, 99% of the trilogy is almost universally regarded as excellent.

I agree that it'd be best to use a new protagonist as well, rather than force the destruction ending (although that one is my favorite... not that I like it... much at all) for the sake of Shepards' survival.

Some throwbacks in sequels with a new protagonist would be nice, though. Like reapers randomly scuttling about different worlds, shepard's (presumably blue skinned) descendents faffing about the citadel, or everyone having glowing green eyes.

That said, I'd be even happier if an ending that didn't suck was released with DLC and they used that for canon.

 

[Fappy]

So, yeah... This, plus the stargazer scene after the credits ("one more story"), and Bioware telling people to hang on to their ME 3 saves... Idk. Thoughts?

I think the new stories will be covered in the DLC. Remember that after the game ends, it leaves you before you go to the Cerberus HQ, so my guess is that this quest is considered a point of no return (makes sense since the Citadel disappears after that) and all single player DLC will happened before this point.

Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be a Mass Effect 4, but since most endings imply Shepard to be dead beyond repair its a safe bet to think it will be a new protagonist.

Yeah, there is no way Shepard will be coming back as a PC. If they do another game it either has to be a prequel or they're going to have to canonize one of the endings... of which Destroy is the most likely candidate.

 

[mad825]

Occam's razor:It's just Bioware fucking with us. Fuck them.

 

[Thatguyky]

I've never liked the breath scene. It's just an irritating "or did they?" stinger.

If they wanted one of the endings to involve Shepard surviving they should have gone all out with it.

I thought the same thing. Kind of a weak dick move on Bioware's end. Either kill Shepard or let him/her live and show it.

As for the hold onto your ME3 saves thing, I think they're just saying that for upcoming DLC (like Leviathan). I really doubt they have another Mass Effect planned... well I say that, but look what happened to Halo xD

 

[Lord Doomhammer]

Well in response to OP,

I've heard some unconfirmed rumors on the Mass Effect forums that they plan to expand the universe with either another RPG or a MEMORPGER in which the player plays as someone other than Shepard. So, maybe the end of the series will effect this game? Again tho, just rumors I've heard circulating over the past couple years...