While BioWare continuing the Mass Effect franchise sans Shepard is common knowledge by now, we now have a release window for the next Mass Effect game — albeit — a tentative one at best.

For lack of a better name, we're referring to it as Mass Effect 4 since it will be the fourth game in the franchise. But BioWare has not confirmed that the next Mass Effect game will indeed be called Mass Effect 4. I think it's best we clear that up before we move on.

Now that's out of the way, in an interview with GamerSyndrome (via VG247), the studio was asked if they can give a rough idea on when Mass Effect 4's release window would be and BioWare revealed, "Late 2014 to Mid 2015. I honestly can’t tell you an exact because full development on the game started a month or two ago."

Yep, that pretty much seals it. There won't be a new, full-fledged Mass Effect game in 2013, but that's a given since Mass Effect 3 was just released this year, no?

Speaking of Mass Effect 3, BioWare also shared their original ending for the game! Needless to say, if you haven't played and finished Mass Effect 3, then I suggest not reading any further as it will spoil some parts of the story for you. Come to think of it, if you haven't finished ME2, then I suggest not reading it as well, as the info shared affects both games.

We also scrapped the original ending for Mass Effect 3. We were gonna have it as a “boss battle”, where Commander Shepard would go up and fight The Illusive Man who has been transformed by The Reapers. We scrapped that idea because way too many [games] have that as their ending, some final boss fight. Ultimately, we are proud of the finished products in the Mass Effect series and stand by them.

So there you have it. Mass Effect 4 won't be out until "late 2014" or 'mid 2015" at the earliest and we now know The Illusive Man was supposed to be the ultimate baddie in ME3.

Regarding ME4, it seems the release window implies it will be a next-gen release, no? Although BioWare confirming that they're just a month in development should be proof enough.

Anyone already excited for ME4? What do you think of the "original" ending that got scrapped? Share your thoughts with fellow Mass Effect fans in the comments.