Mass Effect 4? Don’t Throw Away Your Mass Effect 3 Saves, Bioware Has Further Plans

Both Mass Effect 1 and 2 have save games to be carried over to the next game. Each of these saves contains various flags—such as "Wrex is alive" and "Council was saved" to be read by the proceeding game which determine the events that happened in Shepard's past. The events of past games are reflected in the new game, where they alter the course of the story.

Speaking to GamerZines, Bioware associate producer Mike Gamble said "it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep your Mass Effect 3 saves."

His recommendation hinted at future development of the Mass Effect franchise, perhaps in the form of yet another sequel. While it's no surprise that Bioware has plans for DLCs in Mass Effect 3, the recommendation to keep those saves hints strongly towards the development of a true sequel.

"Obviously I can't say anything, but I wouldn't be a bad idea," he said.

"We want the outcomes to be satisfying to the player. That doesn't necessarily mean they're all going to be happy or positive, but they have to be satisfying. Players have to understand that the choices they've been making in this game and in previous have had an impact, and that they're an architect in what happens."

Even though Mass Effect 3 has been touted as the end of the Mass Effect trilogy, the company hasn't ruled off the future development of the franchise, which may lead to the development of a second trilogy—much like the Gears of War and Halo franchises.

Mass Effect 3 is set for release on the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on March 9.