The Game Awards 2020 closed out with a teaser for BioWare's next Mass Effect game. And it looks to be a continuation of the franchise after the Mass Effect 3 story.
The trailer takes us on a journey through space accompanied by radio static transmissions. We eventually see some debris and what looks like a Mass effect relay. We are then taken to an icy planet as we see an Asari trudging through snow up a mountainside. It's at this point she stops and uncovers a piece of N7 armor.
While not confirmed, it's presumed that this Asari is Liara, the Asari researcher who worked alongside Commander Shepard in the original trilogy.
The teaser ends with a simple "Mass Effect will continue." BioWare offered no actual details but it certainly seems to suggest the next Mass Effect will take place after the original trilogy, which is probably a good thing considering the mixed reception to Mass Effect: Andromeda.
The official Mass Effect Twitter added that BioWare is in "early production" on the game, which means it's probably a long way out.
In the meantime, we have the Mass Effect Legendary edition coming in spring 2021. This will be a remaster of the first three games in the franchise -- the original trilogy featuring Commander Shepard -- released for Xbox One, PS4, and PC (and playable on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5). The timing all makes sense that this new Mass Effect would continue the story and explore the galaxy post-Shepard.