A petition created to save BioWare’s well-loved sci-fi RPG, Mass Effect, has topped 187,000 signatures.
We said a sad farewell to BioWare earlier this week. Job cuts, coming just months after Saudi Arabia’s $55bn leveraged buyout of the company, were anticipated by experts, but drew widespread condemnation and messages of sympathy from across the industry.
Joe Smith, credited with starting the petition, isn’t necessarily asking EA to change its mind about BioWare; instead, the petition calls for “decisive action by committing to the continued development of Mass Effect”.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Original vs Remastered Comparison – Official Trailer.Watch on YouTube
“This commitment requires proper funding, adequate staffing, and time allocation to maintain and advance the high standards the franchise is known for,” the Change.Org page reads.
“Alternatively, EA could consider licensing the Mass Effect intellectual property (IP) to another studio that shares the passion and vision to keep it alive and allow it to flourish anew.”
The petition adds: “Fans around the globe have invested thousands of hours exploring the galaxy, forming deep connections with its multifaceted characters and compelling storylines. It is a franchise that has transcended the typical gamer experience, creating a community that advocates for choice, individuality, and shared adventure. The potential cessation of new developments in this universe is a devastating prospect not only for fans but for the diversity of narrative-driven games as a whole.”
Yesterday, we reported that a content creator claiming to have served on a BioWare community council shared alleged details about the cancelled next Mass Effect game, titled Mass Effect Universe.
In a lengthy Twitter/X post, the YouTuber claimed he’d had access through his role on the “Mass Effect Council”, had seen firsthand what BioWare was developing, and had provided feedback during development.
This follows the appearance of an internal trailer for Mass Effect Universe, which BioWare later confirmed was real after the company’s closure and the game’s cancellation.
EA’s widespread job cuts also hit developers at Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, EA Motive, and other EA-owned studios.