Save Mass Effect Petition Hits 50,000 Signatures, Just Days After BioWare Closure

EA announced on Wednesday that it has shut down BioWare, canceling the upcoming Mass Effect game. Fearing the loss of their favorite franchise, fans quickly rallied behind a petition named #SaveMassEffect, launched on the same day as the studio's closure. As of now, the petition has surpassed its initial target of 30,000 signatures, gathering 52,783 supporters.

The petition's author, Joe Smith, emphasized the importance of the Mass Effect series to millions of players worldwide. This science fiction epic, featuring Commander Shepard and their iconic crew on the Normandy, captivated gamers for years. However, the franchise's future now hangs in the balance due to recent declines in dedicated resources and ambiguous development plans from Electronic Arts (EA).

While some former BioWare executives suggest that EA might be more inclined to sell the BioWare IP after the studio's shutdown, industry analysts remain skeptical. Joost Van Dreunen, an analyst consulted by IGN, pointed out that BioWare's IP, like those of other divested studios, is too expensive for most potential buyers. Major publishers such as CD Projekt Red already have their hands full with their own projects.

There is a glimmer of hope, however, in the form of a Canadian politician advocating for the government to assist BioWare employees in buying out the studio, which could theoretically enable the development of Mass Effect Universe to continue. Nonetheless, this option remains a long shot and would likely take years to materialize.

While the survival of Mass Effect appears uncertain, the passion and determination of fans to keep the franchise alive are palpable. Social media platforms have been flooded with expressions of grief and support for BioWare, and even if Mass Effect does not return, the spirit of the series is expected to endure in games like Exodus and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.