Mass Effect Fans Are Trying to Make This N7 Day the Biggest One Ever

In 2012, BioWare designated November 7th as a holiday, known as N7 Day, following the release of Mass Effect 3. The date symbolically represents Commander Shepard’s chest armor, which displays the N7 emblem, the highest rank of the Systems Alliance’s special-forces designations. Since its inception, N7 Day has been the annual celebration of Mass Effect held by BioWare.

This year, due to the closure of the studio, fans are taking charge of the celebration, and inviting everyone to participate in a significant assignment. To demonstrate the global love and continued enjoyment of the game, fans are encouraged to play Mass Effect simultaneously on any platform, at the same time on Saturday, November 7th, from 2 to 5 p.m. ET (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT, 7 to 10 p.m. GMT and 8 to 11 p.m. CET).

To provide context, the game has reached a peak of 59,817 concurrent players on Steam, with the highest monthly peak being around 9,300 players. However, the organizers want to include players on consoles and Windows PC via the EA app by asking them to share screenshots and clips with the hashtag #SaveMassEffect during the three-hour event.

This initiative has gained popularity, with a Change.org petition urging EA to keep the series going gathering nearly 300,000 verified signatures, and a fan-organized Times Square billboard featuring a quarian phrase about finding hope flashing for 15 seconds every hour on October 26th. Fans hope that this year's N7 Day sends a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of the game and the studio to the community.

BioWare’s lore describes the climb to N7 as a series of invitation-only stages, culminating in the most challenging and crucial mission for those who excel in previous stages. In the game, players experience these stages, and the first hour of the game sets the stage for the ultimate challenge, representing the longest odds, and the people who face them.

Over the years, fans have marked N7 Day with art, fan fiction, and cosplay, and BioWare has turned the holiday into a fan event, providing downloadable art, merch discounts, livestreams, and a photo contest. In 2020, BioWare reunited with voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer to celebrate the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

In 2021, the studio shared player stats and cosplaying tips alongside Steam stickers and sales. This year, executive producer Mike Gamble confirmed the development of a new Mass Effect game, known as Mass Effect: Universe, a project that has since been canceled. On this November 7th, the community aims to make a significant impact, celebrating both Mass Effect and BioWare, with the hope that their efforts will be noticed.