Save Mass Effect petition tops 187k signatures following BioWare closure and cancellation
A Change.Org petition initiated by Joe Smith to save the Mass Effect franchise has surpassed 187,000 signatures following the closure of BioWare and widespread job cuts by Electronic Arts. The petition calls on EA to commit to the continued development of the series with proper funding and staffing, or alternatively license the intellectual property to another studio. The studio closure follows a leveraged buyout of BioWare by Saudi Arabia and accompanies the cancellation of the next game in the series, titled Mass Effect Universe.
Key points
- A petition to save Mass Effect has surpassed 187,000 signatures on Change.Org.
- The petition asks EA to commit to continued development of the franchise or license the IP to another studio.
- BioWare recently closed following widespread job cuts by EA, months after a leveraged buyout of the company by Saudi Arabia.
- BioWare confirmed the authenticity of an internal trailer for the cancelled game Mass Effect Universe following its closure.
What happened
A petition created by Joe Smith to save BioWare's sci-fi role-playing game franchise Mass Effect has topped 187,000 signatures on Change.Org, according to Eurogamer. The initiative asks Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the franchise with proper funding, adequate staffing, and time allocation, or to license the intellectual property to another studio.
The petition follows the closure of BioWare and widespread job cuts across several EA-owned studios, including Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, and EA Motive. These closures and job cuts occurred months after a leveraged buyout of BioWare by Saudi Arabia.
Context
Alongside the studio closure, the next entry in the franchise, titled Mass Effect Universe, was cancelled. BioWare confirmed the authenticity of an internal trailer for Mass Effect Universe after the closure was announced. Additionally, a content creator claiming to serve on a BioWare community council shared alleged details regarding the cancelled project on social media.
What is next
It remains uncertain whether the petition will influence Electronic Arts to alter its plans for the Mass Effect intellectual property or pursue licensing agreements with external studios.
Why it matters
The petition highlights fan demand for the Mass Effect franchise following BioWare's closure, though it remains uncertain if EA will alter its plans.
What we know
- A petition created by Joe Smith to save Mass Effect has topped 187,000 signatures on Change.Org.
- The petition calls for EA to commit to continued development of Mass Effect or license the intellectual property to another studio.
- BioWare faced studio closure and job cuts following a leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia.
- EA implemented widespread job cuts affecting Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, EA Motive, and other studios.
- BioWare confirmed an internal trailer for the cancelled Mass Effect Universe was real following the studio's closure.
What remains unclear
- Whether EA will respond to the petition by committing to continued development or licensing the Mass Effect IP.
How the story developed
Save Mass Effect petition tops 187K signatures
A petition created to save Mass Effect topped 187,000 signatures following BioWare's closure.
Original source
