Over 187K Fans Sign Petition to Save Mass Effect After BioWare Closure

A fan-driven petition demanding EA take action to preserve the Mass Effect franchise has crossed 187,000 signatures, arriving in the wake of BioWare’s closure and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect title, which had been in development under the name Mass Effect Universe.

What the Petition Is Asking For

According to Eurogamer, the petition was created by a fan named Joe Smith and is hosted on Change.org. Rather than simply demanding EA reverse its decisions around BioWare, the petition calls for concrete commitments to the franchise’s continued development, specifically requesting proper funding, sufficient staffing, and adequate time to uphold the quality the series is known for. As an alternative path, the petition also suggests EA could license the Mass Effect IP to another studio capable of carrying the franchise forward. The petition frames the potential end of new Mass Effect content as a loss not just for fans, but for narrative-driven games as a medium.

The Context Behind the Outcry

BioWare’s closure followed a wave of job cuts at EA that also affected studios including Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, and EA Motive, as Eurogamer reported. The cuts came months after a $55 billion leveraged buyout of the company by Saudi Arabia, which industry observers had anticipated would lead to significant restructuring. As PC Gamer noted, the petition reached over 180,000 signatures within just days of BioWare shutting down, reflecting how quickly fans mobilized after the news broke.

What Was Lost: Mass Effect Universe

The cancellation of Mass Effect Universe has added further weight to fan frustration. An internal trailer for the game surfaced online, and BioWare confirmed it was authentic after the studio’s closure. A content creator who claimed membership in a BioWare community council subsequently shared details about the project on social media. As IGN reported, leaks indicate the canceled game’s story would have accounted for all player choices made across previous entries in the series, a feature fans have long hoped to see return to the franchise.

What Happens Next

EA has not made any public statement in response to the petition. Whether the company will take the fan campaign seriously, explore licensing options, or simply move on from the IP entirely remains to be seen. For now, over 187,000 signatures stand as a clear signal of how much the Mass Effect franchise still means to its community, and how strongly players want to see it continue in some form, regardless of who ends up developing it.

Sources: Eurogamer, PC Gamer, IGN