Petition to save Mass Effect gets over 200,000 signatures

Mass Effect fans are refusing to give up on the franchise, with more than 200,000 people signing a petition urging EA to bring the sci-fi series back.

The future of the franchise was thrown into doubt on October 21, when EA announced it was shutting down BioWare, the studio behind the series, as part of a restructuring involving approximately 400 layoffs.

The closure also meant that Mass Effect 5, which had been in development for years, was officially cancelled. Just one day later, a supposed trailer for the cancelled game leaked online, offering fans a glimpse of what might have been.

Now, the community is hoping to convince EA that Mass Effect still deserves a future.

Mass Effect petition gains support from Commander Shepard actors

A Change.org petition titled #SaveMassEffect has attracted more than 207,000 signatures, with supporters calling on EA to reconsider its plans.

The campaign proposes two possible solutions: EA could continue to fund the next Mass Effect game itself or license the franchise to a different developer.

"Both solutions offer a way forward," the petition argues, calling on fans to help "keep the spirit of exploration alive!"

The campaign has also received support from Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, the two actors best known for voicing both versions of Commander Shepard in the original Mass Effect trilogy.

https://twitter.com/Mark_Meer/status/2114029723642630385?s=20

"You know what I like to think about? I like to think about a world where the fans come together to create a Kickstarter, and then a couple of investors join them, and then a really cool game company joins them," Hale said in a tweet.

"Then a collective is formed to bring Mass Effect back to life for the community, for the creatives, for all of us, and it's amazing. That's what I like to think about."

The voice of male Shep, Mark Meer, subsequently backed the idea, encouraging fans to support the campaign.

"I just saw my friend, Jennifer Hale, post about an idea, and I think it's a pretty good one," he said. "Save Mass Effect. Hold the line. I should go, and you should go… sign that petition."

Despite the growing support, EA has yet to announce any plans to revive Mass Effect or allow another studio to take over development.